Formula One returns to Bahrain this weekend, offering the perfect excuse to explore the island AFP
Formula One returns to Bahrain this weekend, offering the perfect excuse to explore the island AFP
Formula One returns to Bahrain this weekend, offering the perfect excuse to explore the island AFP
Formula One returns to Bahrain this weekend, offering the perfect excuse to explore the island AFP

Lap up the culture: 8 things to do this weekend in Bahrain


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

The Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix put the small island nation of Bahrain on the international map in 2004.

Almost every year since, the race has been held between the end of March and beginning of April and, thanks to the cool weather and a packed schedule, these months have quickly become the best time of year for tourists to visit. This year's race takes place on Sunday, and there are plenty of events leading up to the F1 action. Here's our guide to what to do if you're there this weekend.

Watch the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

Of course, that's what you're in Bahrain for, after all. Tens of thousands of people flock to the country every year to catch all the racing action, and this year will be no different. Not only will you get to see the best drivers battle it out on the world-class track in Sakhir, but there's also plenty of on-site entertainment planned for the weekend, including performances by superstar DJs Martin Garrix and Kygo. F1 fans will get the chance to check their reflexes by subjecting themselves to the same test used by drivers; they can have a go at being an F1 commentator in the TV Challenge; and can even try their hand at being a mechanic in the Pit Stop Challenge. Meanwhile, video-gamers can check out the esports section, while racegoers can also ride on the 42-metre-tall Ferris wheel and the 60-metre Star Flyer. For children, there are carnival games and roaming performers, such as stilt walkers and clowns.

Eat your way around Adliya

The restaurants in the Adliya area of Bahrain. Getty Images
The restaurants in the Adliya area of Bahrain. Getty Images

Bahrain is a country of foodies, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Adliya, where some of the country's best restaurants sit side by side in a sprawling block of pedestrianised pathways and meandering alleys. Whether you have a hankering for Italian or Thai food, want to relax with a coffee in a chilled-out cafe or prefer more upbeat vibes in a contemporary lounge, there's something for everyone in the area, which is colloquially dubbed "Block 338". A few recommended options include industrial-style steak spot The ­Foundry; beloved Indian restaurant and bar Lanterns; and Mexican favourite Calexico.  

Visit the Pearling Trail

The Pearl Trail. Alamy
The Pearl Trail. Alamy

One of two Unesco World Heritage Sites in Bahrain, the Pearling Trail is a series of buildings and landmarks that forms a 3.5-kilometre pathway and is the perfect introduction into the island's past. It consists of three oyster beds, a segment of coast, Bu Maher Fort and nine clusters of buildings with 17 architectural structures in the historic town of Muharraq. The trail highlights the importance of the centuries-­old pearl-collecting tradition to Bahrain's economy.

Go to Manama Souq

Manama Souq in the capital. Reuters
Manama Souq in the capital. Reuters

There are a number of traditional marketplaces you can visit, but the most famous is in the capital. Wander through Bab Al Bahrain arch to explore its labyrinthine alleyways, where hawkers sell everything from local perfumes to exotic spices and plenty of gold. You'll find a plethora of hole-in-the-wall restaurants too, including Bahraini favourite Haji's Cafe and the vegetarian Indian spot Swagat, which is found near the Sri Krishna Temple, which is more than 100 years old.

Take a boat to Aldar Island

The small island is worth visiting as a tourist, and you can get involved with all sorts of fun family-friendly activities, such as water sports, pearl-­diving, fishing and volleyball. Refuel at the restaurant and bar, and then head back to the main island, or spend the night in one of the modern, comfortable chalets on Aldar. Prices to get there start from 5 Bahraini dinars (Dh50) for adults and Bd2 for children older than five years. It's free for the younger ones

Wander around the Bahrain Fort

The eponymous fort in the city of Riffa. Getty
The eponymous fort in the city of Riffa. Getty

Bahrain's first Unesco World Heritage Site was Qal'at Al Bahrain, also known as the Bahrain or Portuguese Fort. This 3,000-year-old archaeological site is where hundreds of antiquities and treasures have been unearthed over the past century. Wander around the ruins and then head to the nearby museum, which gives you an insight into the area, the landmark and the country's rich history. There's also a lovely little cafe there to pick up a coffee or a bite to eat, as well as a tiny souvenir shop.

Eat breakfast at Riffa Fort

Bahrain's forts are among the most beautiful in the region, and so a trip to the restored Riffa Fort never goes amiss. You can carefully tread through history here, but also pop into Saffron by Jena, where a traditional Bahraini breakfast – complete with balaleet, foul and balila – is served inside or on the terrace, which offers gorgeous views over the Hunanaiya Valley. Saffron cafe is a bit of an institution in Bahrain, and it also has a couple of other branches at well-known landmarks in the country, including the Manama Souq and on the Muharraq Pearling Trail. This one is our favourite, though.

Take in the arts scene

At any time of year, Bahrain has a unique and interesting arts scene for visitors to enjoy, with a wide range of small galleries on offer, such as Albareh Art Gallery and La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, showcasing works by local and regional artists. This weekend is a particularly good time to pay them a visit if you're into the arts, as the annual Spring of Culture Festival coincides with the Formula One racing. Grammy Award-­winning rocker Steve Winwood will perform tonight in Bahrain Bay, while tomorrow evening Scottish musician Scott Booth will take to the stage at the Cultural Hall, a performing arts theatre located not far from the Bahrain National Museum (this is well worth a visit too, if you have the time to stop by). Also on the agenda this weekend is the Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, which is being held at the stalwart Ritz-Carlton hotel.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Stage result

1. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe, in 3:29.09

2. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto-Soudal

3. Rudy Barbier (FRA) Israel Start-Up Nation

4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma

5. Luka Mezgec (SLO) Mitchelton-Scott

6. Alberto Dainese (ITA) Sunweb

7. Jakub Mareczko (ITA) CCC

8. Max Walscheid (GER) NTT

9. José Rojas (ESP) Movistar

10. Andrea Vendrame (ITA) Ag2r La Mondiale, all at same time

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At a glance

- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years

- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills

- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis

- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector

- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes

- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000

On sale: now  

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg

Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

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From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

 

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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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THE SPECS

Engine: 3.6-litre V6

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 310hp

Torque: 366Nm

Price: Dh200,000

RESULTS

4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)

4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

SPEC%20SHEET
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