The architectural wonders

You must visit Bahrain if you enjoy the Middle Eastern perspective on architectural marvels. The nation is home to stunning examples of contemporary architecture, such as the Bahrain National Theatre, whose inside is decorated to resemble a jewelry box, and the notorious skyscraper with built-in wind turbines. The must-see locations in Bahrain are, nonetheless, masterpieces of traditional Islamic architecture. These range from the beautifully restored homes in Muharaqq to the breathtaking forts and mosques in and around Bahrain's capital.

In the brand-new National and Qala'at al-Bahrain museums, many of the antiquities that were uncovered there are on display. These include intricately carved soapstone seals, votive offerings of pearls, and dead snakes, all of which point to a ritual that may have been related to the Gilgamesh myth, which served as inspiration for the Biblical tale of Eden.

Gilgamesh discovers the flower of immortality in a freshwater sea on Dilmun, which is portrayed in the tale as a paradise, but a serpent takes it away. Gilgamesh rescues it like a pearl diver, with stones linked to his feet, leading experts to surmise that the "flower" was actually a pearl.

A trail known as the Pearling Path connects a number of beautiful 19th-century structures, notably ornate palaces owned by pearl traders, in Muharraq's old town. Among them are a dozen or so quaint little museums, galleries, and concert halls that honor the island's traditional and contemporary arts and are managed by the Sheikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture. That is one of the reasons to visit Bahrain.