Bahrain
Manama in May
☀️ Dry seasonVery hot, a little humid and mostly dry. Watch for hazy air and extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · N95 mask for hazy days · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 6.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.6
- !Very hot (36°C highs / 27°C lows)
- !Humid (dew point 20.5°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~8 mm rain)
- Air quality5.1
- !Unhealthy for sensitive groups (PM2.5 ~40 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards8.5
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 36°C
- Safety baseline5.0
- ·High caution
| May | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.5 Good | 8.6 Excellent |
| Season | ☀️ Dry season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 36° / 27° | 21° / 15° |
| Rain | 8 mm | 18 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 21° | dew pt 12° |
| PM2.5 | 40 µg/m³ | 35 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Manama weather-station normals. Rainfall: Manama weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Eid al-Adha 14–18 May · 5 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Labor Day (1 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore ManamaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyBahrain's capital is a compact, modern Gulf city with a historic souq and millennia of history nearby. It is an easy short stay with museums, forts and pearling heritage.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
National DayEvery year16 December every year (holiday usually 16-17 December)
National holiday with decorations and fireworks.
Why go: Festive atmosphere and public holidays.
Where: Across Bahrain
RamadanDate variesMoves about 11 days earlier each year; roughly mid-February to mid-March in 2026 and February to early March in 2027
Holy month of fasting, ending with Eid al-Fitr.
Why go: Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight; evenings are lively.
Where: Across Bahrain
Spring of CultureDate variesDates vary; usually February to April
Festival of music, theatre and art.
Why go: Good cultural programme in pleasant weather.
Where: Venues across Bahrain
Bahrain National Museum
Museum covering the island's Dilmun civilisation and traditional life.
Bab Al Bahrain and Manama Souq
Historic gateway leading into the old market lanes.
Al Fateh Grand Mosque
One of the largest mosques in the region, open to visitors with free tours.
💡 Modest clothing is required; abayas are usually provided for women.
Qal'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort)
UNESCO-listed archaeological site with a Portuguese-era fort.
💡 Visit near sunset.
Pearling Path
UNESCO-listed trail of houses and sites in Muharraq linked to the pearling economy.
Machboos
Spiced rice with fish, chicken or lamb.
💡 Traditional Bahraini restaurants
Muhammar
Sweet rice cooked with dates or sugar, often served with fish.
💡 Traditional restaurants
Balaleet
Sweet saffron vermicelli topped with an omelette, a breakfast dish.
💡 Traditional breakfast restaurants
Bahraini halwa
Sticky sweet flavoured with saffron, cardamom and rosewater.
💡 Halwa shops, especially in Muharraq
Bahraini halwa
Traditional sweet in decorative tins.
💡 Halwa shops in Muharraq and Manama
Natural pearls
Bahrain has a long pearling history and strict rules on pearl quality.
💡 Jewellers in the Gold Souq
A'ali pottery
Traditional pottery from the village of A'ali.
💡 Workshops in A'ali and craft shops