11 fun things to do in Kuwait

By Michael Scanlon

Everyone gets a big surprise when they move overseas and realize that it’s not quite like going on holidays. You must wake up at the crack of dawn and go to work like you would back home. Driving to school you will see people running along the beach and wish that you were them.

The good news is that during your free time you will have lots of things to do while you’re here in Kuwait.

This coastal country has more to offer than most people imagine. From history to shopping to dining, Kuwait is first class all the way. There are plenty of fun things to do in Kuwait. As it’s continued to develop, Kuwait has drawn more and more expats to this fascinating country where modern and traditional meet and mesh.

Kuwait is a perfect place to live for people of all ages and over the years there are lots of things to keep you busy. Here are some of the things that I’ve tried and really enjoyed while living in Kuwait.  

Jet skiing in Kuwait

When the skies are blue and there’s very little wind it’s time to go jet skiing. It really is one of the best ways to see Kuwait and enjoy yourself at the same time. If you’ve never jet skied before it’s really very easy and not complicated at all. A jet ski has just two buttons and one lever. The buttons are for starting and shutting down the engine while the lever is for accelerating. To slow down the jet ski you just let go of the lever. You don’t need to know how to balance a jet ski or anything of the sort, you just sit on it and pull the lever and that’s pretty much it. There are various locations on the Gulf Road where you can rent jet skis from and if it’s something you would like to do on a regular basis you will be able to buy your own jet ski here in Kuwait. 

Fishing Charters 

You and your friends might like to organize a fishing charter and head out for the day and explore the Arabian Gulf. Make sure to check the fishing calendar to see which fish are in Kuwait’s waters. Keen anglers and divers visit the Arabian Gulf from around the world to explore the area’s reefs, islands, and deep blue waters. If you’re lucky enough to be one of them, you could spend your day battling anything from Snapper and Grouper to huge Cobia, Amberjack, Queenfish, and more. 

Scuba Diving

Kuwait’s coastline stretches about 100 miles and is decorated by stunning seascapes and crystal-clear waters, making it a favorite for divers. Kobar Island is among the most popular dive spots in the area and is a place where one can experience an underwater world filled with stingrays, fish, and corals. Even if you’re not a big fan of getting into the water, Kobar Island is the perfect place to relax and get some sunshine on the beach. 

Kuwaiti Premier League 

Football is the most popular sport in Kuwait and it’s a wonderful way to spend a night cheering on your favorite team. The Kuwaiti Premier League is the top league of Kuwaiti football, featuring eighteen teams. Kuwait is home to many football clubs including Al-Arabi, Al-Kuwait, Al-Salmiya, and Al Qadsia which is based in Hawally. Kuwait often hosts many international games also as they try and qualify for the Asian Cup or World Cup. Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium is where most of the national team’s games take place, and it is an impressive arena. 

Souq Al Mubarakiya 

For some traditional shopping head to one of Kuwait’s oldest markets. The bargains here are nearly unbeatable, and it’s easy to spend several hours wandering around uncovering them all. For those who love to shop, you’ll find everything from traditional costumes and silk carpets to jewelry and authentic Arab antiques. When it comes to food, the shops here specialize in everything from spices and sweets to fish and fruit. In addition to everything going on in the market, there are also two free mini museums here – Sheikh Mubarak Kiosk and Kuwait’s first Islamic pharmacy. The perfect place to get authentic souvenirs, you don’t want to miss Souq Al-Mubarakiya while living in Kuwait. 

Grand Mosque 

Maybe the only building that has ever taken my breath away! First time I walked into the Grand Mosque I was all alone and unprepared for how beautiful it was. World renowned for its Islamic architecture, Kuwait’s Grand Mosque is the largest in the country. The 141-foot central dome, arcades of pillars, and pointed arches are only some of the features visitors will marvel at. The mosque is a whopping 220,000 square feet, and there are free guided tours of this impressive building. If you’re going to take a tour, be sure to call ahead and dress appropriately. Head scarfs and abayas are available for women to borrow, if necessary and men should wear full length trousers. With such a magnificent interior, it’s no wonder the Grand Mosque is one of the most famous places to visit in Kuwait. 

Trip to Failaka Island 

About an hour ferry ride away from the city is the Kuwaiti island of Failaka. The island was settled around 2000 BC by the Mesopotamians and was the country’s longest continuously inhabited location. Prior to the Gulf War the island was home to more than 2,000 residents and several schools. Once Iraq invaded, they forced all the residents to the mainland. Today, homes and buildings remain empty and continue to decay. A visit to this island is an open-air monument to the devastation of war. 

Desert Safari 

Be sure to take advantage of this bucket list activity during your time in Kuwait. These seasonal safaris can typically be enjoyed between October and March. Several different companies offer this experience, but they typically all include food and transportation. Sights along the way include such things as Kuwait’s famous oil fields, and you can enjoy activities like dune bashing and quad-biking. You’ll also enjoy a delicious Kuwaiti dinner and tea followed by ancient stories before curling up under a canopy of stars or in a Bedouin tent. 

Kuwait Towers 

A landmark of modern Kuwait, these three towers stand on a cape overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The main tower stands 614 feet high and includes a restaurant, lounge, café, and reception hall. Of the other two towers, one holds water and the other houses equipment to illuminate the larger two towers. The viewing sphere (or Discovery Ball) in the main tower sits at almost 400 feet above sea level and it revolves so you can get an incomparable view of the city and gulf. On a clear day you can nearly see the entire country. 

The Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre 

If you’re looking to escape the warm temperatures outside, then a day trip to the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre is ideal for you. Expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours here as the scale and size of this museum is quite breathtaking. This cultural complex located close to Kuwait City and consists of six main components: The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Arabic Islamic Science Museum, Fine Arts Centre, and the external spaces known as the Public Realm. The Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre is an 18-hectare site making it the world's largest museum complex. It’s suitable for people of all ages and one of my favorite places in Kuwait. 

Kuwait Riding Center 

This thriving riding center provides beginner and advanced riders with the opportunity to learn more about horses and riding with their experienced instructors. KRC offers both training in dressage and showjumping. You will learn things about stable management, tacking up, and mounting and dismounting before moving on to basic and advanced training. Lots of fun for people of all ages and something that you will always look forward to as their facilities are excellent. Most of the horses are showjumpers, but you will also meet Arabian horses which compete for beauty. If you have time read about the origin of the Arabian horse and find out about why it is known as Al Khamsa in Arabic. 

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