Muharraq island was Bahrain's capital until 1923, when the seat of government moved to Manama. Connected to the main island by a short causeway, it retains the most intact historic urban fabric in the country: narrow alleyways, badgeer wind towers — traditional air-cooling towers designed to catch prevailing breezes and direct them into the buildings below — and ornate merchant houses built by families who grew wealthy in the pearl trade. Before oil, Bahrain's economy was dominated by pearl diving, and Muharraq was where the money was concentrated.
The UNESCO-listed Pearling Path runs 3.5 kilometres through the historic core of Muharraq, linking a series of restored buildings: merchant mansions including Siyadi House (which has its own entry), a pearling customs house where pearl merchants conducted official transactions, and the Bu Maher Fort on the waterfront. The route is waymarked and manageable on foot, though the full length in summer heat requires an early start. The surrounding alleyways contain mosques, traditional houses, and a few small tea shops. Plan a full morning or afternoon — the path itself takes two hours at a relaxed pace, and the surrounding neighbourhood rewards exploration beyond the marked route. Come on a weekday if possible; the restored buildings are sometimes closed on Fridays.