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Worldwide Wilbur

Budget Vacations to Unusual Destinations

The Ultimate Travel Blog Kuwait: “Where Fun is Forbidden”

March 22, 2019 by Worldwide Wilbur 5 Comments

The Ultimate Travel Blog Kuwait will describe how to visit, or work as an expat, in this boring, conservative, petro-state.

In Travel Blog Kuwait, you’ll learn about how to arrive and get around Kuwait City.  You’ll visit the iconic Kuwait Towers, pass by a beach, view the Grand Mosque, and explore an interesting souk.  You can learn how to stay safe and avoid problems with the Kuwaiti legal system.  You’ll visit a massive shopping mall, and get an early nights rest in one of the most boring countries on Earth.

by Worldwide Wilbur, March 2019

Why travel to Kuwait? 

There are only a handful of reasons to come to Kuwait:

• You are an oil executive or foreign embassy staff, and you just scored a big six-figure job in Kuwait City.
• You’re in the U.S. military and are one of the 18,000 soldiers and airmen to receive orders to Camp Arifjan, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, or Ali Al Salem Air Base.
• You are an Egyptian, Pakistani or Indian guest worker coming to work hard and send money home to your family.
• You’re a obsessive traveler trying to go to every country in the world.

A Very Brief History of Kuwait:

For thousands of years Kuwaitis were maritime traders, merchants, shipbuilders, and pearl divers.   Their small port town was ruled by each successive empire of the region.  The last empire to roll through were the Ottomans, who were replaced by a British alliance.

In 1938 oil was discovered, and Kuwait was launched straight from the 18th into the 20th century.  From 1946 to 1982, the country underwent large-scale modernization. In 1990, Kuwait was brutally invaded by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in the first Gulf War.   After seven months the US military crushed Saddam’s forces in just four days.

Kuwait quickly rebuilt its damaged infrastructure.  Today this oil-rich Gulf State is among the richest countries in the world, with a GNI per capita of $33,000.  Over 70% of its population made up of non-citizen guest workers from Egypt, India, Pakistan, and many other nations.

Travel Blog Kuwait – Things to do:

If you travel to Kuwait, I can recommend a one day walking/cab tour that will get you to the few interesting cultural sites of the city.  There isn’t much to see.  The city has no real historical sights, as Kuwait City was nothing but a small port town of shipping merchants until 1950.  All the buildings are new and modern.  It has the feel of a newly rich city constantly under construction.  There are dozens of high-rise office buildings, luxury hotels, and multi-lane highways, but little of cultural interest.

Start by getting dropped off by taxi at the northeastern tip of the city, at Kuwait’s most iconic site.

The Kuwait Towers

The Towers are the most internationally recognizable symbol of Kuwait.   For 3 Dinar ($10) you can go up an elevator into the 614 foot tallest tower with a rotating main sphere, providing a panoramic view of the city.  Open 8am to 11pm.  Also, nearby the Towers is the Kuwaiti Maritime Museum and the Trapped Inn – Escape Game.

After you’ve had your fill of the Kuwait Towers, walk southwest along the oceanfront sidewalk.  You’ll pass coffee shops on a couple of pebbly beaches covered in cigarette butts and plastic trash.  This is as good a place as any for a break to sit, have a drink, and gaze at the Persian Gulf.

After you continue on, you’ll see a giant mall on your right across a lagoon.  This is the Sultan Center-Souq Sharq .  If you need some Starbucks or all the American fast-food you could ever imagine, it’s in here.  Continuing southwest, after about 15 minutes you’ll see a huge building on your left.

The Grand Mosque

This mosque is the largest mosque in Kuwait.  It can hold 11,000 people for prayers.  Tourists can visit the mosque every weekday morning at 9.00am and can have a guided tour free of charge.  

After viewing the Mosque, turn your back to the ocean and head inland on Mubarak Al Kabeer street.  You’ll quickly reach a large intersection.  Ahead to your right is the Souk Al Mubarakiya.  

Souk Al Mubarakiya

Wander into the souk and allow yourself to get lost in the passageways.  Walking its shaded lanes is one of the best things to do in Kuwait City.  Have lunch or dinner here at 12 Chutneys . 

This marketplace is probably the most interesting cultural destination in Kuwait city.  This traditional yet modern souk has alley after alley of shops.  Spices, jewelry, clothes, restaurants, electronics, all kinds of things to look at in an attractive Arabian setting.   A great place for people watching.  I spent a couple of hours here.

If you have time left in our Kuwait Travel blog tour, you could either exit the souk and continue your walk northeast on Ahmed Al Jaber street, which will take you through the nondescript downtown business section of the city.  Or, you can jump in a cab for the 15 minute, 8 mile drive to The Avenues .

The Avenues Shopping Mall

Do you like shopping malls?  Really, really, like shopping malls?  If so, you are in luck.  Shopping malls are practically the only things to do in Kuwait.  There are dozens of malls.  The most popular destination in all of Kuwait is The Avenues mall.  It is the second largest mall in all of the Middle East.  It holds more than 800 stores and a parking lot that fits more than 10,000 cars.  Restaurants, movie theaters, Prada stores.  Open daily 10am to 10pm.  If this mall isn’t enough for you, you could also try the 360 Mall , or the Marina Mall , or the Alhamra Mall , or….

Travel Blog Kuwait: The Worst Place in the World to work as an Expat?

In a recent Expat Insider Inter-Nations Survey on “Best Places to Work as an Expat”, Kuwait ranked dead last out of 67 countries.  It couldn’t even surpass such desirable vacation destinations as Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.  Here are several reasons listed:

There is NOTHING to do in Kuwait City.

There is no nightlife.  No interesting activities.  No sports teams.  Kuwaitis main pursuits are eating and shopping.  They are among the fattest and richest people in the world.  (source: List of countries by body mass index ,  List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita )

The roads are scary.

You can ride the bus or take a taxi, but if you want to drive, you are taking your life in your hands.  Kuwaitis drive recklessly, speed, get road-rage easily, pay little attention to other road users, switch lanes without warning, run red lights, and use mobile phones while driving.  Kuwait has 80% more road fatalities per capita than the US.  If you get into an accident, as a foreigner, it WILL be your fault.

Some Kuwaitis are rude and racist.

In Kuwait it is a completely acceptable attitude that foreigners are to be treated as second-class citizens.  Only 30% of the people in Kuwait are citizens born in Kuwait.  The 70% majority are guest workers.  Kuwaitis blame any crime and problems in the country on guest workers.  They may cut in front of you in line, or just refuse service to you.  Police are known for mistreating expats.  Recently the Kuwaiti government pledged to start deporting foreigners at a rate of 100,000 a year.  They literally do not want you there.

Health care is lacking.

If you go to the government hospitals, you could wait a long time for substandard care.  Private health insurance is expensive.

Garbage Everywhere.

Trash gets thrown out of car windows, apartment windows, and dumped on beaches.  Kuwaitis do not care about the cleanliness of public spaces.

Lack of Work/Life balance.

The workweek is generally 6 days and 48 hours.  Corporations regularly break labor laws and go unpunished.

Travel Blog Kuwait – Travel Tips to Know Before You Go:

Backpacker daily budget (hostel bed, three cheap meals, three beers, two public transport rides, one tourist activity):.

$100.  The cheapest hotel is $48.  Three meals should cost around $20.  No beers available, so substitute one shisha pipe as your nightly “entertainment” for $10.  Two short cab rides will run you $12.  Entrance to the Kuwait Towers is $10.  That adds up to $100.  Not exactly a backpacker paradise eh?

Cheap Beer index :

One MILLLLLLION Dollars.  Kuwait is a dry country, as alcohol in Kuwait is completely banned .  By law, no alcohol is sold anywhere in the country, or allowed in the country.  The acts of buying and/or selling alcohol, bringing alcohol to a public place, or being intoxicated in a public area, are all serious crimes.

What is Kuwait City weather like?

Kuwait City weather is HOT.  In the summertime; really, really hot! The average high in July and August is 116.  That’s just the AVERAGE!!  It gets over 120!  If you go during these months, you will need to spend all of your time inside an air-conditioned mall or hotel.  You should also avoid visiting during Ramadan.  Many restaurants and coffee shops are closed during daylight hours.  People are fasting, and the few available activities may be shut down.  Kuwait City weather is at its best in March and November with highs of 80 and lows of 58.  April and October are hot, but acceptable at highs of 95 and lows of 68.

What languages are spoken in Kuwait?

Kuwaiti Arabic is the common language.  English is the de facto business language and widely understood.

Do you need a visa to travel to Kuwait?

No Kuwait visa is needed for a Kuwait tourism visit.  Nationals of USA, UK, AUS, and CAN can apply for a free Kuwait tourist visa-upon-arrival at the airport for a visit of up to 30 days.  You must have a departing flight booking and be travelling for tourism purposes.  If you have a passport stamp from Israel , you may be denied entry to Kuwait.

If you need a Kuwait work visa, you’ll need to arrange that in advance through your employer and the Kuwait embassy.  A travel agency in Kuwait may be able to assist.

How to Get to Kuwait:

Flights to Kuwait – You will almost certainly arrive via Kuwait International Airport (KWI).   Many airlines fly here from all over the Middle East and Asia, mostly from other gulf countries.  European flights include:

• British Airways has flights to London-Heathrow
• KLM has flights to Amsterdam
• Kuwait Airways flies to Frankfurt, Geneva, London-Heathrow, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome
• Lufthansa flies to Frankfurt

From the airport: The airport is 10 miles south of the city.  To get into the city from the airport:  Bus #501 runs every 30 minutes 0530-2100 to the main bus terminal off Al-Hilali Street. It costs just 250 fils (82 cents), and will take 30 minutes.   The bus leaves from the arrivals level downstairs, to the left as you come out the arrivals exit.  From the bus station, you can get a much cheaper cab ride to your hotel.  Or get an airport taxi for a 20 minute ride to the city.  My cab ride cost me $26.

By Land from Saudi Arabia – There are two highways and border crossings with Saudi Arabia; Al-Nuwaisib and Al-Salmy.  You’ll need to already have a Kuwaiti visa to get in, as there is no visa-on-arrival at land borders.  Bus services operated by the Saudi bus company SAPTCO, run between Kuwait and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.  The trip takes about 6 hours.

By Land from Iraq – The border with Iraq is often closed by the Kuwaiti government.  Be prepared for delays, or to be turned back. Kuwaiti officials are extremely sensitive about  travel to and from Iraq, and may detain you for questioning or deny you entry into the country.

By Sea – There is a speedboat service between Kuwait and Bahrain which costs $150, the trip takes around 5 hours. The Combined Shipping Company operate a service that runs twice a week from Kuwait into Iran, tickets cost approximately 70 USD one way and 140 USD return.

Getting around Kuwait:

• Bus  The Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) and City Bus networks are air-conditioned, cheap and efficient, though the network was designed to get locals to work, not get tourists to sights.  You may have to walk a way to get where you want to be.  Fares are around 200 fils (66 cents).
• Q8 Taxi – is an app based transport like Uber.
• Careem – is another app based transport like Uber.
• Taxis are available.  Meters are rarely used, so you’ll have to agree to a price before setting off.  Orange street taxis, which you can hail just about anywhere, are cheaper than radio taxis called by hotels.  Drivers may try to increase your fare, blaming traffic or poor instructions on your part.
• Rental Car – Be aware that driving in Kuwait is extremely hazardous due to excessive speeding, distracted driving, road rage, lax enforcement of traffic regulations, and a high volume of traffic.  Not recommended.
• Walking is unpleasant.  The city is quite spread out, so you’ll walk a lot if you want to get to anything.  It can be extremely hot, with no shade.

Kuwaiti currency and how to get it:

Kuwait’s currency is the Kuwaiti Dinar (0.30 KWD=$1 USD) available at numerous ATM’s.  The Kuwaiti Dinar holds the distinction of being the world’s most valuable currency per unit.  One Dinar is worth $3.29 US Dollars.  The Kuwaiti dinar (KD) is divided into 1,000 fils. Coins are of 10, 20, 50 and 100 fils, and notes are in denominations of KD 0.25, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 Dinars.  Cash is more popular than credit cards in Kuwait, so it’s a good idea to get some Dinars out of the ATM on arrival.  For more info on your cash-versus-credit card options when travelling, check out my post on How to Access your Money in Foreign Countries .

Stay connected: 

There are three telecom operators in Kuwait:

• Zain (formerly MTC) leads in coverage, speed and subscribers.  Their prepaid product is called “eeZee”. Starters are sold in their stores for KD 4 with KD 4 credit ($13.20)
• Ooredoo  (formerly Watanya) is based in Qatar is the 2nd provider in Kuwait. It rivals Zain and has equally good coverage and speed.  Their XPress starter costs a one time activation fee of KD 5 and gives KD 5 credit valid for 30 days ($16.50)
• Viva is a distant third in subscribers, and offers a starter pack called allo for KD 2 with KD2 credit loaded. ($6.30)

Kuwait City Hotels:

There are NO hostels in Kuwait.  Hotels are expensive.  Following are the cheapest hotels in Kuwait City:

• Royal Inn Hotel (Sky Hotel) gets poor reviews, and is 6.3 miles outside the center of the city, but has rooms for $48.
• Continental Hawally Hotel is 2.8 miles out of the center, has mediocre reviews, and rooms with free breakfast for $53
• City Tower Hotel gets good reviews, is in the heart of downtown, has a pool and a gym, and has rooms for $76

Where to eat:

• 12 Chutneys – I had some excellent Indian food at this restaurant located in the Souk Al Mubarakiya.  If you just have a short stay, choose this spot.

Kuwait Nightlife: 

Ha, Ha, Ha.  Please re-read the Cheap Beer Index.  Kuwait has no alcohol and there is no such thing as Kuwait nightlife.  Unless you count Kuwaiti men hanging out with each other at a shisha bar, smoking and drinking tea.  Expats in Kuwait head to the airport for nightlife.  The bars and nightclubs of Bahrain are just 70 minutes away, and Dubai is just under two hours away.

Get a Kuwait guidebook:  

What to Pack: 

As a man, you can wear just about whatever you’d normally wear.  Shorts are unacceptable, as is any shirt showing the midsection.

Women will be expected to dress somewhat modestly but nothing too extreme.  Western women are not expected to conform to Kuwaiti women’s standard of dress.  Jeans and t-shirts are fine.  Shorts that go to the knee are ok.  Cleavage is a no-no.  Short shorts or short skirts are unacceptable.  There is no need to cover your hair.

To learn how to pack light and be prepared for anything, check out my post The Worldwide Travel Packing List .

Travel Blog Kuwait – Is Kuwait Safe?

Yes.  This is a BIG question for every visitor to the Middle East.  Kuwait is one of the safest countries in the region.  Crime is very low in Kuwait.  Such things as petty theft, car break-ins, and harassment or sexual assault of women traveling alone are possible, but rare.  Kuwait’s heavy-handed legal system puts a stop to most crime.

