Kuwait

Kuwait's skyline of glass towers and the iconic Kuwait Towers rises abruptly out of flat desert along the Persian Gulf, a contrast between ultramodern city and stark surrounding landscape. Souq Al-Mubarakiya keeps older trading traditions alive with spice stalls, dates, and grilled fish, while the waterfront corniche fills with families in the cooler evening hours. Hospitality here is generous and formal, often centered on Arabic coffee and dates offered as a matter of course to guests.

Why go thereMarkets & bazaars Architecture & cities Culture & heritage Art museums Food Luxury & shopping Deserts Beaches

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Machboos

Spiced rice with dried lime and chicken, lamb or the day's fish.

Murabyan

Rice cooked with prawns and dill in the Gulf's shrimping season.

Mutabbaq samak

Zubaidi fish fried and laid over spiced rice, the country's most defended dish.

Food & drink to try

Machboos

Spiced rice with dried lime and chicken, lamb or the day's fish.

Murabyan

Rice cooked with prawns and dill in the Gulf's shrimping season.

Mutabbaq samak

Zubaidi fish fried and laid over spiced rice, the country's most defended dish.

Gabout

Dough dumplings filled with date paste, cooked inside a meat stew.

Harees

Wheat and meat beaten smooth over hours and served hot with ghee.

Jireesh

Cracked wheat cooked with meat and tomato into a thick, plain porridge.

Balaleet

Sweet saffron vermicelli topped with a plain omelette for breakfast.

Khubz iraní

Flatbread slapped onto the wall of a clay oven, bought hot by the armful.

Darabeel

Sweet fried pastry rings dusted with sugar, made at home for Ramadan.

Chai haleeb

Sweet milk tea with cardamom, drunk all day and all night.

Entry & health

Set your passport

expatfocus.com power-plugs-sockets.com worldstandards.eu

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated; a service charge is sometimes added to restaurant bills, and if not, 10% is a common voluntary tip. Rounding up for taxis and small tips (0.5–1 KWD) for hotel staff/porters are customary.

Dress modestly, especially in public and government buildings; shoulders and knees should generally be covered for both men and women.
Kuwait is officially dry — alcohol is illegal to buy, sell, or bring into the country, even for personal use.
Public displays of affection between couples are frowned upon and can draw unwanted attention or legal trouble.
Friday is the main day of rest/prayer; many businesses close or shorten hours, especially around midday prayer times.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited for everyone, including non-Muslims.
Use your right hand for eating, giving/receiving items, and greetings, as the left hand is considered unclean in local custom.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Kuwait — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA