Located in one of the most ancient and contested corners of the world, Kuwait holds a certain intrigue for travellers. This tiny nation has a mysterious charm that makes visitors travel back there again after they visit Kuwait for the first time because there are countless reasons to visit Kuwait. Keep reading to learn about the top 10 reasons to visit Kuwait.
Far enough away from the major Persian Gulf travel hubs such as Dubai and Doha to the south, fewer tourists make it here, but that doesn’t mean there is little to do in Kuwait. Despite the modern facade of Kuwait City, the capital, Kuwait still delivers an authentic Arab experience unique in the region in this day and age.
Kuwait has some amazing attractions (Excellent museums and galleries, a fascinating souq, even a corniche with beaches and lively restaurants) and a fascinating history, dating back to antiquity that still permeates the everyday lives of the people living in the desert oasis.
While some of the cultural guidelines may be challenging for some, the unique opportunity to experience one of the oldest countries in the world is a reward in itself.
If you would like to travel to Kuwait for tourism, business, or working in Kuwait, read this list of the top 10 reasons to visit Kuwait in 2021 to see why you need to add Kuwait to your bucket list.
1- Arabian Desert
If you have never been to the desert, you should visit Kuwait for sure to experience its’ flat, sandy Desert called the ‘Arabian desert’ that covers most of this tiny nation’s land.
There are countless activities for all interests in the Arabian desert of Kuwait.
Climb to the top of the Kazmah Desert Cliffs for an unforgettable bird’s-eye view over the whole of Kuwait, particularly at sunset when Kuwait Bay glows a deep orange. The scenery is just unbelievably breathtaking.
you can take a desert tour by camel and camp over there for the night to experience riding a camel and visiting the Arabian desert the traditional way. Spending a night in the Kuwait desert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can also do a typical SUV safari and visit the oil fields and learn about the hardships of living in the desert.
2- Best Beaches in the Middle East
Situated on the pristine waters of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait has some of the most amazing public beaches, beach parks, and beach clubs which are popular when the weather cools from the hot summer. Many of the beaches have lovely public grassy areas with sports facilities and inflatable water parks.
Located at the southern end of Kuwait City, Messilah Beach, a pristine, private stretch of white sand is one of the best beaches in Kuwait.
Egaila Beach Park is another great beach in Kuwait that has a vibrant, upbeat vibe and nice sandy sweeps. The park itself is popular with families on account of its gardens, barbecue pits, changing rooms, refreshment outlets, and play areas.
3- Failaka Island
Although Kuwait is one of the smallest nations in the world, it has mainland and 9 islands, one of them being inhabited. Even though it has been seriously damaged during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Failaka Island is the only continuously inhabited island in Kuwait. It is an important archaeological site and once home to around 2,000 residents.
Having ruins dating back 5,000 years that include Ancient Greek settlements from the era of Alexander the Great and the heritage of Iraqi invasion, Failaka Island has become very popular among tourists that even though the Kuwaiti army uses it for military exercises, accommodation options are popping up along with boat tours and cafes. The island is also popular with locals during the spring months, thanks to a milder climate and abundant vegetation.
4- House of Mirrors
The Mirror House (aka the Khalifa & Lidia Qattan Art Museum) is the only house in the world completely covered with Mirror Mosaic by a single female artist! Lidia, an Italian-born artist who moved to Kuwait when she married her husband Khalifa began her project by herself, transforming their home into a fantastic work of art in 1966.
The entire residence and everything in it, inside and out, is covered with mirrored mosaics. A minor alteration to prevent termites from destroying her home became her life’s passion. Using over 70 tonnes of mirror, a tour of the house is a sensory sound, light, and touch experience not to be missed.
5- Diverse Population
Similar to most other countries in the Persian Gulf region, Kuwait’s population consists mostly of expats (nearly 70% of the people currently living in Kuwait are of foreign origin), which naturally creates a vibrant and diverse society, from the languages spoken on the street, to the food offered in restaurants, to the types of people you meet around the city. For many people, the diverse community of this country is one of the main reasons to visit Kuwait.
6- Iconic Kuwait Towers
Symbolizing Kuwait’s economic resurgence, ‘Kuwait Towers’, a group of three slender towers with their distinctive blue-green baubles, are iconic buildings of modern Kuwait. Designed by a Swedish firm, building them took place from 1971 to 1976 and the main tower (187m high) was opened to the public on 1 March 1979.
