What to do in Bahrain - Latest News

Bahrain has officially announced that Thursday, June 26, 2025, will be a public holiday for the 1447 Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic New Year. The closure applies to all ministries and public institutions, as confirmed in a circular issued by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Islamic New Year marks the first day of Muharram, the opening month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates the Hijra, or migration, of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE — a defining moment in...

A big change is on the horizon for travellers in and around the Gulf. A new unified visa — officially called the GCC Grand Tours Visa — is expected to launch soon, making it easier to explore the entire Gulf region on a single application. While an exact launch date has not yet been confirmed, the new process is anticipated to be available sometime this year. Approved in 2023 and now in its final planning stages, the visa will grant access to: United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar Once launched, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will simplify...

Looking for the perfect family outing this summer? Look no further than the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival 2025 at Exhibition World Bahrain! Running from July 5th to August 1st, this spectacular event promises a summer filled with joy, excitement, and endless entertainment. The Bahrain Summer Toy Festival is one of the biggest entertainment events in the region, bringing together some of the world's top international toy and entertainment brands. It's a unique gathering that offers something for everyone. A World of Interactive Fun Prepare yourself for over ten exciting and unique corners, each filled with distinctive and interactive activities. Imagine...

New payment regulations for commercial entities have been introduced in Bahrain. All businesses must offer customers a way to pay by card or mobile phone, under new regulations from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The rule applies to every trade licence, including sole traders and companies with multiple branches. To comply with the new requirement, businesses must: Open one bank account in the business’s name Register the account with the ministry’s Sijilat system Ensure all customer payments are processed through that account Using personal bank accounts for business transactions is now strictly prohibited. Any payment processed outside the registered...

A new experience designed by adventurer Bear Grylls and his team has officially landed in Bahrain. The Bear Grylls Adventure Zone, now open at Hawar Resort by Mantis on Hawar Island, brings outdoor challenges and survival activities to a unique setting just 30 minutes by boat from the mainland. The activity centre features programmes for both children and adults, with sessions led by trained instructors. Children aged six to 12 can join one-hour group activities involving raft and shelter building, fire lighting, knot-tying, and rope-based problem solving. Each group of 16 kids works together to complete game-like survival tasks, learning...

Planning a trip to the Caucasus just got easier. Armenia has officially announced that, starting July 1, 2025, citizens of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman will no longer need a visa to enter the country. The new visa-free policy allows travelers from these three Gulf nations to stay in Armenia for up to 180 days within a 12-month period without applying for an entry visa. The move is part of Armenia’s broader effort to make travel more accessible and to strengthen ties with Gulf countries. It’s also a timely update for citizens and residents of these countries looking for a...

Bahrain has confirmed a six-day holiday to mark Eid Al Adha this year. The announcement was made through an official circular issued by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. As per the circular, all ministries and public institutions across the Kingdom will be closed on the Day of Arafah and during Eid Al Adha, which falls on Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8, 2025. Because two of the official holidays overlap with the weekend (Friday and Saturday), they will be compensated with additional days off on Monday, June 9...

What do you do when you walk into a restaurant and find half the Marvel universe having dinner?  Bahrain just had its own mini Marvel moment, and no one saw it coming. Diners at the upscale Cipriani Bahrain were in for the shock of a lifetime when several Marvel actors casually dropped in for dinner. Yes, really. In a scene that felt straight out of a post-credits surprise, several Marvel stars were spotted casually dining together at the upscale hotspot. Among them were Letitia Wright (Shuri / Black Panther), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson / Captain America), Tenoch...

Get ready for a family-friendly spectacle as Disney On Ice makes its way to Bahrain this August, bringing with it a fresh production titled “Into the Magic.” The show will run from August 12 to 17, 2025, at Exhibition World Bahrain, offering fans of all ages a chance to experience some of Disney’s most iconic stories in a new, ice-skating format. Audiences can expect to see beloved characters from a range of Disney favourites. The show features Moana on her daring ocean journey, Elsa as she discovers the power within her, Belle exploring the Beast’s enchanted castle, and Miguel diving...

China is making travel easier for citizens of several Gulf nations. Starting June 9, 2025, nationals from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait will be able to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The visa-free policy, announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, will remain in effect for one year, through June 8, 2026. This initiative is part of China’s broader effort to strengthen ties with the Gulf region. It’s designed to encourage travel, business, family visits, cultural exchange, and tourism between China and the participating countries. Whether you're planning a leisure trip,...