Touristic Enterprises Company(TEC)This is a government backed company which is responsible for several of Kuwait's leisure amenities and runs establishments like the Kuwait Towers, Shaab Sea Club, Khiran Resort, Entertainment City, Green Island, Swimming Pool Complex etc. (Tel: 5650111/5653771)

Kuwait Towers

Kuwait Towers is situated on the Arabian Gulf Street and is probably the most conspicuous landmark of Kuwait. The largest tower is 187 meters high and holds water stored in the lower half of the sphere. The top sphere is a revolving restaurant. Entrance is 500fils per person but is free if lunch or dinner has been reserved. Cameras with zoom lens are forbidden. The second tower is 147 meters high and also holds water.

Recreational Parks

Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) has two recreational parks, South Sabahiya Garden (Tel: 361 0472) in Ahmadi Governorate, Touristic Garden (tel: 434 5961 / 434 9283) in Jleeb Al-Shyoukh. Each has amusements, rides and other games for children and adults, as well as snack bars, gift stalls. Both parks have 'Roman' theatres for the presentation of entertainment on weekends. Entry is 250 fils a person on ordinary days and 500 fils on evenings when shows are presented. There are also several smaller parks, run by private enterprises, offering amusements and games for children, located in different areas.

Municipal Parks

The Government's success in greening the harsh desert can be seen in Kuwait's parks and road verges. Most public parks have children's play areas and there are several amusement parks dedicated to the art of keeping children actively enthralled for hours at a time. The Municipality maintains several well designed public parks, all with naturally shaded areas, around Kuwait City.

The Green Island

Managed by TEC, this artificial island is near the Kuwait Towers. Linked to the main land by a short walkway, the Green Island has an amphitheatre, two restaurants, a viewing tower, a children's castle and landscape of flowers and greenery. The entry charge of 250 fils a person provides a pleasant walk with some nice views of Kuwait City.

Aqua Park

This is a water resort in Kuwait equipped with water slides, wave pools, swimming pools, play grounds, restaurants etc.

Al-Shaab Leisure Park

Located next to TEC's offices on Arabian Gulf Street. The Park has a variety of games and amusements for young and old, including carousels, dodgems, bowling hall, billiards, snooker and tennis, as well as a theatre and cinema. All the amusements are linked by paths that meander through gardens and around water fountains. There is a restaurant block containing branches of most fast food outlets in Kuwait. Open daily from 4pm to midnight (from 10am on weekends), entry is 500 fils a head and games cost 250 to 750 fils a go, though a full ticket may be purchased for KD 2.500. (Tel: 561 3777)

This is yet another example of the old traditional house and is situated right next to Sadu House. It was formerly the home of the Al Bader family and was built between 1838-1848. Local handicraft exhibitions are sometimes held here.

This library was re-opened in 1992 after the liberation of Kuwait and had to be completely re-stocked. It is situated on Al-Arabi street, Mansouriyah opposite the sports stadium.

Facing the Arabian Gulf Street is an old blue and white house that stands as a precious link with Kuwait's past. An integral part of Kuwait's history. This is where Dame (Umm Saud) Violet Dickson, the wife of the British Political Agent to Kuwait, lived for 61 years. Fortunately, the Dickson house survived the era of modernization and is now recognized as a historical monument. Tragically, during the Iraqi Occupation, the house was looted and its contents ransacked and stripped of a lifetime of memories. The house has now been renovated and refurbished and is open to visitors.

Entertainment City

The entertainment city, a miniature Disney Land, at Doha about 20 kilometers from the City. Run by TEC, the complex provides a complete range of amusements based on themes from the 'Arab World', the 'International World', and the 'Future World' attracts large crowds. Prior to the Iraqi invasion it was considered the largest of its kind in the entire Gulf area. One of the best amusement parks in the world, the entrance fee is only KD 3.500 per person, an all-in price which allows the ticket holder to enjoy various rides and amusements without paying anything extra. Tel: 4879545 / 4879455Timings (Summer) : Sun - Fri : 4 - 12 midnightTimings (Winter) :Sun - Wed : 2:30pm - 10:30pm, Thur - Fri : 10am - 9pm

Showbiz

Showbiz, a privately owned is a permanently sited carnival with carousels, dodgems, donkey carts, pony and camel rides, etc, located in Ras Salmiya. Open daily from 4pm to midnight (from 1pm on weekends), entry is free but each amusement costs 500 fils a go, except for the large roller coaster (KD1) and a few other main attractions. (Tel: 5714094 / 5 / 7)  

Touristic Bus

The Touristic Bus is an open top double-decker bus that runs from Showbiz in Ras Salmiya along the coast to Shaab and back via Salmiya and the Sultan centre. The half hour sight-seeing round trip costs 250 fils per person.

