The hook
A wealthy, low-key Gulf capital where the iconic blue-globed water towers stand over a modern waterfront, and a bustling old souq and museums recall a merchant and pearling past, and a recent war.
01Why it's worth it
Kuwait City is less flashy and less touristed than its Gulf neighbours, which gives it a more everyday, workaday feel. Its symbol is the Kuwait Towers, a trio of tapering towers topped with blue-green spheres on the seafront, one with a viewing platform over the city and the Gulf. The heart of older life is the Souq Al-Mubarakiya, a genuine, busy market of spices, produce, textiles, and food stalls that predates the oil era, and the Grand Mosque and various museums fill out the story of a place that grew from pearling and trade into oil wealth. The 1990 Iraqi invasion and the Gulf War that followed left a deep mark, remembered in memorials and museums. It is not a marquee destination, and the searing summer heat is a serious factor, but as a stopover or a window into a quieter, more traditional Gulf society, it has its rewards.
02How to experience it
See the Kuwait Towers and the seafront, then spend time in the Souq Al-Mubarakiya, especially for a meal among locals. Visit a museum or memorial dealing with the pearling past and the Gulf War for context. Go in the cool months; the summer heat is extreme.