What oil-rich, arid Kuwait lacks in glitz and glamour it makes up for in family-friendly entertainment and cultural haunts - the coastal Kuwait City and Salmiya are laden with museums, attractions and modern amusement parks guaranteed to keep visitors to the area occupied for days on end. Shopping opportunities abound (feel free to choose from modern mega-malls and traditional souks), as do sandy beaches and swimming venues sought after in the summertime.
The Kuwaiti desert stretches for miles till it meets the Persian Gulf in the country's East, where the nation's capital and main visitor attractions are concentrated. Summers here are smouldering hot, with temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius between June and August. Kuwait's coastal resorts and combed beaches provide a good means of escaping the heat, as do the country's Sea Clubs, pools, water parks and islands. Out of Kuwait's more than 4 million total residents over half are expatriates and foreign workers, Kuwaitis making up a mere 30% of all inhabitants. Despite the staggering ethnic diversity, the country tightly holds on to its historic roots and traditions, with the average citizen bound to observing the local code of conduct - public displays of affection are not allowed, alcohol is strictly prohibited, and no food or drink can be consumed in public throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Kuwait's main travel destinations are the historic Kuwait City, along with the nearby Salmiya, where lots of hotels, restaurants and shops can be found. Further areas of interest include Rai (home to the legendary Avenues mall), Shuwaikh (an industrial area with some attractions and shops), and Hawally.
To familiarise themselves with Kuwaiti history and traditions, visitors may head to one of the many museums and cultural centres spread out throughout Kuwait City and its surrounding areas. The Scientific Center and dhow port are known attractions, as are the iconic Kuwait Towers offering panoramic views of the city and waters of the bay. Kuwait offers a surprising range of entertainment options for children - from the KidZania entertainment chain to a selection of amusement and water parks fit for visitors of all ages.
Restaurant culture in Kuwait is booming, much due to the complete lack of nightlife establishments and the ban on alcohol currently in place in all of the country. Going out for meals is common, and Kuwait City in particular boasts quite a few lively eateries. Often, restaurants are concentrated along a single road in one of the city's main neighbourhoods. Kuwaiti cuisine can be best described as a fusion of Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mediterranean influences. One traditional local dish is "machboos" - a rice-based dish with meat (often chicken or mutton), but fish and seafood dishes are also very popular.
Cafe scene in Kuwait is vibrant, with cafes ranging from local tea-houses to higher-end, elegant establishments serving Western-style food and drinks. Some cafes also offer shisha service. Small bakeries selling international and local pastries and bread products can be found all over.
Alcohol is illegal in Kuwait, which means the country lacks nightlife establishments of the bar and club varieties. Instead, people "go out" shopping and dining, exploring the busy souks and high-tech shopping malls or international restaurants scattered throughout. Shisha smoking is common, with a number of cafe offering shisha and/or water pipe services. Some large hotels host live music evenings open to guests and visitors.
Kuwait is a tax heaven, with no VAT or income taxes in place for citizens and expat workers. Combined with an abundance of shopping spots ranging from traditional souks and markets to ultra-modern shopping centres, this makes for the perfect set up for a shopping experience of a lifetime. A number of malls, especially those in Kuwait City, feature incredible entertainment centres for visitors of all ages.
