Bahrain, UAE & Qatar

Itinerary

3 Nights – Manama, Bahrain
3 Nights – Doha, Qatar
5 Nights – Dubai, UAE
3 Nights – Abu Dhabi, UAE

✈️  UK to Manama, Bahrain (3 nights):  First stop on your Middle East adventure is Manama, Bahrain’s capital – the perfect starting point for your holiday.  It’s a wonderfully authentic and relaxed city with ancient forts, tea houses, lively souks, and the scent of spices in the air.  A great place to get your historical bearings is the Bahrain National Museum, where you’ll find ancient Dilmun artefacts, pearl diving legacy, and over 6,000 years of local history in a stunning seafront building. The nearby Al-Fateh Grand Mosque is equally fascinating, with guided tours taking you through its vast prayer hall, marble floors, calligraphy, and one of the world’s largest fibreglass domes. For great views, visit the Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), a UNESCO World Heritage site perched on the coast. For a taste of local life, head to the Manama Souq, where the scent of spices and perfumes spill from the tiny shops.  Or, if you’re looking for something glitzier, explore some of the city’s mega-malls such as City Centre Bahrain or The Avenues. As the sun sets, relax at a seafront shisha lounge and enjoy the evening Gulf breeze as you watch the world go by.

✈️  Manama to Doha, Qatar (3 nights): You’ll take a quick flight from Bahrain and land in Doha, the capital of Qatar. From its ever-evolving skyline to its huge cultural investments, Doha oozes style, strong cultural roots and a strong sense of ambition. It’s a place where extravagant shopping malls sit harmoniously alongside colourful souqs.  Start your exploration with a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art, where you’ll find one of the biggest collections of Islamic art in the world with calligraphy, ceramics, and swords all housed in an iconic cubic building. Nearby, the National Museum of Qatar, another architectural masterpiece shaped like a desert rose, boasts multi-sensory exhibits that bring Qatar’s history and culture to life. Walk along the Doha Corniche, where you can watch dhows (traditional wooden boats) glide across the bay and wander through the maze of alleys in the Souq Waqif to pick up some local crafts.  For shopping that feels a little more polished, head to The Pearl-Qatar, with its luxury shops and fine dining options boasting beautiful waterfront views while you eat.

✈️  Doha to Dubai, UAE (5 nights):  You’ll catch a quick flight from Doha to the fast-paced, glamorous city of Dubai, where towering skyscrapers, gigantic shopping malls, and ultra-luxurious hotels are the norm. Begin with a trip to the iconic and towering Burj Khalifa. The standard observation deck is on the 124th floor boasting breath-taking views of Dubai and beyond. But if you want to take it a step further (literally) you can pay extra to visit level 148 which is the highest observation deck, located 555 meters above ground. Tickets for this level are more expensive and include fast pass access, a guided tour, and access to the lounge.  Downstairs, the Dubai Mall has everything from high-end fashion, an Olympic sized ice rink and a huge aquarium.  Also at the mall, set on the man-made Burj Khalifa Lake, make sure you catch the Dubai Fountain show, where water dances to music in a spectacular display. For adrenaline junkies, head to Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, offering everything from thrilling slides to a more leisurely lazy river ride. For a different kind of adventure, the Desert Safari is an absolute must with dune bashing, camel rides, and an evening entertainment.  And don’t forget to take a traditional abra ride along Dubai Creek, where you’ll glide past the Gold and Spice Souks, soaking in the lively and authentic atmosphere of this historic trading hub.

🚗 Dubai to Abu Dhabi, UAE (3 nights): You’ll be collected by car from your hotel in Dubai and transferred a mere 90 minutes down the road to Abu Dhabi, where the pace is quieter and the atmosphere a little more laid-back.  Start your exploration at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an architectural marvel that features a stunning dome and houses a huge collection of world-class international art from the likes of Warhol, Monet and Picasso. One of the city’s highlights is its seafront Corniche, a lovely waterfront promenade where you can walk, cycle, relax on the beach, or enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes with views of the Gulf. For more sightseeing, head to the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a breath-taking white marble building covered in mosaics and housing one of the world’s largest chandeliers. For a step back in time to understand life in Abu Dhabi before the skyscrapers and supercars landed, head to the Heritage Village, a fascinating recreation of a traditional Emirati village.  For the best views in the city, visit the Observation Deck at 300 on the 74th floor in the Etihad Towers complex.   If you’re after a burst of adrenaline, Yas Island is the place to be. It’s home to Ferrari World with its world-famous roller coaster, Formula Rossa, as well as Warner Bros. World, an indoor theme park filled with rides, live shows, and lots of familiar characters.

✈️  Abu Dhabi to UK:  Time for you to return flight home to the UK.