Cultural immersion distinguishes a tourist from a traveller. And what better way to experience the Arab culture than exploring the historic Manama Suq in Manama, Bahrain.

Located in the Arabian Gulf near Saudi Arabia, this small desert island nation is readily recognized as the leading financial hub of the Middle East. With its rich pearling history prior to the discovery of oil in 1932, the Kingdom of Bahrain has made it a priority to develop and showcase its heritage to visitors under the direction of the Ministry of Culture & Information.

Manama’s liberal cosmopolitan city, a popular stopping off point for cruise ships, embraces visitors with its warm Arab friendliness and hospitality. If you find yourself in the kingdom, an evening exploring the historic Manama Suq is an experience not to be missed. 

To know a place well, one must walk the ground, talk to the locals, and soak up the history. Let’s begin at Bab al Bahrain.

Historic Landmark

Built in 1945 and refurbished in 1986 to incorporate Islamic architectural features, Bab al Bahrain - which means 'Gateway of Bahrain' - marks the main entrance to the Manama Suq.

When constructed, this arched building was very near the water. Due to extensive land reclamation over the years, it’s now a hearty five to ten minute walk over to the new Bahrain Financial Harbour buildings in order to even glimpse any water… and then the area is punctured with ever-constant construction and further reclamation.

Bab al Bahrain’s ground floor houses the Tourist Information office and shop brimming with guidebooks, handicrafts and natural pearls for sale. This might be a good first stop for tourists. Taxis are readily available here for transport back to your hotel or ship.

The Suq’s bustling marketplace with its traditional and contemporary shops recently completed two phases of renovation. The prime goal of the project, initiated under the directives of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was to re-brand the Manama suq into a significant and self-sufficient urban centre, according to officials, by returning the suq “back to its prominence within the daily fabric of life in Bahrain.”

As pedestrians pass under the low arch, they are immediately greeted by a covered roof canopy high overhead, connecting buildings on both sides that are now sporting new facelifts. There is also an exterior walkway on the second level. Known as Bab al Bahrain Avenue, the shaded pedestrian mall - a former one-lane street - features traditional wooden doors and Islamic architectural detail of Middle Eastern suqs, along with and an eclectic mixture of beckoning shops and shopkeepers. The deeper into the suq you venture, the more original and historic details you will see.

Vibrant Marketplace

As the hot desert sun begins its evening descent across the horizon, the suq begins readying itself from a day-time of deserted alleyways and shuttered store-fronts to a flurry of hustle and bustle of life at dusk. With shops opening between 4pm and 5pm, visitors should plan their outings accordingly. During the week the suq closes at 9pm, but many shops remain open longer on the weekends. In Bahrain, the weekend begins on Thursday evening and ends Saturday night.

The smells and sights abound. Don’t miss out on the spice suq. Shopkeepers welcome the opportunity to tell visitors about the history of spices and beam when you comment in awe on the multicoloured spice pyramids they painstakingly create. Suq air is thick with the smells of spices - cumin and saffron - while only a few alleyways over, strong oil-based Arabic perfume fills the air. 

Wandering into a corner perfumery shop is a pleasant deviation. The shopkeepers are more than willing to explain the origins or their scents. You’ll quickly run out of untested wrist and neck space from sampling the exotic oils. And the Arab men - appreciative of Arabic perfume’s seductive s cents - will take notice when you pass. 

Hawkers and traders are not shy as they vie for your attention and summon you over. Whether you are interested in Arabic perfume, knock-off designer watches, 24 carat gold jewellery, coveted antiques and regional handicraft, or modern appliances, unusual trinkets, traditional clothing or bright coloured Indian fabric, bargaining - and sometimes intense negotiating - is welcomed and expected. Don’t worry about language barriers; English is widely spoken and understood. Although most dealers are Indian, the massive weekend crowds comprise all ethnicities and walks of life.

