The A'ali burial mounds are in the village of A'ali, north of Bahrain's main island. They are among the most important archaeological sites in the country. The official Bahrain culture website describes them as thousands of burial mounds from the Dilmun era, from the 3rd to the 1st millennium BC, and from the Tylos era, from about 200 BC to 300 AD.
Standing among the mounds gives you a sense of scale. The landscape is quiet and open, and the pottery workshops nearby show that the local craft tradition is still alive.
What you will see
- Thousands of burial mounds. The official website describes the royal burial mounds in the village of A'ali as among the best preserved and most impressive.
- Pottery workshops close to the mounds. Some of their kilns are built around the tombs, and some use burial chambers as kilns.
- Potters at work, firing pieces with traditional methods passed down through generations.
Opening times
- The official Bahrain culture website does not list opening hours or booking arrangements for this site.
- Before you travel, check the official page: https://culture.gov.bh/en/visitingbahrain/CulturalTourism/Destinations/Name,10132,en.php
- Contact the workshops or the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities for current details.
Planning your visit
- The site is outside the city, so plan your own transport or book a tour that includes it.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking between the mounds, and bring water.
- Visit in the cooler part of the day, especially in summer.
- Take your time at the workshops, where you can watch the potters at work.
Visit A'ali with a tour
The A'ali burial mounds and pottery area is an optional stop of about one hour on our private 7-hour Bahrain Landmark and Culture Tour. Your guide explains the mounds and the pottery during the stop. Our two-day private Bahrain tour also visits the A'ali pottery area on Day 2 for about an hour.
Book a tour
You can book these tours online and pay cash on arrival.