Kuwait · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Kuwait
From the souqs and museums of Kuwait City to the seafront of Salmiya, the ruins of Failaka Island and the clear water of the southern coast, these are the places worth your time in Kuwait. Mix the classics with a few local favourites and quiet corners for a trip that feels your own.
Places to Visit in Kuwait City
Things to Do
- Kuwait Towers (Arabian Gulf Street)
The country's most famous landmark, with an observation sphere and sweeping views over the Gulf and the city. - Liberation Tower (Sharq)
A tall telecommunications tower named for the 1991 liberation, a landmark on the city skyline. - Green Island (Arabian Gulf Street)
An artificial island park with walking paths and sea views, linked to the corniche by a bridge. - Souq Sharq Marina (Sharq)
A waterfront mall and marina where you can stroll among the yachts at sunset. - Kuwait Scientific Center (Salmiya)
An aquarium, discovery centre and big screen theatre on the waterfront, loved by families. - Kuwait House of National Works (Kuwait City)
A memorial museum that tells the story of the 1990 invasion and the liberation. - Tareq Rajab Museum (Jabriya)
A private museum of Islamic art, calligraphy, jewellery and costume, one of the finest in the region. - Dhow harbour at Sharq (Sharq)
Traditional wooden boats still moored by the fish market, a link to Kuwait's seafaring past.
Arts and Culture
- Grand Mosque (Mirqab)
Kuwait's largest mosque, with free guided tours for visitors outside prayer times. - Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre (Shuwaikh)
One of the largest museum complexes in the world, with galleries on space, science, natural history and Islamic arts. - Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre (Shuwaikh)
The striking national opera house, hosting concerts, theatre and touring shows through the season. - Al Shaheed Park (Sharq)
A long green park with museums of habitat and remembrance, lakes and walking paths in the middle of the city. - Sadu House (Arabian Gulf Street)
A traditional house devoted to Bedouin weaving, where you can see Sadu textiles and the craft behind them. - Bait Al Othman Museum (Hawalli)
A sprawling heritage house museum covering Kuwaiti drama, old homes and the country's history in quiet courtyards. - Seif Palace (Sharq)
The Emir's official palace, best admired from outside for its blue tiled clock tower by the sea. - Kuwait National Museum (Sharq)
Galleries on Kuwaiti history and the planetarium, beside the traditional dhow on display outside. - Al Hashemi II Dhow (Radisson Blu Salwa Road)
One of the largest wooden dhows ever built, a remarkable piece of Kuwaiti boatbuilding. - Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah at Amricani Cultural Centre (Sharq)
A fine collection of Islamic art in a restored old mission hospital building by the sea. - Kuwait Towers light show (Arabian Gulf Street)
The towers lit at night, best seen from the corniche paths around them.
Shopping and Markets
- Souq Al Mubarakiya (Mubarakiya)
The old heart of trade in Kuwait, with lanes of dates, spices, perfume, fabrics and busy grill restaurants. - Souq Al Gharabally (Mubarakiya)
Old shops and stalls in the lanes around the main souq, good for oud, fabrics and bargaining. - Fish Market at Souq Sharq (Sharq)
A lively morning fish market where the catch of the day, including zubaidi, is sold and cleaned. - Friday Market (Al Rai)
A huge weekend flea market full of furniture, carpets, plants and bric a brac. - The Avenues (Al Rai)
One of the largest malls in the region, with themed districts, restaurants and endless shops. - 360 Mall (South Surra)
An upmarket mall with a vertical garden and a strong line up of restaurants. - Assima Mall (Kuwait City)
A newer mall in the city centre with a big food court and family entertainment.
Restaurants
- Al Mubarakiya grill restaurants (Souq Al Mubarakiya)
Simple souq restaurants serving kebabs, grilled meats and fresh bread at outdoor tables. - Freej Sweileh (Kuwait City)
A popular Kuwaiti chain serving machboos, mutabbaq samak and home style dishes. - Shawarma Shuwaikh (Shuwaikh)
A legendary local shawarma spot, busy late into the night. - Mais Alghanim (Arabian Gulf Street)
A long running seafront restaurant known for Lebanese grills and mezze since the 1950s. - Sharq fish market restaurants (Sharq)
Pick your fish at the market and have it cooked at a nearby restaurant.
