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Bahrain’s hospitality scene expanded significantly in 2024 and 2025 with the full opening of the Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour and the rebranded Raffles Al Areen Palace. The Conrad offers high-rise luxury in the city center with rates starting around €250 per night, while Raffles provides a secluded villa-only experience near the F1 circuit. These additions have put pressure on older 5-star properties, leading to competitive pricing at established hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons during non-peak weeks.

The Bahraini Dinar (BHD) remains pegged to the US Dollar, so the Euro’s performance against the Dollar directly impacts your purchasing power. In late 2025, the exchange rate hovers around 0.38-0.40 BHD per €1. Because the Dinar is a “heavy” currency (one of the highest valued in the world), prices can look deceptively low—a 20 BHD dinner is actually about €50. Always do the mental math: multiply any BHD price by roughly 2.5 to get the Euro equivalent to avoid overspending.

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) has streamlined entry with expanded e-gates and biometric processing for eligible travelers, including many European passport holders. While physical landing cards are largely phased out in favor of digital data from your e-Visa, ensure your airline has your passport details correctly entered in the API (Advance Passenger Information) system. This integration speeds up immigration significantly—many travelers now clear customs in under 15 minutes.

Recent updates to Saudi Arabia’s e-visa systems have made crossing the King Fahd Causeway from Bahrain much easier for European tourists in 2025. You can now process the Saudi e-visa instantly online before your drive, rather than waiting for manual processing at the border bridge. However, traffic on weekends (Thursday evenings and Saturday returns) remains extremely heavy, with delays of 2-3 hours common. If you plan a day trip to Khobar or Dammam, go mid-week to breeze through the new digital lanes.

Yes, European citizens need a visa, but the process is straightforward. You can obtain a Visa on Arrival at the airport or apply for an e-Visa online beforehand. The standard 2-week tourist visa costs 5 BHD (approx. €12-13), while a multiple-entry visa valid for one month costs around 12 BHD (€30). We strongly recommend the e-Visa route via the official government portal (evisa.gov.bh) to skip queues at immigration. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.

Yes, Bahrain is more liberal than many of its neighbors regarding alcohol. You can buy alcohol at licensed hotels, bars, and restaurants, as well as specific retail outlets like “The African & Eastern” (though these often require a permit for residents, tourists usually stick to hotels). Public drinking is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. Prices are high due to “sin taxes”—expect to pay €10-15 for a pint of beer or a glass of wine in a standard hotel bar.

Yes, Uber is widely available and generally more reliable and comfortable than hailing street taxis. Fares are reasonable, with a 15-20 minute ride across Manama costing roughly 3-5 BHD (€7-12). Local taxi apps like Bahrain Taxi are also an option, but Uber offers the advantage of fixed pricing and automatic credit card payment, saving you from haggling or needing cash. Be aware that during rush hour (5 PM – 7 PM), surge pricing can double the fare.

Bahrain uses the British-style Type G plug (three rectangular pins) with a standard voltage of 230V and 50Hz frequency. This is the same plug used in the UK and Ireland. Travelers from mainland Europe (Germany, France, Italy, etc.) will definitely need a travel adapter. Most 4-star and 5-star hotels offer universal sockets or USB ports, but carrying a Type G adapter is essential for charging devices in cafes or older accommodations.