Located on the Gulf Street, this studio specialises in Islamic paintings, sculpture and modern art.

A wall 8 kilometres long and 4 metres high was originally built to defend Kuwait from invading forces. Due to rapid expansion the wall was demolished in 1957 leaving only five gates: Maqsab Gate, Jahra Gate, Shamiya Gate, Beraisi Gate and Bneid Al-Qar Gate standing amongst the modern buildings. The gates were destroyed by the Iraqi invaders but have since been rebuilt.

The oldest is the well-preserved Al-Khalifa Mosque, opposite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Arabian Gulf Street, which was built in 1714 AD. Other 18th century mosques include Ibn Khammes, Al-Nusif and Saud Mosques, and Al-Hamdan Mosque in the Central Area. Al-Matabba (now Shamlan bin Ali bin Seif Al-Roumi) Mosque and Ibn Bahar Mosque (opposite the Council of Ministers) are from the 19th century.

The mosque which cost KD 13 million is built on a total area of 45,000 square metres was inaugurated on 8th August 1986 by the Amir of Kuwait. This mosque is an example of different traditional Islamic architectural styles using modern construction technology. The Minaret soars 74 metres into the sky built in the Andalusian style. A 700 square metres of the library area contains a large collection of reference books and rare Islamic manuscripts. The car park in the basement can accomodate some 500 cars.

Considered to be the fourth largest fountain in the world, the Musical Fountains (Tel: 2428394), is next to the Ice Skating Rink on the First Ring Road. The Computer controlled water spirals up in an array of colours while synchronized music fills the surrounding with a sight and sound show of music and colourful 'dancing waters', every night during the summer from 4pm to 11pm. Entry is 250 fils per person, but subscriptions for week-end shows are 500 fils per adult and 250 fils per child.

Kuwait ZooThere was extensive damage done to the premises and the animals during the Iraqi invasion. However, most of the repair work has been completed and the zoo is now open to the public. Kuwait Zoo is open every day except Saturdays from 8am to 8pm in winter, and from 8am to 12 noon and 4pm to 8pm during summer. Located in Omariya on the Airport Road, entrance is 500 fils, children free. (Tel: 473 3389)

Ice Skating Rink

Located opposite to the television station, this is a large building surrounded by a palm grove and attracts many youngsters during the summer season.

Accommodation for the week-end or longer can be rented in many places along the southern part of the coast. Al-Khiran Resort (Tel 395 1122) is a TEC facility about 120 kilometres south of Kuwait City. The resort has nearly 200 chalets and studio flats. Facilities include a yacht club and fully serviced marina, swimming pools, playgrounds, sports and health facilities, shops, a supermarket, coffee shop, and a 24 hour business centre. Small chalets cost KD 80 for a weekend and KD 200 - KD 500 a week. Regular chalets cost KD 110 per weekend and KD 285 for a week.

There are several monuments to the Iraqi occupation and Allied liberation of Kuwait here and there, all conceived in a discrete understated style. Sadly, as memory fades, some are beginning to decay. The 'Iraqi Tank' memorial on the Jahra Gate roundabout has been removed and the small walk-through display of scenes from the occupation next to the main entrance of the Ministry of Information in Soor Street has been blocked up.

The 372 metres high communication tower is the highest tower in the entire Middle East area and the fifth in the world, is the state of the art in communication technology. This landmark located in the heart of Kuwait City was started in 1987 as part of the development of the communication system in Kuwait. The work stopped in 1990 during the Iraqi invasion and was resumed in 1993 after liberation (Hence, the name Liberation Tower) was officially opened on 10th March 1996.

Old American HospitalLocated on the left side of the gulf street facing the bay, stands the old American Hospital. This was the first hospital run by the Christian Missionaries (an outspoken symbol of religious tolerance and freedom in Kuwait). An architecture from the early part of the 20th. century.

