Bahrain is one of the countries where jewellery lovers will find their paradise. Whether in specialised souks or in stores and workshops, one of the most popular gifts in the country is a gold and pearl design. In fact, many tourists buy a necklace with their name in Arabic. Nevertheless, there are more souvenirs that are a must in your suitcase.
Typical food and drinks
In the souks, it is typical to see stalls full of different spices, dates of various kinds and dried fruits such as dried apricots, which are a delicacy in Bahrain. That is why you cannot leave without packing in your suitcase some of these food gifts that will remind you of your adventure in the country just by smelling them.
The most typical spices in this archipelago are those inherent to Arabic cuisine such as turmeric, cardamom, cumin powder, saffron and coriander powder. However, there is one Bahraini variety that is a must-try and it is called bzaar, a kind of curry powder that can only be found in the souks in Bahrain.
If you want to buy dates, you must first decide among the diverse preparations and varieties. There are chocolate-covered, walnut-filled, almond-filled and even lemon- and orange-filled dates.
You can also buy canned dates and jam in any of the souks you visit or in specialised shops but, if you are looking for fresh dates, it is best to visit the market stalls in the villages and buy them directly from the farmers.
Typical souvenirs from Bahrain
Bahrain’s most typical souvenir is clearly a jewel, given the tradition of this art form in the country. You can choose a gold jewel, one of the most widely used materials in the country and of excellent quality compared to the European market, and add some pearls since this industry has been deeply rooted in the archipelago for decades.
In fact, working with pearls became very fashionable in the 1930s, and the pearl industry became one of the driving forces behind the country’s economy since oil had not yet been discovered.
If you visit the markets in the main cities it is very common to see shops selling pearls of all colours and mounted in all kinds of designs that seek to attract tourists and meet their tastes.
One of the best places to find the ideal piece of jewellery is the Gold Souk in Manama, the country’s capital, but you should not rule out the Gold City Mall, a shopping centre specialising in gold where you will find all the international suppliers that are represented in the country.
One of the most popular items on offer to tourists is a necklace set with their name in Arabic.
However, it is not all about jewels and jewellery; another typical Bahraini gift that visitors often pack in their suitcase is the bakhoor, i.e. scented wood chips that are burned on special occasions. These incense sticks can be found in any market and in any shop and are available in different scents.
If you prefer handicrafts, you can buy a large range of souvenirs, from high quality carpets to woven baskets and stained glass lamps.
One of the best places to buy pottery is in A’ali village, where the tradition of pottery workshops has been passed down from parents to children for generations.
Where to shop
The most traditional place to buy a souvenir from Bahrain is the souk and especially the market in Manama, the capital, where you will find a variety of souvenirs from all regions of the country.
In addition, the stalls are arranged according to the product they sell, so it is easy to see the full range of what you are looking for at a glance. You can buy the best dates and spices in the market and you can see the filigree work with pearls in the streets full of jewellery shops.
Bahrain has a number of shopping centres that are a treat for strolling, browsing and shopping. The best ones are located in the capital and include haute couture shops, jewellery stores, restaurants and even amusement parks inside.
The main ones include The Avenues, Seef Mall, Gold City Mall and Moda Mall.
