Safety in Bahrain

Overall: Bahrain is among the calmest countries in the region for visitors. Street crime is almost absent and walking around after dark is unremarkable.

Heat: The real threat here is the temperature, which reaches 50C in summer. Carry water at all times and plan to be indoors during the middle of the day.

Photography: Do not photograph military installations, government buildings or local women without permission. Any of these can land you in trouble with the police.

Ramadan: Rules tighten during the holy month, when eating, drinking and smoking in public before sunset are not permitted. Most cafes close during daylight and life restarts after iftar.

Demonstrations: Avoid the outlying villages in the south of the island, where political gatherings occasionally take place. They hold nothing for a visitor anyway. Check your own government's travel advisory before you book.

Health: Tap water quality is acceptable but bottled is better for drinking. Private hospitals are excellent, so contact your insurer and go to a clinic if anything goes wrong.

Bahrain is the most liberal country in the Gulf and one of the calmest. Street crime is almost absent, and so are schemes.

Taxis. Meters are compulsory, but at the airport and hotels a fixed price above the tariff is offered. Careem and Uber operate.

Manama's gold souq. Priced by weight against the world rate, with the market regulated. Haggling applies only to workmanship.

Car hire. Standard claims on return. The country is small and a car is convenient.

Online fraud. As across the region, telephone schemes are growing. They barely touch tourists.

The King Fahd Causeway. The bridge to Saudi Arabia is popular with weekend travellers. On Thursday evenings and at weekends the queues run to hours — not a scam but a reality to build into your plans.

Alcohol is legal for non-Muslims in licensed bars, restaurants and hotels, and sold in dedicated shops. This is Bahrain's main difference from its neighbours. But drinking in public and being drunk in the street bring detention.

Drugs. Despite the general liberalism, the law here is harsh: long sentences and deportation, with trace amounts sufficient for a case. CBD is prohibited.

Dress. Modest in public, with requirement notices posted in malls. Hotel beaches and pools are unrestricted.

Public conduct. Displays of affection are not the custom. Same-sex relations are not criminalised by a specific provision, but social norms are conservative and "indecent behaviour" is punishable.

Ramadan. No eating or drinking in public during daylight. This applies to non-Muslims too, though hotels operate screened areas.

Photography. Military installations, palaces, oil infrastructure and people without permission are off limits.

Drones. Permission is required.

Political gatherings. Demonstrations occur periodically, mainly in Shia villages outside Manama. A foreigner has no business there.

Vaccinations. None mandatory; a yellow fever certificate is required from arrivals out of endemic countries.

Water. Tap water is desalinated and safe, though most people drink bottled.

Heat. From June to September it passes 40°C at high Gulf humidity — a combination harder to bear than a dry 45. Daytime life moves indoors.

Dust storms. In spring and summer.

Healthcare. Good standards with modern hospitals and many Western-trained doctors. Emergency care is given to everyone; beyond that foreigners are billed. Insurance is needed.

The sea. Swimming in the Gulf is safe, though the water reaches tea temperature in summer and jellyfish appear sporadically.

Roads. The driving style is fast and accident rates exceed European levels.

Emergency number is 999.

Bahrain is a safe country with low street crime. Manama is calm at night.

Police. Correct, with English widely spoken.

Reporting theft. Reports are taken and certificates for insurers issued, in English.

Traffic police. Cameras are numerous and fines arrive automatically.

Demonstrations. Clashes occur periodically in villages outside the capital. This is a domestic political matter that does not touch tourist areas, but there is no reason to be there.

If detained. You have the right to a consul. Alcohol and drug charges mean an exit ban for the duration of proceedings.

What actually matters. Bahrain is the most relaxed place in the Gulf, which is exactly why it is easy to forget that it remains a conservative country. Alcohol is legal but not in the street; beaches are open but city dress is modest. The difference is in the details.

Emergency number is 999.