Mountain of Smoke
A rocky hill rising from the desert plain, the highest point in Bahrain. Its slopes and the surrounding oil country show a very different side of the islands.
Sakhir
Both the Tree of Life and the Bahrain International Circuit, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place, are in this desert area.
Attractive locations
Riffa Fort
A restored fort on a ridge above the town of Riffa, once home to Bahrain's ruling family. Its walls and towers look out across the valley below.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia
A large modern Catholic cathedral in Awali, with an octagonal design that serves the Christian community of the region. It welcomes visitors outside services.
Bahrain International Circuit
The motor racing circuit that hosts Formula 1's Bahrain Grand Prix, set in open desert near Sakhir. Visitors come for race weekends and other motorsport events held through the year.
Tree of Life
A lone mesquite tree standing in open desert near Jebel Dukhan, far from any visible water source. It is estimated to be several hundred years old and is a quiet roadside stop.
Airports
Bahrain International Airport BAH
It is about 29 km in a straight line from Sakhir.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Bahrain page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan18.0 °C7 mm
- Feb18.4 °C5 mm
- Mar21.4 °C3 mm
- Apr25.4 °C4 mm
- May30.1 °C0 mm
- Jun32.8 °C0 mm
- Jul34.6 °C0 mm
- Aug35.0 °C1 mm
- Sep33.5 °C0 mm
- Oct30.4 °C1 mm
- Nov25.3 °C10 mm
- Dec20.4 °C8 mm
Driest months: May, Jun, Jul, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Nov, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 43% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
sport
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix
At Bahrain International Circuit, an F1 race is run after dark.
Official siteWho can help
Emergency
999 for police, ambulance and fire.
local government
Emergency number 999 (police, ambulance, civil defence)
Helps with: Bahrain's government emergency directory lists 999 for police rescue, ambulance and civil defence, and a separate police hotline on 80008008. No tourist police unit is shown there.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bahrain who needs the police, an ambulance or civil defence, including visitors.
Phone: 999
local government
Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA)
Helps with: Bahrain's tourism authority. Its contact page gives a general phone line and email for enquiries. No separate tourist helpline is listed there.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Bahrain or planning a trip there.
Phone: +973 1755 8800
Email: [email protected]
Address: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Building 158, Avenue 28, Sanabis
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Bahrain Red Crescent Society
Helps with: Bahrain's national Red Crescent society, a volunteer organisation. Its programmes include social and humanitarian assistance, first aid, blood donation and restoring family links.
Who qualifies: People in Bahrain who need its humanitarian, first aid or family-links services.
Phone: +973-1729 3171
Address: Building 25, Road 1901, Block 319, Manama