The Pearling Trail

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Muharraq Souq: Smaller than Manama Souq, the Muharraq souq offers a wide range of merchandise and famed sweet shops. The oldest section of the souq, Al Qaisariya, offers a charming shopping experience. Souq Al Qaisariya is an integral component of the "Pearling; a testimony of an Island Economy" (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

   25 min

2. Dhow Building yard: The yard is located next to Fishermen’s Port in Muharraq is the oldest and the only Dhow building yard of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The high raised masts of the completed dhows welcome the visitors to the busy yard where the timbers lying around and the melody of the gentle sea breeze tells you a different story about a seafaring nation. The major purpose of dhow has always been pearling. It is also used for fishing, passenger & cargo transportation and diving. With the deep-rooted pearling traditions of Bahrain, it’s no wonder that the dhow industry has been closely associated with the heritage of the Kingdom. Suq Al-Qaisariya (Al-Qaisariya Market): A part of the old Muharraq Suq which dates back to the dawn of the 20th century. Research suggests that Suq Al-Qaisariya actually is almost 100 years older, having formed the beginning of the 19th century and expanded over the years to meet the growing economic needs of the local populace in light of the stable economic, social, and cultural environment of the country during that time. The suq is also an integral part of the Pearling Trail which was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2012. Bin Matar House: The House was built on reclaimed land in 1905 and at the time was surrounded by the sea on three sides. supervised by the Bahraini master builder Mussa bin Hamad, the building was constructed in a traditionally Bahraini manner, using palm tree trunks, sea-stone and gypsum. The building was initially used as the permanent majlis of Salman Hussein Bin Matar, one of Bahrain’s the most prominent pearling merchants. Salman bin Hussain bin Salman bin Matar proved to be a man of remarkable abilities and broad interests. He joined his father’s pearl business and during the late 19th and early 20th centuries became one of the major pearl merchants in the entire Gulf region. Virtually all foreigners, especially French and Indian, relied on his expert advice in matters relating to the purchase of pearls. Bait Al Ghus (Diver’s House) : The Al Ghous House is one of the 16 world heritage properties that make up the Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy UNESCO World Heritage site in Muharraq. The house allows an insight into the life of a diver, the first person to make contact with the pearl, which stimulated the far-reaching pearling economy.

   2 hAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Manama

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 93 experiences we list in Manama.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 49 of 93.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Manama

Manama, Bahrain's capital, is a Gulf waterfront city where glass towers stand beside an old souq, grand mosques and relics of the pearling trade.

Manama sits on the north-eastern coast of Bahrain's main island, where the old gate of Bab Al Bahrain opens into the souq's narrow lanes of spices, gold, fabric and household goods. The Bahrain National Museum on the waterfront follows the island's story from the Dilmun civilisation to the pearl trade, and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, with its large white dome, is one of the biggest in the Gulf.

Top-ranked sights in Manama: Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve, Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House.

See all 93 experiences in Manama