Marhaban from Bahrain

When we think of travelling to the Middle East, Bahrain is not the first country that comes to mind. But give the country a chance, and it has the bells and whistles that a tourist would look for — food, nightlife, shopping, art and culture, desert, beaches and more. My recent trip to Bahrain was quite a revelation and I came back with memories and some honey-sweet dates. Of the several things on the travel radar, here are top five must dos in Bahrain.

Haji's cafe

When my Bahraini guide Zahra told me we will have breakfast at Haji's Cafe, I assumed it would be a regular cafe, with good Bahraini cuisine. Walking around the neighbourhood of the popular Manama Souq, she pointed out to an alley and said 'there it is'. The cafe tucked away, is an unassuming location, with a variety of food. Built in 1950, it was primarily thronged by the immigrants, who made it their home during breakfast time, which gave them a sense of community. It opens up at five in the morning and is quite crowded during breakfast. The ambience is homely with wooden furniture in the outdoor seating area; the indoors are quieter and warm. Food-wise, it has a lot to offer, but don't ask for a menu — they don't have one. The warm and friendly staff will list the things available: kidney beans and curry cooked in Bahraini style, fresh naan, egg omelette, lamb, chicken and more. And yes, the food is delicious.

Muharraq

The archipelago of Bahrain is a sprawling destination with skyscrapers, but it also houses old and traditional homes. Until a few decades back, Muharraq was the capital city of Bahrain and has now become its cultural hub. The city's architecture is peculiar with winding alleys, and Bahraini traditional houses in rows. A good way to start a trail of Muharraq is by visiting the Muharraq Coffee House, the oldest coffee house of the city and what makes it more special, is, you can bring your own food and dine with others. This trail is part of the Pearl Trail Project by Bahrain's royal family. As part of the project, there are around 10 to 15 'open homes', where you can simply walk in and speak to people, who'll happily greet you with 'Marhaban', which means hello or welcome in Arabic. The locals are friendly and happily talk about their home, traditions and customs. Even a simple stroll around these alleys lets you soak in their rich culture.

Bahrain fort

Bahrain doesn't have many forts to offer, but the most popular one is the sea-facing Bahrain Fort. It's an architectural marvel built around the 7th century for defence and trade purposes. The periphery of this imposing fort is dotted with excavation sites and it is also a UNESCO world heritage site. This was earlier the harbour capital during the Dilmun civilisation, which is one of the ancient civilizations of the region. The best time to visit this humongous fort is just before dusk, as it is cooler, provides a sunset view, and you can also enjoy their 'light and sound show'. The show is projected on the walls of the fort, with compelling storytelling and the use of bright colours makes it a visual treat.

Al Sakheer

The desert area near Manama called Al Sakheer, is one of the most popular tourist spots that offers outdoor activities and desert experiences. Commercial tents are pitched in this area, which can be rented according to need. I went to this place to experience the desert in the night-time and thoroughly enjoyed the dinner by the bonfire, which was a relief in the chilly night. Around the tents, some places offer quad biking, which turned out to be quite adventurous in the challenging desert terrain. Another interesting place to visit in the vicinity is the 400-year-old Prosopis cineraria tree, popularly called the 'tree of life'. Beholder of myths and beliefs, there are several theories floating about the tree, to understand how this lone tree has been surviving for four centuries in such harsh topography. For some it's the garden of the Eden, while for some, it's just an old tree.

Marassi Beach

Bahrain is still in the process of developing multiple waterfronts, but there's one beach that was thrown open to the public last year — the Marassi beach. This 2 km spotless beach with clear blue waters is a breathtaking sight. It's also a popular spot for health and fitness fests. For a break from the hustle bustle of the Manama city, Marassi, a quiet beach, is the perfect place to unwind and relax.