A Woman’s Guide To Kuwait Travel

Not surprisingly “Where is Kuwait?” is one of the first questions potential visitors ask about this country.

Kuwait sits at the tip of the Persian Gulf and borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia, a geographically small country with a population of around 4.5 million, of whom some 70% are foreign workers. A welcoming country with a long and rich history, it is one of the most progressive in terms of women’s rights in the Gulf region.

Kuwait isn’t necessarily at the top of everyone’s bucket list – most people who hear the name Kuwait think of oil or war.

Yet Kuwait has a rich and diverse history. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was an important port, boat building and pearling center.

Kuwait City

Once known as the ‘Marseille of the Persian Gulf’, it was a thriving cosmopolitan place. Kuwait’s trading wealth declined during the Great Depression when demand for goods and pearls fell, combined with trade blockades. But those ill fortunes revived with a vengeance with the discovery of oil, turning the country into the world’s largest oil exporter

Kuwait war - destroyed buildings
While Kuwait has mostly rebuilt from its war with Iraq, some signs remain

Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 followed an oil dispute between Kuwait and its much larger neighbour: it was quick and came as a surprise, as Kuwait had supported Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war.

Nearly every family lost at least one member during the war, which had a lasting impact on the country. Almost half the population fled and it took the second Iraq war launched from Kuwait in 2003 and the subsequent death of Saddam Hussein in 2006 before people felt they could rebuild.

Today, Kuwait is the fourth richest country in the world.

VISIT KUWAIT TO EXPERIENCE AN OFFBEAT DESTINATION

With its gleaming towers, five-star hotels and high-end shopping malls, it is difficult to imagine Iraqi tanks once roamed the streets although if you look carefully, you’ll still see a few bullet holes on older buildings.

A younger generation of Kuwaitis have turned the city into an urban hub of boutique restaurants and designer shopping areas, but that’s not to say there isn’t plenty of culture and history to discover, not to mention the striking skyline and sunsets.

That doesn’t mean there is no poverty in Kuwait – most of it is concentrated among foreign workers, who are often underpaid or living in difficult circumstances, having possibly been dismissed from their jobs but too poor to leave.

IS KUWAIT SAFE FOR WOMEN?

Kuwait is perfectly safe for solo western women, as long as they dress appropriately (which means covering shoulders and knees) and stick to the more populated areas.

Beyond expat neighborhoods, however, women on their own will receive stares – simply because they are female.

A common ploy is to approach women driving cars and slip a mobile number through a window.

Kuwait is very liberal in terms of clothing – many Kuwaiti women, especially younger ones, do not cover up with a black abaya and wear Western clothes and a headscarf. They will, however, wear long sleeves and keep their legs covered, although those clothes may be quite tight fitting. 

It is a good idea to always have a pashmina or scarf handy – you never know when you may feel the need to cover up more modestly. Indoor air-conditioning can be brutal and an extra layer will come in handy; plus, winters can be surprisingly cool.

When asking “Is Kuwait dangerous?”, you’ll undoubtedly be advised to avoid Hawally or Kuwait City at night. While safety itself is not an issue, foreign men (single or living far from their families) hang about in groups and may stare uncomfortably.

Jahra, the embassy quarter, for some reason has quite a high crime rate and is best avoided.

THINGS TO DO IN KUWAIT

While the country may be modest in size, there is plenty to do and see in Kuwait!

Grand Mosque

Every country in the region has a grand mosque and the one in Kuwait is splendid and welcoming, with beautiful architecture – a perfect venue for those who want to experience Islamic culture. Free guided tours are available through the Aware Center or the WPIC Kuwait Grand Mosque Tours. If you’re visiting Kuwait during Ramadan, be aware that the gardens and streets around the mosque will be transformed to accommodate thousands of people praying.

Kuwait Towers

Located in downtown Kuwait City right next to the gulf, these water towers were inaugurated in 1979 and are a piece of Kuwait architectural history, as well as a symbol of the country. They suffered substantial damage during the Iraq-Kuwait war and their renovation and re-opening was a moment of national pride.

Covered in blue, green and grey metal discs, you can access the revolving platform for a panoramic view of the city along the coast – it takes 30 minutes for the upper tower to turn 360 degrees, and you can eat while it revolves.

The best time to experience the towers is on a clear day, at sunset, as the call to prayer reverberates across the city.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center

This is the largest cultural center and opera house in the Middle East, a platform for educational and cultural exchange. It has hosted a variety of shows with noted celebrities from Sting to The Illusionist. In gardens within the grounds, fountains perform to music, and you can watch from the selection of cafés and restaurants that overlook them. 

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center

This is the world’s largest museum complex and its 18 hectares are made up of the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Arabic Islamic Science Museum, Fine Arts Center and the external spaces known as the Public Realm. 

Bait Al Othman Museum

This excellent museum depicts Kuwait through the years, from pre-oil days to the present, with plenty of historical items and antiques.

Mirror House

This is one of Kuwait’s iconic attractions, a house completely covered in mirror mosaics, inside and out. The Mirror House can be visited by appointment only as it is a private home and tours are conducted by a member of the Qattan family. The Lidia al-Qattan, the Italian-born artist who created the house’s unique appearance, got the idea when her young daughter broke a mirror. She started by decorating a small cabinet, but when her husband – also a renowned artist – saw what she had done, he began bringing glass back from his trips abroad and so the house – described as quirky and even a little crazy – began its journey. Expect to sit for tea and learn about the history of the country,  family, art and the artists’ methods.

Al Qurain Martyrs Museum

This moving war museum in the Al-Qarain district is located in the building where Kuwaiti resistance fighters took their last stand against the Iraq invasion forces. The building is of historical importance to Kuwait and worth a visit, especially if you are interested in what happened during the war. 