All of the strife you read about in the Middle East is not happening in Kuwait.  The streets are quiet, peaceful and safe.  There has been only one terrorist incident in the last 15 years, a bomb blast at a mosque by ISIS killed 27 people in 2015.  It is much safer than America with its monthly school shootings.

There are high levels of robberies in the Jleeb Al Shuyoukh area, which you are unlikely to visit.  Conservative neighborhoods such as Jahra should be avoided as there have been disturbances involving firearms.

The biggest danger you face in Kuwait comes from the draconian and ridiculous Kuwaiti legal system rather than from criminals.  Kuwait has many medieval sexist/homophobic/religious laws that you must ensure you have information about.

Kuwait Travel Advice – you can be arrested for any of the following:

• Being caught with alcohol or under the influence of alcohol.  Some expat-geared restaurants offer “special” tea, but be careful of who is watching you.
• Being caught with drugs .  Convictions for drug trafficking may include the death penalty.  Don’t even think about bringing weed into Kuwait.
• “ Humiliating or insulting any person verbally or through obscene gestures in a public place”.  So don’t go handing out middle fingers or “F*^k You’s” to Kuwaitis.  There is no such thing as free speech here.
• Challenging the authority of the Emir or insulting him – whether by speech, writing, drawing or any other means of expression.  Again, no free speech here.  Don’t get into an argument with anyone about anything.
• Taking pictures or video of ANY person without the subject’s knowledge or consent.  Ask for permission before photographing people. Some women find being photographed offensive and may report the incident to local police.
• Having unpaid debts .
• Driving without a Kuwait driver’s license after obtaining a residence permit.
• Eating, drinking, or smoking in public in the daytime during Ramadan .  Islam may not be your religion, but you’ll have to play along anyway, and eat your food in hiding during Ramadan.
• Prostitution.
• Pork.  Really.  Got a ham sandwich and bag of pork rinds in your carry-on bag?  Better dump it on the plane.
• Public displays of affection are illegal in Kuwait, and forgetting this can lead to arrest.  No kisses people.
• Being caught in possession of pornography .  Porn sites are generally blocked by the government.  Better get a VPN.
• Proselytizing any religion except Islam.  This is not the place to be a missionary.
• Sexual relations outside of marriage .  Not that there is any possible way to meet the opposite sex anyway, but just so you know.
• Co-habiting of unmarried partners. You should be ok for sharing a hotel room with your boyfriend/girlfriend on a visit here, but forget renting an apartment together.
• Giving birth to a child if you are unmarried !  The Kuwaiti government will refuse to create a birth certificate for such a child, and may choose to prosecute you instead.
• Consensual same-sex sexual conduct between men .  The law punishes consensual same-sex sexual activity between men older than 21 with imprisonment of up of to seven years; those engaging in consensual same-sex sexual activity with men younger than 21 may be imprisoned for as long as 10 years. No laws criminalize sexual behavior between women.  Perhaps Kuwait doesn’t believe in the existence of lesbians?
• Cross-dressing / Being transgender .  The law imposes a fine of 1,059 dinars ($3,495) and imprisonment for one to three years for persons imitating the appearance of the opposite sex in public. Transgender persons reported harassment, detention, and abuse by security forces.
• Photographing government buildings , military installations, and oil-related infrastructure.

In addition to all that, visiting Kuwait as a woman requires special precautions to deter sexual harassment:

• Dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees.
• Do not engage in “small talk” with taxi drivers (as that can be interpreted as interest).
• Avoid sustained eye contact.
• Be cautious when using public transportation.
• Maintain a low profile in public.

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October 14, 2019 at 12:32 pm

As a Kuwaiti, I can confirm your points.. but you lacked mentioning many details. There are many historical locations, but they are untouched. You can go and see for yourself, but there is no museum built around it nor guide available to give you a tour. These places include Hellenistic buildings and grave sites, mostly found in the north and on failaka island (ikaros island). We used to have numerous amusement parks but they are currently undergoing renovations. The country has been shut down tourism wise since 2017 and a complete remodel is happening with a different city devoted for tourism being constructed as I write this comment. Silk City, Kuwait.

October 14, 2019 at 12:39 pm

Thanks for the knowledge AbdulAziz. Admittedly, I made a brief trip to Kuwait. I wasn’t able to find any tours to join to see such sites. I think a new city constructed just for tourism might attract lots of visitors from the Gulf States, but the strict implementation of local religious norms will continue to make Kuwaiti tourism a non-starter for the majority of the world’s population.

September 26, 2019 at 10:54 pm

Hi, As a lone female Travelling to Kuwait City , reading this i feel quite sceptical now, I dont drink , not in to night life etc, Im more concerned about catcalling and being harassed both by walking or in the taxi, Also getting over charged by Taxi drivers. Do you have any contacts ie trusted taxi drivers/ People that i can contact, I will be staying for 4 days.

June 8, 2019 at 6:24 am

Yes, it is biased. Biased by comparing Kuwait to any of the 100+ other countries I’ve visited, and finding it completely lacking in fun.

June 7, 2019 at 11:44 pm

What the hell is wrong with you….. Kuwait is such a Fun place and there are many things that a person can do…… And garbage is not thrown out of windows… Sometimes it is but majority of the time it’s not, this is very biased, Kuwaitis might be sometimes rude but overall they’re very nice and the roads aren’t scary at all people drive very safely there This is the worst blog or post or whatever the hell this .. I have ever seen

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Visiting Kuwait: A Travel Guide for First Timers

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2023

Categories Kuwait , Middle East

Thinking of traveling to the Middle East but don’t know where to go? Think no more. I have the perfect destination for you and that is Kuwait. Kuwait may not be on your bucket list of travel destinations but the country is worth visiting.

In this article, I’ll tell you a few things you should know about Kuwait and then you can decide if you want to plan a trip to this tiny country which borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Table of Contents

What Are Some Key Facts About Kuwait?

Kuwait is a Muslim country in the Persian Gulf. The nation is oil-rich having 10% of the world’s oil reserves. They sell over 60% of their oil to Asian countries and their economy is largely petroleum based. The country’s currency the Kuwaiti Dinar is the world’s highest-valued currency.

You may know Kuwait mostly because of the 1990 Gulf War. The war started after the invasion of the country by the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who wanted Kuwaiti’s oil, caused instability in the country.

However, Kuwait has moved on since the war and is now stable and peaceful for you to visit.  A clear indication of the country’s stability is that 70% of the population is made up of expatriates. With a population of 4.25 million people, the number of Kuwaitis is only slightly over one million.

Majority of the population lives in the Capital which is Kuwait City and most enjoy a high standard of life given that Kuwait is a wealthy country.

What Do You Need to Travel To Kuwait?

They are two crucial documents required for you to be allowed into Kuwait. A valid passport and a Kuwait visa.

For example, the Kuwait visa requirements for Indian citizens traveling to Kuwait are: • You must have an Indian passport which is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Kuwait. • An approved Kuwait eVisa. You can apply for your visa online. The process takes less than 10 minutes. All you need to do is fill an online visa application form with your personal and passport details, plus information about your trip to Kuwait. Once you submit the form and everything checks out your visa will be sent to you in a few hours by email.

Nationals from the USA, Canada, Australia and the EU can also get a visa on arrival. I recommend checking in advance the requirements for your passport.

Best Things To Do in Kuwait

Kuwait has several tourist attractions that you’ll enjoy visiting. I will list for you some of the top attractions you must visit when you travel there.

Al Hamra – Located in Kuwait  City this the tallest tower in Kuwait and the 15th tallest sculpted tower in the world. The tower which took six years to construct has 80 floors and from it, you can get an amazing aerial view of Kuwait.

Liberation Tower – After Al Hamra, this is the second tallest building in Kuwait. On a clear day atop the tower, you can see the whole of Kuwait. The tower also has a revolving restaurant from which you can sample some Kuwaiti cuisine as you enjoy your view.

The Grand Mosque – This is the largest mosque in Kuwait. If you want to learn more about the nation’s Muslim religion take one of the daily tours at the mosque. The Grand Mosque is also beautifully built and you can go admire its architecture.

Failaka Island – The Gulf War came with a lot of destruction. On this island which is 20 km east of Kuwait City the effects of wars can be seen. Homes, office, hospitals, etc. destroyed during the war have not been rebuilt. Failaka Island gives you a first-hand experience of what war does to a country. The island which was once inhabited is abandoned now. On the island, you can also visit archaeological sites that date back to the Bronze Age.

Kuwaiti Desert – A visit to Kuwait would be incomplete without a trip to the desert. Activities you can do in the desert include camel rides or camping for a night in the desert. If you venture into the desert remember to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and UPF clothing.

Kuwait Beaches – Kuwait has spectacular sandy beaches for you to just chill and soak up some sun. The beaches fall into three categories public beaches, beach parks, and beach clubs. Public beaches are open to all but for beach parks and beach clubs, you will have to pay to access the beach. Beach clubs are more expensive as the offer more luxurious surroundings.

Old Souk/ Mubarakiya – Visit this market if you want to taste some mouth-watering Arabic dishes.

To shop for trip souvenirs head over to the Haraj – the Friday market.

There many other places you can visit in Kuwait like the House of Mirrors and Avenues Mall . You should consider hiring a guide who can take you around Kuwait so that you don’t miss out on its key attractions. Being a small country you can see it all in two or three days.

Key Information to Keep in Mind When Visiting Kuwait

There are some rules you must adhere to if you don’t want to get into trouble when in Kuwait. Let us go to through some of them.

• Possession of alcohol, drugs, pork or pornographic material is illegal. If you’re found with any of this you could get a serious jail term.

• Homosexuality is also illegal in Kuwait. Talking about or displaying homosexual behavior will also land you in jail.

• Public display of affection is frowned upon. Cuddling or kissing in public may not get you as severe a punishment as homosexuality but avoid it. No need to go looking for trouble.

• I’ve heard multiple times that driving in Kuwait is a nightmare. So if you’re thinking of hiring a car and driving yourself around, you might want to rethink it. The safety record on Kuwaiti roads is bad. Drivers over speed, tailgate and generally ignore traffic rules making the number of road accidents high. The traffic on the road is also terrible.

• When it comes to dressing, dress conservatively. For women, tight clothing or revealing clothing may get you some unwanted attention. For men, avoid shorts that are above the knees and sleeveless tops.

• Kuwait may not excite you at first like other countries. However, once you travel to the country and meet its warm people, experience it culture, try their amazing food, tour the museums, shopping malls, and get some rest and relaxation on their beaches you will have a different opinion about the country.

Where To Stay in Kuwait

Kuwait has many hotels you can find accommodation at. Depending on your budget you can stay at a budget-friendly hotel or book a luxury suite at any of the five-star hotels in Kuwait City. Book your accommodation by using the map below ⬇

Royal Inn Hotel – This is a budget hotel located in Al Salmiya. It is about twenty minutes away from Kuwait City and is close to the beach. Being in a desert, temperatures in Kuwait are extremely high so you’ll be happy to know this hotel has air-conditioned rooms.

Le Royal – Some of the amenities at this four-star hotel are an outdoor pool and a gym. From the hotel, you can have scenic views of the Gulf state and are offered free Wi-Fi.

The Regency Hotel – If you’re looking for top-notch accommodation in Kuwait the luxurious Regency Hotel will do it for you. This five-star hotel is on a private beach and has several fine dining restaurants you can try out. It is also minutes away from most of Kuwait tourist attractions.

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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Places to Visit in Kuwait City on a 1-2 Day Kuwait Itinerary!

Categories Itinerary , Kuwait , Middle East

If you’ve looked into places to visit in Kuwait already for your Kuwait itinerary you’ll probably know that there isn’t that much to do in this Gulf Country, despite is being much bigger than Bahrain and Qatar for example. In fact, the whole city and many of the best things to do in Kuwait can be seen in 1 day in Kuwait and if you visit more of the museums in Kuwait and malls in Kuwait, it could take you 2 days in Kuwait.

With that said, there is more to Kuwait than Kuwait City like the Desert, Beaches and Islands but you will need your own transport to get to them. So in this Kuwait travel blog and Kuwait city blog, I am going to focus on how to see Kuwait as a tourist and help you with places to visit in Kuwait city.

In this Kuwait travel guide, I have also detailed accommodation in Kuwait, how to get around Kuwait and the best time to visit Kuwait!

Places To Visit in Kuwait

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

How to get around Kuwait.

To really see Kuwait, like in many other Middle Eastern Countries, you will need your own transport. However, to get around Kuwait city easily you can catch a taxi and use Uber no problem and this will help you see all of these places to see in Kuwait City noted in this post.

City Bus Kuwait is the best way to get around Kuwait on a budget though and although the bus driver may drive a bit erratically and barely stop as you get off, the bus system in Kuwait city is actually quite good and extremely cheap due to it being government-run. You can buy a 1 day city bus Kuwait pass for 1KD / £2.50 / $3.30.

There’s a City Bus Kuwait App which you can download and this website is very helpful in giving the bus routes around Kuwait city.

Kuwait City Bus also connects the airport with Kuwait city and downtown Kuwait so be sure to look into this when working out how to get to your hotels in Kuwait. 

On this point, if you would like to see more of the local Kuwaiti life and what it might be like to be one of the ex-pats in Kuwait, I’d recommend looking on Couch Surfing .

Kuwait Itinerary.

1 day in kuwait.

I recommend starting your first day in Kuwait by the  Scientific Centre Kuwait . From here you will see an amazing view of Downtown Kuwait across the water in the distance and there are kilometres of the pedestrian boardwalk you can walk, or hire a bike, down making it an enjoyable way to see the city and be by the ocean. This point definitely offers the best view of Kuwait city for free!

Walk all the way down to the Kuwait Marina and Marina Mall . This is the new marina in Kuwait and it has a public beach. Its’ easily one of the top places to visit in Kuwait city for tourists.

If you are hungry there are plenty of restaurants in Marina Mall however I recommend visiting  Fareej Swalieh . There are a few of these restaurants in Kuwait, the name on the sign is in Arabic but if you go behind Marina Mall and find M&S along the road, you will see a restaurant with lots of flags outside and seating outside. This is a good Kuwaiti restaurant with reasonable prices and therefore one of the best places to visit in Kuwait.

Watch my Kuwait YouTube Vlog here to see exactly where this restaurant is!

For more ideas of what to do in Kuwait city, there is a boat trip ticket office around Marina Mall but this boat trip is so expensive at 20KD / £50.00 / $65.00. If you want to see the city from the water I recommend going to the old Marina which is what I did. It is down the road but the pedestrian walkway stops so you should probably get a taxi or a bus down the road.

Aim to go to The Sultan Jeans Grill and this is where the old Marina of Kuwait is and you can get a boat trip to see Kuwait city for just 1KD which lasts about 30 minutes and I’d really recommend doing this on your Kuwait itinerary!

