Charting the horror of Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait by using models of the city, this museum recalls the annexation with distressing photos and the sound of helicopters and gunfire. It also honours the sacrifices made by ordinary Kuwaiti citizens as well as those of the military and the allies in order to defeat Saddam Hussein’s forces.
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Information Centre
Address: Gulf Street, Salmiya, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Tel: +965 2562 7230.
Opening Hours:
Sat-Thu 0900-1300, 1600-1930
www.kuwaittourism.comWith handy leaflets and knowledgeable staff, the Information Center is a good starting point for recommendations on what to do in Kuwait. They also publish Ibtissamah magazine, which showcases upcoming events in the country.
Kuwait House of National Works Museum
Opening Times: Sat-Thu 0900-1300 and 1700-2100.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Villa No. 32, North Shuwaikh, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2484 5335.
Kuwait Towers
Arguably the city’s most recognisable landmark, the thistle-like Kuwait Towers rise from a spit that curls into Kuwait Bay, serving as a good bearings marker across the city. Opened in 1979, the tallest of the three towers reaches 187m (614ft) in height and has a split-level observation deck, gift shop, café and restaurant.
Opening Times: Daily 0900-2330.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Arabian Gulf Street, Dasman, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2244 4119.
Scientific Center
Sporting the largest aquarium in the Middle East, the Scientific Center has a unique intertidal display, which shows waves at eye level. This is the best way to see the workings of the amphibious mudskipper fish. Don't miss feeding time in the wrap-around, with its floor-to-ceiling shark and ray tanks.
Opening Times: Sat-Wed 0900-2130, Thu 0900-2200, Fri 1400-2200.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Al Blajat Street, Salmiya, Kuwait City, 22036, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 184 8888.
Website:
www.tsck.org.kw
Souk Al-Mubarakiya
Squint a little, and perhaps bargain a bit, and Souk Al-Mubarakiya isn’t as far from its humble beginnings as you’d think. Now housed in a series of modern buildings, this city centre bazaar still squawks with the sound of hawkers and sings with the smell of spices, sweets and perfumes. Haggle for everything from Persian rugs to golden necklaces.
Opening Times: Sat-Thu 0900-1300 and 1600-2100, Fri 1600-2100.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Between Mubarak Al Kabir, Ahmad Al Jaber and Ali Al Salem Streets, North Shuwaikh, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Al-Hashemi Marine Museum
If boats are your thing, then this museum, with its collection of scaled-model dhows (traditional Arabian fishing boats) and a Viking ship, will impress. The dhow adjacent to the museum, Al-Hashemi II, is the largest wooden boat on earth, measuring a whopping 80.4m (264ft) long and 18.7m (61ft) wide, and weighing an estimated 2,500 tonnes.
Opening Times: Sat-Thu 0900-1700, Fri 1400-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Al Bida Road, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2567 3000.
Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah
Probably Kuwait’s most impressive museum, Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah is home to some of much-lauded Al-Sabah Collection. This wonderful cultural centre has more than 30,000 pieces of Islamic art and oddities that range from carpets, jewellery and ceramics to scientific instruments and manuscripts. It also welcomes visiting exhibitions and has an auditorium that hosts concerts.
Opening Times: Mon-Thu 1000-1900, Fri 1400-1900, Sat 1000-1900.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Arabian Gulf Street, Al Shaab Area, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2240 0992.
Website:
darmuseum.org.kw
House of Mirrors
Around 77 tonnes of mirror and 102 tonnes of white cement have been used to create the mirror mosaics that spangle the inside and outside of this residential house. The project was inspired by the decorating of an old piece of dining-room furniture, and grew into an obsession. Ring ahead to request a tour.
Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday 0900-1800 (by appointment only).
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Qadisiya Block 9, Street 94, House 17, Kuwait City, 35809, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2251 8522.
Website:
www.mirrorhouseq8.com
Kuwait National Museum
Divided into four different sections, the Kuwait National Museum is a cultural complex that combines the Kuwait Heritage Museum, Archaeological Museum the impressive Boom Al Mouhallab dhow and a Planetarium. Over 2,000 items chart Kuwait’s heritage, including part of the precious Al-Sabah Collection, which was looted during the Iraqi invasion
Opening Times: Sat-Thu 0830-1230 and 1630-2030, Fri 1630-2030.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Arabian Gulf Street, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2245 1195.
Website:
www.kuwaitnationalmuseum.weebly.com
Tareq Rajab Museum
Don't miss this superlative private collection of Islamic art, assembled by Kuwait's first minister of antiquities and his British wife. This eclectic treasure trove of exhibits includes everything from musical instruments, silver and gold jewellery, prayer caps and helmets to costumes of sheikhs and shepherds, Bahraini pearls, manuscripts and masonry.
Opening Times: Sat-Thu 0900-1200 and 1600-1900, Fri 0900-1200.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
House 22, Block 12, Street 5, Jabriya, Kuwait, Hawally 6156, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2531 7358.
Website:
www.trmkt.com
Kuwait Corniche
Stretching from Marina Crescent to just past the Scientific Center, there’s nowhere better for an evening stroll than Kuwait Corniche. Overlooking the turquoise bliss of Kuwait Bay, the promenade is dotted with pavilions, shaded walkways and cafés, and is often filled with meandering families as the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Arabian Gulf Street, Al Shaab Area, Kuwait City, Kuwait
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