| To Kuwait مدينة الكويت, Madīnat al-Kuwait | ||
 | ||
| State | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | 200 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 3.925.000 (2014 estimate) | |
| Prefix tel | 965 | |
| Time zone | UTC 3 | |
Position
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To Kuwait (مدينة الكويت, Madinat al-Kuwait, literally Kuwait city, and in EnglishKuwait City, but also called simply Kuwait) is the capital of Kuwait.
To know
Al Kuwait is a bustling metropolis of office skyscrapers, luxury hotels, wide boulevards, and manicured parks and gardens. Its port is used by oil tankers, merchant ships and many pleasure boats. Its most dominant landmarks are the Kuwait Towers. Al Al Kuwait, however, is not an attractive city to visit as much of the architecture and its overall vibe is sand-blown dust.
When to go
Summers (particularly July and August) are extremely hot, with daytime temperatures exceeding 50 ° C for weeks. It is therefore important to drink plenty of water during these times to avoid dehydration and to protect yourself from the sun as much as possible. From December to February, surprisingly, it can be really cold, with night temperatures dropping below 0 ° C. Spring (March and most of April) is delightful in terms of time. Thereafter, the weather warms up and it is often mid-October before the place starts to cool down.
Background
On 2 August 1990, during the first Gulf War, Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces entered the city and on the 8th of the same month the Kuwait was annexed toIraq. During the military occupation the city suffered extensive damage to buildings and infrastructures. After the end of the war, the government and foreign companies operating in the country invested large sums for the reconstruction of the city which thus saw the rise of new skyscrapers, new hotels and new shopping centers.
How to orient yourself
Al Kuwait: full screen map.The main residential and commercial areas are Salmiya is Hawalli. The main industrial area is Shuwaikh within the Al Asimah Governorate. The main buildings are the As-Seef Palace in the old part of Al Kuwait, where the Emir manages the country's daily affairs, and the seat of government is in Bayan Palace, while the Emir remains in Dar Salwa.
How to get
By plane
Kuwait International Airport (IATA: KWI) is located 16 km south of Al Kuwait. See the main article on the Kuwait for more information.
The X3 express bus connects the airport with the city center and leaves every hour, even at night. The ticket can be purchased on board at a cost of 1 KWD / person.
How to get around
By public transport
There Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) and CityBus they operate buses in and around the city of Al Kuwait, with a fixed rate of 200 fils for urban routes. The two companies travel on the same routes, so the KPTC 999 bus will take you to the same place and for the same price as the CityBus 999. However, the bus shelters are spartan, irregular schedules and information lacking, creating a poor alternative to taxis when you are in a hurry and not desperately short of money. Privately owned CityBus maintains an up-to-date list of routes on its own in language English, while the KPTC website is only in Arabic.
Useful bus lines are:
- 13: goes from the airport (KWI) to Mirquab (city center), 1 hour
- 15, 16, 999: they go from Mirquab to the south along the entire path parallel to the coast. 999 and 16 go all the way to Fahaheel.
By taxi
If you don't have your own vehicle, taxis are the most practical means of transportation. Taxi meters are universally ignored (official rates haven't changed in years), so you need to agree on the price before you leave. There are three types of taxis:
- Taxi on call (aka hotel taxis): They are all white with company decals on the doors and can be found lurking in major hotels. Usually booked by phone, they are generally quite nice and will take you anywhere you want to go with minimal fuss, but they charge higher prices - 3 KWD is the standard fare for most city trips, while going to / from the city. airport is 5 KWD. However, if you manage to get one on the street (away from the watchful eye of those running it), you might get a discount. Taxi Kuds (tel. 241–3414), is one of the major operators.
- Airport taxis: these are larger American cars that have their own ramp at the airport. They have a printed fare inside the taxi with fixed rates. Many drivers, however, will try to charge higher rates.
