Kuwait - Places to see

Al-Hashemi
Listed in the Guinness Book of records Al-Hashemi II is the largest wooden dhow in the world and is located adjacent to the Radisson SAS hotel in Salwa. The lower level of the dhow holds the Grand Ballroom, known to be one of the finest in Kuwait. A small dhow museum is located in the vicinity.

Arab Organisations Building
Contact: Adnan
Tel: + 965 484 5000
E-mail: [email protected]
Tours can be arranged by appointment to view this excellent example of Arab and Islamic architecture. The Atrium contains trees that rotate throughout the day to capture maximum sunlight and contains the world’s largest mashrabiya, an ornate wooden partition used in front of a window or as a room divider.

Dickson House
Sharq, Arabian Gulf Street
Hours: Saturday to Thursday 8:30am – 12:30pm / Friday 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Easily recognisable by its blue doors and railings, this building was once home to British agent Col. Harold Dickson and his wife Violet, who played a major role in the building of relations between Kuwait and the United Kingdom.

Tareq Rajab Museum
Jabriya, Area 12, street 5, Tel: 531 7358 / Fax: 533 9063
Tel: + 965 533 9063
Hours: Saturday to Thursday 9:00am – 12:00pm and 4:00pm – 7:00pm / Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm
This privately owned collection includes art, weapons, jewellery, clothing and manuscripts and is one of the finest museums in the Middle East. Entry is free. As guided tours are limited, it is advisable for large groups to make tour arrangements in advance. Guided tours are only available for schools, groups and official parties.

The Educational Science Museum
Safat, Abdullah Al Mubarak Street
Tel: + 965 242 1268
Hours: Saturday to Wednesday 9:00am – 12:00pm and 4:30pm – 7:00pm
The Educational Science Museum holds various displays on subjects including aviation, electronics, natural history, petroleum, space and zoology. The entrance fee is 150fils per adult and 100fils per child.

The National Museum
Qibla, Arabian Gulf Street (Western side of National Assembly building)
Tel: + 965 245 1195
Hours: Daily 10:00am – 13:00pm and 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Located on Arabian Gulf Street a stone’s throw away from the National Assembly building in the direction of Seif Palace, the National Museum houses many antiquities including pearl-diving relics, ethnic artefacts and excavation finds from Failaka Island. The extensive collection of Islamic art is comparable to collections found in museums in both Paris and London and the museum is reputed to possess the greatest collection of Islamic art in the Middle East. The museum hosts regular contemporary art exhibitions and has a large library and planetarium.