Visit Kuwait: what to see and when to go

Rarely visited by travellers, Kuwait is best discovered over two or three winter days: the blue towers on the corniche, the alleys of Souk Al-Mubarakiya, brand-new cultural centres and a crossing to Failaka, an island scattered with Hellenistic remains and villages abandoned since 1990.

Why visit Kuwait?

Kuwait offers an immersion in Gulf culture away from the crowds, with a maritime heritage tied to pearling and dhows, large recent museums and a Greek archaeological site on Failaka. It is a short stop, ideal from November to March, on a Middle East circuit in western Asia.

What to discover in Kuwait?

Kuwait City and the Gulf corniche

The capital stretches along Kuwait Bay, and Arabian Gulf Street follows the sea for some twenty kilometres past public beaches, marinas and cafés. The historic centre, around Sharq and Al-Safat Square, is best explored on foot early in the morning, or after 5 pm outside the cool season. Allow one day to combine the Kuwait Towers, the souk and the Grand Mosque, getting around by taxi or ride-hailing apps: buses exist but are impractical for visitors.

Museums, crafts and pearling heritage

Before oil was discovered in 1938, the country lived from pearl diving and dhow trade with India and East Africa. The national museum and Sadu House, devoted to Bedouin weaving, tell the story of that era. The two large cultural centres opened in 2016 and 2018, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad opera house and the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem museum complex, each deserve half a day. For another side of the Gulf, neighbouring Bahrain shares this pearling past, listed by UNESCO on its soil.

Failaka Island

Some twenty kilometres offshore, Failaka hosts one of the Gulf's major archaeological sites: a fortress and temple from the Hellenistic period, legacy of the Greek settlement of Ikaros, along with Bronze Age remains. The island also bears the scars of the 1990 invasion, with deserted villages and bullet-marked buildings. Ferries leave from Ras Salmiya; plan a full day, water and sun protection, as shade is scarce on the sites.

The desert and camping season

From November to March, Kuwaiti families pitch tents in the desert north and west of the capital, a winter tradition called kashta. Nights can drop below 10 °C in January, while summer regularly tops 45 °C between June and August: do not plan desert outings then. The border strip with Iraq, to the north, is advised against by the French foreign ministry. To the south, the border with Saudi Arabia is crossed by road towards Dammam in roughly four to five hours.

Cities to visit in Kuwait

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Kuwait's must-sees

Five places are enough to grasp the country's identity, between oil-era modernity and Gulf memory.

Kuwait Towers

Three spires covered in blue and green discs, opened in 1979; the observation sphere of the tallest offers a panorama over the bay.

Grand Mosque

The country's largest mosque, opened in 1986, welcomes non-Muslims on guided tours outside prayer times.

Souk Al-Mubarakiya

The capital's historic market: dates, spices, incense, fabrics and small grill restaurants around covered passages.

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Centre

A complex of museums devoted to science, space, natural history and Islamic civilisation, designed for interactive visits.

Sadu House

A traditional mud house turned centre for preserving sadu weaving, the Bedouin textile art on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.

Frequently asked questions about Kuwait

Can you go up the Kuwait Towers?
Yes, the tallest of the three towers houses an observation sphere open to visitors, as well as a restaurant. The second tower serves as a water tower and the third, without a sphere, powers the lighting. Reopened in 2016 after restoration, they are most photogenic late in the day.
How do you get to Failaka Island from Kuwait City?
Ferries link Ras Salmiya port to the island several times a day, with the option of taking a vehicle. Book ahead at weekends, when Kuwaiti families go over in large numbers, and check the time of the last return sailing.
Can a non-Muslim enter the Grand Mosque of Kuwait?
Yes, the Grand Mosque offers guided tours for non-Muslims outside prayer times. Women are given an abaya and headscarf at the entrance, and men must wear long trousers. Tours are cancelled during major religious holidays.
How many days should you spend in Kuwait?
Two days are enough for the capital, three with a day on Failaka. The country combines well with a stopover in Qatar or Bahrain, about an hour away by air, for a one-week Gulf circuit.
What should tourists wear in Kuwait?
The country is conservative but no dress code is imposed on foreigners in the street: covered shoulders and knees remain the norm, especially in the souks and residential areas. Swimwear belongs on private beaches and at hotel pools.
Is Kuwait expensive for travellers?
Accommodation and Western restaurants are costly, as the dinar is very strong against the euro. Fuel and taxis, on the other hand, remain affordable, and the small eateries of Souk Al-Mubarakiya let you eat at reasonable prices.

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