Cafés
- Souq Mubarakiya tea houses (Souq Al Mubarakiya)
Old style tea houses where men gather for sweet tea and conversation in the souq. - Coffee shops of Shuwaikh Industrial (Shuwaikh)
Hidden warehouse cafés and roasters that sum up Kuwait's love of specialty coffee.
Bars and Nightlife
- Arabian Gulf Street evening drive (Arabian Gulf Street)
Kuwait's nightlife is alcohol free, and the corniche fills with families, walkers and cafés late into the night. - Shisha cafés on Arabian Gulf Street (Arabian Gulf Street)
Sea facing cafés where locals linger over mocktails, shisha where permitted, and conversation.
Events
- National and Liberation Days (Kuwait City)
Late February brings parades, fireworks and celebrations across the country. - Hala February (Kuwait City)
A month of concerts, carnivals and festivities that leads up to the national holidays. - Ramadan nights and Gergean (Kuwait City)
During Ramadan the city comes alive after iftar, and children go door to door for sweets at Gergean. - Kuwait International Book Fair (Mishref)
An annual book fair that draws publishers and readers from across the Arab world.
Nature and Outdoors
- Arabian Gulf Street corniche (Arabian Gulf Street)
Long seaside paths for walking, cycling and watching the sunset over the bay. - Jahra Pool Nature Reserve (Al Jahra)
A protected wetland where migratory birds rest in winter and spring.
Stays
- Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya (Sharq)
A luxury tower hotel in the business district with sweeping views and strong restaurants. - JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City (Kuwait City)
A dependable central hotel within reach of the souq and the business district. - Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa (Messila)
A beach resort with gardens, pools and a private shoreline south of the city. - Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait (Salwa)
A seaside hotel with family pools and the famous dhow on its grounds. - Sheraton Kuwait, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Kuwait City)
A landmark hotel near the city centre that has hosted guests since the 1960s. - The Regency Hotel (Salmiya)
A palatial seafront hotel with a beach and several restaurants.
Places to Visit in Salmiya
Things to Do
- Marina Crescent (Salmiya)
A seafront promenade of cafés and restaurants looking out over the marina. - Kuwait Scientific Center Aquarium (Salmiya)
One of the largest aquariums in the Middle East, with sharks, rays and desert habitats.
Shopping and Markets
- Marina Mall (Salmiya)
A waterfront mall joined to the crescent, with the sea right outside. - Salem Al Mubarak Street (Salmiya)
Salmiya's busy main street of shops, perfume sellers and food outlets that stays lively late. - Al Kout Mall (Fahaheel)
A waterfront mall with canals and dancing fountains.
Restaurants
- Salmiya Indian and Filipino eateries (Salmiya)
Small diaspora restaurants serving biryani, dosa and adobo, popular with Kuwait's expat communities. - Burger Boutique (Salmiya)
A homegrown Kuwaiti burger chain that helped start the country's gourmet burger craze. - Slider Station (Salmiya)
A playful Kuwaiti brand serving sliders and shakes, popular with families. - Kuwaiti bakeries of Salmiya (Salmiya)
Bakeries turning out fresh flatbreads, zaatar manakish and cheese pies from morning. - Karak and chapati stands (Salmiya)
Quick stops for sweet karak tea and chapati wraps that keep Kuwait running.
Cafés
- Seafront cafés of Marina Crescent (Salmiya)
Terraces where couples linger over coffee and desserts as the lights come on along the marina. - Specialty roasters of Salmiya (Salmiya)
Small independent roasters pouring carefully brewed coffee in a city obsessed with the craft.
Nature and Outdoors
- Salmiya beach and corniche (Salmiya)
Public sea front for walks, picnics and evening breezes.
Arts and Culture
- Bayt Lothan (Salmiya)
An arts and crafts centre in an old family home, with exhibitions, workshops and a garden café. - Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy (Jabriya)
A sister collection devoted to the art of Arabic calligraphy.
