Pearling Path
Pearling Path
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
19 reviews
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Abovetheclouds
2,216 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
This was just stunning if you can manage to find your way along the whole route! It is and isn't well signposted. I ended up doing parts on different days. Breathtaking and pretty. Like stepping back in time. The history is such an important part of Bahrain.
Written 31 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dmarieJoshuaTree_CA
Joshua Tree, CA77 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Walking the narrow streets of Al Muharraq and visiting the numerous historic buildings along the way, will likely be a highpoint of your trip to Bahrain. As of December 2013, most of the historic buildings along the route were only open in the morning, so start early to make sure you can get inside as many as possible.
The Pearl Trail (aka Pearling Trail) is still being created (as of December 2013) and hence, signs and information are a bit lacking. The trail is being paved in a bluish slate with recessed lighting, so watch for this as you stroll around. It's worth the effort to wander the alleys with the potential of getting slightly lost - you will stumble across some very cool sights!
See the rough map that we have sketched to help you on your journey. We suggest you start and end the trip at the Bin Matar House, as this is near a major intersection that taxis should easily be able to find. While the total distance of the trail is short, you can easily spend three to four (3-4) hours touring all of the historic buildings. Make sure you see the gold thread video or demonstration in the Kurar House and walk all the way through the old and new portions of the Zayed House.
The Pearl Trail (aka Pearling Trail) is still being created (as of December 2013) and hence, signs and information are a bit lacking. The trail is being paved in a bluish slate with recessed lighting, so watch for this as you stroll around. It's worth the effort to wander the alleys with the potential of getting slightly lost - you will stumble across some very cool sights!
See the rough map that we have sketched to help you on your journey. We suggest you start and end the trip at the Bin Matar House, as this is near a major intersection that taxis should easily be able to find. While the total distance of the trail is short, you can easily spend three to four (3-4) hours touring all of the historic buildings. Make sure you see the gold thread video or demonstration in the Kurar House and walk all the way through the old and new portions of the Zayed House.
Written 6 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert C
Orange Beach, AL2,703 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
I was in Bahrain to visit its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I had seen Qa'lat Al Bahrain the day before and today I was going to see the Pearl Trail. The Pearl Trail falls under the UNESCO heading" Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy". I took a taxi to Muharraq and first visited the Bin Mater House. This was the easiest place to start as it was very easy to find. I was using the map from the TA photos that I had my hotel print out. At the Bin Mater House they have maps of the Pearl Trail available but they aren't that detailed. It was fairly easy to find the main area anyway. It is just a block away from the vertical garden gate. Once found you can just wander through the alleys and visit each site on your own. I physically entered nearly all of the twenty seven houses, stores, and warehouses associated with the Pearl Trail. Most of the buildings are located in the same area of Muharraq. The nice sidewalk and whitewashed buildings are a sign you are in the right area. Each property has something different to offer and may be a pearl merchants house or previous storefront. There are displays and signage and beautiful stained glass and teak to be seen. Most of the houses have beautiful Arabesque style doors that are very photogenic. I learned a good deal about the Muharraq Pearl industry and the Pearl Trail was the highlight of my Bahrain trip. The Buzaboon House which is separate from the main area was another highlight. I even met one of his descendents who owns a shop across the street and after talking with him he closed his shop and gave me a private tour of the house. I had a wonderful time walking through the narrow alleys and seeing the amazing history of Muharraq and pearling.
Written 25 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barrowboy60
121 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We read the reviews before we decided to do the trail - a mixed bag really, but most were saying that it was work in progress and that at times it was very confusing. Now having done it I would totally agree!
Well we went for it - leaving our car at the museum, we took the boat across to the fort where the signage was good and the bridge across the dual carriageway ideal. We had no map as such, only a vague idea of where we were heading.
You need to follow the signs and the lamp posts which are supposed to represent pearls, all worked well - you do need to keep a watch out for the post as you are weaving in and out of the streets and can make a wrong turn. A huge amount of building work is taking place, (someone is investing big money) & sometimes you can’t follow the path, but with some thought and a helpful local you can bypass the closed section.
We walked for a hour and a half and only did half of the trail,
deciding after having coffee on the roof of Sophia book shop, which we can highly recommend, that we’d cut our losses and work our way back to the boat which was the right decision.
Be aware that the boat although it says starts at 9am and goes every 45 minutes can be fluid. The boat seems to leave the museum on time but only comes to the fort if they have people which to go to there, it’s not a shuttle service as we originally thought.
Some people had taken the boat, had 15 mins round a limited exhibition and then caught the boat back, there is more to the Pearl Trail than that!
All in all would I recommend that you do the trail - possibly no unless like us you have time to kill and are prepared to wander through various building sites, dropping occasionally on some stunning new buildings, the car parks which should have been finished 2023 are really something. Give it five years to get the building work done plus either a good map or a QR code with the trail & information, would make all the difference.
