Overlooking the northern coast a 10-minute drive from central Manama, and standing guard on an ancient tell (mound created by centuries of urban rebuilding), Unesco World Heritage–listed Bahrain Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century as part of a string of defences along the Gulf. The moated fort is particularly attractive at night, when the history of the site seems to rise out of the excavations and linger between the floodlights.
The site was occupied from about 2800 BC and seven layers of history are represented in the digs surrounding the fort, including the remnants of two earlier forts. The fort is well signposted about 5km west of Manama.