Bars and Nightlife
- Salem Al Mubarak Street by night (Salmiya)
Alcohol free nightlife at its busiest: cafés, dessert shops and families until late. - Marina Crescent at night (Salmiya)
Lit up waterfront terraces perfect for a long evening walk and a mocktail.
Events
- Ramadan iftar tents (Salmiya)
Hotels set up iftar and suhoor tents, an inviting way for visitors to share the season.
Stays
- Hilton Kuwait Resort (Mangaf)
A beachfront resort with chalets and pools south of the city. - Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City (Farwaniya)
A large hotel complex near the airport, handy for short stays. - Marina Hotel Kuwait (Salmiya)
A seafront hotel next to the marina and Marina Mall. - Ibis Kuwait Salmiya (Salmiya)
A simple budget friendly hotel in the heart of Salmiya.
Places to Visit in Failaka Island
Arts and Culture
- Failaka Hellenistic temple ruins (Failaka Island)
Ruins of a temple built by Alexander the Great's successors on the Gulf island once called Ikaros. - Dilmun era settlement at Tell Saad and Said (Failaka Island)
Bronze Age remains of a Dilmun trading settlement, one of the oldest sites in Kuwait.
Things to Do
- Al Qurainiya ruins and war scarred buildings (Failaka Island)
Bullet marked houses left from 1990 that show how the island was emptied during the occupation. - Failaka ferry from Ras Salmiya (Salmiya)
The ferry crossing itself, a short trip across Kuwait Bay with views back to the skyline.
Nature and Outdoors
- Failaka Island beaches (Failaka Island)
Quiet sandy shores for a swim and a picnic away from the city.
Places to Visit in Al Khiran
Things to Do
- Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City (Al Khiran)
A huge waterfront development of canals and lagoons where Kuwaiti families keep weekend homes and boats. - Kayaking in the Khiran lagoons (Al Khiran)
Calm saltwater channels that are ideal for paddling and spotting birds.
Shopping and Markets
- The Khiran Outlet (Al Khiran)
An outlet mall near the southern coast with brand stores and family dining.
Nature and Outdoors
- Al Khiran beaches (Al Khiran)
Clear, shallow water and sandy beaches, the best swimming on the Kuwaiti coast. - Kubbar Island (Off Al Khiran)
A tiny coral island reached by boat, famous for snorkelling and diving among reef fish. - Qaruh Island (Off Al Khiran)
Kuwait's most distant island, with coral reefs and nesting seabirds, reached on private boat trips. - Wafra farms (Al Wafra)
An agricultural area near the Saudi border with farms, greenhouses and seasonal produce stalls.
Stays
- Al Khiran chalets (Al Khiran)
Private beach chalets rented by families for weekend getaways on the southern coast.
Events
- Winter camping season (Southern desert)
From November to March Kuwaiti families pitch desert camps, a tradition known as kashta.
Restaurants
- Khiran Outlet food court (Al Khiran)
Easy family dining on the way to the beach.
Places to Visit in Al Jahra
Arts and Culture
- Red Fort (Al Qasr Al Ahmar) (Al Jahra)
A mud brick fort central to the 1920 Battle of Jahra and a symbol of Kuwaiti resistance.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Natural Reserve (Northern Kuwait)
Kuwait's largest nature reserve, with desert wildlife and restored native plants, by permit and booking. - Jal Al Zor escarpment (Northern Kuwait)
A desert ridge with views across Kuwait Bay, part of the national park area. - Jahra wetland birding (Al Jahra)
Reeds and pools that draw herons, flamingos and migrants in the cooler months.
Restaurants
- Jahra Bedouin grills (Al Jahra)
Simple places serving grilled lamb, rice and fresh bread in the style of desert hospitality.
Things to Do
- Mutla Ridge viewpoint (Mutla Ridge)
The ridge known from the 1991 war, with long views across the desert.
Events
- Desert spring blooms (Northern Kuwait)
After good winter rains, the northern desert briefly turns green with wildflowers.
