City Guide: Manama

     Manama offers an Arabic experience with an international touch.

     Islamic practices share space in a city with a cosmopolitan flavor with one third of the residents being foreign born. These foreign influences set the city apart from other Middle Eastern capitals making Manama the most democratic of Arabian cities. In Manama, women participate in elections, monarchs share power with parliament and business is done in English.   

     You can see how distinct Manama is from the rest of the Arabian world on your trip to the city. Booked.net can organize your stay in the city easily if you consult our comprehensive list of hotels. From cheap offers to luxury Manama hotels, check out them all with maps, photos and secure forms at Booked.net.

     This liberality of Manama owes to foreign presence. The dominance of Portuguese and Persians throughout the history brought strong foreign influences to the city. During its 5000-year-history Manama was captured by the Babylonian, Greek, Persian, and Ottoman Empires, because of its fertile soil. Manama thrived on farming and sustained each of these empires. Industrialization led to decline of agriculture when oil and heavy industries took its place.

     Business drew immigrants to the city that led to multicultural population of 155,000 people. Even though 80 percent of residents worship Islam, the locals have stuck to those historically liberal views. Manama has seen several anti-American protests and extremism, but they are off the Bahrain's general mainstream.   

     This relaxed lifestyle of Manama led to its reputation of the sleepy city. In fact, Manama is world away from this. The city boasts of its opportunities for chic vacation with extensive dining choices, exquisite shopping and abundance of sights to visit. Attractions include;

- Al-Fateh Mosque, the largest mosques in the world

- Pearl Monument, the statue is regarded as Bahrain's unofficial symbol

- Museum of Pearl Diving, the most important historic building in Bahrain and once served for Bahrain Courts

- Bahrain Fort, built on the site of Dilmun settlements back to 3,000 BC

- The Bab Al Bahrain is the Gateway to Bahrain that stands as the main monument of the city.

     Apart from sightseeing, you can participate in Manama's celebrations. The city has distinct festive spirit reflected in the Eid ul adha, and Ashura festivals, but the most important party is the Independence Day.

     From unforgettable parties to guided tours of the city, Manama is a destination for chic vacation with Booked.net.