Leisure activities

Al Hamra TowerCompleted in 2011, Al Hamra Tower pierces the Kuwait City skyline to animpressive height of 412 metres. Its original and stunning design is by thefamous architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, known fordesigning countless skyscrapers, including Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Within thebuilding is a shopping complex, offices, and a rooftop restaurant. It isconsidered the highest stone-clad building in the world; this stone façade deliberately faces the sun in order to keep the building cool in the oppressively hot summers of Kuwait. The glass façade elegantly wraps around the stone façade and its windows provide unobstructed views of the waters of the Gulf. Al Hamra Tower is undoubtedly the most beautiful building in Kuwait.

Liberation TowerThe Kuwait Liberation Tower was completed in 1993 and named so tocommemorate the liberation of the country from the Iraqi occupation.Construction of the tower actually began before the invasion and was haltedduring the occupation. The tower was to be named the Kuwait CommunicationsTower, but it was replaced by a more symbolic name after its completion. Thetop of the tower has a revolving restaurant with panoramic views. The tower was formerly the highest structure in Kuwait, rising to 370 metres, but is now superseded by Al Hamra Tower.

The Scientific CenterThe scientific Center is located at Salmiya area, at the beach side. The attractions in Scientific Center are the aquarium and the IMAX. The shark aquarium is the biggest one in the complex among the other smaller ones. Check the website for the shark feeding time. No flash in the aquarium area. The IMAX is not really a big one but could be a great place for the kids. The Scientific Centre of Kuwait is a gift from late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the people of Kuwait. The Scientific Center aims to improve sciences and cultural heritage of Kuwait.

Pro Kart KuwaitPro Kart is an advanced Go Kart coming with 2 engines for higher speed. Its location is behind Kuwait International Airport and opposite of Khitan Area. Timing is from 19:00 to 00:00. Check their website www.prokartkw.com

Sample the local cuisineGo any place both in the larger cities (Kuwait City, Fahaheel, etc.) or just one of the thousands of small "hole in the wall" merchants who have set-up little shops and sample some of the local or international cuisine. The smell of freshly baked Arabic Pita bread, with chicken, beef or lamb freshly grilled and wrapped in a "swarma," which is is the sandwich made with the pita bread is delicious. There are so many international cultures which have brought their cuisines along to Kuwait.

Kuwait TowersKuwait towers which is the symbol and most impressive building of the city.Historical facts: The concept of the Towers began 1962; Construction started in1975 and was completed by 1979. The three towers were built for multi-purposeoperations. One, the needle shaped tower, provides electricity to the suburbs inKuwait. The Second, middle, tower stores up to one million gallons of water.The tower has also a café and a restaurant. During the dinner times an artistplays a piano. And one floor up, is designed as a watch point. At this floor you may see the photos

of the towers while they were built and the destruction sustained during the Iraqi invasion.

Fish MarketBehind the Sharq shopping mall there is a building where fish, vegetables andfruits are sold in two different halls.Kuwait was a fishermen town before oil became an industry. You can feel thestrong ties of the city and sea from the big marina and this fish market. Also onecan see many people fishing in the pier and in the beach in front of this market, ifyou go out for a walk in the evenings. This is an air conditioned fish market and is an added attraction for visitors and fish buyers. The place is clean, with different varieties of fresh catch being sold at reasonable prices, which fluctuate based on catch and demand. Your choice can range from barracudas, snapper, nuawibee, and zubaidee to many more. There is also a vegetable and meat market in the same building, and so your lunch will fit any pocket.

Kuwait Flea Market, the Friday MarketFriday market (also known as Souq Al Juma) is Kuwait’s flea market. Youcan find the second hand things here for good deal. There are some newitems for furnitures, clothes, and carpets too with good prices, thoughfurniture quality is poor. Good carpets can be found here with reasonableprice and good quality. You should bargain here for everything. It is newlyrenovated from the messy and hot flea market before. You can do shoppingconveniently now with more options to see. The place contains secondhand merchandises of everything under the sun, and brand new pets, kitchen ware, vehicles, furniture, antiques, hardware, makeup, clothes, shoes, food, sun glasses, and more. Friday market will be opened from Thursday afternoon until Saturday afternoon. The best time to go for shopping is Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning, where you still get good items and the place will not be crowded. It is located in behind the Lu & Lu Supermarket on ring road 4. It will not be a convenient shopping during the rain or sandstorm.

