Kuwait, a small emirate often likened to a city-state, is largely dominated by parched desert, with few notable attractions outside the city limits.
The local Kuwaiti population is a minority, comprising less than a third of the 3.4 million residents, while the majority consists of immigrant workers employed in construction, hospitality, and domestic services.
Kuwait's skyscrapers stand tall in the city, with stunningly modern and clean hospitals that exhibit an unsettling lack of activity. This atmosphere of tranquility extends throughout the city, where many spaces feel eerily empty. The city presents a striking contrast, with elegant, towering skyscrapers juxtaposed against the lack of landscaping at street level.
Most of the time, Kuwaitis prefer the comfort of indoors. The shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels reflect this preference, furnished with modern and antique Middle Eastern décor. A small park with green spaces offers a break from the heat, though the grass remains damp from the continuously running sprinkler system.
Delicious foods in Emirate
The highlight of the brief stay in Kuwait was an invitation to a lavish family villa for dinner. The spread included barbecued and roasted meats, lightly spiced with distinctive smoky Middle Eastern flavors. A variety of flatbreads, curried rices, pulses, raita, and vegetables were served. There was an overwhelming amount of food for the four guests and three male household members.
After dinner, tea flavored with cardamom and saffron was enjoyed while lounging in oversized armchairs, embroidered with intricate designs. Conversations continued into the early hours, with stories about the Iraqi occupation in the 1990s being particularly captivating.
A memorable lunch was also had at a seaside restaurant, with more barbecued lamb and chicken. Later, while waiting for the valet to bring the car, a conversation was had with a group of Bangladeshi workers enjoying a lunch break. They spoke of their dislike for the dry heat, preferring the humid climate of their homeland, which they found cooler. The conversation revealed their longing for their families, villages, and home-cooked food.
Things to See and Do
Kuwait City offers limited attractions for the average tourist. Even the official Kuwait tourism website notes that outside the city, there is little to see, with only barren desert or fruit farms. Within the city, the primary activities for Kuwaitis revolve around shopping and dining. There are numerous massive shopping malls, each filled with a wide variety of cafes and restaurants. The seafront is pleasant, featuring beach clubs along with more cafes and restaurants.
Go to a small detour to show off the glitzy shopping mall where he worked as the resident manager. While shopping malls are not generally appealing, this particular visit proved worthwhile. The Avenues mall, stretching two miles from end to end, housed over 600 stores and cafes. It featured every brand imaginable, including many British institutions.
The mall’s extravagant design, particularly the enormous ornamental central dome, made it stand out. A relaxing tea and cake in one of the lavish cafes offered a setting reminiscent of those in London’s Harrods or Selfridges.
Kuwait left a lingering impression, with its tiny size and apparent lack of attractions beyond shopping malls, skyscrapers, and delicious food. Despite a short visit, little was observed in terms of recreational activities, in contrast to other Emirate cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The streets and malls seemed strangely deserted, as if under curfew.
Despite the potential of warm seas, sandy shores, and guaranteed sunshine, Kuwait did little to attract tourists. The future of the emirate, particularly when oil reserves run low, raised questions about its direction.
Kuwait City, Kuwait 🇰🇼 - by drone [4K] | مدينة الكويت من فوق
Video by Drone Snap