Bayt Lothan

A wonderful cultural centre on the gulf road in Salmiya, Bayt Lothan (Tel: 575 5866 / 575 5877) was set up to preserve the culture - of, and develop skills in the creative arts and crafts of Kuwait and the Gulf, and to promote fine arts and handicrafts both locally and internationally. The Bayt's facilities include a court yard for lectures and concerts, an exhibition hall, a children's play centre, two tea rooms, a shop selling art materials, books and gifts. The Bayt, a private non-profit organization, offers basic training programmes in creating jewellery, pottery, drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, Arabic calligraphy, and music, and provides much of the materials and equipment needed. All courses are conducted by professionals and are open to both the indigenous and expatriate communities. Bayt Lothan also organises and sponsors art exhibitions, educational programmes and public service campaigns.

Located in the new Qurain housing area, was the sight of a bloody battle just before the liberation between the Kuwaiti resistance and the Iraqi army. It is now made into a museum and a monument for those killed of the Kuwaiti Resistance. (Tel: 5430343)

The 'House of Weaving', located near the National Museum, is a fine example of a pre-oil era house. It exhibits bedouin camel bags, decorations, tent dividers, carpets and cushions. Founded to preserve the art of Sadu, Bedouin women can be seen weaving inside. (Tel: 2432395, Opening Hours: 5am-7pm). Sadu House organizes weaving lessons as well.

A new addition to Kuwait's attraction. The Scientific Center was inaugurated on 17th April 2000. Situated on the Gulf Road, it boasts a large aquarium, in fact, the largest in the Middle East, IMAX theatre, dhow harbour and lots of other attractions. This new monument is a symbol of cultural heritage projecting the advancement in sciences. Conceived and financed by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) (Tel: 848888. Website: www.tsck.org.kw)

Kuwait National Museum

Before the Iraqi invasion, the museum housed a collection that has been acclaimed by international art historians as one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art. Located near the National Assembly, comprising of four buildings and a planetarium. It once housed the Dar Al-Athar al-lslamiyah, the As-Sabah collection of Islamic Art, one of the most comprehensive in the world. Other buildings housed pearl diving relics, ethnographical artifacts and archaeological material from excavations on Faylaka Island. Looted and burned by the Iraqi invaders, the museum is now restored and some exhibits are again open to the public including parts of the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyah collection, ninety percent of which has been returned from Iraq. In 1997, Muhallab II, the replacement for (and replica of) the magnificent trading dhow from the 1930s that graced the front yard of the museum before it was burned by the Iraqis, was constructed on site and is now open to visitors.(Tel: 2451195)

Science and Natural History Museum

This is located on Abdullah Mubarak Street in Murqab and exhibits items on various subjects like - aviation, space, zoology, electronics, natural history, petroleum industries etc. An 18metre Whale Skeleton is the main attraction. Tel: 242 1268

Tareq Rajab Museum

The museum is a private collection of Tareq Rajab. It is the only museum that remained unscathed and intact during the Iraqi occupation. An elaborate security system of hidden rooms, false doors and walls protected the collection. The museum specialises in Islamic pottery, ceramics, Yemeni daggers, Bedouin Jewellery, cosmetics and musical instruments from all over the Islamic world. (Tel: 5317358, Opening Hours: 9am-12am, 4pm-8pm except Fridays)

The new KOC Display Centre in Ahmadi is an ultra-modern audio-visual museum of Kuwait's oil industry, past and present.

There are several dhow harbours along the coast where traditional wooden boats can be seen. There is a fairly large dhow harbour between the Seif Palace and the fish market, and another one just opposite the National Assembly. These are working harbours and most of the boats are used for fishing.

It was once the centre of boat building in Kuwait but the building yards were looted and fortified by the Iraqis, and nowadays very few dhows are being built except for some exquisite miniatures.

Al-Hashemi II

The world's larqest wooden dhow, owned and built by Hussein Marafie, Al- Hashemi II is a 'Baghalah' of monumental proportions. 'Baghalah' is a larqe wooden cargo vessel which sailed the seas in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Constructed next to the Radisson SAS Hotel, the double-decked Al-Hashemi II is dry-docked next to a pre-oil era Kuwaiti village and marine museum containing models of extinct and modern dhows. The lower deck has the Grand Ballroom, one of the finest in Kuwait. Al-Hashemi II has earned the distinction of being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.