Find your perfect car hire at Bahrain International Airport
Landing at Bahrain International Airport, your road trip across the Persian Gulf – full of ancient traditions and unique attractions – starts here.
With an Avis car hired from the airport, the freedom to explore Bahrain and its surroundings is yours.
Plan your journey from Bahrain International Airport
Just a six-minute drive from Bahrain International Airport is the tantalising city of Muharraq – once the capital of Bahrain until 1927.
This ancient metropolis dates back to 3000 BC and perfectly encapsulates the traditional culture of Bahrain. The Bahrain Pearling Trail is a prime example of this. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 3.5km route takes you on a tour through a number of historic and picturesque buildings once used when the pearl trade was booming here.
Experience the hustle and bustle of the Muharraq Souq – a traditional market offering everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to local crafts and products. Here you can also try traditional Arabic sweets, halwa, made in Muharraq.
Built by the Arabs in the early 16th century, Arad Fort is a must-see. Just a five-minute drive from the centre of Muharraq, this ancient fort bears a turbulent history after being captured by the Portuguese in the mid-1500s and then by the Omanis. Affectionately restored, the fort is now used to host many cultural events and shows. It comes to life through the illuminations at night, but it’s the breathtaking views of the bay that are its real draw.
Another must is a visit to the shipyard to see traditional wooden Arabian boats, called dhows, being carved by hand. This is the only remaining dhow shipyard in Bahrain and one of few left in the Gulf.
Beyond Bahrain International Airport
The smallest of the Arabian Gulf countries, Bahrain makes up for its size with its charming personality and wealth of sights. With your Avis hire car, you’re free to drive off and discover this enthralling island.
Manama
Just a 15-minute drive over the Causeway from the airport, Bahrain’s vibrant capital is waiting to be explored. A cosmopolitan city that comes alive at night, Manama is home to an impressive arts scene, thriving culture and world-class shopping. The Bahrain National Museum here is a must-visit.
Saar
Dating back 4,000 years, Saar is an archaeological site thought to hold the remains of one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Dating from the Dilmun period, the burial mounds here are an astounding sight. Settled on the western side of Bahrain, Saar is a 25-minute drive from the airport along the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway. Tree of Life
Standing solitary in the desert for over 400 years, the Tree of Life (Shajarat-al-Hayat) is one of Bahrain’s quirkiest tourist attractions. Shrouded in mystery, the Tree of Life has no known water source, but is still covered in green leaves. From the airport, you can reach this sight in 34 minutes via the Shaikh Jaber A. Al Subah Highway.
With so much to discover across Bahrain, hiring an Avis car is your passport to exploring the island in comfort and luxury.