Despite being one of the smallest countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the Kingdom of Bahrain has been renowned for being an international trade and entertainment hub.

Such a status can be attributed to multiple reasons, first of which being the small kingdom’s geographic nature and location. As an island, the reseKingdom of Bahrain has an abundance of mesmerizing locations that mix both the everlasting charm of the blue waters with the exotic adventurous nature of the desert. One of those mesmerizing locations that is a grand attraction for both the people of Bahrain and its visitors is Al Sakhir Desert.

Located in the Southern Govvernorate of the island kingdom, Al Sakhir Desert is one of the top attractions of the island that it became an integral and an almost essential part of most of the tourism programs and tour packages in Bahrain in the recent few years.

The desert area is most famously known for housing Al Sakhir Palace, a historical building that goes back to more than a century ago which was once the residence of Sheikh Hamad, the former ruler of the kingdom. The palace’s Islamic architecture and design that are apparent in its white paint color, columns, dome and minaret reflect the country’s rich culture and history.

Sheikh Hamad has invited multiple politicians and world leaders to dine in the palace during his reign, which granted the palace a statue of international renown. However, after Sheikh Hamad’s death in 1942, the palace was closed for decades before it went under an extensive renovation program to bring it back to life as one of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s most famous land marks.

And so it did; today, Al Sakhir Palace hosts the most important occasions and visits of influential political figures in the kingdom. The desert also houses Al Areen Wild Life Park, the only official protectorate in Bahrain which aims at reserving more than 40 species of animals and 80 species of birds from extinction, as well as more than 100,000 planets.

On the other hand, for the adventure and the adrenaline rush lovers, they can enjoy a visit to Bahrain International Circuit that is situated in the desert. The circuit is known for hosting the annual Bahrain Grand Prix, a Formula One Championship race annual event that was held for the first time in 2004 to be the first event of its kind in the Middle East region.

However, Al Sakhir Palace is indeed not the only reason why Al Sakhir Desert is worth a visit; the area is known for being one of the best camping and stargazing sites in the GCC region due to its minimal light pollution.

So, whether your goal is to find a vacation spot where you can relax, rediscover the untouched nature, experience a unique adrenaline rush or find out more about the history of a country whose history culture and nature has been nothing short of diverse and vibrant, Al Sakhir Desert is definitely the spot for you.