A quick guide to Kuwait for first timers

Kuwait might seem intimidating for inexperienced travellers. It is not a very well known country in the Middle East, so I understand that many people stay away from visiting this part of the world. However, Kuwait is one of the safest places you can go to.

They told me not to go to Kuwait. I did it anyway and this is what I saw.

When I mentioned to people that I’m planning to go to Kuwait, almost every single one said to me: “Why? There’s nothing there.”

And I would reply to them: “Maybe there’s nothing there, but I want to see it for myself.”

I like traveling to pretty places, but having an opportunity to take pictures with a breathtaking background is not the main reason I travel. I travel for experiences. Being able to put aside opinions and stereotypes and see places with fresh eyes: that’s what makes travel special and purposeful. That’s why I wanted to go to Kuwait and I liked it. Most likely, I won’t go back to Kuwait, but certainly, it is much more interesting than everybody says.

Get this article in an offline guide version via GPSmyCity, so you can use it for walking around the city with all the best places added to the map.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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What to do in Kuwait City- a guide for first timers

Kuwait is not a big country and in my opinion, one week is more than plenty to see Kuwait unless you really enjoy spending time in the desert. In three days, you can see everything Kuwait City has to offer. In comparison with Dubai or Doha, there’s way less to see and do. I stayed in Kuwait for four days and included some pool time that I would not normally do in other cities. I simply run out of things to do. Since I live in Qatar and have a desert basically outside of my house, I skipped that part in Kuwait.

Visit Kuwait Towers

The iconic Kuwait towers are always on the very top of a to-do list in Kuwait. Combined design of Arabic influence with modern lines, Kuwait towers are a must landmark to visit.

The massive sphere on one of the towers is constantly moving giving visitors a 360 degree view of the city.

The old souq

Souqs are typical Arabic markets. Although somehow similar to other ones I’ve seen in the Middle East, the Kuwaiti souq has a very specific feel. Full of gold shops, fabrics and fragrant spices, it’s also the place where the locals meet to mingle over a meal.

Visit the Mirror House

A one-of-a-kind building designed by an Italian-born artist, Lidia Al Qattan, who is also the owner of this beautiful place turned into a museum. The Mirror House is truly a gem in the Middle Eastern city.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre, also known as Kuwait Opera House, is surely one of the places to visit. This beautiful building is located in a charming park and a few great restaurants within (with my favourite White Robata- an Asian fusion with a modern twist). If you are familiar with Islamic arts and architecture or perhaps travelled already to Qatar or UAE, you’ll quickly recognize the geometrical patterns that dominate many buildings in the region.

What to know before going to Kuwait

Kuwait is a Muslim country, therefore some rules must be adhered to. It mainly refers to the public display of affection, aka no kissing and generally being respectful and discreet. Holding hands is fine.

What to wear in Kuwait

As a Muslim country, Kuwait follows the Sha’aria law, which requires locals and visitors to dress modestly.

There are two things to consider when choosing your wardrobe for the trip to Kuwait: the weather and culture. Since Kuwait is a hot, desert country, pick loose clothes, like linen trousers or dresses. Also, remember to cover your shoulders and knees (this rule applies to men and women).

Here are a few must-haves for all of my trips to the Middle East:

Long dresses (I love flowery patterns and simple, one-colour ones) and shirt-style midi or maxi dresses (you cannot go wrong with them).
Cotton maxi skirt for the day and fancier one for the night out (like these satin or silk ones)
Cute top
Linen shirt (a piece I never travel without)
Light scarf
Linen trousers (avoid jeans as they are rather uncomfortable in humid, hot weather unless you’re traveling in December or January when it’s cooler).
A hat ( I love straw or Panama hats).
Sandals (comfortable, simple, and in a neutral colour to go with most of your suitcase)

Moving around Kuwait City

Public transportation is not the best in Kuwait, so I’d recommend opting for hiring a car (especially if you plan to explore the places outside the city) or using a taxi booking service called Careem. It’s similar to Uber and it allows you to pay through the app as well.

Money

Nearly everywhere you can use a card for payments, but it’s worth withdrawing some cash for souvenirs or spices shopping at the souq. Don’t get too surprised by the prices in Kuwait though. Since the currency and very valuable, it may seem like not much when you pay 3 dinars for something: it’s not as little as it looks.

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When to go to Kuwait

Kuwait is known as home to the hottest city in the world, which is located just outside Kuwait City. Having lived in the Middle East for some time now, one favour I can give you is this: do not underestimate the heat, it’s not the same as in Europe or other places, even the hottest ones. Kuwait gets extremely hot and humid, with temperatures reaching over 50C in July or August. Typically, it’s really hot between June and September to the point that more than a few minutes outside can give you a heatstroke. The best time to go to Kuwait would be between October and April.

Where to stay in Kuwait City

Luxury

Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya – as we know, this chain offers pure luxury. It has an absolutely beautiful spa and a rooftop pool with far-reaching views.
Sheraton Kuwait– Sheraton is located in a bustling business district, not too far away from the shore, the old souq, and the Liberation Tower.

Mid-range

Marina Hotel– A perfect choice for a calm stay with a sea view and a beach nearby, just a short drive from the busy city center.
The Regency Hotel – this large hotel gives you access to a private beach and two outdoor pools. This hotel has over 1 thousand of 5-star reviews on Trip Advisor, so it is really worth checking out.
The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa– this is a big complex that has a private beach and two outdoor swimming pools: one for recreation and one for sport swimming. Although a bit outdated, this hotel has just an incredible gym over two floors with a great range of equipment. It’s perfect for longer stays.

Should you go to Kuwait?

Yes, definitely. To be honest, I would say to most places in the world as experience of one person is most likely to be very different from how someone else perceived the destination and experience they had.

Although Kuwait is known for its tradition of theatre (as the only Arab country in the region), I did not have a chance to experience that. I’d suggest that you do a little bit of research and see a play; I’ve heard it’s worth it.

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