joellebohringerKuwait is one of my favorite countries in the world, because I live here and call it home! However, it is a country with almost zero tourism infrastructure, and it can be quite difficult to navigate for tourists.
Very little accurate information exists online regarding the best things to do in this tiny desert country. However, I’m here to set the record straight. Here are the 9 things I make sure to do with every guest that comes to visit me in Kuwait. They are hands-down my favorite things to do in Kuwait, and they are what I reccomend all tourists to see.
Failaka Island
Failaka Island is hands-down the top of my list for the best things to do in Kuwait.
A petite island off Kuwait’s coastline, it holds a storied past dating back to 2000 BC when it was first settled by the ancient Dilmun civilization. Fast forward to 400 BC, and the island witnessed the conquest of Alexander the Great, who renamed it Ikarus. Despite its modest size of just 16 square miles, Failaka boasts an astonishing array of ruins, making it a treasure trove for archaeologists.
From Dilmun sites to Babylonian temples, Greek temples dedicated to Artemis, early Christian churches, and early Islamic mosques, Failaka Island offers a glimpse into multiple epochs of history.
However, its continuous habitation spanning millennia came to an abrupt halt in 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Failaka became one of the initial targets, serving as a strategic base throughout the invasion. The island’s nearly 3,000 inhabitants were swiftly evacuated to mainland Kuwait City, leaving behind their homes frozen in time. Today, these abandoned houses bear witness to the destruction wrought by the invading forces, serving as poignant reminders of a turbulent past.
Visiting Failaka can seem confusing, but I’ve broken down every step of how to visit this amazing island and what to do there in this post.
Grand Mosque
Kuwait’s Grand Mosque is elaborate and beautiful. Yet, this is not what makes it really special, as there are grand mosques throughout the entire Middle East.
Every visit to Kuwait’s grand mosque comes with a highly informative and friendly tour. Here, the English speaking guide will teach you all about the history of the Grand Mosque and the importance of Islam to Kuwait. The tour even includes free coffee, snacks, and souvenirs!
The mosque is completely free to visit. Men are required to cover their knees and shoulders, and women are required to wear clothes that cover to their wrists and to their ankles, in addition to wearing a head scarf.
The mosque is open to tourists on weekdays (Sunday-Thursday) from 9:00-11:00 am and from 4:00-6:00 pm.
Souk Mubarakiya
After having been to nearly every Arab country, Souk Mubarakiya is still my favorite market in the Middle East. Unlike many other Arab Countries, Kuwait has almost no tourism, so its souk is still 100% meant for local people, and it is the heart of the city.
Here, you will find everything, from clothes, to tea shops, restaurants, and more.
I reccomend going in the evening, as this is when the souk becomes very lively. I reccomend walking around the entire market, but here are some places I especially reccomend:
- Al-Sulaiman Bisht Al-Wajaha: This family owned company has been in Souk Mubarakiya for more than 100 years. They hand-make bishts, which are traditional cloaks worn by men as a sign of honor or importance. You can still see them hand-make the bishts within the shop. They also famously made the bisht given to George Bush as a thank you for sending US troops to save Kuwait during the 1990/1991 Iraq invasion. They are very friendly, and they love allowing tourists to try on their products, no purchase necessary!
- Al Shamam Restaurant: This is one of the oldest and most beloved restaurants in Kuwait. It is casual, outdoor seating spread throughout the market, and they serve some of the best Kuwaiti food in the country. Meals come with fresh, hot bread, and the portions are absolutely huge. My personal favorite dish is the shrimp murabiyan.
- Al Shamali Sweets: This sweet shop is the oldest sweet shop in Kuwait. They serve traditional Kuwaiti sweets in beautifully packaged in metal tins. They also often give free samples.
Avenues Mall
I’m not usually one to reccomend malls, but Avenues mall is site to see. It is one of the largest malls in the world, and it presents an interesting look into the ways in which Kuwaitis are living with their incredibly inhospitable environment.
My favorite area is phase two, which is modelled after a European high street. Even though you are indoors, it feels as though you are completely outside.
Other notable areas include a traditional Kuwaiti souq and the luxury area, which has some of the only curved escalators in the world!