From either Marina, you will need to get a taxi, uber or bus to take you to the Kuwait Towers as it is too far to walk.

The Kuwait Towers are probably the most visited Kuwait city attractions and definitely the most popular place to visit in Kuwait! They are cool to see from the ground and there is a little beach next to them. There is also a water amusement park which opens up for the warmer months of the year, the waterpark in Kuwait would be one of the great things to do in with children in Kuwait.

For an observatory in Kuwait and a Kuwait viewpoint, you can go up one of the Kuwait Tower which is especially at sunset so I would recommend going up there for 3KD.

If you follow this Kuwait itinerary and visit the Kuwait Towers for sunset, next get a taxi to the Grand Mosque in Kuwait which is the biggest and the official Mosque of Kuwait, it’s extremely impressive from the inside and is in the top 10 places to visit in Kuwait. You’ll now be in Downtown Kuwait and also close to Sief Palace .

I did a tour of the Grand Mosque in Kuwait city which I recommend. It lasts about 25 minutes, it’s free and is a good way to see and learn about the mosque and Islam with an English speaking guide.

The tours are on from Sunday to Thursday at 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm & 6:30 pm .

One thing you should know about Kuwait, and this is similar in many Middle Eastern cities and countries is that places come alive in the evening, especially in the summer when day time temperatures are extremely hot. So doing your Kuwait sightseeing in the evening is perfectly normal here.

On this note – Kuwait is extremely safe. It’s one of the safest countries in the world in fact so do not be worried about walking around at night and if you are visiting Kuwait as a woman, don’t worry at all. 

From the Grand Mosque, you can walk to the many souqs in Kuwait in the Downtown area and these are definitely good places to visit in Kuwait to see local life and eat some more local food. Souq Al Mubarkiya  is a huge souq in Kuwait and you can walk around it for a while and it will change from being outdoors, indoors, selling food to clothes to everything else. I really loved it here because it seems it’s where the old and new Kuwait mix.

To end your 1 day in Kuwait I recommend heading to Al Shaheed Park which you can walk to from Mubarkiya.

I didn’t seem to take any photos here so check out my YouTube video to see the souq!

Al Shaheed Park is a beautiful, new and modern park. At night it is all lit up and it gives an amazing view of the city skyline too. There are fountains with regular light shows and places to sit. Visiting here really gives an insight into what the people are like in Kuwait and the lifestyle in Kuwait and is a good place to visit when thinking about what to do in Kuwait.

2 Days in Kuwait

More places to visit in kuwait..

With 1 or 2 more days in Kuwait you could visit the National Museum of Kuwait which is huge and my friends in Kuwait said you could easily spend half a day in there, if not a full day so keep this in mind when planning your Kuwait itinerary.

Kuwait loves its malls so visiting one of the many malls in Kuwait is technically one of the local things to do in Kuwait in my opinion.

For the best shopping mall in Kuwait, head to The Avenues because it is the second biggest mall in the Middle East after Dubai Mall however my friends say that by length, it is bigger so it’s one of the popular places to visit in Kuwait!

Green Island is in between the Marina and the Kuwait Towers so it is easy for tourists to visit and get to in Kuwait. This is a popular place for locals to hang out and have a picnic outside for dinner.

Kuwait has many islands but the most popular island in Kuwait to visit is Failaka Island because here you can see a lot of what the old Kuwait used to be like. You can get a ferry over here and a car ferry over but it is still harder, especially as a solo traveller to Kuwait.

Best Time to Visit Kuwait.

The summers in Kuwait get extremely hot and can get up to 50c which even the locals can’t deal with! High Season in Kuwait is, therefore, February and March. 

I was in Kuwait for New Year and the temperature was perfect, it was a little chilly but with really nice winter sun, cooling down a lot in the evening. Kuwaiti’s love the winter.

The best months to visit Kuwait are Autumn and Spring.

Hotels in Kuwait.

There are no hostels in Kuwait which is a shame and I’m sure puts travellers off visiting. There is also limited budget accommodation in Kuwait too, you are not likely to get anything less than £50.00 plus taxis per night, but here are some hotels in Kuwait I would recommend based on their location in Kuwait City. I would say that Downtown Kuwait is best so you can do this Kuwait itinerary and see these Kuwait tourist attractions:

Hotels in Downtown Kuwait

City Tower Hotel – $

Vera House & Hotel – $

Ibis Sharq – $$

Residence Inn by Marriott Kuwait – $$

Adam’s Hotel – $$$

Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait – $$$

To visit Kuwait on a budget, and to get a better look at local life, I recommend Couch Surfing in Kuwait.

To SEE Kuwait, watch my Kuwait YouTube Vlog here !

For more of my Middle East Posts, including my blog posts from Saudi Arabia where I went after Kuwait see:

ALL MIDDLE EAST POSTS

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Thursday 16th of February 2023

Hope you're fine

I was looking for some information about how is Kuwait and places to visit during Eid al-Fitr 2023 and I was wondering if you could help me. I'm not muslin and I just want to visit the country and the tourist places. Do you think them will be open during Eid? Do you think is a good time to visit the country?

TheWanderingQuinn

Hello, thank you for reading my post. Yes, I think Kuwait will be fine to visit during Ramadan as there are so many expats and non-Muslims who live there all year round so many food places and attractions are open. You may find some places have shorter opening hours during the day than outside of Ramadan but the plus to that is the so much will be open and alive in the evening so I'd suggest to plan your days around being out in the evening and I'm sure you'll really enjoy it :)

Thursday 6th of February 2020

Thank you so much for the recommendations. I’m building up my itinerary for my 2 day trip here. Your YouTube video has so far been the most informative and interesting that I have watched so far!

Sunday 9th of February 2020

Hello Aysha! Thank you for letting me know, I'm so pleased to hear that! Have a great time there!

Your Travel Flamingo

Digital Nomad & Female Travel Blog

Ultimate Kuwait Itinerary: Best Places to Visit in Kuwait

October 13, 2020

If you feel stumped when looking for the best places to visit in Kuwait, this article is for you.

Kuwait is a destination that may not make it onto most traveler’s bucketlists. It’s one of the least visited countries in the Persian Gulf, and vastly unknown in comparison to its ultra famous and over the top sister, the UAE. 

But if you are like me and are curious about the lesser known, you’ll give it a chance and be thankful you did.

You’ll discover a place that not many people can even place on a map, and one with great shopping, cuisine and entertainment options as well.

Here is the ideal Kuwait itinerary for first timers, and a full guide on all the best places to visit in Kuwait!

About Kuwait

Kuwait is an oil producing country, and due to the wealth generated from that it is currently home to the world’s highest valued currency (one Kuwaiti dinar is $3.27 USD).

Historically, it was a major trading port, which led to it becoming a multicultural hub with inhabitants from all over the world. Today, it remains a multicultural city with up to 70% of Kuwait’s population being expats.

It was invaded and briefly occupied by Iraq in the early 90s, but since then has largely been a peaceful country in an otherwise turbulent region.

Is Kuwait Worth Visiting?

This is a hard question to answer as it is definitely subjective to the traveler.

As far as countries in the Persian Gulf go, Kuwait is more on the more low-key side. You’ll find some skyscrapers and mega-malls here, but it’s nowhere near the same scale as in the UAE.

If you will be visiting the Persian Gulf for the first time, you’d probably want to head straight to the UAE before anything else. That is undoubtedly the most impressive country in the Persian Gulf.

However, if this is not your first time visiting the region and you are the type to enjoy venturing where others do not, Kuwait is a fantastic choice.

You’ll be rewarded by finding a place unspoiled by tourism and less affected by mass-commercialization as the likes of let’s say, Dubai.

But if you are in search of history and nature, there are definitely other middle east countries that are better for that as well.

That’s because Kuwaiti society greatly modernized following the Iraqi war, so a lot of the historic parts simply don’t exist anymore.

If in search for history, culture or nature in the middle east, opt to visit Oman , Turkey or even Jerusalem in Israel instead.

How Many Days in Kuwait?

Kuwait is a small country that you could drive through, from north to south in less than 3 hours.

For some, one day in Kuwait may be enough to blast through the major highlights and feel like they’ve seen enough. For others, a week will hardly be enough to scratch the surface of all the museums, shopping centers and restaurants worth visiting.

For most people, if you just want to visit the most famous attractions, 2 days may be enough. If you’d like more time to indulge in shopping and dining, and go for some desert excursions, I think 4 – 5 days if perfect for Kuwait.

Where to Stay in Kuwait

I’d recommend staying in Kuwait City Center to remain central to most of the attractions. Anywhere close to the Old City is ideal.

If you are an unwed couple, or even a male and female traveling together, some hotels may not permit you to stay in the same room. We had this problem at the Kuwait Continental Hotel , which I do not recommend for other reasons as well.

We switched to the Kuwait Grand Majestic Hotel , which was not only ok with it, but an absolute pleasure to stay with. They had a FABULOUS breakfast with the best views overlooking the Kuwait Towers and very spacious, beautiful rooms. I can’t recommend them enough.

Aside from these two, you’ll have to do your own research to know which hotels do or not have this policy.

Things to Know Before you Go

Kuwait visa.

Most visitors will need a via to enter Kuwait.

Luckily, these days many nationals can enjoy the hassle-free e-visa system. This allows visitors to easily apply for a visa only prior to departure, ensuring a seamless arrival procedure.

To check if your passport qualifies for an e-visa or to apply for one, click here .

Word of Caution to Un-married Couples

We had a rather unpleasant experience halfway through our stay in Kuwait when the manager of our hotel suddenly declared that my boyfriend and I needed to pay for and stay in separate rooms.

This was after a few nights of us already staying in the hotel, and way after they’d checked our passports already and were very much aware that we weren’t married. And if I am being honest, I definitely saw a man checking in the same time as us with a prostitute, so this rule just did not check out.

Our local friend was equally confused as he has booked the hotel for us. He assured us that Kuwait was not known to be very strict when enforcing this rule, which usually only applies to locals and Muslims.

I suspect that the hotel wanted to milk more money out of us under the threat of “calling the authorities” if we didn’t pay. Of course we decided to just leave and stay elsewhere.

You can avoid this situation by reading reviews beforehand to make sure you are staying in a trustworthy hotel. Again, for that I can recommend the Grand Majestic Hotel where I stayed without a single issue.

We were lucky to have our local friend to assure us we were not breaking any laws. Otherwise we may have been foolish enough to pay. Regardless, you may want to have one or two back-up hotel options in case something similar happens to you.

Kuwait Weather

Kuwait is known as one of the hottest countries in the world.

It’s located in the northwestern section of the Persian Gulf, an area largely characterized by an arid, harsh desert climate that can be quite unforgiving year round.

The hottest time of year is summer, when temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). It stays pretty hot most of the year, except for a very short winter where it can get as cold as 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit).

Don’t worry, you’ll find that Kuwaitis are well prepared for these extreme temperatures. There are now endless amounts of air-conditioned, indoor entertainment establishments for you to hide in during the hottest times of day so don’t be afraid to visit any time of year.

Kuwait Dress Code

Kuwait is still a majority Muslim country, so certain dress rules apply. It’s not as strict as some other countries like Egypt , but it’s also not as relaxed as Jordan or Dubai.

If unsure, I always feel it’s best to err on the side of caution and to dress more conservative.

I know this may seem difficult given the hot temperatures, but that means long, loose pants or skirts for women, and covered chest and shoulders for everyone.

Women also need a scarf to enter mosques, but these are usually provided if needed.

For men, the rules seem pretty lax. The only thing I’d say I did not see was very many men wearing were shorts.

Best Places to Visit in Kuwait

1. kuwait old city.

The Kuwait Old Town should be your first stop when visiting Kuwait.

This is where you’ll have a glimpse into how Kuwait looked in the past before its modernization era. It has the feel of being like a giant, traditional souk, but in a much cleaner and less hectic environment.

I’d definitely recommend trying some local food while here, as there are some great outdoor eateries where you can eat with locals. The food is reasonably priced and as authentic as it gets.

If you want to shop, you can check out some of the beauty and spice shops selling local products. The smells are exotic and enticing. You may just find some great gifts for yourself or family back home.

But truly, my favorite thing to do here is to relax at a shisha bar with some tea and just people watch.

2. The Grand Mosque of Kuwait

This mosque was definitely a major highlight in our time in Kuwait. It’s possibly one of the grandest and most modern that I’ve seen yet, and that’s after spending a ton of time in the Middle East.

You can only visit the mosque during certain hours of the day as part of a tour, so some prior research and planning is needed. It’s by far worth the extra effort though.

It’s really beautiful inside, and during the tour you’ll get a little backstory regarding the mosque’s history and how it was built.

3. The Kuwait Towers

The one architectural site that really stood out to me during our time in Kuwait were the Kuwait Towers. It just looks so bizarre and out of place, like something from Tomorrowland in Disneyland!

The Kuwait Towers were built in 1979. It was designed by a Danish architect and meant to imitate the appearance of an Arabian perfume bottle.

The tallest of the towers is over 600 feet tall (180 meters). Interestingly, it actually serves a main purpose as a functional water tower, and contains roughly 4500 cubic meters of water.

What makes the towers unique is the fact that it has an observation deck that rotates a full 360 degrees every 30 minutes. Visitors can go up the towers for a fee and enjoy the amazing views of the entire city from above.

The towers also house some restaurants, so you can dine in style while taking in the views.

4. Al Shaheed Park

The Al Shaheed park is the largest park in the city of Kuwait. It’s not so much a park as it is a cultural and social epicenter within the city.

Many locals come here to hang out, and you’ll often see joggers, families, and couples enjoying the space together.

People visit the park at all times of day, but the late afternoon is an exceptionally beautiful time of day to visit. This is when the heat of the day starts to die down and locals are finished with work.

Come around sunset time, and the park is absolutely buzzing with life and activity.

While here you can go for a walk to enjoy the many fountains and architectural designs and sculptures. You also have amazing views of the skyline from within the park itself.

If you stay just after dusk you’ll get to watch the city light up for the evening. This is around the time the light shows begin in the many water fountains! A definitely must-see.

5. The Scientific Center

If you like museums, then you will love Kuwait. There are plenty of options to choose from during your time in Kuwait, as you could easily spend a couple days just knocking out museums from your bucket list.

One of the best museums in the city is definitely the scientific center. This museum is simply beautiful even from the outside, as its located right along the waterfront.

The museum itself is most well known for the aquarium within, but you can also check out other exhibitions. I particularly liked exploring the Fateh-el-Khair, the oldest surviving ship from pre-oil era Kuwait located here.

After you finish up at the scientific center, go for a walk along the seaside promenade that surrounds the Salmiya neighborhood.

This particular beachside walkway is beautiful, day or night. It’ll take you along the edge of the sea passing some of the most beautiful establishments in the city.

If you are looking for the best restaurant, head to Babel , a stunning architectural masterpiece of a restaurant located right along the sea. It’s known for middle eastern cuisine and despite the grandeur appearance, the prices are really affordable.

