Kuwait

Small Persian Gulf nation where oil-built modernity overlays pearl-diving, seafaring, and Bedouin traditions.

Kuwait is a small, wealthy nation wedged between Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the northwestern shore of the Persian Gulf. It is one of the richest countries on earth per capita, and its capital, Kuwait City, is a gleaming modern metropolis that rose from the desert on oil money. But beneath the skyscrapers and shopping malls lies a culture shaped by centuries of pearl diving, seafaring, and Bedouin tradition.

The country is compact -- you can drive from one end to the other in about two hours -- and most of it is flat desert. The coastline is the main attraction, a long stretch of waterfront from the iconic Kuwait Towers in the north to the beaches of Salmiya and the industrial south. In between, the old Souk Al-Mubarakiya offers a taste of pre-oil Kuwait, with spice merchants, gold dealers, and traditional food stalls that have been there for generations.

Kuwait is not an obvious tourist destination, and that is part of its appeal. You will not find the manufactured glamour of Dubai or the ancient ruins of Jordan. What you will find is an authentic Gulf state where Kuwaiti families crowd into restaurants on Thursday nights, where the call to prayer echoes across a skyline of glass towers, and where the hospitality is genuine and warm. The food scene is excellent -- a mix of traditional Kuwaiti dishes, Iranian, Indian, and Lebanese cuisine that reflects the country's diverse expatriate population.

Visitors should know that Kuwait is a conservative Muslim country. Alcohol is completely illegal -- not just restricted, but banned outright. The summer heat is brutal, regularly exceeding 50C, making November through March the only sensible time to visit. But come during the cooler months and you will find a fascinating, underrated corner of the Gulf.

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