📍Kuwait lies at the tip of the Persian Gulf and is a country rich in culture & history, but also very modern and often overshadowed by its more frequented neighbours. From the iconic Kuwait Towers to the bustling alleys of Souq Al-Mubarakiya, I'm going to share some of my experiences, about my short trip and the - in my opinion - underrated beauty of Kuwait, with you. 🇰🇼
Getting to Kuwait
Kuwait is a relatively small but mighty country on the Persian Gulf, and pretty easy to reach.
✈️ By Air: Kuwait International Airport, my primary gateway, and probably yours as well, welcomes flights from many major cities worldwide. I personally took a direct flight from 📍Abu Dhabi, which took me less than 2 hours, while a trip from Europe takes around 6 hours or from the USA around 12 hours. 😅
Middle Eastern airlines like "Emirates", "Qatar Airways", and "Kuwait Airways" offer comfortable and reasonable options for long distance flights, if you book a little ahead of time.
A flight from Abu Dhabi is more budget friendly than a flight from 📍Dubai, even last minute. Airlines like "WizzAir" and "Ethiad" offer super cheap options. I paid less than 25€ for my flight. It doesn't get cheaper than that. If you're in Dubai, just take a bus to Abu Dhabi and off you go. 😊
🚗 By Road: If you're exploring the Gulf region and drive by car through Saudi Arabia, it takes around 5-6 hours from 📍Riyadh to 📍Kuwait City. I'm sure you gonna have scenic desert views along the way. Wouldn't recommend getting anywhere near the Iraqi territory. It's not a safe area.
🚌 By Bus: Well if I would have been in traveling through Saudi Arabia to Kuwait I probably would have tried to get there via bus or so. Unfortunately there are no direct buses from any city in Saudi Arabia to Kuwait City. On my research, for the adventurous souls, I found some people talking about a bus that runs twice a day from 📍Dammam to 📍Khafji, which is a small city on the border to Kuwait. The journey is approximately 4 hours and costs 69 Riyal/17€. BUT I found no evidence for that anywhere. So I guess you're better off to just book a flight.
📄 Visa Requirements and Procedure
European citizens can get a visa on arrival at the Kuwait International Airport or land border. Watch out for the sign that guides you to the immigration office that issues your visa. It only costs around 10€/3KD which you can pay by card. It's valid for 30 days. If you prefer having your visa before arriving in Kuwait you can also apply online for an eVisa on the official website of the 'State of Kuwait Ministry of Interior'.
Navigating Kuwait City
Kuwait City is the vibrant capital and pretty much almost everything there is in Kuwait next to Beach and desert, as it's really a very small country..
🚌 Public transportation is limited, but you can get a 🚕 taxi everywhere and for a reasonable price. If you are tech-savvy, there are apps like "Careem" and "Talabat" which don't just make it easy to order a ride but also food. I use those in the UAE all the time so that was pretty convenient.
🚙 Rental Cars might be a good idea if you have an international drivers license and cherish independence and flexibility.
Must-Visit Places
Kuwait Towers: The iconic symbol of Kuwait's modern development and resilience are the 📍Kuwait Towers. If you like to go up to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Gulf you gotta pay an entry fee of around 9€, check out their website for more info about opening hours, aso. The area around the towers is also nice to take a long and relaxing walk.
The Grand Mosque: One of my main destinations in every country I go is visiting their major religious places, if possible. 📍The Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Kuwait, showcasing stunning Islamic architecture with elaborate designs, grand prayer halls, and detailed calligraphy. It always amazes me how different yet similar Grand Mosques in various countries are.
The Avenues Mall: A paradise for shopaholics.
📍The Avenues Mall is the largest shopping mall in Kuwait, and offers a wide range of international brands, entertainment options, and dining experiences. Pretty much like every big mall. I noticed that a lot of Arabic people like to just hang out in malls (families and business people alike), I don't quite get why. I mean we have big malls in Europe too, but the majority only goes there to shop and not to hang out. Right? 😅 My host told me That I should visit, so I checked it out. Looks a little futuristic like a spaceship from the inside, definitely impressive and I can see why people like to spend their time there.
Souq Al-Mubarakiya: Compared to the big mall to me the souq felt much more authentic and was also more fun to explore. It gives me the feeling of diving into the heart of Kuwaiti culture and eventually find some unique souvenirs.
📍Souq Al-Mubarakiya is one of the oldest markets in Kuwait, where you can experience the traditional Kuwaiti lifestyle, shop for spices, textiles, and souvenirs but also enjoy some Kuwaiti street food. It's right next to the National Museum and I find absolutely perfect to visit before or after.
Al Shaheed Park: It's a green oasis amidst urban sprawl, perfect for a leisurely stroll. It has two pretty big parts divided by streets and the 📍Al Shaab Gate.