- Orange taxis: which are actually white and beige with yellow license plates and "TAXI" signs on the roof, they roam the streets of Kuwait looking for passengers. Fares are negotiable, with short trips from 1 KWD and longer journeys through the city around 2 KWD. Readily available, you are likely to be solicited by them as you try to cross the street. the drivers will try to increase the cost of the trip and will snort if the traffic is heavy or if you weren't completely clear where you were going. They will therefore ask for more upon arrival. It is easy to see when they are going to do this trick as they will start complaining just before arrival. Some, but not all, orange taxis only travel on fixed routes, and it may happen that you share taxis (and groceries) with other passengers if you get on one of them.
What see
- 1 Kuwait Towers (Kuwait Towers), Sharq, ☎ 965 1820001.
2 KWD. 
9:00-23:00. The unofficial symbol of Kuwait, found everywhere except on the flag, is Kuwait's main attraction. Designed by swedes, built by the Yugoslavs and inaugurated in 1979, are actually quite interesting up close, as the spheres are covered in a funky polka dot pattern made up of colorful circular plates. The first, 178 m high, houses the observation sphere (123 m) complete with a rotating viewing platform; do not miss the photos of the damage caused by the invasion Iraqi, at the foot of the stairway to the second level of the sphere. In the observation sphere there is also a small bar serving drinks and snacks. You can enjoy your snack at a standing table on the rotating viewing platform. The lower sphere houses the restaurant Ofok (82m), serving daily breakfast (female only), lunch and dinner buffet. The second tower, 145.8 m high, is used for storing water and is not accessible to the public, while the third tip without a sphere is mainly used to illuminate the other two at night. The best time to visit them is at sunset, although it is also the busiest time. 
- Liberation Tower (Liberation Tower). One of the tallest telecommunication towers in the world. Tourists can no longer enter the tower; however, visitors appear to be admitted on February 25, on the occasion of the national holiday.
- 2 National Museum, Gulf Street (Between the National Assembly and the Grand Mosque). Free entry. Mon-Thu 8: 30-00: 30 and 16: 30-19: 30; Fri-Sat 8: 30-11: 00 and 16: 30-19: 30. Winter afternoon hours: 16: 00-19: 00. Stripped of many artifacts during the war, part of it has been renovated and is now open to the public for display. An exhibit shows ancient relics found on the island of Failaka and the other resembles a carefully designed copy of an old Kuwaiti souk (market). Also on display an old boum (dhow) Kuwaiti.
- Sadu House (Right next to the national museum). Made of coral and plaster, it is used as a cultural museum to protect the arts and crafts of the Bedouin society. It is a great place to buy Bedouin goods.
- Bayt Al-Badr (Right next to the national museum). It is one of the very few remaining houses built in ancient Kuwaiti architecture. It is worth going through.
- 3 Seif Palace (Between the Great Mosque and the National Museum). Built in 1896, the interior features original Islamic mosaic tiles, although these suffered severely during the occupation Iraqi. You will not be allowed to enter, however it is still interesting to walk around and see the vast gardens of the palace.
- 4 National Assembly (Next to the national museum). Not open to the public. The National Assembly is the seat of the Kuwaiti parliament and is one of the few architectural masterpieces in the country.
- 5 Great mosque (Opposite the Seif Palace and about 400m east of the national museum). Guided tours by friendly Kuwaitis are available for tourists. Women can borrow suitable clothing to enter the mosque directly on site. You will probably be told to come back at a later time for a guided tour by the security guard when you visit the mosque. Come back later hoping there will be a guide available.
- War Museum (Located in a residential area at the end of Gulf Street near Shuwaikh Port, opposite the Kuwait Petrol Company headquarters). The war museum depicts Kuwait's somewhat gory view of the invasion Iraqi.
- 6 Al Shaheed Park, ☎ 965 22461267, @[email protected]. Kuwait's largest urban park and is a cultural platform with cutting-edge architecture and artwork.
- Fish market (Just west of the Sharq shopping center). Perhaps the most interesting thing to see in Kuwait. It is a gigantic and lively building full of rows of counters full of fish. The interior is kept very clean with people constantly wetting the floor.
