Manama Souq

The old central market of Manama, a warren of narrow lanes behind the landmark Bab Al Bahrain gateway, selling textiles, spices, gold, perfumes, electronics and everyday goods. Long the commercial heart of the Bahraini capital, its crowded passages mix traditional shops with modern stalls and small cafes. The gold and spice sections are particularly busy, and the atmosphere is liveliest in the cooler evenings. As one of the most authentic surviving traditional markets in the Gulf, the souq offers a strong sense of old Manama's trading life.