Famous for all the wrong reasons, Kuwait is now back on track and is attracting
tourism like never before. The commercial export of crude oil makes the destination
one of the richest in the world on a per capita basis and this has enabled
rapid recovery following the war.
Kuwait has sovereignty over nine islands in Gulf waters, the largest of which
is Bubiyan in the north while only Failaka is inhabited. Some of the others
are popular weekend destinations boasting stunning coral reefs and white sands.
Aside from attractions such as mosques, souks, museums and heritage areas
that are a tribute to bygone Bedouin days, there are also a number of outdoor
activities to pursue in Kuwait and the Gulf provides ideal conditions for various
water sports, including water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving.
A highlight of any trip to the city is a visit to the National Museum containing
some of the most important collections of Islamic art in the world. Bedouin
arts and crafts can also be found near the National Museum.
One of Kuwait's most impressive landmarks is the Grand Mosque, located opposite
the Emir's Palace, which was opened in 1986. Construction of the mosque took
nearly seven years and is reputed to have cost US$ 46 million.
Due to their size and prominence in Kuwait City, the Kuwait Towers, consisting
of three sky-scraping buildings, are the country's most conspicuous landmarks.
The highest of the three towers houses a rotating viewing sphere, a restaurant
and a coffee shop.
The home of Kuwait's main archaeological site, Failaka Island, will soon be
opening up to an ambitious multi-billion dollar investment project aimed at
transforming it into a state-of-the-art tourist attraction. Failaka lies 20
kilometres east of Kuwait City
Other attractions in Kuwait include ice-skating rinks and an entertainment
city, which is the country's answer to Disneyland. Entertainment City is located
19 kilometres north of Kuwait City and provides more than 40 rides, games and
shows with three different themes: Arab World, International World and Future
World.
Fact file:
Currency:
Kuwaiti Dinars
Local
time:
GMT+3
Main
language:
Arabic, but English is widely
spoken
Electricity:
240 volts AC, 50 Hz requiring
3-pin wall plugs
Shopping:
Upmarket shopping malls provide
the perfect environment in which to browse. Apparently shopping in the
souks is excellent value as well
Transport:
Taxis are widely available
Cuisine:
The best restaurants are located
in the hotels (alcohol is forbidden in Kuwait)
Infants are not provided with a seat. If your baby is more than 6 months old, you may book a seat for him/her listing him/her as a “child”. More information is available at carriage of infants.
