Bustling souks, thriving street markets, and variety that brings out the shopaholic in you, Bahrain offers all that and much more. With a rich history dating back millennia, this tiny island nation offers a wealth of culture and natural treasures for visitors to explore.
The land of contrasts has managed to captivate everyone that walks through its streets with the perfect blend of modern luxury brands and unique culturally significant handicrafts with sewed-on stories of its birth.
So this Formula one trip, take back a piece of this rich land along with the memories of your favorite race.
Here, we have listed down a few gifts and souvenirs you absolutely need to take back home with you, so let’s go through them so you have something to show off from your Formula one trip this march!
Table of Contents
Perfumes and Oud
The kingdom of perfumes, as the name suggests, has expertise in creating your scent. They combine oils to come up with the smell you were looking for and offer them in exquisitely designed bottles. Every perfume or oud they make is an inspiration from thousands of years of olfactory prowess.
Oud itself is extremely expensive and reserved for special occasions or for religious events. For day-to-day usage, Mukhallat, directly translating to “mixture”, is more commonly used.
Rawya Catto says they are less concentrated, mixed versions of oud that are called Mukhallat, an Arabic word that translates directly to “mixture.” “Mukhallat tends to be a fragrance based around rose saffron and ouds, and families used to blend these at home,” she says.
Bab al Bahrain is located at the entrance to the Manama Suq and is well-known for offering a variety of products including Perfumes and oud. Most of the souks on this Island have a plethora of senses to offer.
Don’t miss picking ‘your’ scent packed in exquisitely designed bottles with gold inscriptions looking just as royal as you smell.
Bakhoor
This is the perfect natural and non-toxic gift for anyone or even your own house.
This sweet-smelling incense called Bakhoor is made of wood chips from fragrant trees and is widely used as a part of Arabic culture. Bakhoor floods you when you visit any souk or attend any religious ceremony as well. These aromatic wood chips are the best-selling souvenir of any local soul or market in Bahrain.
Like Perfumes and Oud, Bakhoor is also sold in most souks and even Malls. You can easily find a shop nearby selling these fragrant wood chips to create a new aroma for your house.
Dates
The elixir of the middle east, Dates are not only extremely beneficial for your health but also the perfect delicacy for your sweet tooth as well.
Fresh dates are best bought from a farmer’s market as they offer the best bargain, and preserved dates or date jams can be bought from many shops in the local marketplaces and malls.
This simple fruit is Bahrain’s staple cuisine and is widely consumed for breakfast for its alkalizing properties that delicately prepare the digestive system tract for the rest of the day. The Ramadan fast is also ended with dates, coupled with its cultural significance, Dates are perfect gifts for you and your family. Bahrain souks offer a variety of dates, including dates covered with chocolate and dates stuffed with almonds, lemons, and oranges as well.
Preserved dates are usually available at retailers as well. Bateel, located in the City Centre of Bahrain, is a famous name and sells dates coated in artisans’ delicious chocolate and almonds and orange and lemon rind.
Pottery
The traditional village of A’ali is known for creating these earthy decorations and pots. You can learn all bout its ancient traditions that have remained through the test of time and even get to make your own under the tutelage of a real craftsman.
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Bahraini culture is to marvel at its long-standing traditional art and pottery. With its intricate and unique designs, Bahrain proudly shows off its craftsmanship. There are a number of beautifully crafted exhibits right from pots of all sizes and pitchers to money banks and lamps that you can buy as a souvenir. The perfect addition to your home decor, Bahrain pottery is sure to leave an impression on whoever looks at it.
Abbayas and Scarves
The traditional Bahraini outfit worn by women, Abbayas is the perfect addition to your wardrobe. This loose and flowy not only reflects the touch of arab culture but is also the perfect companion to Bahrain’s hot and humid weather.
The local markets and malls are filled to the brim with a plethora of modern and traditional designs for Abbayas and matching scarves as well. If you’re looking for one with a classy modern touch, ‘Mobayas’ by a Bahraini entrepreneur, Mobeena Inam, offers a wide variety of artistic designs. Annada store, at Seef Mall, is owned by a Bahraini sister duo and their merchandise including scarves, jewelry, stationery, and men’s and women’s clothing bears the art of a number of Bahraini artists.
Gold
The gold in Bahrain is considered to be of the highest quality and definitely worth the investment. From traditional old jewelry to new modern minimalistic pieces, You can definitely find your design here.
For an authentic local shopping experience, there is no better place than the Manama Souq. It is also known as Bab Al Bahrain (The Gateway of Bahrain), and the history of the marketplace goes back to 1949. Right next to it, you will also find the two-story Gold Souq, in which you can admire several jewelers selling glittering gold and silver jewelry. Al Qusayrya Market, one of the oldest markets in Bahrain, is another that has grown tremendously popular over time. What makes it stand out, in particular, is its lovely architecture.