Aside from the seaside where most buildings are modern, the majority of Salmiya is known as the oldest shopping area in Kuwait. If you head inland, you’ll find mazes upon mazes of shopping streets and shops.

The offering here is really everything under the sun. You’ll find elaborate fabric shops to shops selling small trinkets to shops selling second hand electronics.

Its definitely a more local area, and you won’t find many tourist attractions here. But for those interested in having a glimpse at a more local area, this is a fascinating part of the city.

7. The Avenues Shopping Mall 

When it comes to shopping in Kuwait, there is no place that comes even close to competing with the Avenues Shopping Mall.

While Kuwait surely has no shortage of gigantic shopping malls, the Avenues is more of an indoor city than a mall.

The interiors are extravagant, and the shop fronts are decorated in a way that makes you feel like you are outside.

There are multiple sections to this mall, and I honestly had no chance of navigating it properly, so you’ll probably have to get lost just like I did.

There is a luxury section with all the high-end brands that are beloved by the rich Kuwaiti locals. Then there is also a fabulous food court, but instead of Subway, you’ll find really fantastic regional and international food here.

But my favorite part of The Avenues is definitely the section that looks like an old souk. This area sells local brands and goods, and has the feel of shopping in an outdoor bazaar with the luxury of full-blast air conditioning. I was able to buy a very high quality leather belt here for a great price.

8. Kuwait Desert

Almost the entirety of Kuwait is characterized by desert.

A quick drive outside the city will already have you transported from cityscape into vast desert landscapes.

To get out into the desert, you can book a desert tour. These can either be for an afternoon to catch the sunset and ride a camel, or for an overnight experience including camping in the desert under a starry sky.

Out in the desert, there are little villages your tour may allow you to visit as well. These villages are inhabited mostly by the Bedouins who are indigenous to this part of the world.

These are an ancient, nomadic group who’s people can be found even as far away as the Sahara in Morocco.

Kuwaiti Food

The one standout to me from my days in Kuwait was the food. Due to its history and the diversity in ethnic groups living there, the food culture is equally diverse and packed full of exotic flavors.

While here we ate lots of typical middle eastern dishes, like shawarma, arrayos, and skewered meat kebabs.

Around the city, you’ll also find authentic hole in the wall Indian and Sri Lankan restaurants, ran by people from those countries. You can also dine at posh, upscale restaurants serving western dishes. Theres a bit of everything here!

Good places to find dining options are the malls and in the Old City.

Is Kuwait good for tourists?

Yes! Kuwait is one of the safest countries in the Middle East. There is a huge expat community, meaning most people speak English. Most attractions are also located in and around Kuwait City, convenient for tourists

What kind of places can tourists visit in Kuwait?

Tourists in Kuwait can enjoy world-class shopping, dining and entertainment. Kuwait is home to a handful of tourist attractions such as the Kuwait Towers and The Grand Mosque which should not be missed!

What is Kuwait most famous for?

Within the Persian Gulf, Kuwait is probably most famous for having its own Arabic theatre culture. Aside from that, most visitors come to explore the desert and enjoy a modern city-life.

And that wraps up your itinerary for visiting Kuwait, taking you through all the highlights of this small country.

Have you been to Kuwait? What did you think? Let me know below.

August 15, 2022 at 6:07 pm

Hi (from New York) — Love your blog. Love your sense of adventure, how you threw caution to the wind, leaving the corporate world behind to pursue your manifest love of travel. I’m in a similar situation and am currently planning a trip to Iraq (not Kurdistan) and thought to fly into Kuwait, look around for a few days, then endeavor to travel overland to Baghdad. Yup, as you write, Dubai is the mega tourism spot in the region, but I’m curious about Kuwait. May I ask how many days you stayed there. And how many you would recommend to get a good sense of the place? Thanks, Andrew K.

August 18, 2022 at 5:11 pm

Hi Andrew, Thanks for reading!! So, I think I stayed for a total of 5 days actually, but only because we went there for a wedding. I think you can get a good sense of the main highlights in 2 – 3 days. Hell, even a long layover could give you a good sense of the city center. But to explore many part of the city, the mega malls, museums, and maybe an excursion into the desert, you could easily spend 3 – 4 days here. Keep in mind, I went in late autumn, and the temperature was good. If you visit in summer, I heard it’s really too hot to spend any time outside. Hope you have a great time!

June 12, 2023 at 3:23 pm

Hello, thank you so much for your blog. It is amazing. I will visit Kuwait in November and I want tour to desert in Kuwait. How you booked this tour you? Do you any tips?

October 24, 2023 at 1:37 am

Hi Tereza, sorry it took a while for me to respond! I have some links to tours in Kuwait within the article through Viator and Getyourguide. Honestly, our local friend treated us and booked our desert tour so I can’t remember the exact company we went with. I’d say just think of how long you’d like to go (afternoon or overnight trip) and whether you want to ride a camel or visit a village. Then from there it should be easy to narrow down your options. I think it’s not too hard to book once you arrive either, I’d perhaps shoot your hotel an email and ask them to help you. Hope you have a great time 🙂 I also went in November before and the weather was perfect for outdoor activities – not too hot!

October 10, 2023 at 8:10 pm

I had visited Kuwait in February 2023, I was in Kuwait of 10 Days, I was in Kuwait for giving Outdoor Management Traning to Corporates in Kuwait. Kuwait is Beautiful Country and I had explored it as I can in 10 Days span. I had explored Kuwait City, Maliya Town, Shuwaikh Town, Salmiya Town, Mahboula Town, Mangaf Town and Fahaheel Town.

Still more to Come and now eagerly waiting for next International Training Session.

October 24, 2023 at 1:39 am

That’s amazing! Yeah, I also wish we had more time to get into the other cities of the country! Since we were mostly there for a wedding we mostly dedicated time to social activities. Still had a great time but I am ready for a second visit some day too.

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Places to Visit in Kuwait

Looking for the best places to visit in Kuwait?

Nestled between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the small, oil rich nation of Kuwait is packed with things to see and do.

While close enough to benefit from the busy international airplane hub of the UAE, this coastal Persian Gulf country still has plenty of attractions as well as smaller crowds to deal with than nearby Dubai.

It’s said that there’s an attraction in Kuwait for everyone. Explorers will love to wander the Corniche that connects beaches, parks and city attractions. For the city lover, there are fine museums and galleries, and plenty of interesting restaurants. Beaches and desert scenes call outdoor adventurers, while science buffs will love Kuwait City’s Scientific Center.

There are plenty of things to do in Kuwait, whether you’re in Kuwait City or visiting the picturesque Kubbar Island.

Places to visit in Kuwait City

Most visitors to Kuwait spend most of their time in the country’s capital, the always bustling Kuwait City. It’s no wonder, as the city is packed with museums, great restaurants and art galleries as well as a host of theatres.

Known as the “Hollywood of the Gulf”, Kuwait has a lasting love of cinema, local soap operas and traditional performing arts that can all be found in Kuwait City.

Mirror House

Created by Italian-Kuwaiti artist Lidia Al Qattan, Mirror House is an artistic adventure, as a residential house covered in mirror mosaics.

Souq Mubarakiya

Kuwait City’s historic souk is bustling, and packed with locals and deals. Haggling is the norm here, on everything from aromatic spices to clothing. The Souq Al Hareem area often features Bedouin women selling charcoal kohl eyeliner and gold-spangled dresses.

If you’re shopping for gold or pearls, nearby Souq Ad Dahab Al Markazi is the place to go.

Tareq Rajab Museum

This museum is a jewel, tucked in the lower level of a large villa. The Arabic manuscripts in the Calligraphy museum are well revered internationally. Elsewhere in the museum, you’ll find Omani silver and Saudi gold jewelry, costumes, necklaces, and musical instruments.

Grand Mosque

As you may have guessed by the name, Grand Mosque is the largest of Kuwait City’s 800-some mosques. The cost to build was over 46 million, and it’s packed with opulence, including a palm tree filled courtyard, marble detailing and intricate stained glass. To enter, women must wear a head scarf and full length robe like dress.

The Corniche at Kuwait City

With ten kilometers connecting winding paths, beaches and parks, the Corniche in Kuwait City is one of the city’s most popular thoroughfares. It winds along Arabian Gulf St (also called Gulf Rd).

Scientific Center

The sail-shaped Scientific Center is home to a large aquarium, and the Discover Center contains many interactive experiments that kids will love. There’s a fun car on a pulley system that entertains young and old alike.

Kuwait Towers

The three Kuwait Towers, sparkle with distinctive blue-green sequins that are often thought of as iconically Kuwait. The largest of the three towers rises to a height of 187 meters. There’s a restaurant at the top of one tower that offers a panoramic view of the city. The entrance fee to the Tower is waived if you eat at the restaurant.

Other Regions to Visit in Kuwait

While Kuwait City gathers the majority of Kuwait’s tourists, there’s plenty to see in other regions in Kuwait, including Mutla Ridge, Failaka Island, and Mina Alzour and Al Kihran.

Hawalli is one of Kuwait’s six provinces, rich with culture. It’s located in the inlet of the Persian Gulf, and is one of the most popular Kuwait tourist places to visit.

Kubbar Island

If you’re looking for a beach vacation, Kubbar Island is only about 30 kilometers from the Southern coast of Kuwait. It’s a tiny island packed with sandy beaches and surrounded by crystal clear water.

Failaka Island

Failaka Island is only 20 kilometers off Kuwait City on the coast. It’s a picturesque location that draws archeology and history buffs, with a history dating back to the Mesopotamian civilization in 2000 BC.

Mutla Ridge

Multa Ridge is the highest point in Kuwait, at 461 feet ( 140 meters) high. It offers a wonderful view of the full expanse of Kuwait Bay, making it one of the best outdoor places in Kuwait to checkout.

Things to do in Kuwait at Night

Because alcohol is illegal, nightlife in Kuwait doesn’t center around bars and restaurants. Instead, night time things to do in Kuwait tend to center around food and entertainment.

In Kuwait City, Caspar and Gambini’s café is the place to gather for a coffee or tea and a chat. You can enjoy live music at Kuwait City venues like Edo or the English Tea Lounge. Kuwait Little Theater and the Kuwait Public Theater offer everything from contemporary dramas to folklore dramas.

Things to do in Kuwait Airport

Kuwait City Airport (KWI) has two terminals: the main, older Terminal 1, and a smaller, newer Sheikh Saad Terminal. There are eateries and shops in Terminal 1 , but most travelers prefer to spend time in the newer Sheikh Saad Terminal.

There are a few fee-based first class lounges in the airport, including the Al Mubarakiya Lounge and Pearl Lounge Sheikh Saad. Wi-Fi is available.

There are several hotels nearby including the Safir Airport Hotel and Continental Suite Farwaniya.

Want to explore the middle east a bit more? Read our articles on Unique things to do in Dubai , souvenirs to buy in Dubai , or things to do with kids in Dubai .

Kuwait, as a city has always attracted me. The Kuwait towers looks amazing.

Kuwait is one of the safest countries in the world – for middle-class/rich people. I have never heard of anyone being robbed/mugged, there was ONE terrorist attack here, and the late Emir (RAA) was crying when he heard about it, it was so unusual. He (in his late 80s) went there without bodyguards to help rescue people. Sooo… yeah.

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18 Things to See, Do, and Eat in Kuwait City, Kuwait

• Author david
• Date July 24th, 2020

When you tell people you’re going to spend some time in a country just off the Persian Gulf, you often get a wide range of reactions. From people telling you it’s dangerous to others trying to persuade you to not go, misconceptions and stereotypes have fueled many people’s desires to steer clear of this part of the world. But when I visited Kuwait in October of 2019, I found a beautiful, peaceful country filled with some of the kindest souls I’ve ever met while traveling. They make the top things to do in Kuwait City even more memorable!

Located at the northeastern corner of the Arabian peninsula, Kuwait has blossomed into a gorgeous, tourist-friendly country in the decades since the Gulf War. Largely influenced by British culture with a massive ex-pat population, this country has large Indian and Egyptian communities. It is also home to the sixth-largest oil reserves in the world. Its currency, the Kuwaiti dinar, is the highest-valued currency on the planet.

I spent just 48 hours in Kuwait following a ten-day adventure through the country of Armenia. During those two days, I crammed in as many adventures as I could, led by my trusty guide Yousef from Local Tour Kuwait . From mouthwatering Kuwaiti food to breathtaking views overlooking the Gulf to exploring the lanes of the local souk, the time I had there was truly priceless. These are the 18 things to see, do, and eat in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Eat at Saket Ajeeb Restaurant

Within hours of touching down in Kuwait City, I had my very first food adventure in the city at Saket Ajeeb Restaurant. The fare at this Arabic-Indian eatery truly blew my mind. As a lover of Indian food, I couldn’t get enough of the cheese samosas that served as an appetizer. They were smaller than typical Indian samosas but had a nice crunch and reminded me of a fried mozzarella stick.

Nearly every meal in Kuwaiti restaurants comes with fresh herbs. They are a great component to add to your main dishes. I recommend trying a flatbread called chapati with a rich, spicy dish containing beef liver, chilies, onions, and tomatoes. There’s also a second beef dish that was more like a spicy and meaty gravy. The chewy chapati, the rich meat, and the refreshing herbs contrast nicely with each other. Together, they make for a complex and satisfying bite!

Finish your meal with a tea called chai halib. Like Indian chai, chai halib is silky and creamy due to the addition of milk. But it’s also different from Indian chai because it doesn’t contain ginger or cardamom. That said, it’s still incredibly tasty without the spices. All in all, this meal can easily feed two people. It only costs 3.5 Kuwaiti dinar (KD), or roughly $13-14 USD.

Visit the Kuwait Towers Viewing Sphere

When I visit a new country, I like to see it from different perspectives. For me, that usually means experiencing it on the ground and viewing it from above. The best place to get a bird’s eye view of Kuwait City is the Viewing Sphere at Kuwait Towers. These three tall, thin towers opened in 1979 as part of the Kuwait Water Towers system. They were once the tallest structures in the Middle East, and one of them is home to a café and the Horizon Restaurant.

But the main attraction here is the Viewing Sphere, Kuwait’s only observation deck. Rising 120 meters, or roughly 394 feet, off the ground, the globe-shaped Viewing Sphere boasts stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, the public beaches along the coast, and Kuwait City itself. It only takes a quick elevator ride to reach the Viewing Sphere.

The Viewing Sphere consists of two levels. The first of the two offers limited views, but the second makes up the top half of the windowed globe and offers a much fuller look at your surroundings. They’re the best views in all of Kuwait! Best of all, the second level slowly revolves, so you don’t even have to move to get a 360-degree views. It’s an amazing thing to do in Kuwait City and only costs 3 KD, or about $13 USD. 

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Visit al-qurain martyrs museum.

