Where Minds Meet
Historical beachside entertainment. A great place for today’s children to experience pre-modern entertainment activities. Relax, observing the sea, drinking traditional tea or coffee, whilst the children play. The row of local handicraft shops are also well worth a visit.
Entrance: free
In 1980, Tareq Rajab decided to present his personal collection to the public. Tareq Rajab's collection included Islamic arts treasures of ceramics, gold and silver jewelry, Qurans, metal and glass works, costumes from all over the Arab world and musical instruments. The number of items in his personal collection is over thirty thousand items of these Islamic treasures. Currently, the museum displays a collection of ten thousand items to the public.
Due to an ever increasing collection, its sister museum, Tareq Rajab Islamic Calligraphy Museum opened just round the corner. Containing several Kiswah (Ka’aba door coverings) and a vast collection of Islamic Calligraphy from Spain to China.
A drive away, out near the Salmi Boarder post, you will find the Sheikh Sabah Village, which was established to provide a sense of national unity and coherence of the Gulf States. The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) has established six museums, one for each member country to display its heritage, culture and traditions. Opportunities for camel, horse and donkey rides as well as a variety of games and competitions are also held there, such as for camels, sheep, hawks and archery.
Established in 1897 by and for Sheikh Mubarak as an office and Diwaniya so that he could be close to his people as well as supervise the dealings of the souk. Although small, this museum is worth a visit. Underneath, on the ground floor is the Islamic Pharmacy Museum. Again, although small it showcases the history of medicine in early 20th Century Kuwait. Located in Souk Mubarakiya.
Entrance: free
Informally known as Kuwait’s Opera House. This Cultural center houses a fantastic Opera House consists of five halls; Concert Hall, Drama Theatre, National Theatre, Recital Hall & Studio Theatre. Not to forget that in its gardens are restaurants and musical fountains.
Entrance: free to the musical fountains
Opened in 2018, the Cultural Centre consists of 5 main attractions - Aquarium, Natural History, Science & Technology, Islamic Science & Space. Consisting of 23 galleries with over 800 exhibits, this modern hands-on interactive museum has fun and exciting exhibits to thoroughly engage its visitors.
The Scientific Center have three main fascinating attractions, which are: Aquarium, Discovery Place and IMAX Cinema. The Aquarium presents an ecosystem of desert, sea, and coastal edge. Visitors to the Aquarium explore the lives of beings and animals in their environments. When entering the Discovery Place, visitors gain scientific experience through educational games. Highly specialized trainers guide visitors through hand-on playful training. At the IMAX Cinema, you can watch 3D educational and documentary presentations.
Sadu is the traditional Bedouin art of weaving geometric designs, spun by hand with dyed and colored wool to create magnificent carpets, rugs, and Bedouin tent screens. It is considered the center of Bedouin art aiming at presenting Kuwait's roots and protecting Bedouin crafts from obliteration. Sadu House is located near the National Museum on Gulf St.
Entrance: free
Built in 1898 as a summer palace, its primary purpose was as defense of the agriculture in Jahra. In 1920 a famous battle was fought there. Today, this desolate fort is a museum to Kuwait’s past.
Entrance: free
The Al Qurain Martyrs Museum is the house that witnessed a 10-hour battle between Kuwaiti Resistance and the Iraqi troops in February 1991. The house, now a museum, stands for freedom and the lost lives of freedom fighters. Left unchanged, you can see the ruined remains from the battle.
This former Police Station opened in 2014 dedicated to the history of Kuwait’s Police. This small, museum is located just off the Gulf Street in Bneid Al Gar. Outside are a variety of Police patrol cars as well as a bomb disposal robot. Inside the five rooms, holding hundreds of items are displays of Police tools and equipment including a variety of guns and swords as well as the different uniforms worn since the 1930’s. Also includes a mini-crime lab with forensic entomology and fingerprinting.
Entrance: free
When visiting the National Museum, you can view thousands of items on display, such as ancient fossils, bones, Islamic artifacts, flint and pottery tools. All these displays and more are a glimpse on the culture, heritage and history of the Kuwaiti society as well as the Islamic world. The Kuwait National Museum is located on Gulf Street between Seif Palace and the National Assembly (Parliament).
Dedicated to the history of education in Kuwait, Mubarakiya School Museum showcases the teachers and pupils who were educated there since it opened as Kuwait’s first school with 254 pupils on December 22, 1911. The school was built from money collected by various donors and citizens. Education was free, however, a onetime enrollment fee of 2 Rupees was charged for “well – off” students, 1 Rupee for middle class & free for poor students.
Entrance: free
Re-opened in 2003 it’s located in an old school just behind the Maritime Museum on Gulf Street, opposite Souk Sharq. It hosts an exquisite collection of modern Arab and international art.
Entrance: free
A totally unique private house decorated with mirror, inside and out, by the owner and artist Lidia Al-Qattan. Also known as the Khalifa & Lidia Qattan Art Museum. A showcase for both Kahlifa and his Italian wife, Lidia, being pioneer artists in their field. Lidia began transforming the house into her fantastic work of art in 1966 and it was completed in 2006. Tours by appointment.