- Scientific Center (By the sea beside Gulf Street in Salmiya). The Science Center is a family-friendly entertainment facility that features a 3D cinema with nature movies and an aquarium. Traditional boums (dhows) are on display outside.
2 KWD. 
9:00-23:00. The unofficial symbol of Kuwait, found everywhere except on the flag, is Kuwait's main attraction. Designed by 
Events and parties
What to do
There are several things to do in Al Kuwait. You can have lunch or dinner in the Kuwait Towers (the three towers by the sea). It is worth taking a tour of the Grand Mosque, just ask kindly to the security guard at the entrance to the mosque. Across the street from the Grand Mosque is the Kuwait Stock Exchange, which appears to be open to the public.
While in Kuwait it is also possible to smoke Shisha (Hookah) in a bar. There are also some very good restaurants with foods Iranians, Lebanese and Bedouins.
To escape the intense heat, visit theAqua Park close to the Kuwait Towers. Entrance costs 3.50 KWD / person and offers a variety of modern rides and pools inside.
You can also walk along many of the sidewalks that line the Kuwait coast. At sunset, it is ideal to sit on a bench facing the Souq Sharq and watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea. Buy a bag of nuts or a bag of olives from the fish market souq and then relax.
Fitness enthusiasts and health enthusiasts have several options for engaging with an exclusive fitness center in and around Al Kuwait. Some of the best spas and gyms are connected to hotels like the Palms, SAS Radisson, Hilton etc. There are also independent spas and fitness centers. Elysium, Flex, Spa time and Ayurmana are just some of the best fitness centers in Al Kuwait. Ayurmana it also has an exclusive yoga studio for women and a Ayurvedic center much appreciated.
Study opportunities
The American University of Kuwait is located in the Salmiya District, the Gulf University of Science and Technology is located in Mishref, the Australian College of Kuwait is located in Mishref, the American University of Middle East and the American College of the Middle East are located in Egaila, the University of Kuwait has some campuses in different parts of the city, Box Hill College Kuwait is located in Abu Halifa.
Many schools British, American, French, Indian is Pakistani they are found in several areas of Kuwait.
Shopping
Several high-end shopping malls in Al Kuwait, with the Marina Mall being one of the largest. However, the prices are quite high, especially compared to other places in the region - most branded products will cost 2 to 5 times what they would cost in the West.
- Modern shopping centers: Souq Sharq (Al Kuwait) e Marina Mall (Salmiya) are both located on the coastal Gulf Road and offer great shopping. Another mall is Al-Kout (Fahaheel), has several nice cafes and many other outlets. Araya Mall (Sharq) e Al-Salhiya Mall (Sharq) offer high-priced designer brands. The Avenues it is a newer mall and is one of the largest in Kuwait.
- Traditional markets: a famous destination is the Souk Al Mubarakiya, in the heart of the center. Middle Eastern and Eastern items abound as well as a gold and jewelry market. The Al-Juma'a souk it's a Friday market with mass-produced goods at very low prices and second-hand stuff. Also Mahameed markets overall Behbahani have a similar selection and prices.
- A more oriental vibe can be found across town even in a shopping mall called Souk Al-Watiya or Al-Watiya Complex, located next to the Sheraton Hotel and the 4 Point Sheraton. This place is also called Adidas Building come on Filipinos locals. Located near the churches, the whole area can feel like a mini city Indiana and a Filipino city on Fridays and Sundays. Many restaurants also serve fast food or traditional oriental foods. This is also a good place to shop for gold or jewelry.
The Al-Fanar shopping center in Kuwait has restaurants, cafes and many shops such as Ralph Lauren and Lacoste.
How to have fun
Shows
- Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center (JACC, Kuwait Opera House, مركز الشيخ جابر الأحمد الثقافي). An important complex built in 2016 that hosts various cultural and musical activities of the country. It is the largest cultural center and opera house in Middle East.