Cafés
- Roadside karak stops (Al Jahra)
Simple stalls on the way to the desert for strong, sweet karak tea.
Places to Visit in Fahaheel
Shopping and Markets
- Al Kout Mall waterfront (Fahaheel)
Canals, fountains and promenades make this the south's favourite evening outing. - Fahaheel Souq (Fahaheel)
A traditional market area with fish, vegetables and household goods. - Mangaf shopping streets (Mangaf)
Lively streets of shops and eateries serving the south's large expat communities.
Restaurants
- Fahaheel seafood restaurants (Fahaheel)
Simple restaurants grilling fresh Gulf fish such as hamour and zubaidi. - Indian restaurants of Fahaheel (Fahaheel)
A strong South Asian dining scene, from Kerala meals to Hyderabadi biryani.
Arts and Culture
- Ahmad Al Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition (Ahmadi)
A free exhibition explaining how oil shaped modern Kuwait, run by Kuwait Oil Company.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ahmadi Public Park (Ahmadi)
A large green park in the oil company town of Ahmadi, with lawns and old trees. - Fahaheel waterfront (Fahaheel)
A seaside promenade where families walk and fish in the evening.
Things to Do
- Ahmadi old town (Ahmadi)
Leafy streets and bungalows built by the oil company in the 1940s, unlike anywhere else in Kuwait.
Cafés
- Al Kout Mall cafés (Fahaheel)
Waterfront terraces where families sit out with coffee and desserts.
Stays
- Hilton Kuwait Resort chalets (Mangaf)
Beach chalets and pools for families looking for a seaside break.
Events
- Eid celebrations (Fahaheel)
Eid brings fireworks, family outings and busy malls across the south.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Contemporary Art Platform (Shuwaikh, Kuwait City)
A respected gallery and art space showing Kuwaiti and regional contemporary artists. - Souq Al Wataniya (Mubarakiya, Kuwait City)
A modern covered market near Mubarakiya with shops for gifts, sweets and household goods. - Ayyam Zaman (Arabian Gulf Street, Kuwait City)
Traditional Kuwaiti dining room with dishes like machboos dyay and gabout. - Dar Hamad (Sharq, Kuwait City)
Kuwaiti cuisine served in an elegant setting near the sea. - Al Boom Restaurant (Radisson Blu Salwa Road, Kuwait City)
A restaurant set aboard a traditional wooden dhow, a classic for special occasions. - Dasma Tea Shop (Dasma, Kuwait City)
A local institution for karak tea and simple Kuwaiti breakfast sandwiches. - % Arabica Kuwait (Kuwait City, Kuwait City)
A sleek specialty coffee bar, part of Kuwait's lively third wave coffee scene. - Kuwait Zoo (Omariya, Kuwait City)
A family friendly zoo with animals from Arabia and around the world. - Mais Alghanim Salmiya (Salmiya, Salmiya)
Lebanese grills and mezze from one of Kuwait's oldest restaurant names. - Lucca Steak House (Salmiya, Salmiya)
A Kuwaiti steakhouse with a loyal local following. - Caribou Coffee Salmiya (Salmiya, Salmiya)
A favourite spot for local students and families to linger over coffee by the sea. - Aqua Park Kuwait (Kuwait City, Salmiya)
A water park near Kuwait Towers that opens in the warmer months. - Ice skating at Salmiya Ice Rink (Salmiya, Salmiya)
A long running ice rink, a cool escape from the heat for families. - Al Shaab Sea Club area (Shaab, Salmiya)
A seafront area with parks and promenades between Salmiya and the city. - Failaka Heritage Village (Failaka Island, Failaka Island)
A heritage village with traditional houses, camel and horse rides and a calm island pace. - Jahra camel and livestock market (Al Jahra, Al Jahra)
A traditional market where Bedouin trade camels, sheep and goats. - Jahra Mall (Al Jahra, Al Jahra)
The town's main mall for a meal and some shade on a desert day. - Hilton Garden Inn Kuwait (Fahaheel, Fahaheel)
A practical modern hotel for exploring the south and the coast.