Kuwait ZooKuwait zoo will be one of the alternatives you may choose for an outing when the weather is good. It is a small zoo but will be quite fun for the kids though, with its road train and camel riding. The extreme weather of Kuwait (especially on summer) could not accommodate all types of the animals for the zoo and we can understand that. All the animals will be in the cages (quite small to live in) and fed appropriately. There is a part of the zoo for playground and family picnic but you have to keep your food in the locker area before entering the animal section of the zoo. The opening hours will be from 8AM to 8PM. The time will be changed during Ramadan/fasting month. There is one inconvenient thing about the Kuwait zoo you have to know, the unpleasant stinky smell reaches the parking area. Besides that, only a few staff can speak English well. Sadly to say that the cages have easy accesses to the crazy visitors to torture the animals too. It is located in Omariya, nearby the intersection of 5th ring road and Jahra Road.

Camel RacesFrom November to March you can visit the Kuwait Camel Racing Club tosee the camel races. Instead of small boys, remote controlled robots are usedto race the camels, operated by men in Jeeps alongside the track! Free to watch. Indoor seating with TV screens but you can go outside towatch and take photos.

Spend a day at a Beach ClubThere are various nice hotels with private beach where you can spend a day at. Most have an

excellent gym, sauna and steamroom, tennis courts, exercise classes, several pools, a large sunbathing area, a beach and several places to eat at. You can buy a day pass, prices may vary.

Visit Marina Crescent for a mealAcross the road from Marina Mall is Marina Crescent where you can have something to eat in the various restaurants there. There is outdoor seating with nice views of the small marina. Popular at weekends. You may even see "Exercise Man" working out!!

Grand MosqueBuilt between 1979 and 1986, the Grand Mosque is the largest in thecountry. Although largely modern in design, it draws on traditional Islamicarchitecture. To get an insight into Islam, take a free tour of the Grand Mosque. See insideand out and ask questions. Dress modestly. Women will be given an abayaand head covering to wear if they don't have their own. Starts at 9am (notFridays).

Failaka IslandTake a ferry to Failaka Island - the journey takes about 1 and a half hours and the fare is reasonable.To take your car over is not cheap but you can hire a car very cheaply by the hour on the Island. Seethe bombed house from the Invasion, there is a small resort with accommodation and wave runners can be hired at the beach.

Marina WavesIt is a waterfront building, can be reached by a passage way from Marinacrescent side. You can recognize the building by its sailing ship shape at theMarina beach. Besides the restaurants, another interesting place will be the12.5m wall climbing centre. You may go for climbing with the professionalguide and equipment will be provided with the rental fee. Great view ofsunset and Kuwait Arabic Gulf Street area.

Entertainment CityEntertainment city is the biggest leisure park in Kuwait, located in Al-Doha, west part of Kuwait. Many rides for family and kids and manyof them will be included in your entrance ticket. You have to pay forfew rides like Tornado and roller-coaster though. It has good themeparks (Arab world, International World, Future World), boat ride, andrail train across the park, and many fast food restaurants within. Theopening hours will be from 4 to 12PM (summer), 230-1030PM(winter), 10AM-9PM (holiday), and will be closed on Saturdays.

Green IslandGreen Island is a waterfront leisure park on an artificial island, along the Arabic gulf street, nearby Saab area. It is a good place for family picnic, especially for the kids. It has a restaurant, good playground for kids, train road, bicycle rent, good walking path along the beach with Arabic Gulf Street view, and many good points for the outdoor picnic meals. It could be seen like other seaside area along Kuwait beach but the green environment brings another colour for a picnic in a desert country. Opening hours are from 8AM to 10PM daily.

Hawally ParkHawally Park is one of the amusement parks located within Hawally area atTunis Street, between Al-Mohalab Mall and Jarir bookstore. It is a small parkwith some rides, good enough to spend some time with your kids. Some goodshops and restaurants will be around this park. The opening hours for theworking days are 10.30AM-12Noon and 4PM-12MN, whereas the holidaytime are 2PM-12MN. The entrance fee is free but you have to pay for eachride.

AWARE CentreCheck out the AWARE centre, which stands for Advocates of Western Arab Relations. It was set up a couple of years ago to improve relations and promote understanding between westerners and Arabs. It is basically a kind of drop in centre that has a range of activities which are either free or very cheap. They do Arabic classes, weekly 'diwaniyas' (gatherings in an Arabic style lounge where various topics are discussed), organised trips to things such as the Grand Mosque, the Kuwait Fund Headquarters, the camel races, etc. They also have desert camp trips in winter, Arabic calligraphy workshops, cultural bazaars and Middle Eastern food fairs. And Arabic cookery classes. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and there is a small bistro, library and internet facilities in house too.

