The wealthy Persian Gulf state of Kuwait is home to vast deserts and wide, sandy beaches and hosts modern skyscrapers and shopping centers. You can also find ancient ruins and traditional bazaars, yachting marinas, riding clubs and theme parks in Kuwait. Kuwait is not as popular tourism destination as United Arab Emirates, but it is a similar modern and rich Islamic country with multinational population, traditional values and well-managed infrastructure.
Small oil-rich state located in the Middle East between Saudi Arabia and Iraq at the western end of Persian Gulf, Kuwait is the fourth richest country in the world per capita, and has quickly rebuilt itself after the recent Iraqi occupation. Kuwait has some of world's largest oil reserves and some of the most sophisticated desalination facilities providing drinking water in this dry desert country. The majority of Kuwait’s inhabitants are non-nationals who have migrated to Kuwait to work, leaving actual Kuwaiti citizens to be a minority in their home country.
Attractions & entertainment. Some of the more historical sights in Kuwait City include the Seif Palace from the 1800s, the old city gates, the old Sadu House with Bedouin cultural museum inside, the Grand Mosque opposite the Palace, as well as other 800 mosques in Kuwait City. The National Museum was unfortunately looted by Iraqi troops in 1990. There is also an interesting Marine Museum, the largest aquarium in the Middle East, a small zoo and a musical fountain in Kuwait. In addition to these attractions, you can also find three major theme parks in Kuwait that offer great entertainment for families.
The coast of Kuwait is fringed with sandy beaches with nice possibilities for swimming. However, sunbathing is restricted into sea clubs and hotel beaches. The many sea clubs in Kuwait offer swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnasiums and other facilities as well as beaches. Sailing and diving is possible in Kuwait, and there are also plenty of horse riding clubs and one golf course in Kuwait. Powerboating is a popular local hobby. There are plenty of places for shopping in Kuwait, ranging from traditional souqs to modern shopping malls. Some of the attractions outside Kuwait City include the archaeological site in Failaka Island that has remnants of the Bronze Age Dilmun civilization, as well as an ancient Greek town of Ikaros, the Oil Display Centre in the port city of Al-Ahmadi, and the historic Red Fort in Al-Jahra.
Small oil-rich state located in the Middle East between Saudi Arabia and Iraq at the western end of Persian Gulf, Kuwait is the fourth richest country in the world per capita, and has quickly rebuilt itself after the recent Iraqi occupation. Kuwait has some of world's largest oil reserves and some of the most sophisticated desalination facilities providing drinking water in this dry desert country. The majority of Kuwait’s inhabitants are non-nationals who have migrated to Kuwait to work, leaving actual Kuwaiti citizens to be a minority in their home country.
Sights and activities in Kuwait: beaches, shopping, theme parks & museums
Kuwait has plenty of things to see and do, from modern and historic attractions to museums, theme parks, pleasant beaches and great shopping opportunities. The capital of Kuwait, Kuwait City is a modern metropolis with skyscrapers, luxury hotels, marinas and wide boulevards. The city’s main landmarks are the three Kuwait Towers, highest of which is 187 meters tall and with panoramic views over the city and the Persian Gulf. The new 372 meters high Liberation Tower in the city center is the tallest building in Kuwait. There is a revolving observation deck and a restaurant inside.Attractions & entertainment. Some of the more historical sights in Kuwait City include the Seif Palace from the 1800s, the old city gates, the old Sadu House with Bedouin cultural museum inside, the Grand Mosque opposite the Palace, as well as other 800 mosques in Kuwait City. The National Museum was unfortunately looted by Iraqi troops in 1990. There is also an interesting Marine Museum, the largest aquarium in the Middle East, a small zoo and a musical fountain in Kuwait. In addition to these attractions, you can also find three major theme parks in Kuwait that offer great entertainment for families.
The coast of Kuwait is fringed with sandy beaches with nice possibilities for swimming. However, sunbathing is restricted into sea clubs and hotel beaches. The many sea clubs in Kuwait offer swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnasiums and other facilities as well as beaches. Sailing and diving is possible in Kuwait, and there are also plenty of horse riding clubs and one golf course in Kuwait. Powerboating is a popular local hobby. There are plenty of places for shopping in Kuwait, ranging from traditional souqs to modern shopping malls. Some of the attractions outside Kuwait City include the archaeological site in Failaka Island that has remnants of the Bronze Age Dilmun civilization, as well as an ancient Greek town of Ikaros, the Oil Display Centre in the port city of Al-Ahmadi, and the historic Red Fort in Al-Jahra.
Kuwait travel tips and practical information
Kuwait has a dry desert climate with very hot summers and short, cool winters. Temperatures in August can reach over 50°C / 122°F in inland areas, but the Persian Gulf coast of Kuwait is usually a bit cooler. In winter, the weather in Kuwait can be quite cool especially during the night, and there are some heavy rainstorms. There are occasional sandstorms throughout the year, and they are especially common during the spring. Spring and autumn are climate-wise the best times to visit Kuwait.
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Travelling to Kuwait can be done by air, by bus or by boat. There is an international airport with flights to Kuwait from many cities in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and even the USA. There are bus connections to Kuwait from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, and passenger ferries from Iran and Bahrain.
Local transportation. Kuwait has very good roads with road signs both in English and Arabic. There is an extensive public transport system with cheap, air-conditioned buses, as well as plenty of taxis that can also be hired for whole day. Car rental in Kuwait is available, although the local traffic is quite chaotic. As elsewhere in the Middle East, shared taxis are available for longer journeys.
Hotels in Kuwait are mainly big Western chain hotels, many of which have five-star quality. There are many beach resort hotels available, as well as business hotels. You can also rent chalets on the coast for short stays. The plentiful restaurants in Kuwait offer good range of cuisines from local Arabic to Asian and European food. Alcohol is illegal in Kuwait and the local nightlife is basically restricted to cafés. Prices in Kuwait are quite high as it is a very rich country, but the quality of tourist services is also very high. English is widely spoken in Kuwait.
Safety. Kuwait is a very safe country with very low crime rate. Even though the neighboring Iraq is still in the state of chaos, Kuwait remains one of the safest places in the Middle East. The only things to worry about are the extreme temperatures during the summer and the reckless local driving habits. Remember also that Kuwait is a rather conservative Islamic country, and local customs and dress codes should be respected.
