Bahrain flag Bahrain Beach Holidays

Flights, Hotels & Travel Guide

Island beaches in the Arabian Gulf, year-round warmth, and a compact kingdom easy to explore. Plan your Bahrain beach holiday with flights and tips.

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Travel warning

There's a real chance of terrorist attacks, including in places like hotels and beaches that tourists visit, and the wider regional conflict is causing major security risks and travel disruption.

Weather & climate

Weather in Bahrain

Bahrain

27°

Overcast

Thu

23°

27°

Fri

24°

27°

Sat

24°

30°

Sun

25°

30°

Mon

26°

28°

Tue

25°

26°

Wed

23°

25°

SPF level in Bahrain

Recommended: SPF 50+

Spring

SPF 50

Summer

SPF 50+

Autumn

SPF 50

Winter

SPF 30

Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.

Before you go

Entry requirements for Bahrain

What British travellers need to know

Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Bahrain.

You must have a visa to visit Bahrain, which you can get online in advance, from the embassy, or on arrival.

Visit visas are automatically issued for 2 weeks, but stays of up to 6 months are also available.

You may be asked to provide evidence of onward or return travel when you apply for a visa.

You will be denied entry if you try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Good to know:

You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.

There are strict customs rules, and you must declare any goods that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Safety in Bahrain

Tips when travelling

Bahrain is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:

You must carry photo ID, such as your passport, at all times or you could face a large fine.

Drunken public behaviour is illegal and can result in a fine, imprisonment, or deportation.

You should dress conservatively in public places, ensuring shoulders and knees are covered, as inappropriate clothing can cause offence.

During Ramadan, do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public during the daytime as this could be considered a crime.

Using offensive language, spitting, or aggressive behaviour in public is seen as very serious and can lead to a prison sentence and deportation.

Bonus tips:

It's illegal to take photos or videos of military or security sites or to share unverified content online about incidents.

Do not fly drones without a valid licence as it is illegal and they are banned from restricted airspace.

More information

Driving in Bahrain

A UK driving license is valid for driving in Bahrain for a short visit. An international driving permit may be useful but is not strictly required. If you reside in Bahrain, you will need to apply for a Bahraini driving license.

Side of road

right

Motorway speed limit

120 km/h

Urban speed limit

60 km/h

Alcohol limit

0.05%

Remember: Bahrain drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.

Health in Bahrain

As a British tourist, ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including repatriation. While Bahrain has a good healthcare system, treatment can be expensive for non-residents. Check your policy covers all activities you plan to do. GHIC/EHIC is not applicable in Bahrain.

No vaccinations required

Consult your doctor regarding recommended vaccinations and necessary precautions before travelling to Bahrain. Ensure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations. Drink bottled water and be cautious of food hygiene to avoid stomach upsets. Bahrain's climate is hot, so stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.

Cards & payments

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Bahrain, especially in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops.

Visa

High

Mastercard

High

American Express

Medium

Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096

Tipping in Bahrain

Tipping is not mandatory in Bahrain, but it is becoming more customary, especially in the service industry, to show appreciation for good service.

Restaurant

10-15% of the bill, if service charge is not included

Bar/Café

10-15% of the bill, if service charge is not included

Taxi

Round up the fare or a small tip

Hotel Porter

1-2 BHD per bag

Hotel Housekeeper

1-2 BHD per night

Tour Guide

5-10 BHD per day, depending on the service

Mobile & roaming

Since Brexit, EU roaming agreements no longer apply to UK mobile customers. Check with your mobile provider for roaming charges in Bahrain. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for potentially cheaper rates.

Local SIM

10 GB for 6 BHD (~£12)

Network coverage

4G, 5G

Electrical in Bahrain

Voltage

230V / 50 Hz

Plug types

Type G, Type D

No UK adapter needed

WiFi & internet

WiFi is readily available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls.

Average speed

35 Mbps

Many establishments offer free WiFi to customers. Mobile data is also readily available, although using a local SIM might provide cost savings.

Emergency numbers

Universal emergency

999

Save 999 in your phone before travelling.

Calling Bahrain

Country code

+973

To call the British Embassy in Bahrain, dial 00 973 1757 4100 from the UK.

The country code for Bahrain is 973. When calling Bahrain from abroad, first dial your country's exit code, then 973, and then the local number.

UK Embassy

British Embassy Bahrain

Building 60, Road 1702, Block 317, Diplomatic Area, Manama

Recent updates

View all

Warnings and insurance

1 day ago

Safety

  • Attacks on civilian infrastructure have decreased, but the risk of renewed strikes at short notice remains.

Warnings and insurance

6 days ago

Air travel

  • Airspace re-opened on 8 April, following closure since 28 February.
  • Limited commercial flights from Bahrain International Airport are now available.

Travel disruption

  • Further airspace closures or restrictions may still be imposed at short notice.

Warnings and insurance

9 days ago

Travel disruption

  • The King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia may now be subject to further closures at short notice.
  • Airspace is now closed.

Warnings and insurance

15 days ago

Security threats

  • The Iranian regime now publicly states it intends to target locations associated with the US and Israel.
  • The advice to 'stay away from... US facilities and institutions' now specifies 'US-linked locations', including businesses and organisations.

Frequently asked questions

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.