Where to eat
French: Le Relais de l'Entrecote (Avenues Mall, Al-Fanar Mall, Salmiya) - The traditional steaks, based on the original Parisian restaurant of Porte Malliot; Paul (Marina Mall, Salmiya and others) - The patisserie serving pretty authentic pastries / baguettes and some decent appetizers.
Italian: The Viaggio restaurant located on the first floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel probably has one of the best authentic Italian dishes in town. Lorenzo, next to the Salhiya Complex (in Sharg), and Ricardo, who is at the Sheraton, are considered among the best Italian restaurants in Kuwait. Pomodoro which is located in Sharg next to the church also serves good Italian food. Nino's, on Gulf Road, is also good, but it's more of a casual restaurant. Gelato Italiano, in the Sharg Ahmed AlJaber st area. - Gaz Tower, tel. 22434434, one of the first in Kuwait since 2001, highly regarded, and offers a large selection of Italian ice creams.
Indian: Mugal Mahal (sharg), Bukhara (Sheraton hotel), Silk and Spice (Al Kout Mall, Fahaheel), Asha's (Marina crescent). The Spice Club (360 Mall), is a popular spot in the new mall and is acclaimed for its North Indian delicacies and varied menu, making it an attraction for regular year-round foodies - highly recommended.
Lebanese: Villa Fayrouz (Sha'ab), Mejana (Al Kout Mall, Fahahel), Mais Al-Ghanim (Gulf Road), Tarboosh (Sheraton Hotel), Burj Al Hamam.
Persian: Shahrayar (Sheraton Hotel), Shabestan (Crowne Plaza Hotel), Baba Taher (Sharq)
Kuwaiti: AL-Marsa located at the Ritz Hotel on the gulf road, highly recommended for those who want to try the local cuisine.
American: Johnny Rockets (Marina Mall, Kout Mall, The Avenues), Chilis and Fridays both located on the Gulf Road
Japanese: Kei (Marriott Hotel or Marina Mall), Maki (Marina Waves, Edo (Shaeb) Sakura (Crown Plaza hotel or Layla Gallery) are all four highly recommended.
Chinese: Verdi (Gulf Road), Golden chopsticks (Sha'ab), Peacok (Radisson Sas Hotel).
Hamburger: Burger Hub serves over 50 types of gourmet burgers and appetizers, the widest selection in GCC and ME (Gulf Road opposite Al Seif building), gourmet burger (marina mall). Burger Co. (Hawalli opposite Muhalab Mall)
Breakfast: Prime and Toast is the first gourmet deli del Middle East located opposite (Seif palace).
Moderate prices
- Fish market (Marboula). A great fish restaurant where fresh fish is displayed and sold and cooked according to your instructions. Of further interest is that this great restaurant is located next to TGI Friday's, which Kuwaitis treat as a high-class restaurant and queue long to be seen. An ideal opportunity to enjoy excellent food.
Where stay
Western chains are prevalent in Kuwait, with the JW Marriott and Sheraton being the largest five-star hotels in the downtown business district. Also featured are the Courtyard by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton, along with two luxurious Le Méridien properties. A Crowne Plaza is located near Kuwait International Airport; there are also two Holiday Inn properties, one in the Salmiya shopping district and the other located in downtown Kuwait City. Additional resort hotels, such as the Hilton and the Kempinski, are located on the coast.
Moderate prices
- 1 Hawali Continental Hotel, Hawali Qutiba St.
Average prices
- The Oasis Hotel (At the intersection of Ahmad Al-Jaber Street and Mubarak Al-Kabeer St), ☎ 965 2465489, fax: 965 2465490, @[email protected]. Solid hotel in the center of Al Kuwait, which takes care of arranging airport pickup and has a good Indian restaurant on the top floor.
