Manama

Also known as al-Manāmah

capitale et plus grande ville de Bahreïn

AI overview

Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, located in the Persian Gulf, with a population of approximately 743,066 as of 2025. It matters as a historically significant trading center that has shaped the region's commerce and culture, and it remains important as the political and economic center of independent Bahrain, which was established in 1971.

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Place details

Locality: المنامة
Region: محافظة العاصمة
Country: البحرين
Population: 147,074
Timezone

Travel guide

Understand

Manama emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based on the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy.

Get in

All roads in Bahrain lead to Manama, so see the main Bahrain article for details.

See

thumb|right|300px|Al-Fateh Mosque at night thumbnail|Archways of Bahrain Fort

Do

Manama is a getaway for Arabs and expats residing in Arab countries where alcohol is banned. Tourists, particularly Saudis and residents of Saudi Arabia, come to Bahrain mainly for the nightlife.

Ice skating The only ring in town is located at the Fun-land centre along the Marina corniche.

Buy

thumb|Shops in downtown Manama

Eat

thumb|Flatbread and hummus at a restaurant in Manama Restaurants in Manama run the gamut from cheap shawarma joints to 5-star restaurants. In addition to the places listed in this section, hotels often have one or several restaurants and bars.

Drink

thumb|Streetside café in the souq Manama has a busy nightlife by Gulf standards. The main districts are Adliya, Hoora, Juffair and Business District. Many places to drink are in hotels (see the Sleep section below).

Stay safe

Manama and Bahrain in general is a quite safe place, but while violent crime is rare, pickpocketing, bag snatching and burglaries aren't unheard of. As of 2024 travel advisories also warn of possible terrorist attacks including bombings in public places.

Visitors are required to respect Islamic customs and laws when it comes to social relations, clothing, behaviour and such. Unlike many other countries in the region, alcohol isn't outlawed - as long as consumption happens on private premises such as nightclubs away from the public eye.

Article · Français

Manama (en arabe : المنامة / al-manāma) est la capitale du royaume de Bahreïn. Située au nord de l'île de Bahreïn, sur le golfe Persique, elle est aussi la plus grande ville de Bahreïn, avec une population estimée à 157 474 habitants en 2010. Manama est mentionnée dans les chroniques islamiques au moins dès 1345. Conquise par les Portugais en 1521, puis par les Perses en 1602, elle est, depuis 1783, dirigée, avec de brèves interruptions, par la dynastie régnante d'Al Khalifa. En 1958, Manama est déclarée port franc et devient, en 1971, la capitale du royaume de Bahreïn indépendant. La base économique de Manama est identique à celle de Bahreïn : le raffinage du pétrole, la construction de dhows (bateaux traditionnels), la pêche et la récolte de perles. Manama est, par l'intermédiaire de l'aéroport international de Bahreïn, desservie sur l'île d'Al Muharraq, à laquelle elle est reliée par une chaussée. Fondée en 1986, l'université de Bahreïn fait de la capitale bahreïnienne une ville universitaire. Manama, anciennement l'une des douze municipalités de Bahreïn, fait désormais partie du gouvernorat de la capitale, dont elle est le chef-lieu. Une base navale y a été installée par la Royal Navy en 1935. Depuis les années 1950, l'US Navy y entretient une présence, qui a pris de l'importance pendant les guerres du Golfe, et sert actuellement de quartier général à la Cinquième flotte américaine.

Abstract from DBpedia / Wikipedia · CC BY-SA