Reconsider Travel
“Updated to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel on March 2.”
Updated Mon, 02 Mar 2026
Full advisory →Is Manama safe? 🇧🇭
Bahrain · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Manama scores 44/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No — Bahrain is currently rated Level 3 by the U.S. State Department and Level 4 by Canada, so travelers should reconsider or avoid non‑essential travel. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Manama 🇧🇭
Bahrain · Assessed 28 July 2026
44
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~32% of countries
Score capped at 44 — Level 3 advisory — reconsider travel. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime89/100GoodCrime index 18.0 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment73/100GoodMostly negative
Advisories48Caution
Stability68Fair
Health73Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts
“Regional tensions The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 17 June in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, however the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region, including Bahrain, against US military and civilian infrastructure.”
Updated 2026-07-23T09:00:06Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Bahrain: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-23T09:50:03.0398721-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.2 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kBahrain0.2Japan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
100
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare for visitors and typically occur in isolated night‑time areas outside the city centre
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded markets, shopping malls and during large public events
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
73/100
Reported feel45Mostly negative
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler forums and news commentaries express concern over regional instability and heat, though many still report feeling safe in well‑patrolled tourist zones
No — Bahrain is currently rated Level 3 by the U.S. State Department and Level 4 by Canada, so travelers should reconsider or avoid non‑essential travel.
The multi‑database safety profile flags Bahrain as CAUTION with a composite score of 44/100, driven by a Level 3 travel advisory and elevated regional tensions. While violent crime is low, heat, air‑quality risks and the possibility of sudden protests or missile strikes in Manama raise safety concerns.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026U.S. and UK authorities issued updated travel warnings citing increased missile and drone activity near Manama— U.S. Department of State (.gov)
- May 2026Bahrain barred its citizens from traveling to Iran and Iraq amid escalating regional conflict— Kurdistan24
- Jul 2026Police arrested a suspect within 24 hours after an attempted exchange heist in Manama— News of Bahrain
Common scams
- Currency‑exchange scams targeting tourists in souks
- Overpriced taxi rides and unmetered rides
- Fake tour operators offering ‘exclusive’ desert excursions
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
The current official guidance is clear: the United States has issued a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory and Canada has elevated its warning to “Avoid all travel” for Bahrain, with the latest updates reflecting heightened regional tensions and the ordered departure of non‑emergency U.S. personnel. These government warnings are the most authoritative signal that visitors should treat the destination with caution.
Recent news from July 2026 confirms that missile and drone alerts have been issued for Manama, and Bahraini authorities have recently detained a suspect in connection with an attempted robbery in the capital. While violent crime such as mugging remains low, the moderate risk of pickpocketing is evident in crowded venues like the Manama Souq and major shopping centres, where tourists are advised to keep bags secured and avoid displaying valuables.
Heat and air‑quality present additional hazards: July temperatures regularly exceed 45 °C, and the city’s US AQI of 181 falls into the “Unhealthy” range, which can affect vulnerable travellers. Although homicide and terrorism death rates are negligible, the potential for sudden protests, road closures, or security incidents near government buildings cannot be ignored.
Practical Tips: Register with your embassy, use only licensed taxis or reputable ride‑share services, and steer clear of political gatherings or street demonstrations. Carry a copy of your travel insurance and emergency contacts, stay hydrated, and limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours. By staying informed, respecting local advisories, and taking basic precautions, you can reduce risk while enjoying Bahrain’s cultural sites.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Manama districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Manama safety map.
Juffairavoidavoid due to elevated risk of petty crime and occasional protests near foreign worker areas
Financial Harbourcautioncaution after dark due to occasional petty theft and protests near government buildings
Old Town (Manama)cautioncaution after dark; occasional street gatherings and petty crime reported near cultural sites
Riffa Eastcautioncaution after dark; reports of isolated thefts near residential zones
Diplomatic Areasafergenerally safe but maintain situational awareness during heightened regional tensions
Seef Districtsafersafe overall, but stay alert to occasional traffic incidents and crowded events
07 · After Dark
Is Manama safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are rare for visitors and typically occur in isolated night‑time areas outside the city centre
After dark, be most careful around Juffair, Financial Harbour, Old Town (Manama), Riffa East. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Manama's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight44
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight44
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight44
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight44
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight44
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight44
09 · Questions
Manama safety FAQ
Is Manama safe for tourists right now?
No — Bahrain is currently rated Level 3 by the U.S. State Department and Level 4 by Canada, so travelers should reconsider or avoid non‑essential travel. The multi‑database safety profile flags Bahrain as CAUTION with a composite score of 44/100, driven by a Level 3 travel advisory and elevated regional tensions. While violent crime is low, heat, air‑quality risks and the possibility of sudden protests or missile strikes in Manama raise safety concerns. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Manama should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Juffair as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Manama?
- Currency‑exchange scams targeting tourists in souks
- Overpriced taxi rides and unmetered rides
- Fake tour operators offering ‘exclusive’ desert excursions
How does Manama compare with other places in Bahrain?
Manama scores 44/100 — see the Bahrain safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Manama safety score calculated?
The score blends 9+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Bahrain safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: manama.json (CC BY 4.0).