Dar Al Naft Oil Museum

Bahrain


This grand white stone building, complete with neoclassical pillars, looks odd surrounded by nodding donkeys and sprawling pipelines, but this is where 'black gold' was first struck in Bahrain. The exhibits are informative, albeit a tad dry. The first well, opened in 1932, sits to the left of the museum, and to right is the original, tiny Bapco (Bahrain Petroleum Company) office from 1931.

Ring ahead to check opening times, as the museum is seldom visited. It is a 40-minute drive from Manama along an unmarked road south of Awali off Ave 49.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bahrain attractions

1. Formula 1 Racetrack

2.7 MILES

The Al Sakhir Tower of the Formula 1 Racetrack rises above the desert like a beacon. If you're visiting Bahrain out of season and want to see what a state…

2. Tree of Life

3.03 MILES

Although the Tree of Life's age has now been established, the mystique and allure of this lone, green, desert dweller remains strong. Planted around 1583,…

3. Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve

3.72 MILES

Ignore the tacky cardboard cutouts of animals leading up to the entrance – this is a great-value day out for the entire family in one of Bahrain's three…

4. Riffa Fort

6.27 MILES

The completely restored Riffa Fort was built in 1812 by Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmad Al Fatih, the 19th-century ruler of Bahrain. A classic piece of Bahraini…

5. Al Jazaer Beach

6.29 MILES

This beach won't win any Blue Flag awards for cleanliness, but if you do find yourself this far south, it's a nice enough spot to cool off. The clean,…

6. Al Bahair Mini Canyon & Wetlands

8.25 MILES

Unlike any other place in Bahrain, these huge, beautiful, natural rock formations of varying shapes are yellowish in colour and sit right in the middle of…

7. Al Dar Islands

8.66 MILES

Throughout the day sea taxis whisk visitors to this little desert island, where there are shallow swimming areas, various day-accommodation options (from…

8. Pottery District

9.37 MILES

Look out for the giant amphorae and head inwards from the corner of the highway and Ave 42 to explore Bahrain’s most famous pottery district, where…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "bahrain/attractions/dar-al-naft-oil-museum/a/poi-sig/1306630/361009",
      "destination": "Bahrain",
      "continent": "Middle-East",
      "country": "Bahrain",
      "position": "superzone"
    }