Kuwait CityCapital
Kuwait · Country profile
Kuwait City is the modern, Gulf-side capital of the emirate of Kuwait, a gleaming city of the towers and the boulevards that rises from the flat desert along the shoreline of the bay of the country. Rebuilt from the fires of the war of the nineties, it is now a wealth-driven metropolis of the waterfront malls, the glass skyscrapers and the national monuments of the nation, with the old city still hidden behind the walls of the centre. The grand mosque, the great markets of the souk and the towers of the waterfront anchor the historic and the modern faces of the capital, and the marinas and the beaches of the coast set the leisurely rhythm of the town. Wealthy, tidy and surprisingly gentle, it is the sophisticated heart of the compact, oil-rich nation.
About Kuwait City
Kuwait City is the capital of Kuwait. The city's documented population is around 3,200,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) and Arabic is spoken; the dialling code is +965. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Kuwait International Airport.
The Capital of the Bay and the Towers of the Waterfront
Kuwait City divides between the old streets of the centre and the modern waterfront of the Salmiya and the Sharp, with the great mosque, the national museum and the souk of the Mubarakiya making the historic route of the town. The towers of the city, with their spheres of the restaurants and their viewing decks, crown the skyline of the bay, and the marinas, the cafés and the malls of the coast fill the daily life of the capital. The beaches of the south and the desert camps of the country lie beyond the town on the highways of the emirate. It is a clean, wealthy and surprisingly gentle capital, best savoured slowly between the museum and the sea.
The Gulf Climates, the Weekend Rhythms and the Malls of the Coast
The climate of the Gulf runs extremely hot through the summer and turns mild and pleasant through the short, sunny winter, while the desert rain of the year falls almost entirely in the cooler months. The dinar is the one of the strongest currencies of the world, the Arabic the language, with the English widespread in the business and the hotel circles. The museums, the souk and the towers make the core circuit, and the crowding of the holy days and the Friday closure of the offices shape the week. Light, modest dress for the heat and the respect of the Ramadan hours complete the practical list of the capital.
The Souk of the Mubarakiya, the Grand Mosque and the Dhows of the Harbour
The towers of the Kuwait, the two blue spheres of the waterfront landmark with their restaurants, their garden and their viewing globe, remain the proud symbol of the skyline of the capital. The souk of the Mubarakiya, the old covered market of the town with its spice stalls, its gold shops and its falcon house, carries the traditional trade of the country, while the grand mosque of the centre, one of the largest of the Gulf, welcomes the visitors of the faiths. The museum of the national heritage and the memorials of the liberation, together with the sailing dhows of the old harbour, complete the picture of the modern, wealthy, history-conscious capital of Kuwait.
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- Country
- Kuwait
- Population
- 3,200,000
- Coordinates
- 29.2266, 47.9689
- Capital
- Kuwait City
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +965
- Country code
- KW
Getting to Kuwait City
Airports we list for Kuwait City:
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuwait City the capital of Kuwait?
Yes — Kuwait City is the capital of Kuwait.
What currency do I need in Kuwait City?
The local currency is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD). Languages spoken in Kuwait include Arabic.
What is the dialling code for Kuwait?
The international dialling code for Kuwait is +965.
Which airport should I fly into for Kuwait City?
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) is the airport we list for Kuwait City.
Flying out of Kuwait City? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.