High prices
- 2 Courtyard Kuwait City, Al Shuhada St (Dasman), ☎ 965-22-997000. 250 USD. Much nicer than an average courtyard, but at a comparable price. 22 floors of modern and discreet style built around a soaring atrium. Large but shallow rooftop pool, decent gym, free wired Internet in every room and wifi in the lobby, amazing buffet breakfast. Directly connected to the Arraya Center shopping mall.
- 3 Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait, Al Bida Al Tawoun Street, Salwa, ☎ 965 2567 3000, @[email protected]. This five-star beachfront resort hotel is minutes from downtown Al Kuwait and major shopping areas. There is a wide selection of business, leisure and leisure facilities, a wide range of recreational activities. There are also great restaurants to choose from and a free shuttle into town. The main disadvantage is that the raw wastewater is discharged into the sea a few hundred meters away. If you have a sensitive nose, better not stay here.
- 4 JW Marriott Kuwait City, Al Shuhada St, ☎ 965 245-5550.
Safety
Kuwait is relatively safe. Crime rates are low and civil strife is in close proximity Iraq did not extend to Kuwait. The same is not true for some suburbs where it can be dangerous for single women to walk alone. The cars will stop demanding that Western women come aboard very threateningly.
Be very careful when crossing the road - Kuwaiti drivers are reckless. There are no lights for pedestrians and pedestrian crossings are virtually ignored.
Do not say anything that could be perceived as an insult to Islam, the Kuwaiti government or national pride. Drug trafficking, murder and rape are punishable by death. It is also important to note that publicly swearing at someone or gesticulating in an obscene way is grounds for arrest and hefty fines or immediate deportation.
Embassies
Canada.
1 Georgia, Qurtoba, Block 2, 1st street area, Avenue 3, Villa 6, Kuwait City, ☎ 965 2535 29 09, fax: 965 2535 47 07, @[email protected].
Greece, Khaldiya, Bl.4, Str 44, Hs 4 (P.O.Box 23812 Safat 13099, Kuwait), ☎ 965 24 817 100, 965 99 163 502 (emergencies), fax: 965 24 817 103, @[email protected].
Serbia, Surra Block 5, St 1, House 71, ☎ 965 2532 75 48, fax: 965 2532 75 68, @[email protected].
United States, ☎ 965 2259-1001, fax: 965 2538-0282.
Poland, Al-Jabriya, Block 7, Street 3, Villa 20, ☎ 965 25 311 571, fax: 965 25 311 576, @[email protected].
How to keep in touch
Around
Anyone who has spent more than a few months in Kuwait he soon realizes that he has seen and done everything that can be seen and done here. Exploring the Gulf region becomes a relatively low-cost diversion whatever an adventurer's tastes are: rock climbing, snow skiing, scuba diving, fishing, drinking, dancing, or whatever.
Useful information
The best way for any westerner to approach life in Kuwait, particularly if he comes here with no family, he is making a lot of friends. The newcomer will find that friendships between members of the Western expat community form faster than at home. There are many social activities to get involved in, especially sports (cricket, rugby, sailing, squash, tennis, horseback riding, darts, to name a few). Theater groups, hikers, choirs and business associations are also available (in collaboration with various Western embassies). Christian churches are also well represented.
An essential first step is to register with the embassy of your country, so that the consular staff are aware of your arrival and domicile in Kuwait. In addition, it is advisable to register with a doctor and a dentist, if needed, even with the help of your embassy.
Kuwait is a predominantly Muslim country, so it is advisable to wear respectable clothing when traveling. That said, "respectful" is a relative term. Kuwaiti malls are full of young Kuwaitis in shorts, tight clothes, etc. With Dubai, this is one of the few places in the region where it is easy to get away with wearing shorts if you want.
Alcohol is illegal in Kuwait and its possession carries very severe penalties. However, many residents, both Kuwaiti and expatriates, maintain well-stocked bars in their homes. Home brewing is a thriving hobby. That said, it is essential to remember that this is a Muslim country and it is extremely foolish to openly break the local laws. Due respect should be shown at all times.
