24 hours in Kuwait: the Must-See Attractions

If you only have time for a whirlwind stopover in Kuwait, get ready for a jam-packed itinerary. With only 24 hours to spare, you'll have to move fast to do this fascinating city justice.

Kuwait Towers

Easily Kuwait's most recognizable monument, the Kuwait Towers were designed by Swedish Engineers Sune Lindström and Malene Björn and inaugurated in 1979. You'll find them towering over the Arabian Gulf Road, designed to reflect the blue expanse of the sky and the deep shades of the sea in the painted steel panels that form their distinctive orbs. Inside the towers and spheres, visitors can enjoy sea views and a meal at the Ofak restaurant, whose name translates as 'horizon'.

The Viewing Sphere is open from 9am to 11:30pm, and provides a panoramic city view from its revolving platform. It's 123m above sea level, so you'll need a head for heights to tackle this landmark.

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre is one of the world's largest cultural complexes housing a total of 22 galleries with over 1,100 exhibits. The complex offers a Natural History Museum, Science and Technology Museum, a Fine Arts Centre, Arabic Islamic Science Museum, Space Museum, and Theatre. Kids will definitely appreciate a variety of interactive exhibits including quizzes, projections etc., that add some play to the learning experience. The center is spread over a beautifully constructed courtyard featuring sculptures that plays host to festivals and other amazing events.

The Grand Mosque

The country's largest mosque, the Grand Mosque is located in the heart of Kuwait City and plays a vital role in the city's religious culture. It's where all official religious celebrations are held, most notably the last ten days of Ramadan, which draw together thousands of worshippers each year.

Visitors of all faiths will be awed by the intricate Islamic architecture, which took seven years to perfect. The Grand Mosque can hold up to 5000 worshippers in its main hall alone, while an additional 7000 can fit in the courtyard. Book a tour to learn more about its history and ensure that you don't miss out on any of the fine details.

Souk Al-Mubarakiya

Get a taste for Kuwait's culture as you browse the stalls selling Arab antiques, traditional costumes and Persian carpets at this traditional market place. There are lots of beautiful items to buy, ideal to take back home as gifts, such as perfumes, handmade local crafts, scarf, jewelry, and clothes. You'll also find dates, spices, honey and scented oils to choose from, as well as shops specializing in eye-catching gold and silver. If you're looking for an in-depth guide to this beautifully popular market place, check out this guide to The Old Souk!

The Scientific Center

Located just a 15-minute drive up the coast from our Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait, the Scientific Center comprises an aquarium, a discovery place, IMAX Cinema and Dhow Harbour, making it an excellent choice for a family day out. The Discovery Place is brilliantly designed with lots of hands-on exhibits, but the star attraction here is the aquarium. It's the largest in the Middle East, featuring floor-to-ceiling shark tanks and an inter tidal display, with eye-level waves providing a unique view of what lies beneath the sea.

Kuwait National Museum

The Kuwait National Museum is best described as several museums all rolled into one. Centrally located next to the Seif Palace and Kuwait's National Assembly, the National Museum is made up of the Planetarium, Archeological Museum, Heritage Museum and Boom Al-Muhallab, a historic dhow ship. Together, these museums cover everything from the earliest traces of prehistoric civilization in the area to the future of space travel.

House of Mirrors

View the inspirational, one-of-a-kind handiwork of Lidia al-Qattan at the House of Mirrors, a private home that's been transformed into a work of art through one woman's labor of love. Mirrored mosaics adorn all surfaces of the house, both inside and out. This includes elaborately constructed scenes of both natural and otherworldly elements, from butterflies to surrealist symbols. Al-Qattan used 102 tons of white cement and 77 tons of mirrors to construct her residential masterpiece, starting with a single piece of furniture and gradually working her way through the rest of the house. You'll need to phone ahead to arrange a tour, as the artist still personally shows visitors around her beautiful home.

Psst! Check this blog if you would love to enjoy the magical mosaics at this Mirror House in Kuwait!

Al Shaheed Park

Something you wouldn't expect in Kuwait - located on the periphery of Kuwait City, Al Shaheed Park features 200,000 m2 of greenery, botanical gardens, a lake, walkways and jogging tracks. Al Shaheed Park is the largest urban park in Kuwait.

Learn about Kuwait's ecosystems and environment in the Habitat Museum or explore the history of Kuwait, its past battles and the Gulf War in the Memorial Museum, both located at Al Shaheed Park. In colder months it plays host to many cultural events and other happenings.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait owns a private seafront location, offering you with tranquility and access to the sights and sounds of Kuwait City.