Kuwait: A Country in Middle East Asia Famous for Hot Sand Dunes and Stunning Cityscape

Photo by Eyef Dee/shutterstock

Kuwait: A Country in Middle East Asia Famous for Hot Sand Dunes and Stunning Cityscape

Kuwait is an Arabian country located on the on the Persian Gulf. This Arabian gem is a mixture of Western liberalism and traditional Islamic culture. However, religion is its integral part of daily life.

Kuwait holds some very strict rules and travelers need to be wary of them so as to not offend the locals. These rules may also involve dress code for the women travelers.

The best season to travel is during spring when the weather is cool and pleasant. Other numerous attractions such as excellent museums, modern shopping complexes, and marinas can be found in Kuwait. These are some of the common travel spots that are frequently visited.

table of contents

[x] close

Kuwait: A Country in Middle East Asia Famous for Hot Sand Dunes and Stunning Cityscape

1. Grand Mosque (Kuwait City)

Photo by www.istockphoto.com

The Grand Mosque, locally referred to as Al-Masjid Al-Kabir is located in the heart of Kuwait City, it is the largest mosque in Kuwait covering a total area of 46,000 square meters.

This Mosque can accommodate up to 12,000 worshippers both in the main hall and the courtyard. Making it the official mosque of Kuwait and all official religious celebrations are held here. The Grand Mosque has become one of Kuwait's most treasured sightseeing landmarks due to its international recognition from Its Islamic architecture.

They offer a free 5 pm English excursions every day. There is a special gathering area where you will be picked by a guide. The best time for sightseeing around the mosque if on Friday during Jomaa prayers. You get to enjoy the rituals and activities.

2. Kuwait Towers (Kuwait City)

Photo by www.istockphoto.com

The Kuwait Towers comprises of three narrow towers with their distinctive blue-green sequins. The tallest of the three rises to a height of 187 meters. This tower also has a two-level revolving observation deck a cafe and a gift shop. Making it an ideal sightseeing spot.

The lower globe on the tallest tower is used as a water reservoir. The middle tower is also used for water storage, while the smallest tower is used to supply electricity for some areas in Kuwait City and the two major towers.

An entry ticket to visit the towers is very cheap costing about KWT 3 per person. Evenings/night visits offer awe-inspiring views as the lights on the orbs keep on changing.

3. Tareq Rajab Museum (Kuwait City)

The Tareq Rajab Museum is situated underneath a large residential home. It has a vast collection of items for sightseeing that have been collected over the last fifty years. The Tareq Rajab museum was a private Islamic art collection assembled by Kuwait’s first minister of antiquities and his British wife.

The building is easily identified by its unique entrance that features a carved wooden doorway flanked by two smaller doors on each side. Entry to the museum is just 2 KD per person, that is payable on entry. The museum is open all through the week however, the timings are morning and evening only and mornings only for Friday.

4. Kuwait National Museum (Kuwait City)

The Kuwait National Museum is comprised of four sections, Planetarium, The Kuwait Heritage Museum, Archaeological Museum and Boom Al Mouhallab.

Only part of the museum is open to the public for sightseeing as it has been under reconstruction for the past decade. Though entrance is free, there isn’t much to see despite a few archaeological finds and some displays of sextants and colonial-era gramophones showing a small part of the history of Kuwait. The museum is also flexible as not many tourists frequent the site since the constructions began.

The museum is not easily spotted as there are no signs on the building but you may take Buses 12 and 16 from the main bus station as they stop only a few blocks from the museum complex.

5. Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre (Kuwait City)

Photo by CamelKW

The Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center is built to host cultural events like music concerts, Opera, Theater and other festivals. The center contains several theatrical halls, such as the opera and drama theatres. The center also hosts about 17 restaurants so you are able to enjoy your meal as you enjoy the musical waters.

The Dancing Fountain Shows occur every half hour starting at 2 pm which lasts for 2 minutes. Entrance to Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center is free and is open to everyone. Evening/Night views are spectacular as you get to see the waters in an array of colors making a beautiful spectrum. You may also choose to walk along the ocean if you do not fancy the dancing water shows.

6. Bait Al Outhman Museum (Hawally)

This museum used to be the house and office of Mr. Abdullah Al-Othman, where he lived with his family. It was only converted into a museum a few years back and opened to the general public.

Bait Al-Outhman museum has a great overview of Kuwait history from military to Bedouin life it is also filled with beautifully renovated rooms and historical artefacts.

Entry to the museum is not free but it's quite cheap charged at 1 KD only at the door. There is no time limit for your pass so you get to spend as long as you want roaming inside.

A brochure is given alongside the tickets explaining about the museum and its history with a museum map on the back.

7. Mirror House (Kuwait City)

The mirror house, also called, The Khalifa & Lidia Qattan Art Museum, is the Only House in the World entirely covered with Mirror Mosaic by a single artist.

Lidia Qattan, the artist, and creator of the Mirror House resides in the mirror house with her husband, Khalifa Qattan who is also an artist. She Still gives personal tours of her magical house, which is, in reality, a wonderful exploration.

The house can be visited by appointment only and entrance fees paid online prior to making the visits.Any day of the week is acceptable apart from Monday. Another restriction is for the ladies, high heels are not allowed due to the fragile nature of glass.

8. 360 Mall (Zahra)

360 Mall derived its name from the fact that it is made of glass in a circular shape representing a 360 degrees angle. It offers high standards of luxury, comfort, best food & entertainment under one roof. Various brand stores can be found within 360 mall that cannot be found in the avenues. Its hypermarket is located in the basement.

Another addition is the presence of a movie cinema that offers movies from 2d to IMAX. The food court is rather small yet slightly diversified even having an African restaurant that serves really great steak! It may sound like your typical mall but its architecture speaks for itself.

9. The Avenues (Kuwait City)

The Avenues mall is the largest shopping center in Kuwait or the larger middle east, it almost feels like four malls put into one. As the name suggests, the architectural design really resembles avenues. One basically walks in a longitudinal direction, under a transparent covering of the roof resembling an "open sky ".

It features various stores from budget to high-end stores alongside restaurants and kids fun areas. There are no language barriers as most of the shopkeepers and sales staff are Filipino so almost everyone speaks English.

As parking is free, it can get a bit crowded so do try the basement if you choose to hire a car.

◎ Closing

Kuwait generally does not market itself as a tourist destination as it does not have a long checklist of sights to see but it is still fascinating. Prices are not so hiked for tourists as well making it an ideal place to visit regardless of the season. However, it is best to note that winter is the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant.

RELATED ARTICLES

REGIONS

CATEGORIES

FEATURED ON Kuwait

MOST POPULAR ON Kuwait