A small museum located on Gulf Street, opposite Souk Sharq. Easily found due to the three large Dhows outside, its dedicated to Kuwait’s maritime history. With displays of its seafaring days including items such as wooden nose pegs and woolen suits, worn as protection against jellyfish by pearl divers.
Entrance: free
Since its establishment, Kuwait zoo has gathered animals from all over the world. The zoo is located in Omariya on the Airport Road.
You will never forget the magnificent view for Kuwait City from Kuwait Towers. It has a fantastic panoramic view of the City. In 1980, Kuwait Towers won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which is one of the most prestigious awards. The towers are distinguished by their panoramic view that revolves 360 degree. There is also a restaurant. Kuwait Towers are located on Gulf Street.
Opened in 1965 to explain the story of Kuwait’s oil discovery, giving visitors information about the company and oil production. Developed several times, after its latest transformation it is now called The Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition. Named after Kuwait’s 10th ruler who served as Emir from 1921 – 1950, during which time the birth of Kuwait’s Oil industry began. As well as covering the oil industry it includes a section dedicated to the biggest environmental disaster which was caused by the Iraqi regime when they set Kuwait’s oil wells alight. Book a tour through its website.
Entrance: free
Opened in 2010 with the main aim to document and provide a focus for the history of automobiles in Kuwait by preserving vehicles linked with Kuwait’s history. A collection of over 35 historic and classic motor vehicles.
Opened in 1988, the first artificial island in the Arabian Gulf. It includes an amphitheater that can place up to 700 persons. Concerts and theater shows are held there quite frequently. Green Island is located on Gulf Street.
Kuwait’s Grand Mosque is the only Mosque in Kuwait open for tours and has become one of Kuwait’s top attractions. Opened in 1986, it is a community center as well as a mosque with a variety of events held regularly. Its main prayer hall hold 10,000 people.
Entrance: free
Failaka Island is one of the most gorgeous and famous historical islands in Kuwait. It combines the ancient and the modern history of Kuwait. The island is rich of cultural and historical landmarks from different ages, especially from the end of the third millennium B.C. till the modern age. Hence, Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) runs ferry trips every day from Ras Salmiya to Failaka Island.
This is the house of the first British political agent in Kuwait. The house was built in 1870 for a Kuwaiti merchant before the Dickson’s moved to it in 1929. However, after the invasion, the Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature restored the house and opened it for visitors. Today, the building is one of the very few manifestations of the 19th century Kuwaiti architecture. It is located on the Gulf Street, right across from the Dhow Harbor.
Entrance: free
An active dhow harbor used by traditional fishing dhows is located next to the fish market by Souq Sharq in Kuwait City.
The Dar Al Athar Al-Islamiyyah is a cultural organization based around the private art collection owned by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al Sabah al Ahmed Al-Sabah, the founder along with his wife of The Al-Sabah Collection. A collection of more than 20,000 items of rare Islamic art.
Located on the Gulf Street at the old Americani Hospital as well as this collection there is also a small section dedicated to when it was the first hospital in Kuwait. The gift shop has some unique gift items.
Entrance: free
Saturday afternoons during the winter season are when you can discover the Camel Races. Held at its club in Kabed, it is free and open to the public. You can either watch the whole race from the pavilion or go out close to the finish line to see the camels as they approach the end of the race.
Entrance: free
Three large glass domes containing a wide variety of tropical plants in the middle of a large garden. However, it is only open to public on Thursday mornings.
Entrance: Kuwaiti – 2 KD ; Non-Kuwaiti- 3 KD
Opened in 2013, Bait Al-Othman Museum is the house of Al-Othman family, who have turned this maze of a house into a Museum displaying Kuwait’s history and culture from pre-oil to the present.
The imposing Arab Organizations Head Quarters building is in daily use as offices for four organizations. However, it is possible to get a tour of its conference facilities upon request. These facilities include a variety of rooms decorated in traditional Middle Eastern styles such as the Egyptian Room, Syrian Room and Tunisian Room etc. A virtual tour is available on its website.
Entrance: free
The largest urban park in Kuwait. You will discover as you walk around various sculptures, the miniature villages of old and modern Kuwait. As well as The Habitat Museum & Thekra Museum there are musical fountains. As no picnicking is allowed, there are several restaurants and cafes. Also a variety of events are held, particularly over the winter months. Located on the outskirts of Kuwait City.
Opened in 2019, Al-Salaam Palace Museum showcases Kuwait’s history through the eyes of the fifteen rulers of Kuwait. Includes a Gift shop. Tours must be booked in advance through its website.
Located in Al-Khiran District, Al-Khiran Resort is about 120 kilometers away from Kuwait City. It has a total number of 196 chalets. There are two swimming pools, one fresh water, the other filled with salty water. For sports such as tennis, football, volleyball and basketball courts are available. The resort also includes a yacht club. There is also an entertainment city for children including a computer and video games hall.
As you approach the Radisson Blu hotel you can’t help but notice the Al Hashemi II, the largest dhow in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Although it is used as a conference / banqueting facility, when not in use, it is possible to go inside this beautiful wooden dhow. Next-door is a small dhow museum, which includes several large miniature dhows as well as a Viking boat.