Shopping in Bahrain
For the shopping buffs who love to while away their time in shop hopping, there are the traditional souks and the hi-tech shopping malls to choose from.
The Manama souk, for instance, is located in the older part of the town, stretching from Bab al Bahrain road on the east, Al Khalifa Road on the north, Lulu Road on the west and Sheikh Abdulla Road on the east. Here visitors get to see and purchase all kinds of spices, kaftans, fabrics, thobes, souvenirs, handicrafts, nuts, and everything possible. The Gold souk is also worth mentioning here, as the gold here is hallmarked and pure, and comes at a reasonable price, with some bargaining permitted. The Bahraini pearls are said to be the best and one of a kind in the world. A visit to the souk is the best place to observe local Bahraini population, as majority of people here are locals, with few expats and tourists. It is also be best place to enjoy the brightly coloured display of fresh fruits, vegetables, and scents of herbs, spices and nuts.
However, for those of you who are tired of moving around in the hot and humid desert, and if you would rather enjoy shopping in a well air-conditioned shopping mall and enjoy meals in a fancy restaurant, shopping malls could be a good choice. There are several shopping malls in Bahrain including the Seef Mall, the Dana Mall, the Bahrain Mall and the like.
On the whole, Bahrain offers a superior shopping experience to shoppers. The malls and shopping centers are efficient enough to quench the shopping spree of travelers and other shopaholics.