Kuwait is a small, oil-rich emirate at the northwestern tip of the Persian Gulf — bordered by Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. With a population of around 4.8 million (of whom roughly 70% are expatriates), Kuwait is one of the world's wealthiest nations per capita and one of the least visited by Western tourists. That gap between wealth and tourist visibility makes it genuinely interesting to explore.
Is Kuwait Safe for Tourists?
Kuwait is one of the safest countries in the Middle East for foreign visitors. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare; the country has no significant domestic terrorism problem and a well-resourced police infrastructure. The UK FCDO and US State Department both rate Kuwait as "normal precautions" — the lowest risk tier. The main practical safety consideration is the heat: Kuwait City regularly exceeds 50°C in July and August, making outdoor activity genuinely dangerous in midday summer hours. October through March is the optimal visiting window.
What to See in Kuwait City
Kuwait City's most iconic structure is the Kuwait Towers — three slender towers on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf, built in 1979, with a rotating restaurant and observation deck in the largest sphere. They became internationally famous as one of the few buildings to survive structural damage in the Iraqi occupation (1990–91) and reconstruction relatively intact. The towers are a 20-minute walk from the old souk district.
The Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Kabir) is one of the largest in the Gulf and open to non-Muslim visitors during specific visiting hours — modest dress covering arms and legs is required, and women must cover their hair. The mosque's interior is genuinely magnificent: Italian marble floors, an enormous central chandelier, and a capacity of 10,000 worshippers. Entry is free.
The Kuwait National Museum holds the most comprehensive collection of Islamic and pre-Islamic artefacts from the Gulf region, as well as the painfully documented exhibit on the Iraqi occupation — including objects looted from the museum itself and later recovered. It is the most historically substantive attraction in the city.
The Souk Mubarakiya in the heart of old Kuwait City is the country's oldest surviving market — a labyrinth of covered lanes selling spices, frankincense, gold jewellery, electronics, and traditional Kuwaiti dishdashas. The food stalls serve mutabbaq (stuffed flatbread), fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice, and Kuwaiti saffron coffee at prices that seem absurdly low relative to the country's overall wealth.
Kuwaiti Food: What to Eat
Kuwaiti cuisine is built around rice, lamb, fish, and a spice palette influenced by Persian, Indian, and Bedouin cooking traditions. The national dish is machboos — a slow-cooked rice dish (similar to biryani) made with lamb, chicken, or fish, seasoned with loomi (dried lime), black pepper, cardamom, and rosewater, served with tomato sauce and yoghurt. Harees (a porridge of wheat and lamb) and qabout (a lamb stew) are prevalent in traditional Kuwaiti homes. The country's seafood — grouper, hammour, shrimp from the Gulf — is exceptional; the restaurant district on the corniche serves some of the freshest Gulf fish in the region.
Practical Information
- Visa: Most Western nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or e-visa. Check current requirements as they are updated periodically.
- Currency: Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) — at approximately $3.26 per dinar, one of the world's highest-value currencies. ATMs are widespread; credit cards accepted everywhere except small souk vendors.
- Alcohol: Kuwait is a dry country — alcohol is illegal to import, sell, or consume. This is one of the strictest alcohol policies among Gulf states and is uniformly enforced.
- Dress: Not as strict as Saudi Arabia. Western clothing is acceptable in malls and hotels. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is recommended in souks, mosques, and government areas.
- Getting around: Taxis and ride-hail apps (Careem, Lyft) are the primary options; Kuwait has no metro system. The city is extremely car-dependent and distances between attractions are significant.
- Best time to visit: November through February — temperatures 15–25°C, occasional rain, and the outdoor corniche and souk areas are at their most pleasant.
The Iraqi Occupation — A History That Shapes Everything
On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait for seven months until the US-led coalition liberated the country in February 1991. The occupation left enormous physical damage — the Iraqis set fire to 700 oil wells on withdrawal, creating an environmental catastrophe that took over a year to extinguish — and profound psychological scars that remain present in Kuwaiti national identity. The Liberation Tower (the tall communications tower visible from across the city) was built as a direct symbol of reconstruction and independence after liberation. Understanding this history contextualises Kuwait's close relationship with the United States, its foreign policy instincts, and the cultural significance that Kuwaitis place on national resilience and sovereignty.