Kuwait Towers
Kuwait towers are the most notable landmarks in all of Kuwait. Located on Kuwaiti’s Gulf Street, they are actually more than just a pretty site to look at. They are also massive water towers, which serve as an emergency back up water supply for the country.
You can go up in the Kuwait towers. It costs 3KD (about $10) for entry, and the towers are open from 8am-11pm daily.
Ahmed al Jaber Oil and Gas Museum
This museum might not be on everyone’s radar, but it’s my top pick among all the museums in Kuwait. It’s all about oil and gas, the backbone of this country, and it’s modern, fun, and seriously interesting.
And get this, it won’t cost you a penny to check it out. You’ll have an English-speaking guide to show you around, filling you in on everything about oil, gas, and how they fit into Kuwait’s story. They’ve got cool stuff like interactive displays showing Kuwait’s oil production minute by minute, and they even recreate the chaos of the Iraqi invasion with fireball demos.
You’ll find it in a suburb of Kuwait City known as Ahmadi, a whole city built around the Kuwait Oil Company. It’s open from Sunday to Thursday, 8 am to 4 pm, and you don’t need to book ahead. However, public transport doesn’t run there, so you’ll need to grab a taxi. I suggest using the Careem app, the Middle East’s version of uber.
Qurain Martyrs Museum
Nestled in the suburb of Kuwait City known as Qurain, the Qurain Martyrs Museum stands as a poignant tribute to one of the most heart-wrenching battles of the Iraq invasion. It’s a somber yet compelling stop on Kuwait’s museum circuit.
The museum’s story traces back to a brave group of Kuwaiti resistance fighters, Al-Messilah, who made their stand in a house in Qurain’s residential area. On February 24, 1991, as the Iraqi forces neared withdrawal, a fateful knock echoed on their door. Knowing surrender meant imprisonment and an empty house meant ruin, the fighters faced a dire choice.
Opting to defend their ground, they engaged in a harrowing 24-hour clash against Iraqi tanks. Out of the 19 brave souls, only one survived. The Iraqi troops withdrew from the country four days later, leaving behind a destroyed country and the shattered house, now a symbol of Kuwaiti resilience and sacrifice.
The museum offers a self-guided tour through the house, each fighter’s final stand marked with solemnity. Adjacent stands a small museum, honoring each fallen hero.
Undoubtedly sobering, this museum stands as a stark reminder of the havoc wrought by the 1990-1991 Iraqi invasion. To reach Al-Qurain, public transport drops you at the main road, about 1 km from the museum. If it is in your budget, a taxi is preferable, as it will drop you directly at the museum.
Operating hours are 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, closed on Sundays. Admission is free, with a complementary informative booklet.
The Mirror House
The Mirror House, a unique private museum, was founded by Lydia and Khalifa Qattan, an Italian-Kuwaiti couple. It stands alone in the world, completely adorned in shimmering mirrored mosaics.
Even though Khalifa has passed away (may he rest in peace), Lydia still graciously offers tours of their extraordinary home every single day. It’s an intimate experience, where you’re invited into Lydia’s world in Kuwait, learning about her life, her journey in transforming her home into an art sanctuary, and her husband’s pioneering artistic legacy.
Lydia herself is a delight – witty, warm, and deeply involved. Through her stories, you’ll uncover layers of Kuwait’s history and its vibrant art scene.
To secure your spot, bookings are a must. Regular tickets are priced at 3KD each, but if you opt for the VIP package, which includes return transportation, it’s 10 KD. The museum welcomes visitors every day except Friday, although it does take a break during the scorching months of July and August – trust me, Kuwait’s not the place to be then.
Once you’ve filled out the reservation form, Lydia and her daughter will get in touch via Whatsapp to confirm the details.
The Fish Market
This one may only be for seafood lovers, but I find the Kuwait fish market incredibly interesting. Traditionally, fish made up almost the entirety of the Kuwaiti diet.
Today, most Kuwaiti’s still go to the fish market to get fish on a weekly basis, and most of the fish is freshly caught in the Kuwaiti gulf.
There is also a restaurant within the building that grills freshly caught fish at an affordable price!
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