Sadu House

Sadu House is a historic home that has been turned into a small museum about Bedouin life in the desert, in particular the textile and weaving tradition in Kuwait. Ideal for a glimpse into Bedouin life, with activities, workshops and talks. 

Camel racing in Kuwait

You’ll probably never see anything like this again: camel racing with a remote-controlled jockey! Every Saturday from November to March, the races take place, with the mechanical jockeys controlled from a vehicle hurtling along the dirt track alongside the camel track, a welcome replacement for the child jockeys who were once used. The entire event is quite exciting to watch, with each camel has its own vehicle. (You can see them in action on this Youtube video.)

The outdoors in Kuwait City

A favorite pastime is to take a boat trip from which you can gaze at the skyline from the sea (you can catch boat at the marina next to Sultan Restaurant).

Shaheed Park features beautiful botanical gardens, two museums, a theatre, a visitors center, lake, walkways and jogging tracks. 

DAY TRIPS FROM KUWAIT: TOURISM BEYOND THE CITY

A popular day trip is to Failaka Island, which you can tour or spend the night in traditional housing or simply relax on the beach. The island was destroyed during the Iraqi invasion and has abandoned homes, cars and buildings with bullet and missile holes. Families escaped in a hurry – some with dinner still on the table – but never returned. An archaeological dig now underway has uncovered signs of an ancient civilization. To reach the island, take one of the several boat companies from the marina side of Marina Mall.

Another popular day trip is to the desert, where locals often go camping and a few agencies have started offering short tours.

Kuwait desert - camel wandering
It’s easy to take a day trip to the desert from Kuwait City

WHAT TO EAT IN KUWAIT

Kuwaiti food is largely similar to what you’ll find elsewhere in the region, and you’ll find everything from local street food to five-star luxury to – if you’re really stuck – a Macdonald’s on nearly every corner. And, most people deliver. 

A standard staple is shawarma, a shaved meat wrap loved by Kuwaitis. You’ll find hundreds scattered throughout Kuwait City and you’ll find a good one at the back of Marina Mall. Falafel, too, is another great staple. Hamour is a local fish and cooked in a variety of ways.

Kuwait food and that of the other middle eastern countries is very similar and much of it is strongly influenced by Lebanese cuisine. A great drink is lemon with mint, delicious and freshly made.

Freij Swaileh is one of the top Kuwaiti restaurants for Kuwaiti food – you’ll sit on the floor and eat machboos (meat with rice) with your hands. Babel is a famous Lebanese restaurant on the Gulf Road in Salmiya, with fabulous food – tabbouleh, mouttabal and grilled meat  – and at least as fabulous a view. Al Boom specializes in steak and seafood and while the food is great, it is the location that makes this place a unique experience: it is located inside a traditional Arabic dhow. Marouj is a relatively new concept in Kuwait – an open-air food court. Located off the 6th Ring Road next to 360 Mall, on the way to the airport, it is home to some fantastic restaurants.

Kuwaiti food - shawarma
Kuwaiti food is broadly similar to food in other Middle Eastern countries

SHOPPING IN KUWAIT

For a taste of traditional shopping, head to Souq Mubarakiya, Kuwait’s old souk, where you’ll find an array of handicrafts or satisfy your hunger with a traditional Kuwaiti dinner of rice and chicken. Practice your bargaining skills – no one will be offended. In fact, it’s expected.

In November and December, several Christmas markets offer Arabian-themed gifts and Christmas decorations, including camels to hang on your Christmas tree.

Not everyone wants to go to a mall while on holiday but if you want to a taste of modern culture in Kuwait, then the mall is where you’ll find it. That’s where local people will be.

Kuwait’s biggest shopping mall is The Avenues, with styles from The Souk, a traditional marketplace, to high-end designer shops, not to mention restaurants from Kuwaiti cuisine to a Cheesecake Factory. A smaller one is Marina Mall and Crescent in Salmiya, a delightful vantage point with restaurants and coffee shops overlooking the marina.

While there are some traditional handicrafts, most souvenirs are of a mundane kind – salt and pepper shakers shaped like a man in traditional dress and women in a veil, or little camels made from camel leather, Arabian style boxes and prayer beads. You can even leave with your own copy of the Kuwait Towers or fridge magnets!

*Amanda Settle is a travel writer and blogger who spent several years living in Kuwait.

KUWAIT TRAVEL RESOURCES

Visas for Kuwait

The Kuwait visa situation is changing. Until recently, just about everyone had to apply for a visa through a Kuwaiti embassy. Now, visas for citizens of a number of countries are available online. Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) may enter without a visa, and foreign GCC residents can apply online for a Kuwait visa, whether their country is eligible for an online visa or not.

Best time to visit Kuwait

There’s no avoiding it – Kuwait is hot, especially at certain times of the year. The best way to avoid the extreme heat is to visit between October and April, when the milder temperatures allow you to explore the country rather than lie about in a heat-induced stupor.

A few basic customs

You won’t find pork or alcohol in Kuwait as they are banned by law. Drunken behavior is also an offence so even if you are offered an alcoholic drink, be wary.

Carry your passport at all times. Police in search of illegal immigrants often randomly check vehicles but you have nothing to worry about –  just make sure you have your ID with you.

Cheap flights to Kuwait

Well…there aren’t many. It’s not a highly trafficked destination so yes, you’ll have to pay a bit of a premium to get there. Your best bet is to use a flight comparison engine to get the cheapest prices. North Americans get a bit of a break – it costs about the same to fly to Kuwait from New York as it does from London!

Hotels in Kuwait City tend to be expensive; booking.com has a range that includes a few budget options.

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Guest Contribution by Amanda Settle.

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