Qal'at al-Bahrain

Qal'at al-Bahrain

Qal'at al-Bahrain
4.5
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  • Patrick T
    Hong Kong, China2,688 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great historical site
    The old fort buries the history of Bahrain. It is well preserved with clear information showing the previous glory of the country. The trails are easy to walk. Visitors may learn more about the history of the country at the museum attached to the site.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 5, 2024
  • Abovetheclouds
    2,488 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must!
    Also known as Bahrain Fort, this is a must whilst in Bahrain. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stunning. Easy to walk around. You don't need good footwear. I did it in sandals. Not that big. Nice views as well.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written March 30, 2024
  • machinmad
    Yaxley, United Kingdom2,676 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive structure ...
    It was a boiling hot day when we visited. Our guide was informative, telling us how the port have grown and changed over millenia. There are good paths and info board to guide you around. It's a shell of buildings, there's nothing inside to see.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 30, 2024
  • Mozzroom
    New Plymouth, New Zealand674 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Okay
    The fort itself was closed when we were there as it looked like renovations were still happening so it was unclear how long this is intended to continue for. You can walk around the outside though and get some nice photos with the sea as a backdrop. About 5 minutes walk down the hill is the museum which has a cafe and toilets. You can get to the fort by public bus being bus no 23( budaiya) which goes from Manama central terminal every half hour. Bus takes cash or can buy a Go Card from the terminal office. The stop at the fort is unmarked but it is right outside and to come home it is the same but across the road. Worth it if you have time.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 24, 2024
  • Fabrizio T
    Rome, Italy3,863 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    To see even if ira in renovation...
    Unfortunately closed for renovation, but not for this not worth a visit. The fort can be visited via a comfortable outdoor walk and allows you to see the fort, even if partially, in all its beauty. Easily accessible by bus 23 from Manama terminal which stops right in front of the adjacent museum, a must see. Bar inside the museum with a postcard view.
    Visited October 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 1, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Rostislav
Moscow, Russia11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Very ancient buildings, a beautiful place, you can touch the history and take a lot of interesting photos. Admission is free; it is better to visit in the evening, as it is incredibly hot during the day. You can get there from the center by bus 23, which does not run very often, but there is a schedule on Google.
Google
Written October 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Been a few places
Epsom, UK1,067 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
Bahrain Fort is an impressive place to wander round and soak up some history in a beautiful coastal setting. This large UNESCO listed fort which can be explored inside and out. The accompanying museum is worth a visit too, especially on a hot day with the efficient aircon, however, the cafe is overpriced. A definite highlight of Bahrain.
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ade
Ipswich, UK604 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
From the minute I first saw the fort in the distance, then to a walk around the perimeter of the fort, culminating in a walk inside, this was absolutely brilliant. So much history, so large, so well preserved and upkept and, not least, free! Of all the forts I have seen, this is by far the best. Would recommend to all.
Also went in the adjacent museum/exhibition centre - cost 2.2BD, but complaints there.
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

unordinary_traveller
Hobart, Australia150 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Solo
Fort is excellent, especially for free and especially if you pickup the free audio guide from the museum on the way.

Museum however is overpriced at 2BD, it’s very small and really the Fort and audio guide provides enough info for all but the budding archeologists. Short audio tour is 30-45min, long is 90min. I choose to hear extra bits of interest and all up spent 2hrs walking around.

The Cafe also I thought overpriced. But Fort is excellent and easily accessible by X2 bus from Manama.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Globe Trotting Gems
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates721 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
Great fort to wonder around, can get hot during the day so maybe go late afternoon. Lots of things to look at and a lovely path around the outside of the fort. The museum is good to understand the history and it does offer an audio tour, bear in mind it’s not open on a Monday (the museum). Fort is free to access and open until late in the evening. Nice view of the city skyline from the top as well.
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

james m
Helensburgh, UK18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Really cool fort. Lots of explanatory signs and an audio tour available (although we didn't use it). Plenty to look at and could easily waste a couple of hours there. One word of warning though, in July, even past 4 o'clock and in the shade, it gets hotter than hell inside....take plenty of water (and a hat). Recommended.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stuart w
Brecon, UK42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Solo
Surprising attraction and excellent museum. Site is world heritage on the original 4000 year old. Dilman settlement with a 17th century Portuguese fort now dominating 17 hectares. Informative tour around the fort (take water and shade). The museum is excellent as it tells the story of the history and the archeology of the site in an clear educational way demonstrated through the exhibits. Not the usual broken shards of pottery and impossible to follow descriptions you find on many museums. Truly learned something of the history of Bahrain today. Museum also has an excellent cafe situated on the waters edge for one of the best views in Bahrain. Suggest go close to sunset.will revisit with family in coming months. At Just over 2 BHD excellent value also.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MarkO
Naperville, IL34 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
We visited the museum and the Fort itself and recommend both. The museum exhibits do a good job of providing context to what you see at the Fort in the different sections and layers. In addition, the exhibits helped to understand why the sections of the fort differ so much. The path around the Fort is well designed to take in from a distance and then the plaques inside the Fort itself provide additional information. We didn't get the audio tour (it wasn't mentioned to us by the attendant at the Museum, which seems like a miss on his part). It seems like that is something that could be uploaded as a podcast or other easy-to-access offering rather than having to get something from the Museum. In any case, we enjoyed the afternoon walk and visit to both sites.
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

00RSN00
101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
This is a historical site of an ancient fort. A great outdoor experience. When I went, unfortunately, it was very hot and humid. I recommend going there when the weather is nice. A museum is conveniently located next to it… you can get two places done in one visit
Written September 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ScotAbroad
4 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
From Seef Mall only 10 minutes drive. A beautiful old fort. New museum where you park up is a must to visit - entrance cheap. Fort great for photos. You must walk from museum main car park so phone in advance to see if they can arrange closer access drop-off for disabled. Fort has lower parts accessible by wheelchair. Fort history dates back over 2500 years. Much of the surrounding site still not excavated. Museum coffee shop sitting outside watching sun set on the bay is beautiful. My favourite historical site in Bahrain. You always want to go back. Also go and explore the nearby public beach
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Qal'at al-Bahrain, Al Qalah

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