While Kuwait has come a long way since the nightmarish days of the Gulf War, reminders of that horrific time in the country’s history still stand today. One of the most well-known is Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum. This museum, roughly 20-30 minutes outside the city in Al-Qurain, was once a private residence and headquarters of the Al-Messilah group. This group had vowed to protect their country during and after the Iraqis invaded Kuwait in early August of 1990.

Nineteen members of the Al-Messilah group were inside their headquarters when Saddam Hussein’s forces attacked the building on February 24, 1991. The Iraqis shot at the building using tanks over the next ten hours. By the next morning, the gunfire had ripped gaping holes in the house’s walls. Only seven Al-Messilah members survived.

When you tour Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum, it’s impossible to miss the bullet holes that pockmark the former home. As you explore, you’ll also see signs marking the locations where important Al-Messilah members died during the fight. There’s also a Russian tank used by the Iraqis outside the front door. It’s a sobering reminder of the horrors the Kuwaiti people faced during the war. It’s also one of the most important things to do near Kuwaiti City.

Buy a Gutra

For men traveling through Kuwait, one of the most fashionable ways to immerse yourself in the local culture is to don a gutra. Also known as a keffiyeh, it is a square cotton scarf that can be wrapped around your head or draped so that it falls onto your shoulders. These traditional head coverings help protect against the sun, sand, and dust in arid nations throughout the Middle East.

When I traveled through Jordan several years ago, I bought a red-and-white checkered gutra. But in the states off the Persian Gulf, like Kuwait and Bahrain, solid white gutras are the most popular. I bought one for 3 KD, or about $13 USD, and the shop owner wrapped it around my head for me. It was incredibly comfortable and allowed my head to breathe and cool off!

Visit the Kuwait Oil Company Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition

Something that has been synonymous with the Middle East for years is oil. In Kuwait City, there’s actually a museum where you can learn all about the country’s oil history. Visiting this awesome complex, the Kuwait Oil Company Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition, is easily one of the top things to do in Kuwait City, Kuwait!

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Kuwait, this free museum is a real treat. You’ll be provided with a free tour guide, who will take you through the eight galleries on an hour-long tour. From the largest LED screen in the Middle East just inside the entrance to the interactive displays, you’ll learn how oil forms, how and where it was first found in Kuwait, how much the Kuwait Oil Company produces per second, and much more!

You can also watch a documentary that explains how countries around the world came together after Saddam Hussein’s troops burned 600 Kuwaiti oil wells. It was an enlightening, intense, and inspiring look at the 9-month process to put them out. I highly recommend it when you visit! 

Visit Al Shaheed Park

Speaking of the Gulf War, one of the most beautiful areas of the city was dedicated to the people who lost their lives during the conflict. Al Shaheed Park is a large, peaceful, well-kept park that will serve as a green belt that will wrap around Kuwait City once it’s finished being built. Visiting it was one of my favorite things to do in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

I visited Al Shaheed Park on my first night in Kuwait and loved the serene atmosphere. You’ll find fountains and ponds there, as well as lots of park benches. Don’t be surprised if you see quite a few people jogging, walking, and working out among the green spaces. The Kuwait City skyline is visible from the park, and if you get hungry, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby.

Dine at Traditional Café Shemaimry

One of my favorite things to do in Kuwait City is eat one of my all-time favorite foods, kebabs. There are few kebab places in the city better than Traditional Café Shemaimry, an open-air café and teahouse near the shores of Kuwait Bay. The original café was built in 1979 under a different name and suffered a horrific bomb blast in 1985. The explosion killed the owner, Shemaimry, and the restaurant was rebuilt and renamed in his honor.

Today, Traditional Café Shemaimry is a popular place for locals to get together and discuss hot-button issues like politics. It’s also home to some of the juiciest and most tender kebabs in Kuwait! My friend and guide Yousef and I ordered a plate of four kebabs and a fantastic dish that consisted of bread stuffed with mincemeat, onions, herbs, and spices for 2 KD.

As was the case with every Kuwaiti meal I had, the order came with a plate of fresh, crunchy herbs. They pair nicely with the crispy, smoky stuffed bread and the kebabs, which had me salivating after a single whiff. Let the juices from the kebabs soak into the bread for a major flavor explosion in your mouth. Finish off your meal with some black tea with no sugar. Just eat fast, as your dinner may also attract the attention of the local stray cats!

Visit Al Hamra

On my first night in Kuwait, I continued to cram as many quick activities into my itinerary as I could. I only had forty-eight hours to explore, so I knew I would miss out on a lot. My final activity of the day was a quick visit to Al Hamra Tower, the tallest tower in Kuwait!

Located in the middle of the city’s downtown area, this 414-meter tower is the tallest carved concrete skyscraper in the world. This tower is a work of art and took six years to build between 2005 and 2011! It’s quite beautiful, and on the night I visited, it was lit up with purple and yellow lights. Just outside the tower itself are a giant LED screen and some fountains.

Inside, the tower boasts a 24-meter-high lobby with no columns, office space, and even a shopping mall. Check out the interior if you have the time. It’s one of the best things to see and do in Kuwait City, Kuwait. But if you’re on a tight schedule, you just admire it from the outside like I did.  

Dine at Café Bazza

When I’m not traveling, I often skip breakfast and fast until about noon, but when I’m in another country, I try to get as many tastes of the local cuisine as I can. That was certainly the case on the morning of my second day in Kuwait, when my guide Yousef took me to  Café Bazza  for a traditional Kuwaiti breakfast.

Café Bazza is a chain of restaurants that you can find in Kuwait and Dubai. This location had an almost diner-like feel and was located inside a shopping mall. You place your order on their iPads. I recommend the Dasman Combo, a roughly $25 USD breakfast bonanza that consists of dishes like an omelet, feta cheese, tanoor bread, darabeel, baqsam, Kuwaiti cakes, chicken liver, foul, hummus, honey, cream, black tea, fresh herbs, and jam. 

The omelet, which comes wrapped in tanoor bread, was a major (and filling) highlight of this meal. I couldn’t get enough of the fluffy bread and cheesy eggs. The foul—a fantastic, thick mixture of different beans and tomatoes—was perfect with the bread. 

I also fell in love with the chicken livers, which were covered in a goopy, glazy sauce that tasted similar to balsamic vinegar. The feta was nice and fresh, and the sweet cake was heavenly with honey drizzled on top! This meal is easily one of the top things to do and eat in Kuwait City, Kuwait!

Visit the Sadu House

The food in Kuwait is excellent, without a doubt, but don’t focus on it so much that you forget to dive into the local culture. One of the best places to do just that is the Sadu House . This museum and cultural center aims to promote Kuwaiti textile arts and other related skills.

Before you head inside, be sure to check out the gorgeous Kuwaiti ships outside the museum. The largest one was used to ship Kuwaiti pearls to India before they struck oil in the country.

Inside the Sadu House, you’ll learn about the Kuwaiti textile known as Al Sadu. This beautiful creation looks similar to a long, woven rug, but it’s often used as a room or a tent divider. They’re woven from materials like sheep and goat hair that has been dyed and turned into differently-colored yarns. The Al Sadu contain intricate Sadu patterns, which tell a story. The patterns were also used by the weavers to communicate with each other because they couldn’t read or write.

Elsewhere at Sadu House, you’ll find urban weaving, which is basically formalwear made mostly of silk. One of the prettiest creations I saw was a colorful seat, covered by a tent, that’s meant to be placed on a camel for women to ride on it. Road! 

There is also an on-site gift shop where you can buy woven produces like table runners, chairs, pillows, children’s shoes, and more. Everything there is more on the pricier side, but you simply cannot beat the quality. Support the local crafts scene and buy a unique souvenir for yourself!

Try Kuwaiti Coffee at Jumo Coffee

As much as I like Kuwaiti tea, I have to say, I absolutely love the coffee there. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, having some is one of the best things to do in Kuwait City, Kuwait. For a taste of some of the city’s best coffee, head over to Jumo Coffee, which is right next door to Sadu House.

Kuwait is a dry state, meaning there is no alcohol allowed within its borders. Because of that, coffee is the main drink that locals bond over and arrange get-togethers around. Drinking coffee here is a real social activity!

I recommend trying Jumo Coffee’s cold brew. This special blend is downright magical and is brewed for eight hours. It’s so good that it doesn’t need sugar at all. I’m a staunch believer that good coffee never needs sugar in it. Visit Jumo Coffee during your time in Kuwait and try out their sugar-less coffee. You’ll thank me later!

Explore Jleeb Al Shuyoukh a.k.a. Little India

A whopping 70% of Kuwait’s population is made up of ex-pats from other countries, including India, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Syria. One of the best places in the country to experience Kuwait’s diversity is the town of Jleeb Al Shuyoukh. This town, located close to Kuwait International Airport, is home to over half a million Indian ex-pats alone. The influences from India are visible at every turn.

There are lots of Indian bakeries and restaurants in the town, including those selling Keralian and Mughlai cuisine. I felt like I was back in India as I rode through the town! To really get a taste of India, stop by one of the shops or restaurants to get something to eat. It was ridiculously hot on the day I visited, so I stopped by Balancia Bakery Sweet and Pastries for a nice, cooling lassi. It only cost me half a KD, or roughly $2 USD.  Having one is the best things to do in Kuwait City, Kuwait!

Eat Laham Mandi at Bait Al Mandi Restaurant

It’s no secret that I love Indian food and dishes that remind me of the Subcontinent. So when I heard that you can try a goat-meat-and-rice dish similar to biryani at Bait Al Mandi Restaurant, I knew I had to check it out. This dish, called Laham Mandi, is made up of basmati rice, crispy onions, and big pieces of tender, flavorful goat meat.

You eat the laham mandi in a private booth of sorts. You take off your shoes before you enter and sit on the floor. The people who work there will put down a plastic sheet to cover the floor, followed by your meal.

The laham mandi comes with tomatoes and a tomato sauce similar to gazpacho on the side. There are no utensils here, so you eat everything with your hands. In my opinion, eating with your hands gives you a real feel for the food and makes it taste better.

Not that it needed any help tasting better. The goat meat was incredibly fresh, and the onions added a nice, crispy acidity. I loved adding the tomato sauce, which added just the right amount of heat. Finish off your meal with some milk with mint, which had a sour flavor and reminded me of Indian buttermilk! Having this meal was easily one of my favorite things to do in Kuwait City! 

Smoke Shisha

Even though Kuwait is a dry state, it doesn’t mean the locals don’t partake in other activities. One of the most popular recreational activities here is to smoke shisha. I’m not a smoker at all, but when you travel, I believe in doing as the locals do. I tried it twice during my visit—once on each of my two days in the country. On my first day, I visited Viking Café, a shisha bar that’s separated into plush, relaxing rooms with couches and televisions. You just take off your shoes, kick back, and relax with your shisha!

There, they’ll ask you which flavor you want when you walk in. Then, they’ll bring it to you along with enough tips for everyone in your party to use. The shisha there was quite tasty!

On my second day, I tried a much stronger shisha at a different shisha bar. There, I learned the correct reclining position for enjoying shisha. However, the shisha there was so strong that it made me lightheaded for a while! I actually had to crash for about ten minutes because it made my head spin! 

Visit the Avenue Mall

I’ll admit, I’m not much of a shopping mall kind of guy. But when you get the opportunity to visit the largest mall in Kuwait, you take it! If you’re one for retail therapy, head over to The Avenues mall. The second-largest mall in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, The Avenues opened in 2007 and boasts a whopping 1,100 stores.

The mall’s Grand Avenue is a massive, wide boulevard with a high, transparent roof. It’s meant to give off the feel of an outdoor, open-air shopping street like the Champs-Elysees and Rodeo Drive. In this swanky area, you’ll find the Pristige district, which is home to luxury outlets like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Fendi, and Gucci. At the end of Grand Avenue is the 640-meter-long promenade called Grand Plaza, which was inspired by civic squares from around the world.

Elsewhere in The Avenues mall, you’ll find the Souk district, meant to give off the feel of traditional Kuwaiti marketplaces, and a white, modern space called the Forum. Those who long for the bright lights of Tokyo and New York should visit the Electra district, and the SoKu district attempts to mimic the bohemian feel of New York’s SoHo area. It’s a cool place to browse and shop, and is easily one of the top things to do in Kuwait City!

Tour the Grand Mosque

High on many lists of the top things to do in Kuwait City is visiting the Grand Mosque . This massive, 20,000-square-foot house of worship was built between 1979 and 1986. The entire complex spans 45,000 square meters and boasts teak wood doors and 144 windows.

As with any mosque, you must take your shoes off before you go inside. You can take a free tour of the mosque every half hour from Sunday through Thursday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The short but informative tour will allow you to marvel at the intricate architecture and craftsmanship on display inside. Take a good look at the Moroccan mosaics and gypsum around the doors, the stained glass windows from France, the Egyptian carpets, the German chandeliers. The walls are even covered in Italian marble!

On your tour, you’ll also visit the main prayer hall, which can fit up to 50,000 people at a time. There’s a smaller women’s hall that men are forbidden to enter, which holds 500 worshippers. Don’t miss the opportunity to head up to the pulpit, where the imam gives a speech every Friday before the prayer. The views of the entire hall from the pulpit are spectacular!

My tour guide, Aziz, also showed me an incredible, 30-year-old recreation of a 1,400-year-old religious book from Turkey. Even though it’s a replica, it is absolutely gorgeous and give off the feel of an important, ancient manuscript. It’s a must-see when you visit the Grand Mosque!

Visit Souk Al Mubarakiya

One of the most popular things to see and do in Middle Eastern cities is to visit the local souk, or Arab market. The same is the case in Kuwait City, where you’ll find  Souk Al Mubarakiya , one of the oldest markets in the Gulf region. This incredible souk is over 200 years old and is a wonderful and vibrant collection of interesting shops and dynamic aromas and flavors!

During my short time there, I visited a fantastic shop that sells strings of beads that look similar to Christian rosaries. I bought a golden one for 2 KD, or about $6 USD. They’re quite beautiful and make a unique souvenir! If you’re into colognes and perfumes, you can find shops selling both high-end and affordable floral scents.

Don’t miss the produce area, where you’ll find vendors selling lots of local fruits and vegetables, including one of my favorites, dates. They’re super fresh and incredibly sweet!

The Fish Market

But my favorite areas of Souk Al Mubarakiya are the fish market and the restaurant row right behind it. In the market, the strong smell of fresh seafood will waft over you as you pass vendors selling everything from fresh Kuwaiti fish to shrimp to crab. I recommend buying a fish there and then taking it to the restaurant row for them to cook!

There are tons of other things you can enjoy with your fish in the souk’s restaurant row. I checked out the kitchens and saw cooks frying tasty-looking shrimp dishes, firing up juicy kebabs, and phenomenal-looking Irani biryani. I went with some tender and smoky beef kebabs, bread, and herbs, which was like Kuwaiti surf and turf with the creamy, buttery fish. Complete your meal with some minty tea on the side!

