The capital
Almost every trip begins in Kuwait City. Tour the Grand Mosque, wander Souq Al Mubarakiya, spend an afternoon in the museums of the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre and watch the sun set from Kuwait Towers. The city is spread out and built for cars, so plan by area and use taxis or ride hailing apps between them.
The seafront
Salmiya is where Kuwait goes to relax by the sea. Marina Crescent and Marina Mall, the Scientific Center aquarium and long beach walks make it the easiest base for first-time visitors, with plenty of hotels, cafés and restaurants of every budget.
The island
Failaka Island sits at the mouth of Kuwait Bay. Ruins from Alexander the Great's era, Bronze Age remains and buildings scarred by the 1990 occupation make it the country's most rewarding day trip, reached by ferry from Ras Salmiya.
The southern coast
Al Khiran, near the Saudi border, has the clearest water and the best beaches in the country, a network of lagoons and boat trips to the coral islands of Kubbar and Qaruh. It is a weekend escape for Kuwaiti families, and a calm contrast to the city.
The desert edge
Al Jahra is the gateway to the northern desert. See the Red Fort, watch birds at the Jahra wetlands and head out to the Jal Al Zor escarpment and the Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Natural Reserve in the cooler months.
How many days
Two days covers Kuwait City and Salmiya. Three to four lets you add Failaka and the southern coast or the desert. The free trip planner helps you fit it together, and our places to visit list maps the best stops in each area.