Pearls
While the island is already known for its history and culture, there’s a hidden gem that’s always waiting to be explored – the pearl shopping district. The pearl industry is a long-standing Bahraini industry supporting the country’s economy as well. So what are you waiting for, Explore the exotic collection and bring home those lustrous pearl beauties.
The Al Quasayrya Market of Bahrain also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, is the most well-known market in Bahrain. It is also known as the ‘pearl market’ of Bahrain where people get to purchase the most authentic and certified majestic pearls. A must-visit for not only its beautiful pearls but also the stunning architecture and local cuisine.
Luxury Brands
The island is renowned for its lavish lifestyle and exquisite taste and the luxury shopping here will leave you awestruck.
The Bahrain City Center Mall, located in Manama’s Seef neighborhood, offers everything from budget-friendly boutiques to expensive luxury labels including Saks Avenue, Debenhams, Centre Point, Pottery Barn, and Home Centre.
Another option would be The Moda mall inside the iconic Bahrain Worl trade center housing over 80 fashion luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani, Dior, Fendi, Versace, Bottega Veneta, and Gucci. Not only the largest collection of international designers, but it also houses brands like Piaget, Chopard, Cartier, etc. These malls are located at a convenient distance from the airport and are open all week to make it a sure shot stop by for tourists.
Rugs, Handicrafts, and Antiques
Rugs make for an elegant souvenir to give your homes a touch of your travel log and Bahrain offers prime quality Persian rugs, skillfully woven and available in various colors and intricate delicate patterns.
With its history of being the trade and commerce center, Bahrain has been attracting traders and merchants forever. And today, the bustling antique street markets are a reflection of its wealth of rare items.
The perfect souvenir or the best gift from Bahrain for your loved ones, the rich antique collection here will an amazing gift for all fascinated by the past.
Bahrain’s textile industry is really a testament to its enduring craftsmanship and the perfect Bahraini Traditional Gift. These authentic rugs can be purchased from local souks across the streets of Bahrain.
Bahrain’s markets are filled with a dazzling array of handmade gifts, each with its own story to tell. If you’re looking for beautiful traditional handicrafts, and textile pieces, Manama Souq will be the place to go. The souk offers a variety of handicrafts and textile pieces and rugs to give your home the touch of this beautiful island.
Another option is the Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre. Giving you the opportunity to choose from an array of Bahrain’s native art like ceramics, basket weaving, fabric weaving, wood job, tapestries, and glass mosaics, this place has everything for every gift you need.
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM; 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The souq al Haraj in Isa Town is a popular flea market in Bahrain, famous for exploring unique yet cheap items, and is a paradise for antique hunters.
Arabic Coffee
The beloved brew has been an integral part of the island’s culture acting as a symbol of friendship, hospitality, and warmth for centuries.
Sipping on a cup of this rich full-bodied mesmerizing cup of joe should definitely be a part of your trip. Once you try it, We are pretty sure, you will want to take some home as well,
Muharraq Souq is a shopping spot that is flooded with the pleasing aroma of Arabian Coffee. A gem for desert lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike, It is a to-go place if you want to take offer your loved ones the same unique experience.
Opening Hours:
Saturday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Spices
Bahrain, a land of fragrant spices and exotic flavors is a food lover’s paradise. And if you’re a visitor trying to take a piece of the Bahraini cuisine back home with you, there’s nothing better than the country’s finest spices.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a curious foodie, Bahrains spice market offers a wealth of options that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
It’s a terrific suggestion to get seasonings that are not readily available in your very own country.
Souq Waqif, one of the most historical places in Bahrain, translated in Arabic as the “standing market”, wherein the merchants cover both sides of the lanes on the street and set up their makeshift stalls to display their unique collection of food and spices.
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sweets
Bahrainis have the sweet tooth and various confectioneries throughout the island to for all kinds of a sugar rush. They offer a series of local sweetmeats, consisting of Khanfroosh, Rehash, Baklava, Luqaimat, halwa as well as even more.
The Showalter shops in Muharraq are famous for their Halwa made with their family recipe that’s been around for 150 years. They also have a manufacturing facility in Muharraq souq and you can also attend one of their excursions to see how the magic happens. They offer you to taste their range of desserts before you get them so you can taste just how the sweets have been able to attract travelers from all over the world.
A trip to this beautiful island is not just an opportunity to witness high-speed thrills and adrenaline-fuelled excitement, It’s a chance to capture a wealth of treasures and be able to take back a part of this island to enrich your own house or make for the most unique and creative gifts for all your loves ones.
So don’t forget to take the memorabilia that is going to remind you of this place where the ancient meets the modern in the most creative way possible.
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