Well we went for it - leaving our car at the museum, we took the boat across to the fort where the signage was good and the bridge across the dual carriageway ideal. We had no map as such, only a vague idea of where we were heading.
You need to follow the signs and the lamp posts which are supposed to represent pearls, all worked well - you do need to keep a watch out for the post as you are weaving in and out of the streets and can make a wrong turn. A huge amount of building work is taking place, (someone is investing big money) & sometimes you can’t follow the path, but with some thought and a helpful local you can bypass the closed section.
We walked for a hour and a half and only did half of the trail,
deciding after having coffee on the roof of Sophia book shop, which we can highly recommend, that we’d cut our losses and work our way back to the boat which was the right decision.
Be aware that the boat although it says starts at 9am and goes every 45 minutes can be fluid. The boat seems to leave the museum on time but only comes to the fort if they have people which to go to there, it’s not a shuttle service as we originally thought.
Some people had taken the boat, had 15 mins round a limited exhibition and then caught the boat back, there is more to the Pearl Trail than that!
All in all would I recommend that you do the trail - possibly no unless like us you have time to kill and are prepared to wander through various building sites, dropping occasionally on some stunning new buildings, the car parks which should have been finished 2023 are really something. Give it five years to get the building work done plus either a good map or a QR code with the trail & information, would make all the difference.
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer C
Manama, Bahrain24 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
I originally did a tour because I needed to get out of the house and socialize a bit (we live here). I was so amazed at the craftsmanship of the buildings and restoration. Definitely go with a tour guide who can tell you all the past significance of each building, people, timelines of events. I was enchanted by the zig-zag walk ways and loved all the photo opportunities. A great place for family photos or great tour photos. If you are on a hired tour, make sure you ask your guide to take you around to the whole trail, not just the first few houses. While incredible, you'll miss some really amazing architecture, art, and gardens toward the end. Kid friendly although they may get bored.
Written 15 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrAskari
Tubli76 contributions
Dec 2013
This is a self-guided walking tour connecting the 17 historic buildings included in the UNESCO listing. It is currently being developed by the authorities, marked with blue paving stones, recessed lighting, and signage. a 3.5 km trail located in the island of Muharraq, in Bahrain, that was used by pearl divers during much of Bahrain's history until the early 1930s, when the pearl market in Bahrain crashed as a result of the introduction of cultured pearls from Japan.
Pearling in Bahrain has occurred since 2000 BC. The pathway consists of 17 buildings in Murharraq, 3 oyster beds located in the nearby sea, a segment of the coast and the seafront Bu Mahir fortress in the southern tip of Muharraq.The trail was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Bahrain's second World Heritage Site after the Bahrain Fort.
Pearling in Bahrain has occurred since 2000 BC. The pathway consists of 17 buildings in Murharraq, 3 oyster beds located in the nearby sea, a segment of the coast and the seafront Bu Mahir fortress in the southern tip of Muharraq.The trail was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Bahrain's second World Heritage Site after the Bahrain Fort.
Written 29 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlotte I
2 contributions
Sept 2016 • Solo
I'm not sure how these homes qualify as UNESCO world heritage sites..... They were beautiful but not overly impressive and there was so much construction going on while I was there that who knows what they looked like back in the day.... Only about half of the homes were open and generally attended by one Filipino or Indian caretaker who barely talked much less provided information. I probably wouldn't recommend to anyone...
Written 15 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ihar Beliauski
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates417 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
The Bahrain Pearling Path is an enchanting experience that beautifully encapsulates the rich history and cultural significance of pearling in the region. The well-maintained path provides a fascinating journey through the heritage of Bahrain's pearling industry, offering insightful information and showcasing the traditional techniques. The attention to detail and the engaging exhibits make it a must-visit destination, allowing visitors to appreciate the importance of pearls in Bahrain's history while enjoying a delightful stroll along the waterfront.
Written 26 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathryn B
Reading, UK46 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Amazing History. Lovey to see so many different types of housing and experience the walk through the houses.
Signposting is poor, so be prepared to get lost
No properties open on a Friday, but you will not be told this
Will be amazing when completed
Signposting is poor, so be prepared to get lost
No properties open on a Friday, but you will not be told this
Will be amazing when completed
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ANJALI G
Cambridge, UK18 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
The Bahrain pearl trail is amazing but more information is needed so that the amazing places can be explored by the tourist. We couldn't find so many places because of lack of GPS tracking available. Even the visitors centre had no pamphlet available.
Written 29 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you recommend a good guide for this walking trail?
Written 30 October 2017
Can someone tell me the hours this is open. Is it closed for afternoons? We are planning a Friday or Saturday. Thank you
Written 22 April 2016
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