Most foreigners know about the flowing black robe (abaya) many Muslim women wear, but few are aware of its array of style and embellishment options. In the suq there are literally dozens of shops selling black abayas, yet their embellishments are of every colour possible with highly detailed embroidery and beadwork, and adorned with matching head-scarves. Don’t believe anyone who tells you that Arab women are not interested in fashion or wearing the most popular clothing and shoes. I can’t count the number of women’s ornate stilettos I saw peaking out beneath elegantly flowing abayas. And the way they carry themselves as they walk is strikingly dignified yet always respectfully.

Visiting the suq is not just about shopping however. This is an enriching cultural and social experience. Be adventurous. Plan to take your time wandering the narrow streets and passageways of rows upon rows of open stalls, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself temporarily turned around. It happens to everyone. After all, that’s part of the intrigue of discovering new sights and meeting people of a foreign land; offering an ideal opportunity to converse with locals while asking for directions.

First-time visitors can wander for hours ducking in and out of small alleyways finding themselves originally in the fruit and vegetable area suq only to have spilled out into a paved lane leading into the textile suq with its sensory overload of multi-coloured fabrics. Navigating these narrow, often chaotic, lanes is part of the thrill along with a chattering mix of nationalities and the rise and fall of unknown accents.

Middle East Cuisine

Small local ethnic restaurants and coffee shops are everywhere. Cuisine ranges from Thai and Indian to Filipino and Persian. Prices are remarkably reasonable, the food fantastically tasty, and the people-watching immensely interesting. Most restaurants have a family section and Men Only areas. These do not apply to foreigners however.

The Arab locals and Indian expats swarm into the suq during the cool evenings after sunset to sit beneath the cloudless sky playing dominos, enjoying a flavoured smoke of sheesha and discussing politics. Although spilling over onto the narrow sidewalks, their friendly smiles reassure you that you may indeed weave your way in and around their chairs and tables as you continue on your way. They welcome Westerners and cherish the opportunity to talk if approaches. Although very friendly and interactive, local Arab men will respect your privacy and not draw you into conversation unless you seek it. And if you do, chairs will be instantly offered, a cup of hot tea or Arabic coffee will magically appear, and you can plan on some very interesting conversations with everyday Arab men. 

If jewellery catches your fancy, you are in for a rare treat. The suq has two gold suqs. Gold City, located between Al Khalifa and Government avenues, is characterized as a suq within a suq, offering a dazzling array of Middle Eastern and Indian jewellery along with a number of local perfumeries and watch stands. And yes, bargaining is expected here also. 

The Gold suq, tucked away in a two-story building off of Bab al Bahrain Avenue, similar to Gold City’s jewellery is all 18 carat and 24 carat gold items. In the Middle East, 10 carat and 14 carat gold items are not considered or accepted as ‘gold’ jewellery. 

If pearls are more to your liking, Bahraini natural pearls are one of a kind and available for purchase. There are no cultured pearls in this country; only natural - actually, the only natural pearls in the world today - and sold by the gram. It is illegal to bring cultured pearls into Bahrain to sell. Take note that if you do spot an item of interest, it is best to haggle and purchase then and there. Chances are very good that you’ll be unsuccessful in retracing your steps to return later.

Spiralling Minarets

Unassuming mosques are interspersed between old and not-quite-so-old buildings throughout the suq where their call to prayer offers a welcoming repose to the constant chattering of foreign dialects. Visitors and those living within the suq neighbourhood quietly slip away to prayer as evidenced by the neat rows of shoes lined up outside mosque entrances. Since the doors are left ajar, passers-by can freely glimpse men in various stages of prayer. Some seven to ten minutes later, they are back within the throngs of shoppers or perched again inside a dark alleyway immersed in hearty conversation.

There’s so much to absorb and experience in this traditional Arabic marketplace that given the opportunity of a repeat visit, spending another evening in the Manama Suq would never be a decision regretted.