Manama Souq is a market district in Manama, Bahrain, entered through Bab Al Bahrain. You can browse traditional goods, food and modern products in a souq established in the early 19th century, with Bab Al Bahrain marking the way in.
- Location: Behind Bab Al Bahrain in Manama.
- Souq hours: 08:30–22:00 daily.
- Bab Al Bahrain hours: Saturday–Thursday, 09:00–12:30 and 16:00–20:00.
Finding Manama Souq and Bab Al Bahrain
Bab Al Bahrain stands at the entrance to Manama Souq, with the market directly behind it. The gateway was built in 1949 and formerly housed government administrative offices; today, Ministry of Culture tourism-sector offices and a visitor centre are located there.
The setting reflects the market’s history. Bab Al Bahrain once overlooked the sea, and nearby Mina Al-Manama was Bahrain’s main port. Goods arriving at the port went directly to the souq. The Authority for Culture and Antiquities undertook a project to preserve and restore Bab Al Bahrain as a cultural landmark.
How to walk through the souq
Start at Bab Al Bahrain, then continue behind the gateway into the souq. This simple sequence takes you from the landmark entrance into the market streets without needing to treat the souq as a single shop or destination.
More than 30 shops line Bab Al Bahrain’s main façade and walkway, and additional shops are inside Bab Al Bahrain Mall. Café Naseef is among the cafés at Bab Al Bahrain; it opened in 1920 as Bahrain’s first ice cream shop.
If you are planning a fuller day around the city, the one-day Manama route from the hotel area puts this market visit in a wider itinerary.
What can you find at Manama Souq?
Manama Souq brings traditional wares and everyday shopping together. Bahrain’s Authority for Culture and Antiquities describes textiles, spices, incense, perfumes, handicrafts, souvenirs and modern products from around the world. Bahrain Tourism also identifies gold jewellery, traditional clothing, fabrics, household goods and gifts, alongside restaurants and cafés.
For sweets, look for Bahraini halwa, rahash, zalabiya, khanfaroush and darabeel. Bahraini halwa has been made for around 200 years, making it a distinctive local treat among the market’s food offerings.
Manama Souq opening hours and visit planning
Bahrain Tourism gives Manama Souq’s daily hours as 08:30 to 22:00. The Authority for Culture and Antiquities gives Bab Al Bahrain’s hours as 09:00–12:30 and 16:00–20:00, Saturday through Thursday; its schedule gives no Friday hours.
Because the schedules differ, use the souq hours as a guide to the wider market and check the official site before you go, especially if your visit depends on entering Bab Al Bahrain itself.
Getting to the old market
The hotel offers rooms in Manama for a visit to the old market, and the city centre is about a 14-minute drive away. Once in the central market district, Bab Al Bahrain is the entrance landmark and the souq is behind it.
A public car park serves the souq area, bounded by Government Avenue and Manama Post Office to the south and Road 1507 to the north. Amakin identifies a Bab Al Bahrain 1 & 2 car park on Road 1507, Manama.
FAQs
Where is Manama Souq?
Manama Souq is in Manama, Bahrain, behind Bab Al Bahrain. Bab Al Bahrain stands at the entrance to the market.
What are Manama Souq’s opening hours?
The souq’s daily hours are 08:30 to 22:00. Bab Al Bahrain has a separate schedule.
What should you look for at the souq?
Shops offer goods such as textiles, spices, perfumes, gold jewellery, traditional clothing and gifts. The market also has restaurants, cafés and Bahraini sweets.
Is Bab Al Bahrain part of the souq?
It is the landmark gateway at the entrance, with the souq behind it. Shops also line its main façade and walkway, and more are inside Bab Al Bahrain Mall.