Bahrain National Museum in Manama presents around 6,000 years of Bahrain’s history across permanent exhibition halls and a waterfront site overlooking Muharraq. Plan around its weekly Tuesday closure, then allow time for the collections and the neighbouring Bahrain National Theatre.
- Location: Sheikh Hamad Causeway–East Corniche area, Manama
- Regular hours: 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. daily except Tuesday
- Admission: 1 Bahraini dinar for tourists and residents; 500 fils for citizens
Where is Bahrain National Museum?
Bahrain National Museum stands on an artificial peninsula in Manama, overlooking the island of Muharraq. Its location in the Sheikh Hamad Causeway–East Corniche area puts the museum beside the water, with Bahrain National Theatre adjacent to the complex.
The museum was officially inaugurated on 15 December 1988 by Amir Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa. Two connected buildings make up the complex, with approximately 20,000 square metres of floor space.
What can you see in the collections?
The permanent exhibition follows Bahrain’s history through halls devoted to Graves, Dilmun, Tylos and Islam, Customs and Traditions, Traditional Trades and Crafts, and Documents and Manuscripts. Together, these displays cover approximately 6,000 years of history.
The main building also contains temporary exhibition areas, an art gallery, a lecture hall, a gift shop and a café. The museum was conceived and designed by Krohn and Hartvig Rasmussen; its white travertine marble façade gives the complex a clear architectural identity from outside.
What are the Bahrain National Museum opening hours and ticket prices?
Admission is 1 Bahraini dinar for tourists and residents, and 500 fils for citizens.
Opening hours
- Monday and Wednesday to Sunday: 9:00–20:00
- Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The government service directory explains that visitors choose how many tickets they need, pay the fees and collect the tickets; the process time is one working day. Hours and ticket arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
How do you get to Bahrain National Museum?
The museum is about a 14-minute drive from Majestic Hotel, which offers guest rooms.
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities gives the museum’s contact number as 00973 1729 8718. Contact the authority if you need to confirm practical access details before setting out.
How can you combine the museum with the waterfront?
The museum’s peninsula setting makes the waterfront part of the visit, while Bahrain National Theatre sits next door. For a boat trip to Qal’at Bu Mahir, the Pearling Path visitor information page identifies the museum’s car park as a departure point. Trips run every 45 minutes daily except Tuesday, with the final departure at sunset.
If you are planning a day around Manama’s sights, the one-day Manama itinerary can help you shape the wider route.
FAQs
Is Bahrain National Museum closed on Tuesday?
Yes. Its regular hours exclude Tuesday; on other days, the opening period is 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
What does the permanent exhibition cover?
The halls cover subjects including Dilmun, Tylos and Islam, traditional customs and crafts, graves, and documents and manuscripts.
Can you take a boat trip to Qal’at Bu Mahir from the museum?
The museum car park is a departure point for these trips. They operate daily except Tuesday, leave every 45 minutes and stop departing at sunset.