Drive to the Iraqi BorderFrom Kuwait City, drive 100 kilometres north toward Abdaly. This route was once known as the "Highway of Death" after Desert Storm, but has been mostly cleaned up. You will still see a few destroyed buildings and a knocked-over radio tower. As you approach the border with Iraq, you begin to see dozens, then hundreds of trucks making their way into Iraq with critical reconstruction supplies and materials.

Tank GraveyardAfter the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Saddam Hussein massed his army along the border between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. When the American Army attacked from the rear, the Iraqis had no whereto go, and much of their army was destroyed. For several years, the "highway of death" pointed the way from Kuwait City to the Iraqi border along the highway from Jahra north to Abdaly. Today, the highways have been cleaned up, and the tanks have been collected into "Tank Graveyards" like this one north west of Jahra along a military-only road called Iron Horse Road. This area is full of hundreds of tanks, trucks, artillery pieces and other heaps of rusted & busted metal.

Tarq Rajab Museum of Islamic ArtsMore than 30000 items collected over a period of more than 50 years are displayed in this private museum belonging to Tareq Sayed Rajab and his English wife. You can find several interesting collection of artefacts from all over the Islamic world, Asia and Far East. The museum is located in the residential area of Jabriya and is worth a visit.

Kuwait National MuseumThis simple museum is worth a visit, as it holds within its walls a lot of history and insights on how Kuwait was in early days, and the present. It is a must-visit for first-time travellers. The entry to National Museum is free. The modern Planetarium forms a part of the museum complex with showsat around 18:00 daily.

House of Mirrors The House of Mirrors is a landmark in Kuwait, and just as its name suggests is almost totally covered by mirror mosaics. Each room in the house has a story to tell, starting from representation of mother earth and ending with true marks of Kuwait history.

The AvenuesThe Avenues is the biggest and best mall in Kuwait, without doubt. The huge mall has all major brands and restaurant chains, and you can shop till you drop. There are coffee bars and a kids play area too. The mall is very well planned and built, and suits most budgets. However, when visiting on weekend, parking may be a little difficult.

Souk Al-MubarakiyaLocated amidst Mubarak al-Kabir, Ahmad al-Jaber & Ali al-Salem streets, the Souk Al-Mubarakiya,the shopping area, shows how the old Arabian market looks like. The whole area has been restored and divided into rows of shops, with each row of shop displaying their speciality like spices, deserts, vegetables, fish market square and butcher’s square. You can also purchase clothing and souvenirs from the market. There are money exchange tellers too. The place also includes traditional tasty snacks and restaurants.

The 360 MallThe 360 mall is a large mall with some branded stores like The Geant Market, Marks & Spencer, Toys R us, and several other departmental stores and supermarkets. It has everything a person needs, including electronics and decent pricing. The décor of the mall is elegant too.

Villa ModaVilla Moda is a Kuwaiti luxury department store featuring fashion and clothing items from best designers. The new premises of Villa Moda is a 100,000 square foot glass-club emporium, overlooking the Persian Gulf. The building is divided internally into fashion "aquariums", with renowned brands that include Fendi, Gucci and Ferragamo, along with Vertu, the luxury communications company and two multi-brand shops.

Souq SharqSouq Sharq is one of the most successful shopping destinations in Kuwait. It has a unique blend of first class retail outlets and a wealth of high quality services and amenities including marina, cinemas, boutiques, food courts and more. It is one of the best attractions in Kuwait, and a stunning architectural masterpiece surrounded by promenades on all sides. Souq Sharq could also be the ideal place to catch up with friends after shopping and enjoy a delicious meal while feasting your eyes on the panoramic views over the Marina.

Sports and games

Kuwait City, being in proximity to water, there are various water sports for both locals and visitors to enjoy. If you are a sports-lover, you consider one such activity on a weekend.

BoatingYou can plan a boat trip across the beautiful Kuwait Bay. Kuwait is home to various boating clubs with marinas. These clubs host boating activities, races, and other types of recreational boating excursions. There are reefs that lie off-shore of Kuwait which are home to all sorts of marine life. Water taxis run regularly and boat trips to Failaka Islands and other locations are organized by several tourist enterprises and organizations. Water taxis serve the coastal cities of the region, and they are cheaper. If you wish, you could take your camera along, to catch the amazing city views from the water.

Ice-Skating RinkThe Olympic-size Ice-Skating Rink in Kuwait is one of the best in the region, with a seating capacity of 1600. It is home to the Kuwaiti Falcons, the official ice-hockey team, and the only Arab team to win membership of International Ice Hockey Federation. When the rink is not used for Falcon games the skating facilities can be used, which also helps escape the desert heat.

BeachesAll the way along the Arabian Gulf Street, there are wonderful beaches, and the water tends to be onthe shallow side for serious swimmers, but can be considered for a weekend visit with family.