When to Visit

If you decide to visit Souk Al Mubarakiya in the evening, I suggest getting there early, around 7 p.m. That way, you can eat around 8 and still have a few hours to explore, meet the friendly locals, and browse before the shops start closing up around 11:30. When the local stray cats come out to dine on the scraps on the souk floor, you know it’s time to leave!

Eat Kuwaiti Food at Free Swaileh

When you visit the town of Aswaq al Qurain, I suggest stopping by Free Swaileh for a delicious, traditional Kuwaiti lunch. It’s one of the top things to do near Kuwait City. Start off with with some Kuwaiti coffee, which your waiter will sling and pour in a pretty fancy and cool way. This variety was a rich, yellowish color and was very creamy despite the fact that it didn’t contain any milk! Enjoy it with a sweet dough ball before your feast comes.

I recommend going all out with the traditional Kuwaiti fare. Try some jareesh, which is a creamy, porridge-like dish made of minced lamb and lentils. Have it with some Iranian bread! I also loved the mutton, which was super fatty and served in a creamy sauce with peppers and carrots. It is every bit as flavorful as it sounds! Add some chilies for a nice kick of heat. 

You also should not miss the mutton ribs with carrots and potatoes. They’re rich and fatty, and the meat is so tender, it slides right off the bones. Mutton is my favorite kind of meat, and the Kuwaiti people have perfected the art of preparing it! Finish off your sumptuous lunch with some thick, yogurt-like milk to cool off your mouth. 

Kuwait may often get overlooked in favor of more popular and more luxurious Middle Eastern destinations, but it more than deserves some of the shine as well. Even though I only spent two short days in this desert oasis, it exceeded all of my expectations in terms of culture, attractions, and cuisine. The people there are some of the nicest and friendliest I’ve ever come across in my travels. They were always happy to teach me new things about their beautiful country or to just stop for a quick chat. I will remember the 48 hours I spent there for the rest of my life. Book a trip to Kuwait today to experience it all for yourself!

If you would like to visit Kuwait and check out the best things to see, do, and eat in the country, please contact my friends at  Local Tour Kuwait !

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What’s it Like to Travel in Kuwait? My 2024 Guide

You meet a lot of country-counters in Kuwait.

People come here, quite simply, because it’s there.

And it’s not because they have a burning desire to check out the attractions of Kuwait — spoiler: there are few — but simply because it’s a country to collect. It’s a chore, a task, and a necessity if you want to visit every country in the world.

I mean, how many people do you know who’ve gone on vacation to Kuwait?

Well, it turns out, you’re reading a blog post by one of them. I’m not somebody who particularly dreams of visiting everywhere in the world, so I didn’t head to Kuwait just to tick it off my list. No, rather it was because I kind of have a tendency to fall in love with lesser-visited destinations. Some of my favourite countries in the world are places like Tonga and Liechtenstein .

And I’ve always enjoyed my visits to the Gulf States: Oman, Qatar , Bahrain, and even Saudi Arabia were all fascinating to explore. Plus, as a woman who predominantly travels alone, I’ve always appreciated the high levels of safety that come from venturing into this region of the world. It’s one of the few places where I’ve never feared being mugged, harassed, or scammed; where I attract little attention and people let me be.

And so, when I found myself with a spare week to spend in the Middle East, I immediately thought of Kuwait.

Why not check it out?

Surely it couldn’t be as boring as everyone says?

So, did Kuwait skyrocket up my list of favourite countries in the world?

Noooooope . Not at all. In fact, I’m ordering Brunei to step aside because there’s a new most-boring-country in town.

Yeah, Kuwait was a struggle. It’s not that I hated my time in the country, or that anything bad happened while I was there. I was just… not that impressed with what I saw. I’ve seen better mosques, better beaches, better landmarks, better museums.

Which is fine, of course. Kuwait isn’t particularly interested in developing a tourism industry, which is such a rarity in itself that it almost makes it kind of interesting to spend time there. What’s it like to explore a country that has close to no tourist attractions? It’s almost fascinating just how boring it is.

I get that I’m not really selling Kuwait to you guys right now — but I’m still glad I visited. It felt different to every country I’ve been to and I enjoyed exploring a place that was so void of tourists. And yes, every single visitor I met was either there on business or working towards visiting every country in the world.

Before I get started with a rundown of my favourite things to do in the country, I want to first share some observations and advice for visiting Kuwait.

The first thing to know is that Kuwait City is one of the least walkable cities I’ve been to. With wide roads, vast levels of traffic, poorly-maintained pavements (if they exist at all), far-apart attractions, and pollution-infused air (the country ranks 7th in the world for lowest air quality), this is a destination that’s best explored on four wheels.

Rent a car if you’re keen to mingle with some of the most aggressive drivers in the world, or opt for taxis through Careem; the ride-sharing app of choice. You’ll use it to get between most destinations in this guide and can expect to pay $5 per 7 km (4.3 mile), 8-minute ride: a typical distance between attractions in Kuwait City.

Interestingly, Kuwait is home to the highest obesity rates outside of the Pacific Islands, and I’m sure the high summer temperatures combined with the lack of walking options contributes. As I made my way around Kuwait City, I stumbled across numerous signs extolling the benefits of walking to residents.

If you want to explore outside the city, you’ll want to hire a car for the day ( Skyscanner has rentals starting from $34 per day; the lowest prices I could find) or jump on a tour. Tours of Kuwait, in general, are pretty pricey, so this isn’t something to opt for if you’ll be travelling on a budget. A five-hour tour comes in at $70 , while a full-day tour could be anything between $150 and $400.

Note that there are around a dozen tour options for Kuwait and they’re all run by the same guy: Walid. Reviews mention he has a tendency to cancel trips the night before before a tour date, so I would only recommend booking one if it’s your only option for seeing Kuwait and to make back-up plans just in case it all falls through.

I’m one of the victims of Walid, too.

I booked a tour with him weeks in advance and he cancelled at 1 a.m. on the day of the experience; so frustrating and unprofessional! I couldn’t find any other tour providers in Kuwait, either, so he’s your only option.

Did you know that the Kuwaiti Dinar is the strongest currency in the world? It’s true! One KWD is equal to 3.25 USD, 3.00 EUR, or 2.58 GBP. It’s not surprising, then, that Kuwait is also one of the richest countries in the world, thanks to its vast oil reserves. (It’s also why the country isn’t all that interested in attracting tourists; they don’t need the money!)

The currency is so strong that they even have half and quarter banknotes!

I mentioned the high levels of safety in my introduction and I found Kuwait to be just like the other Gulf States I’ve been to. Even though Kuwait is extremely conservative, there were no stares, no harassment, and no safety concerns. Nobody paid me any attention at all!

Speaking of conservatism, Kuwait is a dry country so plan for a sober few days while you’re in town. The import, purchase, and public consumption of alcohol in this country is strictly forbidden and could even result in six months of jail time — yikes. You’re also going to want to cover up.

Fortunately, I visited in January, where the weather was a perfect 23°C/73°F, so I was easily able to keep my scandalous skin under wraps. Many women in Kuwait do wear a hijab, but you’re not expected to cover your hair as a foreigner. I wore flared jeans and a loose-fitting sweatshirt everywhere and nobody so much as looked at me. In general, women should be looking to cover their shoulders, chest, and knees, while men can get by with a t-shirt and longer shorts.

And no bikinis in public places, either! A Kuwaiti woman famously lost custody of her children back in 2014 after she wore a bikini in another country ; the courts decided this indicated she was lacking in morals. It’s not technically illegal to wear one, but, uh, I wouldn’t be risking it.

Covering up will be much tougher during the summer months. In July and August, you can expect temperatures to reach as high as 50°C (122°F)! Yes, Kuwait is one of the hottest countries in the world, and even holds the record for the highest temperature recorded in Asia (53.9°C/129°F).

One other thing to keep in mind is that hotels in Kuwait require couples to show a marriage certificate upon arrival. If you’re an unmarried couple, you therefore may need to book two separate rooms. Reports about this are mixed online, with some saying that if you’re Westerners and on a tourist visa, you won’t be asked, but there are also plenty of people out there who were asked. Pretty much every hotel on Booking states that you can’t stay without a marriage certificate, so if you and your partner are living in sin, you are taking a risk by booking one hotel room.

What about the prices? Kuwait is an expensive country, but I still felt like it offered reasonably good value for money during the winter months. There’s just one hostel in Kuwait City ( Aladdin Hostel is priced at $26 a night for a dorm room), but you’ll most likely opt to stay in a hotel. I stayed at the Swiss-Belinn Sharq — the best-rated accommodation in the country — and paid $130 per night for a king room with a sea view, plus an excellent breakfast. I also paid an extra $30 for an airport transfer from the hotel. Prices are roughly 40% higher during the hotter months of the year.

Finally, I recommend getting your visa in advance. Kuwait has the option to apply for an e-visa online or to opt for a visa on arrival; I definitely recommend going with the former, as it costs the same to do so. Most nationalities will pay 3 KWD ($10) for the visa. My e-visa was approved 10 hours after I applied and meant that I had a far less complicated arrivals process than others. Kuwait’s airport can get a little chaotic at times, so you’ll save time by having the e-visa already in hand.

With all of that out of the way, let’s now take a look at the best things to do in Kuwait.

Head Inside the Kuwait Towers

If there’s one thing that every visitor to Kuwait does, it’s visit the iconic Kuwait Towers! If you’ve heard of just one attraction in the country, it’s likely to be these bad boys.

Up-close, they look a little less glam and a little more aged than you might expect, especially as they were renovated just over 10 years ago. Still, it’s an impressive landmark for the country and definitely worth visiting.

Before I arrived, I actually wasn’t aware that there were a viewing platform located inside one of the colourful spheres. You’ll pay 3 KWD ($10) to head up inside one of them, and it gently rotates while you’re peering out at the city.

Unfortunately, it’s not quite as amazing as it sounds. The glass windows of the sphere are disappointingly dirty, the panels are tinted green, and when you combine that with the haze from the pollution, it’s tough to take a good shot. Speaking of: you’re also not allowed to take DSLR cameras up into the spheres with you, so it’ll be phone cameras only.

Oh, and at night, they turn the lights on inside the sphere, so you can’t really take any photos due to the reflections. Because of this, I’d recommend steering clear of the viewing platform at sunset.

So, yeah, it wasn’t mind-blowing, but was still worth experiencing for $10. It’s common to pay more than $20 to access viewing platforms in countries around the world, so it was actually relatively inexpensive.

Take a Breather Inside Al Shaheed Park

The highlight from my time in Kuwait was Al Shaheed Park.

While that definitely says something about the number of tourist attractions within the country, this was absolutely a wonderful spot in which to rest and take in a rare patch of greenery within a dusty city.

And this park is enormous! I could have spent half a day here, just wandering up and down and taking in the numerous sculptures, water features, flowers, and walking trails. You’ve got an impressive view of the city skyline while you walk along the paths, plus access to clean bathrooms and several cafes. There’s a botanic garden on-site, as well as two museums, and even an outdoor amphitheatre.

This is easily the best park I’ve been to in the Middle East and well worth spending at least an hour exploring.

Soak Up the Atmosphere in Souk Al Mubarakiya

Souk Al Mubarakiya has been operating in Kuwait City for over 200 years, making it one of the oldest markets in the country. Fortunately, it still maintains its traditional vibe today. That’s one of the advantages of being within a country that doesn’t attract tourists: there’s very little tat!

Walk around the stalls and you’ll stumble across anything from spices to gold to perfumes (lots of oud!) to olives to antique furniture. You’ll find traditional dress and jewellery for sale, Persian carpets, and Kuwaiti sweets. There’s a fresh meat and vegetable section to take a look at, as well as a lively fish market.

You’re expected to haggle for any purchases you feel like making, so be prepared to feign disinterest and walk away in order to figure out the actual price.

There’s a handful of excellent restaurants and cafes at the souk, too, so I recommend stopping for a cup of tea or coffee once you’ve finished. Freej Swaeleh is a popular spot, offering lots of Kuwaiti eats, so it makes for a great introduction to the local eats — I loved the mutton majboos, which is similar to a biryani.

What I loved most about the market, though, was how clean and calm the shopping experience was. In fact, I’d go so far as to say the souk has the least aggressive vendors of any country I’ve ever visited! It’s not often that I find wandering through a souk to be a relaxing experience, but it was here. If you’re keen to pick up some Kuwaiti souvenirs while you’re in town, this is the place to go.

Note that the souk is covered, but it’s still mostly open-air, so there isn’t any air conditioning. If you’re visiting in summer, you’ll want to save your visit for the morning or evening.

Visit the Impressive Grand Mosque

Kuwait’s Grand Mosque might not be as famous as the Kuwait Towers, but it’s one of the most impressive tourist attractions of the country. It’s the largest mosque in the country and can accommodate up to 10,000 men within its main prayer hall.

Needless to say, this is a spacious old building and visiting provides an opportunity to learn more about the mosque and Islam, as tourists can only visit via a guided tour. And those tours? Well, it’s surprisingly difficult to get on one of them, just because they don’t run very frequently.

If you want to see the Grand Mosque while you’re in town, then, I’d suggest planning your itinerary around its opening hours. The tours run between Sunday and Thursday, between 9 and 11 a.m. and then between 4 and 6 p.m., and last for 30 minutes. If you’re visiting Kuwait on a Friday or Saturday, you unfortunately won’t be able to enter.

It’s completely free to take the tour and even includes tea/coffee and dates while you’re there. You’ll be expected to remove your shoes and women will need wear an abaya (which covers your hair) while you’re there — it’s provided free of charge. If you’re petite like me, you’ll likely find your abaya will be super-long: mine was about 8 inches too long and I kept tripping over it!

The tour will take you to all the main rooms within the mosque, and you’ll learn all about the history of the building as well as the fundamental beliefs and customs of Islam. Even if you’re not a fan of religion, it’s still worth taking a look inside to see the spectacular interior.

And See the Seif Palace

And now it’s time to start scraping the barrel.

Seif Palace — or Al-Seif Palace — is located directly opposite the Grand Mosque, so there’s no real reason not to see it. This is the main government building of Kuwait, and it’s absolutely enormous. Covering a distance of a kilometre, or 0.6 miles, it runs for ages along Arabian Gulf Street, so aim to spend half an hour checking out the complex’s buildings.

Alas, it’s not possible to actually enter the palace, so the best you can do is walk beside its gingerbread-coloured walls instead, sneaking glimpses at the architecture as you go. The main focal point is the turquoise clocktower; a sort-of Kuwaiti Big Ben that dominates the skyline in this part of town. You’re not supposed to take photos while you’re outside, as it’s a government building, but I had no problems sneaking a couple of shots while I was there.

It’s not the most exciting of stops, but there were still a handful of photogenic structures to be seen from the street.

Stroll Beside the Marina

Kuwait can get a bit intense at times, what with all that traffic on the roads and dust in the air.

