Gudaibiya (or Qudaibiya) is a neighborhood located in Manama, the capital city of the kingdom of Bahrain. Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 157,000 people.
Gudaibiya is a bustling and highly cosmopolitan area, as it is an older part of the city, yet a busy area. Gudaibiya houses embassies and the National Assembly (Bahrain). It has large numbers of Indian, Filipino, Ethiopian, and Pakistani residents. It is the site of the Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh Poetry House, which is a leading cultural center, and the house of the late Bahraini poet, Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh. Gudaibiya is also home to the Gudaibiya Palace.
Gudaibiya is located in a very vibrant area in Manama as it lies between Juffair, Adliya, Al Hoora, Umm Al Hassam, and Mahooz. This strategically perfect location made it home to many new arrivals in the Kingdom of Bahrain who is looking forward to settling and starting a new job.
The neighboring area of Adliya is one of the most active spots on Bahrain's map. Located in the heart of Manama the capital, Adliya is situated within close proximity to some of the most active locations in the kingdom of Bahrain, such as the Royal Palace, Al Qudaiybya Palace, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, and Bahrain National Museum and Theater which hosts many annual art events, festivals, and concerts. That's why Adliya is one of the favorite spots for expatriates, tourists, and visitors. Adliya offers its residents quick access to its most important areas including Juffair, Salmaniya, and Hoora.
Also, Juffair is an area near Al-Qudaibiya where you will never feel bored as it has an endless range of activities and places to hang out, especially when it comes to nightlife. Juffair is the first word you'd hear when you ask for recommendations for a night out in Bahrain. It is very popular for its fabulous nightlife, clubs, and bars, and that's mainly because it is close to the American base and most inhabited by Non-Arabs.
Gudaibiya Palace is a palace in Gudaibiya, located off Bani Otbah Avenue and Al Fatih Highway. Gudaibiya Palace lies west of the Al Fateh Grand Mosque and southwest of the Old Palace of Manama and the Andalus Garden and Manama Cemetery. It is a light pink palace with a pearl-colored, onion-shaped dome. For decades the palace has hosted some of the most important political and economy-related conferences in the country, having a prominent role in the foreign affairs of the country. The proclamation of the accession of Salman Al Khalifa, after his father's death in February 1942 was made from the steps of the Gudaibiya Palace, read by the ruler's uncle, Shaikh Mohammad bin Isa. It has a major political function; the King's cabinet usually meets every Sunday at the palace and the Prime Minister has an office at the palace. The landscaping of the Gudaibiya Palace grounds was carried out, between September 2007 and September 2008, by the Ministry of Works.
As we mention above, Gudaibiya is located in a very vibrant area in Manama and it is desired by expatriates who work in the neighboring areas. And in addition to investing and making money, the Bahrain property market is massively promising, and owning a property in Gudaibiya has way much more perks to offer. Firstly, the residence permit, foreign property owners in Bahrain have the right to proclaim a self-sponsorship residence permit by law. However, the value of the purchased property must be over BHD 50,000. Secondly, the capital appreciation, when owning properties in Gudaibiya, your capital will keep on accruing more value over time as real estate prices are on the rise in many areas, especially because it's a vital area where demand is powerful.
Unfortunately no, Gudaibiya is not one of these freehold areas where expatriates can buy and own properties. Owning properties in Bahrain is absolutely available for all expatriates living in the kingdom, however, it’s restricted to certain places like Amwaj island, Abraj Al Lulu, Al Juffair, Al Reef Island, Durrat Al Bahrain, Durrat Marina, and many other areas that are distributed all over the land of the kingdom.
Property prices in Gudaibiya vary according to property type, space, furnishing, etc. A fully furnished one-bedroom studio for sale in Gudaibiya starts from 30,000 BHD. A fully furnished three-bedroom flat in Gudaibiya starts from 80,000 BHD. A four-story building in Gudaibiya (fully furnished) starts from 400,000 BHD. While land for sale in Gudaibiya costs around 40 to 50 BHD per square foot.