Travel Guide
KuwaitCity travel guide
Oil-rich city-state on the Persian Gulf with distinctive Kuwait Towers, modern architecture, and surprisingly rich cultural offerings including impressive museums and traditional souqs.
Language
Arabic, English common
Currency
KWD
Timezone
AST (UTC+3)
Best time
Nov-Mar
Budget/day
$70-150
When to visit
Jan
8 to 18°C
Feb
10 to 21°C
Mar
14 to 26°C
Apr
20 to 33°C
May
26 to 40°C
Jun
29 to 44°C
Jul
30 to 46°C
Aug
30 to 46°C
Sep
27 to 42°C
Oct
22 to 36°C
Nov
15 to 27°C
Dec
10 to 20°C
Safety
Low RiskVery safe. Strict laws—no alcohol.
Women travellers
Kuwait is generally very safe for women. While abaya is not legally required for foreigners, dressing modestly (covering shoulders and knees) is strongly recommended and shows cultural respect. Avoid solo walks in industrial areas at night.
Culture & etiquette
- + Dress modestly in public — cover shoulders and knees
- + Greet with "As-salamu alaykum" and await response before conversation
- + Accept coffee or dates when offered — refusing is impolite
- + Use your right hand for eating and passing items
- - Do not bring or consume alcohol anywhere in Kuwait — it is strictly illegal
- - Do not display affection publicly — even holding hands can attract attention
- - Avoid photographing government buildings, oil facilities, or military installations
- - During Ramadan, do not eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight hours
Food to try
Machboos
Kuwait's celebrated national dish—fragrant long-grain rice slow-cooked with chicken, lamb or fish in a tomato-based broth spiced with loomi (dried black lime), cardamom and baharat; presented on a communal platter
Margoog (stew)
Traditional Kuwaiti comfort food—slow-cooked lamb with root vegetables in a spiced broth, thickened with flat round flour-dough pieces that absorb all the liquid; cooked in clay pots by Kuwaiti families on cold winter evenings
Gabout (dumplings)
Traditional Kuwaiti sweet-savory dumplings made from white flour, filled with dates and nuts, simmered in chicken broth until soft; a rarely found dish that uniquely bridges the sweet and savory traditions of Gulf cooking
Kuwaiti biryani
A distinctly Gulf-influenced rice dish with lamb or chicken, flavored with a spice blend heavier in cardamom, cloves and rose water than Indian biryani; topped with fried onions and raisins in Kuwait's traditional home kitchens
Arabic sweets
Kuwait's sweet shops around Souk Al-Mubarakiya are legendary—kunafa (shredded wheat over stretchy cheese drenched in syrup), luqaimat (crispy fried dough balls in honey), and dates stuffed with almonds and pistachios
Hidden gems
Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.