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Kuwait

Cradled between Saudi Arabia and Iraq in one of the most ancient and contested corners of the world, Kuwait has a certain cachet. It may be as oil-rich as other Gulf countries, and its architectural landscape as experimental and audacious, but it hasn't embraced glitz and glamour in the same way: perhaps it's the years lost to the Iraqi invasion and its aftermath, or maybe it's a conscious decision not to give in to commercialism.

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Tareq Rajab Museum
Kuwait City
Housed in the basement of a large villa, this exquisite ethnographic museum should not be missed. There are inlaid musical instruments suspended in glass…
Souq Mubarakiya
Kuwait City
Once the centre of trade before the nation found oil, Kuwait City's old souq has retained its sprawling, bustling glory. The historical centre of the…
Grand Mosque
Kuwait City
The largest of the city’s 800 mosques, opened in 1986, completely survived the Iraqi invasion. It cost KD14 million (US$46 million) to build, with…
Scientific Center
Kuwait City
One of the largest aquariums in the Middle East is housed in this sail-shaped building. The giant spider crabs (3.8m leg to leg), fluorescent jellyfish…
Mirror House
Kuwait City
For a brilliantly bizarre art-in-action experience, visit this residential house covered with mirror mosaics. It's the creation of gloriously eccentric…
Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyya
Kuwait City
This exceptional cultural centre has stunning galleries that contain some of the highlights of the world-class Al Sabah Collection, part of which was in…
Kuwait Towers
Kuwait City
The Kuwait Towers, with their distinctive blue-green ‘sequins’, are the instantly recognisable symbols of the nation. Designed by a Swedish architectural…
Al Qurain Martyrs’ Museum
Kuwait City
In the residential suburb of Qurain, this excellent small museum is a sobering memorial to a cell of young Kuwaitis who tried to resist Iraqi arrest in…