I found myself taking a break from running around the city for the whole day. There are a bunch of cafés to sit down,relax and reflect on all the impressions you collected from that day. I enjoyed jogging through the 📍Al Shaheed Park before hitting the road to play tourist again.
Al Kout Beach: Of course I had to check out the beach, even though it was February and it was definitely not the best weather to take a swim. It's a small but picturesque beach in the South of Kuwait City and it's offering a more tranquil escape, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports in the warmer months. You can find a lot of shops and restaurants, as well as the 📍Al Kout Mall and 📍Al Kout Souq including a big fish market. The neighbourhood is locally known as "Al Azeeziya". It also has a big pool with fountains, which is pretty to look at. We did a little shopping and went for a bite. It was a short but nice trip outside of the busy city.
Failaka Island: On my last day of my short trip to Kuwait I took a ferry to the 📍Failaka Island, to visit ancient archaeological sites as well as numerous ancient Greek ruins, and old tanks and trucks from the Iraqi occupation in the early 90's, which give insights into Kuwait's ancient and modern history.We also passed a camel farm on our way which invites visitors to Camel rides.
In the summer time a lot of people come to 📍Wanasa Beach to relax and swim.
If you don't have a car you can book a tour including a meal which will cost you around 20 KWD/60€ for a roundtrip.
The more adventurous but also more budget friendly option is to just take the ferry by yourself from📍Ras Al Ard Marina with your own car (or rental) for 10 KWD/30€, so only half the price. I met a few super nice people from Couchsurfing who took me along. I got us some snacks at the marina, and the ride took less than 1 hour.
There are not many restaurants on the Failaka Island, but some local families offered meals to visitors, and provided a unique dining experience, which I won't forget.
Sadu House: If you are interested in learning about Kuwaiti crafts and traditions, then you should check out 📍Sadu House which is part of the national museum complex. It's also dedicated in preserving the art of Bedouin weaving.
Kuwait National Museum: 📍The Kuwait National Museum was another one of my main destinations and definitely worth it. I could have spends hours over hours there. It houses artefacts and exhibitions that narrate the history of Kuwait, from ancient times to the present day and it has many different themes, as well as a planetarium. Most of the areas are interactive, which makes it super fun experience. The entry for free.
Kuwaiti Cuisine 🍽️🥘
Please correct me if I'm wrong but I found the key ingredients and flavours of Kuwaiti cuisine are deeply influenced by the desert environment and the Arabian Gulf. Fresh fish and seafood play a pivotal role, alongside meats like chicken, lamb, and mutton. Rice is a staple, often enriched with spices such as saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon. Dates are used extensively, not just as a sweet treat but also in many savory dishes.
What can I say, my foodie heart was overjoyed. 😁
Must-Try Dishes:
Machboos (Kabsa)
I've been told that it's considered the national dish of Kuwait, Machboos is a fragrant rice dish seasoned with a unique blend of spices and cooked with meat, usually chicken, lamb, or fish. It epitomizes the essence of Kuwaiti flavors and is a must-try for any visitor. you preferably eat it without cutlery and only your hands, like most of the dished that include rice.
Mutabbaq Samak
Kuwaiti Biryani
Gers Ogaily
Where to Eat: Along the must-visit places I mentioned above I wanna give you a list of a few restaurants close by which I recommend trying. But honestly, the selection of Kuwaiti restaurants is huge and you will always find something delicious to eat.
📍Al Boom Steak and Seafood Restaurant - Enjoy fine dining inside a dhow, offering a great selection of seafood and steak with views of the Arabian Gulf.
📍Mais Alghanim - A well-known restaurant serving traditional Kuwaiti and Lebanese dishes in a comfortable setting.
📍Al Marsa - Located inside Le Royal Hotel, it's a bit pricy but worth it, providing fresh seafood dishes with a seaside ambiance.
📍Al Tanoor Al Sharqi - Known for its authentic Kuwaiti cuisine, offering a traditional dining experience close to the Marina area.
📍Freej Swaileh - Located near Kuwait National Museum, my host told me that it's famous for its traditional Kuwaiti dishes in a setting that feels like stepping into a Kuwaiti home, and it surely made me feel that way.
Accommodations
🏨 Hotels: I've been fortunate to find a super nice Couchsurfing host in Kuwait city but there are also many budget-friendly or mid-range hotel options which I saw on booking.com.
🏪 AirBnb: Kuwait doesn't really have any hostels, so an option might be a room or even entire apartment aka vacation home, there are some options on airbnb.com with affordable prices.
I personally think that Kuwait is often overlooked, but it's a gem waiting to be explored.
Its blend of cultural authenticity and modern sophistication makes it a unique destination for every traveler even if it's only for a few days. Kuwait offers a slice of the Gulf life that's both enriching and affordable.
Kuwaiti locals are super nice and welcoming with lots of patience for visitors. Their warmth and hospitality have made every moment more memorable, proving that sometimes, the true essence of a place is not just in its landmarks but in the hearts of those who call it home.
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