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🇰🇼Things to Do in Kuwait
From the Kuwait Towers on the Gulf to the stalls of Souk Al-Mubarakiya - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.
Travel guide - last updated September 2026
Kuwait sees relatively few leisure tourists compared to Dubai or Doha, and much of what draws visitors is Kuwait City itself - a modern Gulf skyline built quickly on oil wealth, with a historic covered market at its center that predates the oil era entirely. Here are 4 places worth building a trip around.
Top attractions
The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.
Kuwait Towers
Three water towers on the Gulf coast, the tallest of which holds a rotating observation deck - Kuwait City's most recognizable landmark, especially when lit up at night.
📍 Kuwait City
🚉 Kuwait City has no metro or rail: city buses run along the Arabian Gulf Street to the towers, and taxis or ride apps are what most visitors use for the 3km from the centre.
Grand Mosque, Kuwait City
The largest mosque in Kuwait, with a dome that can be seen across much of the city - guided tours are available for non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.
📍 Kuwait City
🚉 The mosque is beside the Seif Palace in the centre, a short taxi ride from Souk Al-Mubarakiya - free guided tours for non-Muslim visitors are booked in advance.
Souk Al-Mubarakiya
A historic covered market predating Kuwait's oil-era development, selling spices, textiles and traditional Kuwaiti food in a maze of narrow lanes.
📍 Kuwait City
🚉 The souk is in the middle of Kuwait City, walkable from the Sharq waterfront and served by several city bus routes along Abdullah Al-Salem Street.
Tareq Rajab Museum
A private museum of Islamic art and artifacts spanning over a thousand years, considered one of the finest specialized collections in the Gulf region.
📍 Kuwait City
🚉 The museum is in Jabriya, a residential district about 15 minutes by taxi from central Kuwait City - there is no useful bus route, and it is easy to miss as it sits below a house.
Mark Kuwait, get the stamp
In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.
Open MyPassportStoryPlanning questions
How many days do you need in Kuwait?
2-3 days covers Kuwait City's main sights well - it works comfortably as a short stopover rather than requiring a dedicated week-long trip.
What's the best time to visit Kuwait?
November-March has comfortable, warm-not-scorching temperatures. Summer (June-September) regularly passes 45°C (113°F), pushing most activity indoors.
Is Kuwait good for a first-time visit?
Yes - Kuwait City is modern and easy to navigate, though it's worth knowing Kuwait maintains stricter alcohol laws than some Gulf neighbors (alcohol is not sold or served anywhere in the country).
Do I need a visa to visit Kuwait?
Many nationalities, including the US, UK, EU and Australia, can apply for an e-visa online or get one on arrival for short tourist stays. Check the official visa information for your nationality: moi.gov.kw.
What are some things to do in Kuwait on a tight budget?
Walking Souk Al-Mubarakiya and viewing the Kuwait Towers from outside costs nothing, local Kuwaiti and Middle Eastern food at the souk is inexpensive, and the Tareq Rajab Museum charges modest entry.
Can I rent a car in Kuwait, and what licence do I need?
Yes, and with no metro and limited buses, it is the practical way to move around. Visitors may drive on a foreign licence accompanied by an International Driving Permit for the length of a tourist visit; residents must obtain a Kuwaiti licence. Minimum age is generally 21 to 25 with a credit card for the deposit. Traffic is fast and accident rates are high, so defensive driving matters, and speed cameras are common on the ring roads. Official rules are published by the Ministry of Interior at moi.gov.kw.