If it starts to get to you, take an hour out of your day to stroll alongside the marina — take a Careem to Marina Yacht Club and walk from there in either direction. You’ll be able to stop at Marina Beach to relax on the sand and take in the views of the city skyline. Marina Mall is nearby, too, with ample opportunities for consumerism.

With the exception of Al-Shaheed Park, this is one of the most pleasant walking spots in the city, with plenty of options for eating and shopping nearby. You could even go for a jog beside the water (if you’re visiting in winter, obviously) while you’re there.

And Contrast it With the Old Ships Port

Once you’ve checked out the gleaming white yachts in the marina, venture over to the Old Ships Port to take a look at the art of traditional shipbuilding.

Years before Kuwait discovered it was home to extensive oil reserves, the main source of income for locals stemmed from the sea. These wooden dhows were built by hand, then used for fishing, trading, and pearl diving throughout the Indian Ocean. Pearl diving was a particularly treacherous form of work, requiring divers to swim down to depths of 30 metres (100 feet) over 100 times a day, out at sea for months on end; battling shark attacks and scurvy; aneurisms and more. Unsurprisingly, many of the divers died.

While the pearl diving industry has since died out, the old dhows are still in use today, captained by local fisherman who venture out to sea each morning. There’s a chaotic fish market next door to the port where they sell their catches; it’s definitely worth taking a quick look around there, too.

You won’t see much happening in the port during in the middle of the day, but it’s still pretty cool to see these old sailing vessels.

Marvel at the Artwork Inside Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy

Fun fact: I’ve been learning Arabic over the past couple of years, mostly because I think the script is the prettiest in the world. And so, when I saw there was a museum in Kuwait that was dedicated to Islamic calligraphy, I knew I had to take a look.

I was surprised when I entered and discovered I was the only visitor in the museum, mostly because there were so many impressive pieces there! I’m typically a speed-sightseer when I visit museums on my travels, so originally thought I’d spend 15 minutes having a look around; I ended up staying for 90!

The museum is owned by Tareq Rajab and every single one of the 10,000 artefacts on display are part of his own private collection. I particularly enjoyed seeing the collection of vast temple door coverings, the display of aesthetically-pleasing Qurans (especially the one from Indonesia, which was written with a hot nail on palm leaves), and the Islamic calligraphy that originated from China.

This was a lovely little museum, and entrance (2 KWD/$6.50) also gives you access to the nearby Tareq Rajab Museum (even more Islamic artefacts, but without the calligraphy focus.)

Shop at One of the Many Malls

Kuwait is a country of malls; some say it has the best in the world. Yes, this is a country where shopping is the locals’ main activity of choice.

I laughed when somebody posted on the Kuwait subreddit to ask about cool places to visit in the country and somebody replied “The Avenues Mall, 360 Mall, Assima Mall, Al Kout Mall, Gate Mall, Cube Mall, Marina Mall, Fanar Mall, Al Salam Mall, Bustan Mall…”

Yep, shopping is a real pastime in Kuwait, and not just because the malls have air conditioning during those hot summer months.

There’s tons of shopping malls located within the city. In order of popularity, the main ones are the Avenues Mall, the 360 Mall, the Marina Mall, and the Souq Sharq.

Yeah, I get it: most people don’t really travel to go to a shopping mall, but if you want to live like a local and do as the Kuwaitis do, get yourself inside one of these monoliths. So much of present-day Kuwaiti culture revolves around shopping and eating.

The Avenues Mall is the largest mall in Kuwait and the most popular (and therefore the most crowded). With 1,100 stores to peruse — many of them international and luxury brands — you could spend an entire day just taking it all in. There’s even a car park that holds a whopping 13,000 cars! Think of any brand in the world: odds are, it can be found at Avenues Mall. Not only that, but there’s dozens of restaurants, several hotels, two cinemas, 13 Starbucks and 10 H&Ms (yes, really), as well as VR experiences, laser quest, arcades, amusement parks and… you get the idea.

Needless to say, even if you’re not overly excited about shopping, visiting the Avenues is still quite the experience. If you run out of things to do in the country or if the temperatures are skyrocketing, there are worse places to spend your time.

Check Out the Zany Kuwait Water Towers

Kuwait is home to six groups of water towers. One of them is the famous Kuwait Towers — the first item in this article — but there are five more sets (all looking like the ones in my photo) to uncover. There are two that I’d consider visiting:

The closest cluster to Kuwait City is the Adailiya Water Towers, which are found within the small, sedate Abraj Park. It’s the easiest group of water towers to get to as they’re just a 10-minute drive south of the city centre.

You also have the Sabhan Water Towers, which are the ones I chose to visit. They’re located opposite 360 Mall, so if you wanted to combine a shopping mall experience with some quirky architecture, that’s the one I’d go for. Note that despite the water towers being just 100 metres from the mall, it’s actually a 90-minute walk to get from one to the other — I told you Kuwait wasn’t very walkable! — so you’ll want to take a Careem between them.

Now, what to do when you get to them? Really, it’s just a photo opportunity. You can’t get up close to the water towers, as they’re still in use and providing water for the citizens of Kuwait, so it’s more of an opportunity to admire some unusual architecture.

Get Nerdy at the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre

This is such an incredible space if you’re into science and technology. And if you’re not, you may want to still have a walk around the exterior to enjoy the futuristic architecture.

The Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre is home to six separate museums: the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Arabic Islamic Science Museum, Fine Arts Centre, and the Public Realm. There’s over 800 exhibits within the complex, so you could easily spend an entire day learning more about our world. Honestly, you could probably spend more than one day here; at 18 hectares in area, it’s one of the world’s largest museum complexes!

My favourite part of the centre was the Natural History Museum, stuffed full of dinosaurs and introducing you to different ecosystems from around the world. (The Southeast Asian rainforest was oddly comforting after I’ve spent so much time there!)

This is probably more of a kids activity than a solo adult one, as there were tons of interactive displays to play around with. At a price of 3 KWD ($10), though, it offered excellent value for money!

Head Out Into the Desert

Now, if you know anything about me, it’s that I can’t resist taking a tour out into a desert. After first stepping foot on the Sahara Desert, I decided to make it my duty to visit as many as possible, whether they’re in India, Bahrain, the UAE, or Namibia. And then it was Kuwait’s turn.

Once you leave Kuwait City, you’ll quickly discover just how much of Kuwait’s land is made up of sand. Secondly, you’ll realise that sand dunes don’t really exist here. Unusually, this is a type of desert that’s quite rocky, with cliffs instead of dunes, and uh, there’s also plenty of trash.

Camping is a really popular pastime in the Gulf States (my Bahraini tour guide told me his family specifically travels to Kuwait every year to camp there!) and unfortunately, said campers aren’t quite the best at packing out what they bring in. Still, if you can ignore the rubbish, you’ll be able to hang out with camels, ride ATVs, and sip tea with the local Bedouins.

It’s not the most beautiful desert in the world, but if you’re keen to see Kuwait outside of its capital, it’s the best place to do so.

Spend a Day on Failaka Island

If there’s one thing I love more than heading out into a desert, however, it’s making my way deep into a ghost town. Surprisingly, Kuwait is home to one with a fascinating history.

In fact, the existence of Failaka Island is why I recommend spending two days in Kuwait: that way, you can allocate a full day to exploring Failaka.

This storied island is located 20 km (12 miles) off the coast of Kuwait City and is known for its ruins, beaches, and millennia of history. Did you know that Alexander the Great established an outpost on the island over 2000 years ago? Or that the Dilmuns first settled this island in 4000 B.C.? On Failaka, you can get up close to the remaining ruins of temples and towns that were built over this time; it’s all super interesting.

There’s a tank graveyard, too, which is marked on Google Maps as the Antiquities of Invasion . That invasion, of course, is the Gulf War, during which Iraq invaded Kuwait and completely occupied the country in just two days, Failaka Island included. Iraqi forces used Failaka as their training grounds, destroying homes and workplaces with their tanks, guns, and grenades.

After the war, the Iraqis’ weaponry was left behind, and so, if you’ve ever wanted to climb aboard a rusty tank that was once operated by Saddam Hussein’s personal army, here’s your chance!

One of the most popular spots on the island are the ruins of the National Bank of Kuwait, which is home to the most number of bullet holes I think I’ve ever seen. This was most likely used as shooting practice by the Iraqi soldiers and it’s amazing it’s still standing!

Those are the best parts of the island, but there’s also a handful of tourist attractions, like a sketchy zoo, a camel farm, a heritage village, and even the opportunity to go jet skiing and kayaking. There’s a lovely sandy beach on the island, too, which offers great views at sunset.

Getting to the island is simple: ferries are operated by Ikarus Marine. You can buy tickets from their office at Marina Crescent, which is beside the Marina Mall and behind the Starbucks. The ferry out to the island leaves at 12:30 and departs back to Kuwait City at 6 p.m. Once you get on the island, a bus takes you to the main attractions, so you can hop-on and hop-off at the ones that sound most interesting to you.

And That’s Kuwait!

So Kuwait didn’t blow me away; that’s probably clear from my article. I’d say it was one of my least favourite countries, and definitely the most boring (with the disclaimer that I do tend to love everywhere I visit). Even so, I’m still glad I went and got to have a good look around.

Give yourself a couple of days in town; I think Kuwait is worth that much. Take a trip out into the desert, snap a photo of the Kuwait Towers and wander around the souks, then spend a day roaming the ruins of Failaka Island.

And hey, if you love shopping, why not throw in an extra day to visit the 10 H&Ms at the Avenues Mall?

Doesn’t that sound like fun?

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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I’ve had Kuwait in the back of my mind for a long time – you might say it’s boring, but I think you’ve actually convinced me to spend about a week there!

Great, informative post! So about 2-3 days, and probably pare it with some other nearby country.

And really, the fact that it’s more boring than Brunei, says something, LOL.

I am from Kuwait and I do agree, it is boring here and they dont pay attention to the tourism industry. our gateaway is Dubai,KSA and Oman for the weekends.

your post is 100% true Good luck

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7 Awesome Things to Do in Kuwait for Cultural Travelers

Located between Iraq and Saudi Arabia , Kuwait is one of the least touristic countries in the world. You will come across many foreigners here, but few of them are visiting. Instead, they are Kuwait’s managers, doctors, shop personnel and construction workers. Before the exploitation of oil, this was one of the poorest countries in the world, but the country has developed rapidly over the past 70 years. Kuwaitis today grow up with the fanciest clothes, most expensive cars and travel to Europe at least once a year, but their love for their own traditions and the desert too remains strong. Kuwait is where the modern and the traditional meet. A truly fascinating place, which grows on you the longer you stay.

• How to Get Kuwait Tourist Visa and Tips on the Expat Life in Kuwait
• Beauty of Kuwait: Awesome Things to Do During Liberation Holiday
• Cultural things to do and Places to go as an Expat in Kuwait
• OFW Guide – List of Work Abroad Websites To Help You Find Jobs Overseas
• Qatar Layover: The best things to do in Doha While on a Transit

Table of Contents

1. Kuwait Towers

2. Visit the Grand Mosque

Learn more about Kuwait’s main religion by visiting the largest mosque in the country (completed in the 1980s). Arabs are warm and welcoming people, and the people running this mosque are no exception to that. Guided tours take place on an almost daily basis and are free of charge, just call in advance to confirm. An imposing and beautifully decorated building, it is a must for every visitor. Outside it is busy and warm, but here you will feel yourself come to rest immediately. A bubble of peace in a vibrant city.

3. Failaka Island

4. A night in the desert

No visit to Kuwait is complete without a visit to the desert. First stop should be one of the many camel herds. Drink camel milk, pet the baby camels (spring only!) or maybe even get invited for a ride if you are lucky. Then leave the herds behind you and drive further into the desert. Stop for a short quad ride, but then continue your drive until all signs of civilization have disappeared on the horizon.  This is where you camp for the night. It is here when you can feel truly alone in the world. Experience the vast emptiness and silence. Take some meat and a few (non-alcoholic, of course) drinks, a grill and enjoy a night under the stars. A compulsory word of caution: do not do this without a guide. The desert is a dangerous place for those without local knowledge.

5. Go shopping in the Avenues Mall

One of the largest malls in the Middle East, the Avenues is more than just a mall. When the temperatures in Kuwait reaches 50 degrees in summer, here is where people go to walk, run and enjoy themselves in general. Try one of the many cafés and restaurants and enjoy people from all walks of life passing by. Shopping is almost an afterthought here, but there is a shop for every budget here. For the poorer travelers, there is always the local H&M or Forever21. The rich and famous shop at Dior or Chanel. Do not expect to find many local brands here, though. IKEA and Starbucks rule the world, including Kuwait.

6. Moubarakiyya

For a more traditional shopping experience, you go to the Moubarakiyya or traditional souq (market). Here is where the more conservative locals gather at night. At the Moubarakiyya you can find a few items that will serve as souvenirs in the absence of the traditional postcards or fridge magnets (no tourists here, remember?). Possible options are spices or local cookies. Especially the latter are very good, and they come in all sorts of varieties. Local salesmen are always happy to let you try one or two. While you are here, pass by the fish hall and the butcher’s street. Not quite like the Avenues, no? Try to eat at the Moubarakiyya at least once during your stay. Food is delicious, authentic and cheap. Two main dishes will serve to feed a family of 6, and you will still have food left. From Lebanese to Egyptian and Iranian: everyone will find something to his or her liking here.

7. House of Mirrors

The Italian artist Lidia and her late Kuwaiti husband turned their private residence into an art museum centred around mirrors. And no, not just a few mirrors: the entire house is covered with mirrors! A truly wonderful place. A gifted artist, Lidia does tours by appointment which include tea, home-made cookies, and good conversation!  

Where to Stay in Kuwait

Best budget hotel in kuwait – royal inn hotel.

This property is a 12-minute walk from the beach. Royal Inn Hotel offers accommodation in Al Salmiya.

Every room at this hotel is air-conditioned and has a flat-screen TV. Each room is fitted with a private bathroom fitted with a bath. Extras include slippers and a hairdryer.

Best Mid-Range Hotel in Kuwait – Le Royal

Featuring panoramic views of the Gulf, this 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms and free Wi-Fi in public areas. It has an outdoor pool and a gym on site.

Breakfast is served at the Al Marsa Restaurant. Room service, including breakfast, is also available. A complimentary shuttle service from Kuwait International Airport can also be arranged.

Best Luxury Hotel in Kuwait – The Regency Hotel

Situated on a private beach on the Arabian Gulf Sea coast in Kuwait, this luxurious 5-star resort offers elegant rooms with Italian furniture and marble bathrooms. The Regency Kuwait’s freshwater swimming pools include a lap pool, an infinity pool, two children’s pools and one ladies-only pool.

Silk Road is an all-day dining restaurant offering à-la-carte menus, lavish buffets, brunch, barbecues and festive fare. Balsamico an authentic Italian restaurant that offers an à-la-carte menu in an elegant and warm environment. The Gourmet Boutique serves fresh, refined pastries, a selection of gourmet coffees, espressos and cappuccinos complimented with your favourite cakes made by the award-winning pastry team.

