Southern Governorate

The Southern Governorate (المحافظة الجنوبية‎, Al-Muḥāfaẓat al-Janūbīyah) is in Bahrain.

Understand

The Southern Governorate makes up almost two thirds of Bahrain's area, but is sparsely populated and home to less than a tenth of the country's 1.5 million inhabitants. Administratively the governorate also includes the cities of Riffa and Sitrah and the Hawar Islands – these we handle in separate articles.

Get in

Drive or take a taxi. For destinations along the east coast as far as Jaww and along the west coast as far as the University of Bahrain (holidays all the way to Jazair Beach), bus is an option too.

See

• 1 Tree of Life, 30 km south of Manama. Famous lonesome tree in the middle of a dry desert. Scientists haven't figured out how it survives, since no underground aquifer or spring exists under that area. In fact, all underground water sources are around the tree are contaminated with salt, suggesting the tree may in fact possess a mutation rendering it salt-tolerant. 

Do

• 1 Bahrain International Circuit, Gulf of Bahrain Ave, Umm Jidar, Sakhir. A motorsports venue, best known for the yearly Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. The next is on 29 Feb - 2 March 2024, so it's clear of Ramadan. Other races are also held here. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Al Areen Wildlife Park. Combined nature reserve and zoo, and the only one of Bahrain's five protected areas on land. The zoo part is open to the public and showcases animals and plants native to the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and South Asia. (updated Apr 2020)

Buy

Durrat Al Bahrain Bahrain's third largest island, has a resort

Sleep

• 1 Banyan Tree Al Areen, Al Areen, ☏ +973 1784 5000. Attention to detail and opulent surroundings. The staff are welcoming and attentive, without being overwhelming, and the food is good.