Hi, we’re Maryam (44) and Talal (35), Kuwaiti siblings and travel buddies. We love exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, hiking, camping, going to concerts, visiting museums, and discovering historical sites. Trying local food is always a must on our adventures.

***** Hosting and Surfing *****

Please don’t send me hosting requests. I neither host or surf. However I am always up for meetup opportunities.

***** Budget Hotels *****

A couple of options I know are the Oasis Hotel and the Panorama Hotel.

***** Where to Stay Late or Early in Kuwait: Cafés and Al Shaheed Park *****

Forest - Botanical Coffee House
CAF (Kaifan Branch)
CAFFEINE Cafe (Shuwaikh Branch)

These are 24-hour cafés open around the clock. Most places in Kuwait close by 10:00 pm, so if you need a spot to hang out while waiting for your host or for your flight during late-night hours—such as after midnight—these cafés are your best option.

Al Shaheed Park, which is open from 5:00 am until midnight, is also very safe to visit. It features restaurants, cafés, and museums, making it a great place to spend time.

***** Airport Taxi *****

At Kuwait Airport, take a white taxi—run by retired Kuwaitis. They’re reliable, and the fare is always fixed.

***** Must-Visit Museum *****

Al-Salam Palace Museum https://aspm.com.kw/. You must book a ticket online as there is no physical kiosk at the location.

Tareq Rajab Museum
https://www.instagram.com/tareqmuseum

***** 5-hour Walk to Explore Kuwait*****

To make the most of a day in Kuwait, take a walk all the way from Shuwaikh Beach to Pearl Marzouq during the pleasant weather from October to March. Explore the museums, restaurants, and cafes along the coastline. Finally, don't miss the super beautiful sunset at Marina Walk, which could be pink or orange.

However in summer (June until August); avoid walking outdoors between 11:00 am until 16:00.

Highlights:
Al-Salam Palace Museum (highly recommended)
Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre
Jibla Freej Alwatya
The Amricani Cultural Centre
National Assembly of Kuwait
Kuwait National Museum
Sadu House & Sadu Street
Sief Palace (restricted entry)
Mubarakiya Old Market
Grand Mosque of Kuwait
Dewaniyat Al-Qallallef
Maritime Museum
Bait AlSidr
Kuwait Towers
Green Island
Marina Walk

***** Evening Scene*****
For a lively local evening scene, visit Abraj Park—home to specialty cafes, food trucks, and a public park with Kuwait’s iconic water towers (not Kuwait Towers). It’s a favorite hangout for young locals and perfect for sunset views and Instagram-worthy shots.

***** Explore Kuwait by Car*****

I highly recommend renting a car. Gas is incredibly cheap, even cheaper than mineral water, and the city is not designed for walking, much like many parts of the U.S. Unlike European cities, you won't be able to explore the main sights on foot.

If visiting in the summer, start your day early to avoid the peak heat. Plan to stay indoors between 11:00 and 16:00.

While driving, tune in to 94.9 FM to enjoy traditional Kuwaiti music. Begin with a drive on the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway, the fifth longest sea bridge in the world. Stop at the first artificial island for an amazing view of Kuwait City's skyline. At the end of the bridge, you'll find a desert area that is planned to become the new Silk City. That area, Subbiya Desert, is speculated to be the location of Garden of Eden.

Book a 2-hour guided tour at the Al-Salam Palace Museum to learn about Kuwait's history. Note that only online booking is available; there is no kiosk, and you can't book on-site.

Head to the Sadu House Museum and snap Instagram-worthy photos on Sadu Street. The museum features a specialty cafe and gift shop. It's open from 08:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, closed on Fridays. While you're there, check out the pre-oil dhow next to the museum, once the fastest dhow and known for assisting the British during WWII.

Visit the Kuwaiti Towers, where you can spend 45 minutes in the viewing sphere or stay longer if you choose to dine at one of the restaurants. If you're looking for Kuwaiti food, have lunch at Dar Hamad or at Freej Swaeleh, both are mid-range restaurants.

Don't miss the sunset in Kuwait—it’s the most beautiful I've ever seen, with a vibrant orange hue due to dust particles in the air. The best spot to watch it is from Marina Walk. You can enjoy a Kuwaiti dinner at Sarda Restaurant, located in a brutalist building from the 1970s. There people also rent bicycles to ride along the coast. If it is summer, it's best to do this after sunset or shortly before.

I don't usually like malls, but for a cultural experience, I highly recommend visiting Avenues Mall after sunset, which is the peak time. Due to the heat, the mall is designed as an outdoor space with protection from the weather, allowing sunlight to beam in. It's like a large city, complete with a police station, clinics, a dentist, plastic surgery centers, banks, and government offices where people can handle their paperwork while their kids enjoy games, restaurants, cafes, shopping, and events. You can even see people jogging inside the mall on regular basis. I especially recommend visiting the Kuwaiti-themed section of the mall.

***** Kuwaiti-Iraqi Boarders *****

To reach the Kuwaiti-Iraqi borders, your best bet is to take a taxi which costs KD 30. Unfortunately, public buses cater to groups and not for individual travelers

****** Ferry Trips - Bahrain and Qatar ******

If you’re visiting Bahrain, you may also want to visit Qatar—it’s only about 70 minutes away. You can travel there as a passenger or take your car, with bookings available through the MASAR app.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet locals during my travels to gain authentic insights into the culture, lifestyle, and connect with people on a deeper level beyond typical tourist attractions.

Interests

• powerlifting
• hiking
• geology
• historic sites
• food
• freediving
• musuems

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Industrial &Grunge Rock, Jazz, Kuwaiti Folk Music
Movie: Children of Men
Book: Two Sides of the Moon

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Witnessed the sunrise on top of Mount Fuji, Japan.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: how to hold your breath for 90 seconds.
Learn: music theory
Share: my culture

What I Can Share with Hosts

Share stories about culture and history of Kuwait

Countries I’ve Visited

Antarctica, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Yemen

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Belgium, Germany, Kuwait, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, United States