Kuwait City is a thriving metropolis of high-rise buildings, luxury hotels, shopping malls and landscaped parks and gardens. Its most dominant landmark is Kuwait Towers and its oldest sight is Seif Palace. The city is home to the majority of the country’s manmade attractions, which never fail to impress. However, natural and historical sights can also be found all across the country and offer something of interest for all ages.
 Beaches
There are a number of beautiful beaches to be found along the coast of Kuwait, although Mesilla Beach and Ogaileh Beach are the two main beaches. They offer countless water sports, golden sands and children’s entertainment. There are many sea clubs along the entire coastline which boast a wide variety of facilities and activities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beaches, tennis courts, gymnasiums, bowling and even karate.
Failakai Island
The port of this island is home to a number of old dhows which are well worth a view before you visit the stunning Bronze Age and Greek archaeological sites which can be found inland. You will also see some traditional styled boums and sambuks boats, which are still built on the island. Once you have finished sightseeing, you might like to relax on the pristine beach and have a swim in the clear blue waters.
 Kuwait Towers
These are one of Kuwait's most famous landmarks and can be found on Arabian Gulf street in Dasman. The largest tower boasts a revolving observation area and a restaurant which is accessed by high-speed lifts. The views are spectacular. Cameras with zoom lens are forbidden for national safety reasons.
 Liberation Monuments
There are many monuments dedicated to liberation all across the country. Al-Qurain House was the site of a bloody battle between the Kuwaitis and the Iraqis in 1991 and is now a museum dedicated to those who lost their lives in the conflict. A mounted Iraqi tank at the Jahra Gate roundabout is a reminder of the foolishness of war. Another monument with the same message can be found next to the main entrance of the Ministry of Information. There is a walkthrough photographic display of scenes from the Iraqi occupation which is well worth a visit.
Liberation Tower
This tower is the symbol of Kuwaiti liberation and resurgence. It is one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world, standing at 40 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. It was named after the coalition that freed the country from seven months of Iraqi occupation in 1991.
Mosques
Kuwait is home to a number of mosques, each one so intricately detailed that you will not fail to be impressed. The pyramid-shaped mosque which can be found in Ras Salmiya and the Fatima Mosque in Abdullah Al-Salem are fine examples of the detailed architecture. The Grand Mosque is an example of several traditional Islamic styles which have embraced the local characteristics of Kuwait and helped to preserve the Islamic tradition of calligraphy. You will find several examples of mosques dating back to the 19th century, which are still in use today.
 National Museum
Located near the National Assembly, the National Museum is comprised of four buildings and a planetarium. It houses an extensive collection of Islamic art as well as ancient Islamic artefacts and documents. It was looted by Iraqi invaders in 1991 and stripped of all wealth, but since then, over 90 per cent of the collection has been returned and once again it is a major symbol of Islam in Kuwait. Website: www.kuwaittourism.com/TEC/en-US/KuwaitGuide/Entertainment/Museums.
 Sadu House
A traditional craft of major importance to the Bedouins was Sadu weaving. In 1979, a few locals got together to form the Al-Sadu Society which was dedicated to keeping this part of Bedouin culture alive. In 1980, their efforts led to the opening of the Sadu House which promotes local handicrafts made by Bedouin women. Several chambers of the house depict Kuwait's old houses and mosques by showing off traditional pottery and paintings. Another section has been transformed into Al-Baraha, a traditional roofed playground. The Abu Adnan café is also traditionally decorated and offers a selection of local delicacies. There are many products on sale and a number more to look at. Website: www.kuwaittourism.com/TEC/en-US/KuwaitGuide/Entertainment/Museums.
Tareq Rajab Museum
This museum is a private collection of art, jewellery and other artefacts belonging to the Rajab family. The collection was started in the early 1950s and was opened to the public in 1980. You will find calligraphy, pottery, metalwork, glass, wood, ivory and jade carvings in one section of the museum, along with pages from the Holy Qur'an which date back to the first three centuries of the Islamic period. It also contains an early dated Qur'an written on parchment, from the 2nd century AD. The other section of the museum boasts costumes, textiles, embroidery and jewellery of the Islamic world, along with relics from Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. Website: www.trmkt.com/.
Top Things to Do
 Dive for Pearls
Pearls, not oil, were once the basis of Kuwait's wealth. Today, annual pearl diving festivals help recent generations and visitors experience some of the excitement and hard work that people once faced. Traditionally, dhows were prepared by first treating cracks with cotton dipped in shark oil and then a thick coating of noora (a mixture of shark oil and powder) was manually smeared over the hull.
The festival demonstrates traditional diving techniques with authentic clothes and equipment. A wazar is worn (a wrap-around skirt that also serves as a head wrap), diving trunks and t-shirts, and a fotam (nose clip) is also worn along with a dieng (neck basket) and hajer (toe anchor). During the dive, the diver is secured to the ship's railing with a rope tied around his/her waist. When he the diver is ready to surface, he/she tugs on the rope and is pulled to the surface. The end of the festival is celebrated with traditional singing and dancing.
Enjoy Scuba Diving
The seas around Kuwait are thriving with marine life, and because of this, scuba diving is a popular sport. Much of the underwater activity takes place around offshore reefs and the islands. Both SSAC and PADI courses are available and there are daily diving trips for people of all levels.
Get Active in the Water
Kuwait is home to a number of water sports, which are growing in popularity every year. Unfortunately, there are not many equipment rental shops, so equipment for many sports including speed boating and windsurfing may have to be bought separately. It is however possible to jet-ski, water-ski and snorkel at many of the beaches along the coast.
Sail a Yacht
The seas offshore are seldom rough and are therefore perfect for sailors of all levels of experience. The Yacht Club has a marina with 300 fully serviced berths and many of the sea clubs offer sailing activities and lessons. Many of the sea clubs have marinas and organise sailing activities. The Kuwait Offshore Sailing Association organises races, including one from Kuwait to Bahrain.
Take a Trip to the Islands
Taking a boat trip to one of the islands, such as Kubbar, can be an excellent way for the entire family to spend a day. Once on the islands, you can swim, fish, explore or simply sit back and soak up the sun. A dhow can be privately hired along with its crew, which is ideal for a small outing to one of the many beautiful islands.
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