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.

Geographically, Kuwait lies far enough away from the Gulf travel hubs to the south to mean there are fewer tourists here. The result? A more authentically Arab feel to the country. Kuwait remains an oasis in a land of desert plains, and visitors may be surprised by the intriguing attractions on offer, from excellent museums and galleries to a fine souq, to a corniche with beaches and lively restaurants.

Explore Kuwait

Tareq Rajab Museum
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
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
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
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…
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Mirror House
For a brilliantly bizarre art-in-action experience, visit this residential house covered with mirror mosaics. It's the creation of gloriously eccentric…
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Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyya
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
The Kuwait Towers, with their distinctive blue-green ‘sequins’, are the instantly recognisable symbols of the nation. Designed by a Swedish architectural…
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Al Qurain Martyrs’ Museum
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…
A
Al Shaheed Park
It's easy to spend a whole day in Kuwait's largest urban park, which has jogging and walking paths covering more than 2km. The green space contains…

Tareq Rajab Museum
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
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
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
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…
M
Mirror House
For a brilliantly bizarre art-in-action experience, visit this residential house covered with mirror mosaics. It's the creation of gloriously eccentric…
D
Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyya
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
The Kuwait Towers, with their distinctive blue-green ‘sequins’, are the instantly recognisable symbols of the nation. Designed by a Swedish architectural…
A
Al Qurain Martyrs’ Museum
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…
A
Al Shaheed Park
It's easy to spend a whole day in Kuwait's largest urban park, which has jogging and walking paths covering more than 2km. The green space contains…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Kuwait.

See
Tareq Rajab Museum
Housed in the basement of a large villa, this exquisite ethnographic museum should not be missed. There are inlaid musical instruments suspended in glass…
See
Souq Mubarakiya
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…
See
Grand Mosque
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…
See
Scientific Center
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…
See
Mirror House
For a brilliantly bizarre art-in-action experience, visit this residential house covered with mirror mosaics. It's the creation of gloriously eccentric…
See
Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyya
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…
See
Kuwait Towers
The Kuwait Towers, with their distinctive blue-green ‘sequins’, are the instantly recognisable symbols of the nation. Designed by a Swedish architectural…
See
Al Qurain Martyrs’ Museum
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…
See
Al Shaheed Park
It's easy to spend a whole day in Kuwait's largest urban park, which has jogging and walking paths covering more than 2km. The green space contains…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Kuwait with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.