Kuwait City is home to a beautiful coastline, sprawling desert, and a plethora of museums. If you’re traveling to Kuwait City, this travel guide will give you all of the information you need to know.
- Temperature
- VISA and passport requirements
- How to get to Kuwait City
- Currency
- Must-see sights
- Top delicacy
- Nightlife
Temperature
Kuwait City has a hot desert climate with temperatures averaging at 45 degrees celsius. In the summer months, Kuwait City experiences some of the hottest temperatures on earth as well as strong wind and dust storms that can last for days. The ideal time to visit Kuwait City is in the spring when temperatures are lower and the humidity is less intense.
VISA and passport requirements
To travel to Kuwait City you need both a VISA and a passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Nationals from the USA and Europe can obtain one-month VISAs on arrival for business or tourist purposes. VISAs on arrivals are free for British nationals, but can not be extended.
How to get to Kuwait City
The easiest way to get to Kuwait City from the UK or USA is to fly directly to Kuwait International Airport. If you are traveling into Kuwait City from other areas of Kuwait or the Gulf region, Kuwait Public Transport Company operates coach trips. Alternatively, you can travel by boat from Shuwaikh Port, which is Kuwait’s main port.
Currency
The currency of Kuwait City is the Kuwait dinar (KWD). As of May 2021, the Kuwait dinar is the strongest circulating currency in the world with one KWD equaling 3.32 United States Dollars (USD). You can change your currency to KWD prior to your trip by visiting a local currency exchange. Alternatively, credit cards are widely accepted in Kuwait City for both paying in shops, restaurants, and attractions, and using ATMs. It is recommended to budget 150KWD per day.
Must-see sights
There are many beautiful sights in Kuwait City but these are our top three picks:
Kuwait towers
Kuwait Towers are an integral part of the Kuwait City skyline and one of the most recognisable landmarks in Kuwait. The Kuwait Towers are made up of three slender towers, with the main tower reaching 187 meters high. You can marvel at the towers from below, or travel up and enjoy a meal in the tower’s restaurant, which offers panoramic views of Kuwait City.
Grand Mosque
Kuwait City’s Grand Mosque is the official Mosque of Kuwait. Spanning 45,000 square meters, the Grand Mosque includes a prayer hall, library of Islamic reference books and documents, and a 5-level car park. It’s striking structure is truly a sight to behold and should not be missed on your visit to Kuwait City.
Al Shaheed Park
Al Shaheed Park is the largest urban park in Kuwait. Nestled within the park are a variety of gardens, including the Oasis Garden, Museum Garden, and Seasonal Garden. Amongst these gardens are museums, exhibition areas, and outdoor theatres where performers dazzle guests on a daily basis. It is definitely worth scheduling a trip to Al Shaheed Park on your Kuwait City vacation.
Top delicacy
Machboos is considered the national dish of Kuwait. The dish consists of a bed of rosewater and saffron basmati rice, topped with slow-cooked mutton or chicken. The dish is finished with a drizzle of garlic sauce named Daqqus.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Kuwait City is very different from Western nightlife, as it focuses on friends and food. Rather than drinking alcohol, nightlife in Kuwait City centers around smoking hubble-bubble, a technique where smoke is drawn through a fruity mixture of flavours into a water bowl filled with cold lemon water, which cools the smoke before entering the pipe you draw on.
There is so much to do and see in Kuwait City that you won’t have time to do your laundry. Luckily, Laundryheap is here to help. Book your Laundryheap service by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