Diving & SnorkellingDiving in Kuwait’s warm, shallow waters is a pleasant way to spend time. The warm and shallow waters of Kuwait Bay may be the perfect beginning for starters and expert divers and snorkellers alike. Some diving centres can even take you diving to the islands of Kubar and Umm al-Maradim, which is home to several interesting ocean wildlife species, or to the Donkey Reef.There are several companies that offer dive outfits, for day trips or half-day trips. You can try the Dive Caroline at Messilah Water Village or the 5-star PADI at the KIM Center for diving and snorkelling trips to outer islands of Kubar and Umm al-Maradim. If you have not taken a dive before, you can even obtain certification from one of the several diving schools in Kuwait city.

Shaab Leisure ParkOccupying a large, open area, this landscaped park offers rides, bungee jumping and pony riding. For a unique souvenir, you could also try the video cinema, where visitors can make their own music video.

Center KayakingThe KIM Centre organizes kayaking tours for beginners and experienced kayakers. The sites that you are likely to visit may be the same as divers, but you can stay warm and dry over the water. Theregion has plenty of bird life to be observed and kayaking may be the best way to reach those far-offislands in the bay.

Learn Bedouin arts and craftsBedouin women teach traditional Bedouin weaving to locals and tourists at the Sadu House at the National Museum Complex. This centuries-old technique produces some of the most interesting textiles in the world. You can also consider learning traditional Kuwaiti crafts, poetry and visual artsat Beit Lothan, a traditional Kuwaiti house. Workshops are also conducted regularly in drawing, painting and crafts for those interested.

Visit Kuwait BookshopFor those who love reading books over the weekend, the Kuwait Bookshop at Al Muthanna Centre, Safat Basement, offers a wide selection of best-sellers, books on current affairs and local interest, and this could be your right destination to look for English language books.

Boushahri Art GalleryLocated in Salmiya, close to the Arabian Gulf Road, this long established gallery showcases some contemporary regional work. Established by Jawad Boushahri in 1982, the art gallery and library form part of the Boushahri Group, a business conglomerate involved in large-scale services ranging from importing photographer’s products and pharmaceuticals, to shipping. The gallery has hosted shows by Iranian and Sudanese artists, renowned artists such as Adam Henein and by Kuwaiti women. The gallery also has an education function with an expanding art library that can reach to young Kuwaiti artists.

Weekend ideas for childrenKuwait has several parks of varying standards for children, and in most residential areas, you can find green play areas. When walking along the Corniche, there are several slides, swings, climbing frames and inflatable slides and soft play areas in the malls for smaller children to play in. Here’s a list of ideas that children of all ages can enjoy.

Magic PlanetThis is a fun-packed indoor area meant for children, located within The Avenues Mall. There are several rides and amusements and games, situated right beside the Food Court on the first floor.

InfinityLocated on Level 3 within the 360 degree Mall, Infinity and the Family Entertainment Centre in the mall offers an array of entertainment activities including roller coaster rides, rope course, drop tower, video games, rock climbing, bowling, flight simulator experience and more. There is also theFreeze Club meant for teens with a wide range of games and simulator experience.

Colour Me MineThis is a ceramic design and painting café that appeals to children and adults alike. Located in Marina Crescent in Salmiya, the prices depend on the piece that you choose to paint, apart from additional charges for the paint. A second branch is has openedin the Avenues too. For details, call 22244604.

Entertainment CityLocated 20km from Kuwait City near Doha along the northern side of Kuwait Bay, there are a rangeof amusements based on themes from the ‘Arab’, ‘International’ and ‘Future World’. The park is considered to be one of the best for family entertainment.

The Scientific CentreThis fantastic facility at Arabian Gulf Street houses world-class aquarium, IMAX Theatre, and Discovery Area. There is a Dhow Harbour too outside and food and beverages are available, apart from a shop selling a variety of gifts for children.

Musical Fountain and Discovery MallThe musical dancing fountain is one of the largest and has a garden with green spaces and family seating situated off the First Ring Road. The Discovery Mall is located is specially designed for children and features toy and clothes shops, play facilities, food court and indoor football pitch called ‘goal’.

Sea ClubsThere are sea clubs located within Fahaheel, Ras Al Ardh and Shaab. Each of these has variety of facilities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beaches, parks and tennis courts and marshal arts.

ZooLocated in Omarrya on the airport road, the zoo covers 180,000 square metres of park land. There are several animals here, and opening times from 8am to 8pm.

Little JungleLittle Jungle is a smaller zoo than Kuwait Zoo, and is meant for smaller children, who can pat a pony, grab a goat, and think of going near caterpillars, while parents can have some time for themselves too.