Manama first appears by name in a written record dating to 1345 CE, though the surrounding area was settled far earlier — the nearby UNESCO-listed Qal'at al-Bahrain fort stands atop the ruins of the ancient Dilmun civilisation.

For centuries Manama thrived as a major hub of the natural pearl trade before Japanese cultured pearls disrupted the industry in the 20th century. Its modern transformation is symbolised by the twin towers of the Bahrain World Trade Center, among the first skyscrapers in the world to integrate wind turbines into their design.