Bahrain

Discover Bahrain

Fun Foods

Machboos

Almost every Bahraini family has pearl diving in their blood. For thousands of years, men free-dove into the Persian Gulf to harvest oysters, and the pearls they found made Bahrain one of the wealthiest places in the ancient world.

Pearl diving wasn't just a job. It was Bahrain's entire economy for millennia.

Divers held their breath, plunged deep into the warm Gulf waters, and came up clutching oysters that might contain fortune.

The ancient Dilmun civilization thrived here from 3000 BC to 600 BC. Dilmun was a legendary trading hub connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.

The Epic of Gilgamesh mentions Dilmun as a land of abundance and prosperity, almost like a paradise on earth.

Then disaster struck in the 1930s. Japan perfected cultured pearls and destroyed Bahrain's pearl industry overnight.

The economy collapsed. Families who'd been diving for generations suddenly had no income.

Oil saved Bahrain. When petroleum was discovered in the early 20th century, it transformed the tiny island nation completely.

Oil money replaced pearl money, and Bahrain modernized fast.

Portuguese forces controlled Bahrain in the 16th century. Persians took over in the 17th century.

Britain made Bahrain a protectorate in the 19th century and controlled it for over 150 years.

On August 15, 1971, Bahrain gained independence from Britain. The Al Khalifa dynasty, which has ruled since 1783, remains in power today. National Day celebrations happen every August 15.

The Bahrain Grand Prix started in 2004 as the first Formula 1 race in the Middle East. The floodlit night race in the Sakhir desert attracts fans from around the world.

F1 weekend has become a massive national celebration.

Try machboos, Bahrain's national dish of spiced rice cooked with chicken, meat, or fish. Arabic coffee flavored with cardamom and saffron always comes with dates as a welcome gesture.

Shawarma Alley in Manama's Adliya area has dozens of restaurants serving this Middle Eastern street food staple. The Bahrain International Circuit hosts the F1 race and cultural events showcasing traditional crafts like dhow boat making, henna art, and pottery.