Tourism in Kuwait
Encyclopedia
Kuwait's main landmark is the Kuwait Towers
situated near the coast of the Persian Gulf
at the lower tip of Bay of Kuwait.
The Kuwaiti culture, just like many other cultures, takes great pride in hospitality. Guests in people homes are treated with great warmth and respect. Host exhibit their polished manners and expect the same back.
Kuwaitis traditionally greet each other by shaking hands and kissing cheeks. However, men and women do not exchange more than a possible handshake to greet each other in respect unless the man and the woman are related to one another. It is also customary for people greeting each other to ask a long series of questions concerning one's health, that of their relatives, their jobs, etc., such as asking how good they are feeling in order to relax the other person and give a sense of intimacy. Usually, elders are greeted first as a sign of respect.
Kuwait’s booming economy has allowed many international hotel chains to enter agreements to open hotels in the country. According to the Kuwait Hotel Owners Association, over twenty-five new hotels are planned or in construction, including the following:
By 2012, over 3,000 rooms are expected to be added to Kuwait’s current hotel inventory.
The city is also home to a large variety of shopping malls, which serve as the basis of Kuwaiti social life. Famous malls such as the Avenues
, Marina World
and the 360 Mall house many internationally-renowned retail and food/beverage brands, as well as provide sheltered, indoor areas to relax. Several more, such as the Mall of Kuwait, the Al Hamra Center and Symphony Centre are expected to enter service within the next five years.
Kuwait Towers
The Kuwait Towers are three towers of reinforced concrete in Kuwait City. The main tower is 187 metres high and serves as a restaurant and water tower. It also has a Viewing Sphere which rises to 123 metres above sea level and completes a full turn every 30 minutes. The second tower is 145.8 metres...
situated near the coast of the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
at the lower tip of Bay of Kuwait.
The people
- Hospitality
The Kuwaiti culture, just like many other cultures, takes great pride in hospitality. Guests in people homes are treated with great warmth and respect. Host exhibit their polished manners and expect the same back.
- Greeting
Kuwaitis traditionally greet each other by shaking hands and kissing cheeks. However, men and women do not exchange more than a possible handshake to greet each other in respect unless the man and the woman are related to one another. It is also customary for people greeting each other to ask a long series of questions concerning one's health, that of their relatives, their jobs, etc., such as asking how good they are feeling in order to relax the other person and give a sense of intimacy. Usually, elders are greeted first as a sign of respect.
Weather
Museums
- Kuwait TowersKuwait TowersThe Kuwait Towers are three towers of reinforced concrete in Kuwait City. The main tower is 187 metres high and serves as a restaurant and water tower. It also has a Viewing Sphere which rises to 123 metres above sea level and completes a full turn every 30 minutes. The second tower is 145.8 metres...
- Kuwait Gates Sour Al Kuwait
- National Museum of KuwaitKuwait National MuseumThe Kuwait National Museum is the national museum of Kuwait, located in Kuwait City. It was established in 1983 and designed by architect Michel Ecochard.The museum comprises four buildings, in a rectangular plan set around a central garden.-References:...
- Marine Museum of Kuwait
- Tariq Rajab Museum in JabriyaJabriyaJabriya is located in Jabriya District in Hawalli Governorate in the country of Kuwait. It is a large suburb mainly being residential. It borders with Surra, Hawalli, Salmiya and Bayan...
, opened in 1980 - Dar El CID in JabriyaJabriyaJabriya is located in Jabriya District in Hawalli Governorate in the country of Kuwait. It is a large suburb mainly being residential. It borders with Surra, Hawalli, Salmiya and Bayan...
- Kuwait National MuseumKuwait National MuseumThe Kuwait National Museum is the national museum of Kuwait, located in Kuwait City. It was established in 1983 and designed by architect Michel Ecochard.The museum comprises four buildings, in a rectangular plan set around a central garden.-References:...
- Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Display Center
- Modern Art Museum
- Dar al Athar Al Islamiya
- Historical, Vintage, and Classical Cars Museum in Al ShuwaikhAl ShuwaikhShuwaikh is a part industrial and part rural area within the Al Asimah Governorate in the country of Kuwait. The number of Kuwait's ports and several offices reside in the area....
