Bahrain — Shopping
Shopping
There is a wide range of modern shopping complexes with imported luxury goods. Pearls are the main local specialty, used in finely wrought gold jewelry. Famous red clay pottery is available from the village of A'ali; hand-woven cloth from Bani Jamrah and textiles from Al-Jasra.
Manama is a great place for night shopping: just stroll through the labyrinthine streets behind Bab al-Bahrain to discover how locals spend their evenings bartering in the clothes, textiles and gold souks.
Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-1230 and 1530-1930. Some shops are open for a few hours on Friday mornings in souks.
Currency
Dinar (BHD) = 1,000 fils. Notes appear in denominations of BHD20, 10, 5, and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25 and 10 fils.
Currency Exchange
Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at most hotels and in banks and bureau de change. Rates are more preferential at the bureau de change than at the airport or at hotels.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in hotels, major stores and restaurants. Smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash. ATMs are available in major cities.
Travelers Checks
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.
Banking Hours
Sat-Wed 0730-1200 and 1530-1730; Thurs 0730-1100. Government offices, businesses and most offices are closed on Friday, which is a weekly holiday.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 0.6 BHD |
| 1.00 USD = 0.37 BHD |
| 1.00 EUR = 0.53 BHD |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
