Leisure activities

Leisure activities
Al Hamra Tower
Completed in 2011, Al Hamra Tower pierces the Kuwait City skyline to an
impressive height of 412 metres. Its original and stunning design is by the
famous architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, known for
designing countless skyscrapers, including Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Within the
building is a shopping complex, offices, and a rooftop restaurant. It is
considered 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 Tower
The Kuwait Liberation Tower was completed in 1993 and named so to
commemorate the liberation of the country from the Iraqi occupation.
Construction of the tower actually began before the invasion and was halted
during the occupation. The tower was to be named the Kuwait Communications
Tower, but it was replaced by a more symbolic name after its completion. The
top 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highest structure in Kuwait, rising to 370 metres, but is now superseded by Al Hamra Tower.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 Center
The 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 Kuwait
Pro 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 cuisine
Go 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 Towers
Kuwait towers which is the symbol and most impressive building of the city.
Historical facts: The concept of the Towers began 1962; Construction started in
1975 and was completed by 1979. The three towers were built for multi-purpose
operations. One, the needle shaped tower, provides electricity to the suburbs in
Kuwait. 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 artist
plays 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 Market
Behind the Sharq shopping mall there is a building where fish, vegetables and
fruits are sold in two different halls.
Kuwait was a fishermen town before oil became an industry. You can feel the
strong ties of the city and sea from the big marina and this fish market. Also one
can see many people fishing in the pier and in the beach in front of this market, if
you 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 Market
Friday market (also known as Souq Al Juma) is Kuwait’s flea market. You
can find the second hand things here for good deal. There are some new
items for furnitures, clothes, and carpets too with good prices, though
furniture quality is poor. Good carpets can be found here with reasonable
price and good quality. You should bargain here for everything. It is newly
renovated from the messy and hot flea market before. You can do shopping
conveniently now with more options to see. The place contains second
hand 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 Zoo
Kuwait 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 Races
From November to March you can visit the Kuwait Camel Racing Club to
see the camel races. Instead of small boys, remote controlled robots are used
to race the camels, operated by men in Jeeps alongside the track!
Free to watch. Indoor seating with TV screens but you can go outside to
watch and take photos.
Spend a day at a Beach Club
There 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 meal
Across 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 Mosque
Built between 1979 and 1986, the Grand Mosque is the largest in the
country. Although largely modern in design, it draws on traditional Islamic
architecture.
To get an insight into Islam, take a free tour of the Grand Mosque. See inside
and out and ask questions. Dress modestly. Women will be given an abaya
and head covering to wear if they don't have their own. Starts at 9am (not
Fridays).
Failaka Island
Take 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. See
the bombed house from the Invasion, there is a small resort with accommodation and wave runners
can be hired at the beach.
Marina Waves
It is a waterfront building, can be reached by a passage way from Marina
crescent side. You can recognize the building by its sailing ship shape at the
Marina beach. Besides the restaurants, another interesting place will be the
12.5m wall climbing centre. You may go for climbing with the professional
guide and equipment will be provided with the rental fee. Great view of
sunset and Kuwait Arabic Gulf Street area.
Entertainment City
Entertainment city is the biggest leisure park in Kuwait, located in AlDoha, west part of Kuwait. Many rides for family and kids and many
of them will be included in your entrance ticket. You have to pay for
few rides like Tornado and roller-coaster though. It has good theme
parks (Arab world, International World, Future World), boat ride, and
rail train across the park, and many fast food restaurants within. The
opening hours will be from 4 to 12PM (summer), 230-1030PM
(winter), 10AM-9PM (holiday), and will be closed on Saturdays.
Green Island
Green 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 Park
Hawally Park is one of the amusement parks located within Hawally area at
Tunis Street, between Al-Mohalab Mall and Jarir bookstore. It is a small park
with some rides, good enough to spend some time with your kids. Some good
shops and restaurants will be around this park. The opening hours for the
working days are 10.30AM-12Noon and 4PM-12MN, whereas the holiday
time are 2PM-12MN. The entrance fee is free but you have to pay for each
ride.
AWARE Centre
Check 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 Border
From 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 Graveyard
After 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 where
to 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 Arts
More 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 Museum
This 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 shows
at 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 Avenues
The 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-Mubarakiya
Located 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 Mall
The 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 Moda
Villa 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 Sharq
Souq 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.
Boating
You 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 Rink
The 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.
Beaches
All the way along the Arabian Gulf Street, there are wonderful beaches, and the water tends to be on
the shallow side for serious swimmers, but can be considered for a weekend visit with family.
Diving & Snorkelling
Diving 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 Park
Occupying 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 Kayaking
The 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. The
region has plenty of bird life to be observed and kayaking may be the best way to reach those far-off
islands in the bay.
Learn Bedouin arts and crafts
Bedouin 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 arts
at Beit Lothan, a traditional Kuwaiti house. Workshops are also conducted regularly in drawing,
painting and crafts for those interested.
Visit Kuwait Bookshop
For 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 Gallery
Located 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 children
Kuwait 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 Planet
This 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.
Infinity
Located 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 the
Freeze Club meant for teens with a wide range of games and simulator experience.
Colour Me Mine
This 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 City
Located 20km from Kuwait City near Doha along the northern side of Kuwait Bay, there are a range
of 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 Centre
This 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 Mall
The 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 Clubs
There 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.
Zoo
Located 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 Jungle
Little 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.