The towers have an international restaurant at 82 m with sweeping views of the country, a gift shop and at 120 m, a 360 viewing deck. Entry is waived if you are dining at the restaurant. Don’t forget to enjoy the panoramic view that these towers offer of Kuwait city on one side and the pristine Persian Gulf on the other side.
The towers have an international restaurant at 82 m with sweeping views of the country, a gift shop and at 120 m, a 360 viewing deck. Entry is waived if you are dining at the restaurant. Don’t forget to enjoy the panoramic view that these towers offer of Kuwait city on one side and the pristine Persian Gulf on the other side.
7- Try The World Cuisine
Having a diverse society from all nations around the world, you can try authentic Iranian, Arabic, Mexican, Thai, Italian, and Indian cuisine in Kuwait.
The Kuwaiti cuisine itself is inspired by Arabian, Persian, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisines.
Some of the most delicious and most famous dishes in Kuwaiti cuisine are:
- Machboos Dakkus, a sweet and crunchy saffron-cooked rice with chickpeas and raisins, topped with chicken legs and served with a tangy tomato sauce.
- Harees, a thick soup-like dish consisting of wheat cooked with meat then mashed, usually topped with cinnamon sugar.
- Muttabaq Samak, fish served over rice cooked in well-spiced fish stock.
- Khubz, a fluffy flatbread often served with spicy hummus and topped with cubed tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley.
8- Modern Kuwait City
There has always been an unspoken competition between the Emirates and Kuwait on who is wealthier. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait worked in favor of the Emirates as it slowed down Kuwait’s economy for a while. However, in recent decades, Kuwait has started to catch up and Kuwait City’s skyline is constantly becoming more modern which is one of the main attractions that draw tourists and expats attention to this modern city.
Simply walk around Kuwait City to get inspired by its modern skyline and enjoy the view of this futuristic city. If you like to be more organized and visit multiple places in hours, try Baitalkhairan which offers a tour of 6 hours that you can customize with your preferences.
9- Shopping Haven
Kuwait is famous for its traditional bazaars called Souq and modern shopping malls where you can find anything you can possibly think of. Thanks to there being no value-added tax, shopping in Kuwait is generally cheaper as well.
Visit The Avenues shopping mall (the largest shopping mall in Kuwait), full of designer brands, glittering jewelry, and award-winning restaurants. Or Souq Al-Mubarakiya, a 200-year-old Middle Eastern bazaar specializing in Persian silk carpets, Arabic antiques, perfumes, and Kuwaiti jewelry.
10- Winter sun destination
The weather in Kuwait is generally hot and dry. While the weather could get too hot during summertime, in winter months, the weather is just pleasant when the daytime is generally warm but the evenings are chilly. Most people believe that the best time to truly enjoy and appreciate the beaches in Kuwait is during wintertime. If you’re looking for a nice getaway from Europe’s brutal winters, consider visiting this stunning small nation. The year-round sunshine is for sure one of the top reasons to visit Kuwait.
For a luxurious international hotel, visit the Four Seasons Hotel at Burj Alshaya where modern Middle Eastern design sparks a genuine sense of wonder. This hotel offers the city’s largest guest rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and two rooftop restaurants.
ibis Sharq hotel is also a good option if you don’t want to break the bank. Conveniently located 15 minutes away from Kuwait International Airport, ibis Sharq Hotel is located in the heart of the city, close to leisure and shopping destinations.
Fun Facts About Kuwait
- The Kuwaiti Dinar Is The World’s Highest-Valued Currency.
- Kuwait is ranked as the fourth wealthiest country in the world by the World Bank. Their wealth comes mostly from oil.
- Kuwait holds 8% of the world’s oil reserves. It has the world’s sixth-largest oil reserve.
- Kuwait’s Proposed Burj Mubarak Al-Kabir To Be The World’s Tallest by its completion in 2030.
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Really relateble I just started my own travel blog and then covid hit and I could not travel anymore from my country. No travel planning for me at all 😦
Saudi Arabia, I’ve always been fascinated by them. I’m definitely visiting Kuwait
Fascinating, thanks for sharing.