- Kuwait Science and Natural History MuseumKuwait Science and Natural History MuseumThe Kuwait Science and Natural History Museum is a museum in Safat, Kuwait City, Kuwait, located on Abdullah Mubarak Street. The museum explores the country's technological and scientific progress and it contains notable artifacts and demonstrations of the Petroleum industry in Kuwait, amongst the...
in Kuwait CityKuwait City-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:... - Al Turiki Museum in Al Faiha, involves antiques from kuwait throughout its history
- Bayan House in BayanBayanBayan may have the following meanings coming from various cultures* Bayan, means dawn in Kurdish language.*Bayan, the larger drum of the tabla set.* an Arabic female name meaning "clearness, eloquence."*Bayan, the Turkish word for "lady"...
, ruins of Iraq war on KuwaitGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. - The Red Fort,Jahra
- Bayan PalaceBayan PalaceBayan Palace is the main palace of the Amir of Kuwait. It is located in the Bayan area. The palace is an internationally acclaimed architectural achievement....
- Seif PalaceSeif PalaceSeif Palace is a palace in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Located opposite the Grand Mosque, one of Seif Palace’s best-known features is the watch tower, covered in blue tiles and with a roof plated in pure gold.Local materials such as clay, rocks, limestone, wood and metals were used in its...
- Al-Hashemi Marine Museum
- Sharqeya School
- Gulf WarGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
Memorial Museum in Al ShuwaikhAl ShuwaikhShuwaikh is a part industrial and part rural area within the Al Asimah Governorate in the country of Kuwait. The number of Kuwait's ports and several offices reside in the area....
Places to visit
- Grand Mosque Of KuwaitGrand Mosque (Kuwait)The Grand Mosque is the largest and the official mosque in the country of Kuwait. Its area spans , out of which the building itself covers . The main prayer hall is wide on all sides, has 21 teakwood doors, and has lighting provided by 144 windows. The dome of the mosque is in diameter and ...
- Kuwait TowersKuwait TowersThe Kuwait Towers are three towers of reinforced concrete in Kuwait City. The main tower is 187 metres high and serves as a restaurant and water tower. It also has a Viewing Sphere which rises to 123 metres above sea level and completes a full turn every 30 minutes. The second tower is 145.8 metres...
- Souq Al MubarakeyaSouq Al MubarakeyaSouq Al-Mubarakeya is a souq in Kuwait City, Kuwait. It is one of the oldest souqs in Kuwait, and was the center of trade prior to the discovery of oil....
- Kuwait Scientific CenterKuwait Scientific CenterThe Scientific Center of Kuwait, located in Salmiya, Kuwait, serves as a center for environmental education of the gulf region. Initiated by the late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, KSC spans over 80,000 square meters with the building covering over 18,000 square meters...
- Kuwait Telecommunications Tower
- Kuwait Zoo
- Sadu HouseSadu HouseSadu House is an artistic house and museum in Kuwait City, Kuwait, located near the Kuwait National Museum. It was established in 1980 to protect the interests of the Bedouins and their ethnic handicrafts, Sadu weaving, which is an embroidery form in geometrical shapes hand woven by Bedouin people...
- The Small Village (Al 'Qarya ElSagera)
- The Island of FailakaFailaka IslandFailaka Island is an island that belongs to Kuwait in the Persian Gulf. The island is 20 km off the coast of Kuwait City in the Persian Gulf. The name 'Failaka' is thought to be derived from the ancient Greek φυλάκιο - fylakio "outpost"....
, ferries go their twice a day, leave kuwait cityKuwait City-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
from Marina Mall - Snorkeling around the island of Koubar
- Sahara, Golf Resort
- Kuwait Shooting Centre
- Jal Al Zour Desert, amazing view of kuwait city with archeological features around
- Khairan Resort
- Al Babtain Arabic Poetry Library
Amusement Parks
- Entertainment City
- AL SHAAB PARK
- Marah land in Subahiya
- the 99 village Jahra
- Aqua Park
- Al mussilah
- Hawali Park
- Skating Ring
- Discovery indoor
- Green Island
Resorts
- Khairan Resort
- Al Nakheel Resort
- Sahara Resort
- Mövenpick ResortMövenpick Hotels & ResortsMövenpick Hotels & Resorts is an upscale international Swiss hotel chain. The hotels are primarily 5-star resort hotels and business/airport hotels....
