What to see in Bahrain: 9 must-sees

The Beit Al Quran in Manama is a museum devoted entirely to the Quran, where manuscripts spanning 14 centuries show the evolution of Arabic calligraphy. Examine tiny volumes and illuminated pages in cases arranged by period, and understand how the sacred text was passed down through generations. The building, decorated with engraved verses, also gathers artefacts and exhibits on the history of Islam in Bahrain, while the view of the Gulf peeks through its windows.

Sail through 2,000 years of the Gulf's pearling history in this Manama museum devoted to the trade that marked Bahrain. Tour halls with diving artefacts, pearl divers' tools and exhibits explaining how the trade worked before oil. Learn about local culture through one-of-a-kind collections, and end your visit facing the sea that inspired generations of Bahraini divers.

Descend the terraces of Qal'at al-Bahrain, the Gulf's foremost archaeological site, where 4,000 years of history can be read in walls, dwellings and temples excavated layer by layer. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, this fort on the outskirts of Manama holds the remains of the ancient Dilmun civilisation, with artefacts documenting trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.

Behold the largest mosque on the islands, a monument of white marble and green granite where architecture and spirituality create a sacred space. 7,000 worshippers, 290,000 m2. Visit the sacred temple where spirituality, architecture and history create a space of peace and reflection. Admire the architectural details and feel connected to the transcendent.

Camp under the stars beside the Tree of Life, a 400-year-old prosopis that grows alone in the Riffa desert with no visible source of water. Walk the rocky ground that surrounds it, observe the resilient flora and fauna of the area and recall the legend that ties it to the Garden of Eden. No one can fully explain how its roots find moisture on this arid plateau, and that mystery draws thousands of visitors every year, who arrive at sunset, when the golden light sets its crown against the dunes.

Explore the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, host of the Gulf's most famous night race, where the F1 single-seaters reach 320 km/h under floodlights that light up the desert. Watch qualifying from the grandstands of the outer oval, tour the fan zones with simulators and exhibitions, and feel the roar of the engines in the middle of the night. Between sessions, take advantage of the complex's adventure activities and combine speed, desert scenery and entertainment in a single weekend.

Look at Riffa Fort, built in the 18th century on one of the town's high points. Walk its walls of stone and adobe, climb the towers and gaze toward the valley and the desert that surround it. Stroll the inner courtyards where the ruling family once resided and note the arches, the latticework and the details of Bahraini defensive architecture. Read the panels that narrate the site's historical episodes and understand why this strategic point shaped the island's history for centuries.

Walk along the shore of Amwaj, on the artificial islands northeast of Manama, where white sand lines a calm sea good for swimming and snorkelling. Along the promenade, the complex's restaurants and cafés stay open late into the night, when the area comes alive with music and evenings by the water. Rent a lounger, take a dip in the crystal-clear water and stay for sunset, when the breeze cools and the promenade lights usher in the district's nightlife.