Kuwait

The Grand Mosque of Kuwait is the nation's largest place of worship, a monumental structure capable of accommodating over 10,000 worshippers. Its striking design incorporates materials from around the world, including French stained glass, Italian marble and a central gold-plated dome. The mosque offers guided tours that provide insight into both its extravagant architecture, featuring the highest minaret in Kuwait, and Islamic culture. Visitors should note that appropriate attire, including provided abayas and headscarves for women, is required.

The Tareq Rajab Museum houses a significant private collection of Islamic art, assembled over decades by its founders. Its diverse holdings, spanning over 30,000 items, include collections of historic jewellery, ceramics, manuscripts, costumes and metalwork. The exhibits provide a thorough overview of artistic development across the Islamic world, from pre-Islamic times to the modern era. As an institution born from a passion for preservation, it serves as a valuable and intimate resource for understanding the region's rich cultural heritage.

The Scientific Center of Kuwait is a family-friendly entertainment complex that houses the Kuwait Aquarium (with see-through glass tanks), an IMAX cinema, children's learning centre and a dhow harbour, where the historic Fateh Al Khayr dhow is on display.

Failaka Island is a local entertainment hub for summertime activities like fishing, swimming and water sports. The Failaka Heritage Village offers accommodation in traditional-style housing, horse and camel rides, water sports facilities, access to beaches and much more. The Museum Palace of Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah is one of the village's many highlights.

The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre is a monumental venue, functioning as a multidisciplinary hub for the performing arts. Its striking architecture, inspired by Islamic geometric patterns, houses multiple state-of-the-art theatres, concert halls and libraries. More than just an opera house, it is a public space designed to host a diverse range of events, from film and theatre to workshops, aiming to educate and inspire. Set within spacious parkland, it stands as a modern testament to Kuwait's national cultural ambition.

The Liberation Tower is a defining feature of the Kuwait City skyline and a powerful symbol of the nation's resurgence, completed in 1993 after the Gulf War. Standing at 372 metres, it is the country's second-tallest structure. Its distinctive design features a prominent 'saucer' near the summit. The tower primarily functions as a telecommunications hub and government office complex, and has not been accessible to the public for tours in recent years. Nonetheless, its striking silhouette remains an iconic landmark, best appreciated from the surrounding city.

The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre stands as one of the world's largest museum complexes, a sprawling institution dedicated to science, history and the arts. It houses six distinct museums under one vast roof: the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Arabic Islamic Science Museum and a Fine Arts Centre. The six museums are housed in a series of interconnected buildings, surrounded by extensive gardens, plazas and public squares. With over 22 galleries and 3,000 interactive exhibits, it offers an immersive, educational experience designed to engage all ages.

The Al Hashemi Marine Museum is a unique tribute to Kuwait's seafaring heritage, centred around the monumental Al-Hashemi-II. Recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest wooden dhow ever built, this colossal, land-based ship is the museum's primary exhibit. While the vessel itself now serves as a banquet hall, its sheer scale offers a powerful impression of traditional shipbuilding. The surrounding museum complex displays intricate dhow models and maritime artefacts, creating a compelling destination for understanding the nation's deep-rooted connection to the sea.

The Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy is a highly specialised institution dedicated entirely to the art of Arabic script. Housed in a private villa just blocks away from the Tareq Rajab Museum, it showcases a vast and diverse collection that spans centuries, from a rare 7th-century Hijazi folio to works by master calligraphers. The exhibits demonstrate the application of calligraphy across various mediums, including manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, and textiles. More than a historical archive, the museum presents calligraphy as a living, evolving art form, offering a profound and intimate exploration of one of the Islamic world's most revered artistic traditions.

The Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum is a profoundly moving and sobering historical site, preserving the original house that was the scene of a brutal, day-long battle during the 1991 Iraqi occupation. The building itself is the primary exhibit, left in a semi-destroyed state with visible bullet holes and structural damage. It commemorates the resistance fighters of the Al-Messilah Group who chose to fight rather than surrender. A guided tour is highly recommended to fully understand the narratives of sacrifice and resilience, making it an essential visit for those seeking to comprehend a pivotal moment in modern Kuwaiti history.

The Amricani Cultural Centre – House of Islamic Antiquities is a significant cultural institution housed within a historic former American Mission Hospital. The complex itself, with its graceful, rehabilitated buildings, is a landmark. It serves as the headquarters for the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah organisation, showcasing selections from the prestigious Al-Sabah Collection, a private assembly of over 20,000 Islamic art objects. The centre functions as a vibrant cultural hub, combining exhibition spaces with a conservation lab, library and theatre, making it a cornerstone for both preserving and presenting Islamic artistic heritage.