- Safir Al Fintas Resort
- HiltonHilton-Companies:* Hilton Worldwide, a global hospitality company based in the United States** Hilton Hotels, an international chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide** Hilton Garden Inn, a chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide...
Mangaf
Kuwait’s booming economy has allowed many international hotel chains to enter agreements to open hotels in the country. According to the Kuwait Hotel Owners Association, over twenty-five new hotels are planned or in construction, including the following:
- Hotel Missoni KuwaitHotel Missoni KuwaitHotel Missoni Kuwait is a luxury lifestyle hotel that opened on March 1st 2011 in Kuwait's shopping and entertainment district of Salmiya. It is the second of several properties of a joint venture between the Italian fashion house, Missoni and the Rezidor Hotel Group, following the opening of the...
– now open - Golden Tulip Kuwait – opening late 2011
- Hilton Olympia KuwaitHilton Olympia KuwaitThe Hilton Olympia Kuwait is a hotel under construction, located on the Gulf Road of the district of Al Salmiya, Kuwait City, Kuwait. The hotel is set to become the 65,000 square meter headquarters of the Olympic Council of Asia and once completed will have 35 floors containing hotel and office...
– opening late 2011 - Ibis Sharq – now open
- Jumeirah Messilah Beach KuwaitJumeirah Messilah Beach KuwaitThe Jumeirah Messilah Beach Kuwait Hotel & Spa is hotel under construction in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Once completed, the hotel will have 307 rooms and suites, 80 serviced apartments and 12 chalets. The hotel will have six restaurants and lounges, a Talise spa and a 200-metre private beach and...
– opening mid-2011 - InterContinental Kuwait Downtown – opening late 2010
- InterContinental Kuwait at The White – opening early 2013
- The Square Capital Tower – opening late 2011
- Novotel Mina Abdullah Resort – opening late 2011
- Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at The Gate of Kuwait – plans are in motion to open within the next few years.
By 2012, over 3,000 rooms are expected to be added to Kuwait’s current hotel inventory.
The city is also home to a large variety of shopping malls, which serve as the basis of Kuwaiti social life. Famous malls such as the Avenues
The Avenues (Kuwait)
The Avenues mall is the largest mall and shopping center in Kuwait. It is soon to be one of the largest malls in the Middle East. It is located in the Al-Rai industrial area, along the Fifth Ring Road...
, Marina World
Marina World
Marina World is Kuwait's second largest shopping and entertainment complex, located on the beachfront in the exclusive shopping district of Salmiya...
and the 360 Mall house many internationally-renowned retail and food/beverage brands, as well as provide sheltered, indoor areas to relax. Several more, such as the Mall of Kuwait, the Al Hamra Center and Symphony Centre are expected to enter service within the next five years.
Shopping
Kuwait is a tax free country therefore one can go shopping and enjoy products from all over the world.- Malls
- Souq SharqSouq SharqThe Souq Sharq is a major shopping centre in Kuwait City, Kuwait. The centre began as a traditional souq but as the city has undergone investment has expanded into a modernized western-style shopping mall, including brands such as River Island, Next, Boots, Milano, Nokia, Zara, Primo Emporio,...
- Marina Mall
- The AvenuesThe Avenues (Kuwait)The Avenues mall is the largest mall and shopping center in Kuwait. It is soon to be one of the largest malls in the Middle East. It is located in the Al-Rai industrial area, along the Fifth Ring Road...
- 360 mall
- Bairaq
- Al Fanar
- Al Kout & Al Manshar
- Laila Gallery
- Shaha Complex
- Bustan
- Mothana
- Mubarikiyah (old kuwaiti shops)
- Al rihab
- Al Mohalab
- Kaima mall
- Souvenirs at a Friday market in Al ShuwaikhAl ShuwaikhShuwaikh is a part industrial and part rural area within the Al Asimah Governorate in the country of Kuwait. The number of Kuwait's ports and several offices reside in the area....
- Souq Sharq