The Regency is less than a 5-minute drive from the Salmiya Souk and 15 minutes’ drive from Kuwait’s International Airport. The fashionable Salmiya area with its shopping, restaurants, and cafés is only minutes away.

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30 thoughts on “ 7 Awesome Things to Do in Kuwait for Cultural Travelers ”

Kuwait is my country. Yes, it is small and poor tourist, but great with its people and its love and coexistence with everyone. Beauty is not only buildings, but a spirit you feel in. This is Kuwait unique and distinguished among the Gulf countries

Hy am phill from Nigeria, av been dreaming of this country since but don’t know how to go about it, I really want to be there someone should please guide me .

i liek kuwait onion

Yes she’s telling exactly truth. Thank you for kind information.

Thanks for sharing this blog…I will also visit Kuwait .

I never knew Kuwait is this beautiful. I’ll try to visit as soon as I can.

I’m from California what documents do I need to visit Kuwait

I live in Kuwait and it’s not as nice as it seems…

Most probably you dont know the right people.. I suggest check out the couchsurfing or expats group =)

What document do I need to come work in Kuwait. And how much does going to cost me from Nigeria to Kuwait?

I’m on my waiting to visit Kuwait please I can’t wait to see life over there.. This my visa should hurry up and come out.. Lovely views

Nice captions and captures about kuwait! Makes me less worried about visiting, was told it’s a terrorist zone where attacks are frequent and westerners are not very free to move about and dress freely, Are these facts true???

That is completely not true. I assure you that its a very safe and welcoming country. You can wear whatever you want as long as it doesn’t show too much skin (like a bikini or being naked in public). I cannot tell you how many Americans or residents from other countries live in Kuwait. If it wasn’t really safe why would they go there in the first place (right)? You have to try the food in Kuwait, I guarantee you’ll love it! Definitely visit the avenues they added another huge shopping section to it, its so huge you’ll need more than 2 days to see the whole place and enjoy shopping. I know the weather is hot but there is air conditioning everywhere (you barely feel the heat or you could go tanning :D)

I live and work in Kuwait and have to tell anyone who is reading this…I feel safer in Kuwait than I do in America. I was home for 2 weeks vacation and could not wait to get back to Kuwait. People are friendly but always impatient while driving. I have never felt threatened and I walk EVERYWHERE. I have never felt threatened.

Not at all it has less terrorist attacks then most western countries. They love Americans because they think we are all movie stars(not kidding my dad actually gave someone an autograph) and as long as you are not blatantly disrespectful you’ll be fine

Found your blog as I am a travel blogger myself and in a few days I am off to Kuwait. 🙂

I’ve never been to Kuwait and I honestly have no clue what to do there! Thank you for this post, this really got me interested in visiting! I hope to see it someday!

Hi Amanda, am Hend from Egypt but I have been living and working in Kuwait for about 5 years. If you wanna visit Kuwait someday, the best time is October, November, March and April cause it’s very cold in Winter and very hot in summer so that you can’t breath. The temperature in summer reaches to more than 50 degree.

I have not seen Kuwait since I was a young girl! These brought me back to my childhood! What beauty! I would love to return for a visit!

Absolutely gorgeous. I would love to someday visit the Middle East. It seems so alien, though. Thank you so much for sharing these lovely photos and information. The house of mirrors really has me intrigued. *Hugs*

Cool to see a little about a completely different part of the world. Don’t know if life will ever take me there, but you never know.

You definitely made Kuwait seem like a great place to visit and explore – there’s so much squeezed into such a small country!

My husband spent some time there and says its probably the hottest place on the planet. I think kipping places like Failaka Island open to the public help discourage things like that from happening again.

You definitely put a lovely spin on a place I have no desire to visit lol! I have heard good things about Kuwait though.

I have Never been there,but seems so beautiful and interesting to visit!

Oh my goodness, I’m in love with all of your photos. I can’t travel as much as I used to so I love seeing photos of places. This is a great travel guide and very helpful.

These pictures are all amazing. My husband was actually deployed to Kuwait for 6 months, but I don’t think he was able to get out much.

Love the ideas! Kuwait definitely looks like a great destination to visit! 😀

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The Ultimate Kuwait Travel Guide for First-Timers

Kuwait is a small country in the Middle East known for its magnificent beaches, friendly people, and many historical sites. This country is beautiful and fascinating, but there’s a lot to see and do, so we put together this Kuwait travel guide to help you plan your trip.

Table of Contents

Kuwait Visa Policy

• If you plan to visit Kuwait for a short-term educational expedition, tourism, visiting family, or an acquaintance, you might need a Short-term visa. For this reason, the best option will be the Kuwait tourist visa for Indian citizens travelers , allowing them to stay up to 90 days in Kuwait before their visa expires.
• Travelers who wish to stay for a more extended period must apply for a long-term Kuwait visa. Visas for long-term stay are typically granted for work, education, or a family reunion.
• A Transit visa is provided for travelers whose itinerary involves a stopover in Kuwait. It is valid for one week only.
• Kuwait E-visa is available for applicants who are not interested in paper-based applications. Currently, 53 countries can use this service. The 53 countries, mainly based in Europe, are eligible for Kuwait Visa on Arrival. Processing is quick, and visa costs are low.

Depending on the type of visa you request, you will need to provide some accompanying documents.

• Health Insurance
• Documents for children
• Copy of Identification Card
• Application form

What’s So Special About Kuwait?

Kuwait is a fascinating country located in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. The locals are incredibly welcoming, and the country is rich in culture. There’s something so special about Kuwait that sets it apart from all other countries in the region.

For starters, Kuwait is home to some of the best shopping in the world. You can find anything and everything you’re looking for, from high-end designer brands to local handicrafts. For those who wish to save a few dinars, there are plenty of bargain shops.

Kuwait is also well known for its restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional Kuwaiti food or something a little more international, you’ll be able to find it here. Everything is fresh and delicious, and the prices are very reasonable.

Another thing that makes Kuwait so special is its natural beauty. The desert landscape is truly stunning, and the palm-lined beaches are a dream come true. Whether traveling with a group or on your own, there’s something for everyone in Kuwait.

What should I know before I go to Kuwait?

Kuwait is a country located in the Middle East. If you’re planning on traveling to Kuwait, you should know a few things before you go.

• Early bookings are recommended for travelers who are on a budget. Finding accommodation during high seasons is costly; off-season bookings are cheaper and save you significant money.
• An important thing to remember is that Kuwait is a Muslim country, and as such, Islamic customs should be respected . Women should dress modestly and avoid wearing revealing clothing.
• Alcohol is not allowed in Kuwait , so it’s best to leave any alcohol-containing items at home.
• Homosexuality is also illegal in Kuwait, so it’s best to avoid any public displays of affection between members of the same sex.
• There are also some health concerns that travelers should be aware of. Hepatitis A and B are both common in Kuwait , so it’s essential to get vaccinated against both viruses before traveling.
• When it comes to health issues, it’s best to avoid the sun as much as possible and drink plenty of bottled water.

Is it safe to travel to Kuwait?

Absolutely! Kuwait is a stable country with no worries about safety. Violence, theft, and insecurity are at a minimum thanks to police and locals working together.

Visitor advice: Be cautious when talking to the locals; close contact with the opposite gender is taboo, and covering your head is a tradition, especially for women, in public places.

What to Bring with You in Kuwait

When traveling to Kuwait, it is important to pack appropriately. The following tips will help you prepare:

Pack light. Kuwait has a hot and humid climate with temperatures of 29 to 50 degrees, so you should pack clothing that is lightweight and breathable. It is also a good idea to pack clothes that can be easily mixed and matched, as you will likely want to wear them more than once.

Wear sunscreen, insect repellent, and hats or sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun, as well as clothing. You may also want to bring along bottled water and snacks, as these can be hard to come by in Kuwait.

If you are planning on sightseeing or touring, bring along your camera and any other necessary equipment.

Where to Stay in Kuwait

When deciding where to stay in Kuwait, there are several factors to consider.

First, you have to decide whether to stay in Kuwait City or one of the smaller towns or villages.

The city has the most options for accommodations, including hotels, apartments, and villas. There are also a few resorts on the outskirts of town.

If you prefer something more rural or want to be closer to nature , then one of the smaller villages may be a better option. There are a limited number of places to stay in these villages, but they offer a more authentic Kuwaiti experience.

Another option is to stay in a hotel or apartment. Most tourists stay in hotels because they are generally safe. Apartments come at a higher price than hotels, and you must do more research before selecting one.

For those looking to stay somewhere luxurious , the Regency Palace Hotel is the perfect place for you. The hotel features stunning city views, as well as luxurious rooms and suites. The hotel also has several restaurants and bars and a spa and gym.

For a more budget-friendly option , the Holiday Inn Kuwait City is a great option. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and suites and an on-site restaurant and bar. The hotel also offers a swimming pool and fitness center.

How to Get Around in Kuwait

Kuwait is a small country, making it easy to get around. The roads are well-maintained, and the drivers are courteous.

If you’re staying in Kuwait City, most of the attractions are within walking distance or a short taxi ride away. If you are not familiar with the area, it is best to ask locals for directions.

You can take taxis or buses anywhere you wish to go.

The taxis are yellow, and the buses are green. Taxis cost more, but they are air-conditioned and more comfortable. Make sure to negotiate a price before you get in the taxi – rates should be around 1-2 KD for short rides and 3-5 KD for longer trips.

Public transportation is also available in Kuwait, with buses running throughout the city. Buses are cheap (around 0.25 KD) but can be crowded, so be prepared to be squished!

Best time to visit Kuwait

The best period to visit Kuwait is between November and February. This period is characterized by minimal rainfall and cooler temperatures. It is the best time to carry out tourism activities.

Spring is experienced between February and April. It is also considered a suitable time for tourism activities. Temperatures may reach up to 45 degrees during summer. Most buildings, businesses, and households have air conditioning systems to help locals and visitors cope with the hot weather.

Best Places to Visit in Kuwait

So many places to explore, you’ll be sure to find something that will make your trip worthwhile.

Kuwait City

One of the best things about Kuwait City is its proximity to the Arabian Gulf. You can easily take a short boat ride to the Gulf and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Kuwait Museum

The Kuwait Museum is located in the heart of the capital city, Kuwait City. The museum was established in 1971 to showcase the culture and history of Kuwait. It has a collection of artifacts that date back to the earliest times of the country. The museum also houses exhibits that show how Kuwait has changed over the years.

Al-Saud Palace

The Al-Saud Palace was built by the first sultan of Kuwait, Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, in the early 20th century. The palace is located in the Al-Mubarakiya area of Kuwait City. It is now used as the official residence of the emir. Today, the palace is one of Kuwait’s top tourist attractions.

Kuwait Towers

The Kuwait Towers are a great place to visit if you want to take in some of the city’s most breathtaking views. The towers are located in the heart of Kuwait City.

Kuwait Heritage Village

The Kuwait Heritage Village is located in the Al-Shuwaikh area of Kuwait City. The village was established in 2002 to preserve the history of Kuwait. The village houses a number of traditional Kuwaiti houses that have been restored to their original state.

The Wadi Kabir is a large canyon in Kuwait City. The canyon is a popular tourist attraction for visitors to Kuwait. The canyon was created by a stream that runs through the desert. The stream was diverted into the canyon by the government to provide water for the residents of Kuwait.

Al-Sabahiyya Palace

This palace is one of Kuwait’s most iconic landmarks and was once used as a royal residence. It’s a great place to get a photo of yourself standing in front of the palace.

Fisherman’s Bazaar

The Fisherman’s Bazaar is located in the Al-Shuwaikh area of Kuwait City. It is a major shopping destination for locals and tourists alike. The bazaar has over 700 stalls selling clothes, food, and other items.

Al-Rasheed Park

If you’re looking for an oasis of calm, Al-Rasheed Park is the place to go. The park has a large number of fountains, a lake, and lush green grass.

Al-Rasheed Park is located in the heart of the city. You can easily walk there from the National Museum.

Kuwait National Library

The Kuwait National Library is located in the Al-Shuwaikh area of Kuwait City. The library was established in the early 1990s to provide a place for residents and tourists to read books and other publications. The library is also equipped with internet access.

The Grand Mosque

This mosque is one of the largest globally and can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers. For anyone interested in Islamic architecture, this is a must-visit.

Al-Mallah Road

Al-Mallah Road is the city’s main thoroughfare. It’s also one of Kuwait’s oldest roads, dating back to the time of the Ottoman Empire. There are many different shopping centers along the road.

Things to Do in Kuwait

There is plenty to do in Kuwait, regardless of your interests.

If you love the outdoors , there are lots of parks and nature reserves to explore and miles of coastline to soak up the sun on the beach.

History buffs will enjoy exploring the many ancient fortresses and palaces spread throughout the country. At the same time, culture vultures can visit one of Kuwait’s many museums or take in a traditional performance.

Shoppers will find no shortage of places to spend their money, with major malls and souks (markets) located throughout Kuwait City.

And those looking for a night out on the town will find no shortage of bars and clubs to choose from.

Kuwait is a great destination for the education-minded traveler , with several universities and numerous private schools. The majority of these institutions are located in Kuwait City, but there are also campuses located in Safat, Al Ahmadiya, Sharq, and Jahra.

For those looking to get away from the city and relax, numerous resorts are located around Kuwait City. The most visited of these is Atlantis in the Palm Jumeirah, home to numerous water parks and shopping malls.

Another popular thing to do in Kuwait is go camping in the desert. There are also many restaurants serving traditional Kuwaiti cuisine.

Most of Kuwait’s tourist attractions are located near the city center in the Sabah Al-Salem District, which is home to several museums and cultural institutions.

Tips and Tricks for a Traveling in Kuwait

• Pack your essentials.
• Don’t forget to bring a flashlight, a cell phone charger, and an area map.
• Know the local laws.
• Know how to get around the city you’re visiting. For example, if you’re visiting Kuwait City, make sure you know how to get around the city. You don’t want to be lost in the middle of the desert.
• Bring a good book to read.
• Be prepared for the weather. When traveling in the wintertime, pack appropriate clothing for the cold weather.
• Be respectful of the people and the culture you’re visiting. You may not agree with the way they live or their beliefs, but it’s important to respect them.
• Plan the finances to cover your trip. You can always use your credit card or a debit card, but it’s best to have some cash on hand just in case.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
• Stay hydrated.

Bottom line

Whether you want to tour the city, shop for a bargain, or simply relax on the beach, Kuwait has it all.

We hope this Kuwait travel guide offered a comprehensive look at everything you need to know before traveling to this Arabian country. If you’re looking for interesting attractions to see, things to do, or tips on where to eat and sleep, this guide has you covered.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Kuwait today!

About The Author

Shakir Malik

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Blogs from Kuwait, Middle East