Thinking of visiting a country in the Middle East but don’t want to go to touristic places like Dubai? You want something different that isn’t that touristic yet? Then Kuwait works perfect for you! This is a one of these Middle Eastern countries on the Persion Golf that became wealthy mainly due to the oil production. The country with a total population of nearly 5 million people (of which 75% are foreigners that are living mainly in the capital Kuwait City) borders with Iraq in the north and with Saoudi Arabia in the south. Although Kuwait is maybe not that popular as other cities in the region like Dubai or Qatar, I was quite surprised when I visited Kuwait a few years ago. In this article, you’ll find some useful travel tips for Kuwait as well as some of the most popular places I would recommend to visit here.
General Information About Kuwait
- Travelers from most countries like USA, Canada, United Kingdom and Schengen countries can obtain a visa on arrival.
- Summers can be extreme hot and therefor the best time to travel is in fall and winter (from October until April).
- The currency is the Kuwait Dinar and this is the most expensive currency worldwide. 1 Dinar equals about $ 3.30 USD (January 2020). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted but take some cash with you, especially in the souqs.
- As of January 2020, Kuwait doesn’t have Uber and public transportation is limited to buses. The best and easiest way to get around is by taking a taxi.
- Be aware of the laws. Possession of drugs, alcohol, pork and pornographic materials is strictly prohibited and can result in a serious jail term.
Marina Beach
Kuwait City has many beaches on the Persian Golf. Some of them are beautiful, others are dirty and full of rubbish. Marina Beach is one of the most popular beaches and can be very crowded sometimes. The beach is located on the eastern side of the city with views on the Kuwait skyline. The whole area around the beach is a popular place where the Kuwaitis often go during the weekends. Close to the beach, you’ll find various cafes and restaurants as well as a shopping mall.
The Grand Mosque
Kuwait has a total of 800 mosques. The Grand Mosque is the largest one and opened its doors in 1986. The mosque is located in the northern part of the city and has completely survived the Iraqi invasion. With its beautiful courtyard, stained glass and mosaics, the Grand Mosque is for sure one of the most visited buildings in the city. You can enter the mosque but respect the dress code. Tours are provided by the knowledgable staff.
Souq Al-Mubarakiya
Close to the Grand Mosque, you’ll find Souq Al-Mubarakiya. I would call this the middle point of the city as most roads will lead to this place. Like I said before, about 75% of the population is coming from other countries. Many vendors in the souq are coming from countries like India and Bangladesh. They sell every kind of product. You can find accessories like watches and sunglasses as well as a variety of clothing and handbags. The Souq Al-Mubarakiya is also a good place to have lunch as there are many restaurants here.
Al Shaheed Park
Al Shaheed Park is a large urban park in the middle of the city. The park opened a few years ago and is a perfect place to soak up the rest. Besides walking paths and nicely designed areas, the parks also includes a skate park, tree top climbing obstacles, a game area, an open air performance centre, two museums and youth complex. Al Shaheed Park is located between 2 busy roads and offers a wonderful view on the Kuwait skyline. You can easily spend a couple of hours admiring the beautiful gardens here.
Kuwait Towers
Keep one of the best attractions in Kuwait just before sunset to enjoy the view from above. The Kuwait Towers are located on the northeastern coastline of the city and were inaugurated in 1979. There are three towers and these towers are kind of the symbol of Kuwait nowadays. The main tower is 614 ft. (187 metres) high and carries two spheres. You can access the upper sphere, which rises to 404 ft. (123 metres) to have the best view over the city. I recommend to go there just before sunset to enjoy the view both during daytime and by night.
General Travel Tips
- For Accommodations, always check Airbnb and Hotels Combined for the best price options
- For specific tours and to know what’s around, always check Get Your Guide for the best tips in Kuwait.
Bottom Line
Kuwait is not that touristic yet as Dubai or Qatar but has a lot of beautiful things to offer. I definitely liked the Marina Beach and the area around it with nice cafes and restaurants. The Grand Mosque isn’t the most popular mosque in the world but it certainly is something that you can’t miss during a visit to Kuwait City. Souq Al-Mubarakiya is a nice but busy place to walk around and buy local food. Myself, I really liked Al Shaheed Park with great views over the Kuwait skyline.
A visit to Kuwait Towers is best just before sunset to admire the view both during during the day and by night. In fact, a visit to Kuwait isn’t complete without a visit to the desert and this certainly is possible from Kuwait City. I spent only 2 days in Kuwait so I didn’t have the time to visit the dessert that time. It’s something I would recommend though and certainly something I consider to do during a future visit to Kuwait.
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Have you visited Kuwait or have you planned a trip? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
