The place to buy everything from Afghan coats and antiques to a secondhand sofa, this enormous semi-covered market is a shopping extravaganza – but, more importantly, it offers a look at Kuwaiti life across the board. Shuffle between dusty rails of abayas (full-length robe-like dresses) and meet good-natured vendors with insight into the nation's affairs. Note traffic and parking around the market can be frustrating.
Souq Al Juma
Kuwait City
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
5.6 MILES
Housed in the basement of a large villa, this exquisite ethnographic museum should not be missed. There are inlaid musical instruments suspended in glass…
4.29 MILES
Once the centre of trade before the nation found oil, Kuwait City's old souq has retained its sprawling, bustling glory. The historical centre of the…
4.7 MILES
The largest of the city’s 800 mosques, opened in 1986, completely survived the Iraqi invasion. It cost KD14 million (US$46 million) to build, with…
8.54 MILES
One of the largest aquariums in the Middle East is housed in this sail-shaped building. The giant spider crabs (3.8m leg to leg), fluorescent jellyfish…
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4.09 MILES
For a brilliantly bizarre art-in-action experience, visit this residential house covered with mirror mosaics. It's the creation of gloriously eccentric…
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3.78 MILES
This exceptional cultural centre has stunning galleries that contain some of the highlights of the world-class Al Sabah Collection, part of which was in…
6.03 MILES
The Kuwait Towers, with their distinctive blue-green ‘sequins’, are the instantly recognisable symbols of the nation. Designed by a Swedish architectural…
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10.66 MILES
In the residential suburb of Qurain, this excellent small museum is a sobering memorial to a cell of young Kuwaitis who tried to resist Iraqi arrest in…
Nearby Kuwait City attractions
0.66 MILES
A huge modern space hosting a permanent collection and regular exhibitions featuring Kuwaiti artists, plus occasional international names, talks and panel…
2. Historical, Vintage & Classic Cars Museum
1.82 MILES
Gearheads won't believe their eyes walking into this exhibition of perfectly polished mint-condition vintage cars covering more than a century of motoring…
2.45 MILES
Although not strictly open to the casual caller, the impressive Arab Fund Building, with a host of exceptionally beautiful rooms, is worth the trouble of…
3.3 MILES
Considerable wealth has been channelled into the nation's religious architecture, with some 60% of Kuwait’s mosques financed and built by individuals,…
3.32 MILES
City gates once lined Al Soor St – one that remains is Al Jahra Gate, at the centre of where Al Soor St meets the First Ring Road. Despite the gate's…
3.48 MILES
This refurbished, simple city gate once used to enter Kuwait's walled city is around a century old. Although the wall has come down, similar gates all…
3.58 MILES
When Kuwait City was protected by a wall, gates such as this one allowed folks to enter and exit while the wall protected the city from attack. Around a…
3.78 MILES
This exceptional cultural centre has stunning galleries that contain some of the highlights of the world-class Al Sabah Collection, part of which was in…