Kuwait City, Kuwait: travel guide
Waterfront towers, old souqs and Gulf sea views in a compact capital
Kuwait's compact Gulf capital: the iconic Kuwait Towers on the Corniche, the historic Souq Al-Mubarakiya, waterfront malls and marinas, and easy day-trip access to Failaka Island.
About Kuwait City
Kuwait City is a modern Gulf capital laid out along a curve of coast, with a skyline of towers and a waterfront corniche. It is a more low-key destination than some neighbours, and gives a good sense of everyday Gulf life.
The Kuwait Towers are the best-known landmark, and the Souq Al-Mubarakiya is the place for spices, sweets and traditional food. Museums, including the Tareq Rajab Museum and the National Museum, cover local heritage, and the Grand Mosque is one of the city's main sights. Boat trips run to Failaka Island, and the waterfront has cafes and marinas.
Kuwait City suits short city breaks and culture-minded visitors. Summers are very hot, so November to March is the most comfortable time to visit.
- Country
- Kuwait
- Currency
- KWD
- Time zone
- Asia/Kuwait
- Nearest airport
- KWI
Last updated
Top places to visit in Kuwait City
Failaka Island
island_day_trip · 4.3 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic island roughly 90 minutes by ferry from Kuwait City (Ras Salmiya/Marsa Al Kout terminal in Fahaheel), with Bronze-Age and Greek archaeological ruins and war-scarred villages from the 1990-91 occupation.
Liberation Tower
landmark · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 372m telecommunications tower completed in 1996 to mark Kuwait's liberation, with an observation deck and rotating restaurant at 150m.
Tareq Rajab Museum
art_museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A private museum of Islamic art, calligraphy, costumes and jewelry in Jabriya, one of the region's foremost Islamic art collections.
Sadu House
heritage_house · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A heritage house preserving traditional Bedouin Sadu weaving craft, run by the Al Sadu Society, with exhibits and a small weaving workshop.
Souq Al-Mubarakiya
traditional_market · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Kuwait's oldest traditional market, trading since before the oil era: spices, dates, gold, textiles and local eateries between Abdullah Al-Mubarak, Abdullah Al-Salem and Palestine Streets.
Kuwait Towers
landmark · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Kuwait's national landmark on the Gulf Road Corniche: two water towers (187m main tower) with an observation deck and rotating restaurant, inaugurated 1979.
Al Shaheed Park
urban_park · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A large landscaped park in downtown Kuwait City with botanical gardens, a martyrs' museum, a lake and a musical fountain; open around the clock.
Marina Crescent
waterfront_promenade · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A curved waterfront promenade in Salmiya lined with cafes and restaurants overlooking the Marina Mall and Arabian Gulf.
Scientific Center Kuwait
aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A science museum and aquarium on Arabian Gulf Street in Salmiya, housing the largest aquarium in the region after Dubai across desert, coastal and sea zones, plus an IMAX theatre.
Grand Mosque (Kuwait)
religious_site · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Kuwait's largest mosque, at the corner of Gulf Road and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Street, offering free guided tours for non-Muslim visitors on weekday mornings and afternoons.
Green Island (Al-Jazira Al-Khadra)
urban_park · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A man-made recreational island just off the Corniche with gardens, an amphitheater and walking paths, connected by a causeway.
Kuwait National Museum
history_museum · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The state museum complex covering Kuwaiti history, culture and the Al-Sabah art collection, rebuilt after damage in the 1990-91 Iraqi occupation.
Things to do
- Failaka Island Day Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from KWD 40 per person
- Grand Mosque Guided Tour Cultural Tour · 1 h
- Souq Al-Mubarakiya Food & Spice Walk Food Tour · 1.5 h
- Kuwait Bay Dhow Cruise Cruise · 1.5 h
- Scientific Center Aquarium & IMAX Visit Museum Visit · 2.5 h
- Kuwait Towers Sunset & Restaurant Visit Viewpoint Visit · 1.5 h
- Marina Crescent Evening Stroll & Dining Leisure Walk · 2 h
- Sadu House Weaving Demonstration Cultural Tour · 1 h
Where to stay in Kuwait City
Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya 5-star
- Sheraton Kuwait, A Luxury Collection Hotel 5-star
- JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City 5-star
- Courtyard by Marriott Kuwait City 4-star
- Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa 5-star
- Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City 5-star
Where to eat
- Mais Alghanim middle_eastern, lebanese · about KWD 10 per person
- Dar Hamad kuwaiti, gulf · about KWD 10 per person
- Al Muhallab Seafood Restaurant seafood, gulf · about KWD 10 per person
- Al Boom Steak & Seafood Restaurant seafood, steakhouse · about KWD 25 per person
- Freej Swaileh (Salmiya) kuwaiti, gulf · about KWD 4 per person
- Chang's Marina Crescent asian, chinese · about KWD 10 per person
- Zafran Indian Bistro (Marina Crescent) indian · about KWD 10 per person
- Slider Station (Marina Crescent) american, burgers · about KWD 4 per person
Getting to Kuwait City
Airport: Kuwait (KWI)
Getting around
- Ride Hail
- Taxi
- Walking