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Kuwait Travel Guide

The latest travel Information on Kuwait, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Kuwait Information

Overview

Kuwait consitutes a puzzling but intriguing mix of Western liberalism and strict Islam. The capital, Kuwait City, is a bustling metropolis full of the high-rise buildings and luxury hotels. Yet the country is also host to elaborate and opulent mosques and palaces, and its religion is an integral part of its affairs.

This juxtaposition perhaps stems from Kuwait’s marrying of Islamism with oil-wealth, mostly traded with Western superpowers. Upon independence from Britain in 1961, Sheikh Abdullah assumed head of state, adopting the title of Emir. The large revenues from oil production allowed independent Kuwait to build up its economic infrastructure and institute educational and social welfare programmes.

In the early 1990s, the emir established a National Assembly (Majlis), which placed limits on the power of the ruling family. Since then, the national assembly has clashed several times with the emir and the cabinet (which is still dominated by the al-Sabah family) over misuse of state funds and poor management of the all-important oil industry. Underlying these disputes is the growing impression that the ageing and increasingly infirm al-Sabah clan is no longer capable of running the country. However, they continue to dominate Kuwaiti policies.

Surrounded by three major Middle Eastern powers, the main threat to the country came from the renewal of Iraqi territorial claims over Kuwait (along with the overdue repayment of some US$40-60 billion on the part of Iraq), which led to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The Kuwaitis later recovered their country by virtue of a US-led, UN-backed multinational military force.

After a period of euphoria, the Kuwaitis had to address a number of difficult questions; the future security of the country was dealt with by the signing of defence and security pacts with the USA, the UK and Kuwait’s Gulf allies. More recently, Kuwait was one of the first countries to join Operation Iraqi Freedom following the US-led war against Iraq, and provided aid and support during Iraq’s (ongoing) process of reconstruction.

Top Things To See & Do

Kuwait City is a bustling metropolis of high-rise office buildings, luxury hotels, wide boulevards and well-tended parks and gardens. Its most dominant landmark is Kuwait Towers, and its oldest is Seif Palace, built in 1896, the interior of which features original Islamic mosaic tilework, though these suffered badly during the Iraqi occupation. The Kuwait National Museum was also stripped of many artefacts – part of it has been renovated and is now open to the public. The Sadu House, near the museum, is made of coral and gypsum and is used as a cultural museum to protect the arts and crafts of Bedouin society. The huge Grand Mosque in the centre is also worth visiting. Liberation Tower, the symbol of Kuwaiti liberation, is one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world. Visitors can travel 150m (492ft) up to the revolving obervation tower and restaurant.

A port with many old dhows, Failakai Island can be reached by regular ferry services. There are also some Bronze Age and Greek archaeological sites well worth viewing, including the island’s Greek temple. Traditional-style boums and sambuks (boats) are still built in Al Jahrah, although, nowadays, vessels are destined to work as pleasure boats rather than pearl fishing or trading vessels. Mina Al Ahmadi, lying 19km (12 miles) south of Kuwait City, is an oil port with immense jetties for supertanker traffic. The Oil Display Centre pays homage to the work of the Kuwait Oil Company.

Many of Kuwait’s sea clubs ofer a wide variety of facilities and activities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beaches, tennis courts, gyms, bowling and even karate.

Sailing and scuba-diving are available. Powerboating is a Kuwaiti passion. Horse riding clubs flourish in the winter.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

There is a good choice of restaurants serving a wide choice of international and Arab cuisine. Prices are reasonable.

Things to know: Alcohol is totally prohibited in Kuwait.

National specialities:
• Hummus.
• Falafel.
• Foul.
• Meat or fish marag (meat is first fried or boiled and then combined with other ingredients such as spices where they are steamed together in a large pot).
• Aish (Arabic flat bread).

Tipping: A service charge of 15% is usually added to bills in hotels, restaurants and clubs. Otherwise 10% is acceptable.

Nightlife

Several cinemas in Kuwait City show recent films. There are several theatres which often put on excellent productions.

Shopping

Numerous large shopping complexes have recently been built. The Souk Sharp Complex is an extensive centre near the waterfront in Kuwait City, and contains Western chain stores as well as Kuwaiti shops. Other centres include the Al-Fanar Shopping Centre and the Leila Gallery. Boutiques and small general stores in Kuwait City sell all the basic and most luxury goods.

Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0900-1300 and 1630-2100, Fri 1530-2030.

Climate

Kuwait shares European weather patterns but is hotter and drier. Summers (April to October) are hot and humid with very little rain. Winters (November to March) are cool with limited rain. Springs are cool and pleasant.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Islamic New Year.
25 Feb National Day.
26 Feb Liberation Day.
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
30 Jul Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Jan Islamic New Year.
25 Feb National Day.
26 Feb Liberation Day.
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
20 Jul Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Note

(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) If a holiday falls on a Friday, a day is given in lieu.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: No

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

Medical insurance is essential. Both private and government health services are available.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Kuwait Dinar (KWD) = 1,000 fils. Notes are in denominations of KWD20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 and 250 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 fils.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Sun-Thurs 0800-1200/1230.

Passport/Visa

British