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Kuwait City skyline reflected over calm water

Kuwait travel guide

A short-stay city break on the Gulf, best planned around the cool months

Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec

Photo: Frans van Heerden / Pexels

Capital
Kuwait City
Language
Arabic
Currency
Kuwaiti dinar
Time zone
UTC+03:00
Plugs
Type C, G · 240 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Kuwait

Kuwait suits travellers who want a compact city trip: Kuwait City, home to around 2,989,000 people, mixes modern towers with a coastal waterfront. The best months to visit are December, January, February and March, when temperatures are easier to handle. Outside that window, summer heat makes outdoor sightseeing hard going, so plan activities around the cooler season.

  • A clear season for visiting

    Our data rates December, January, February and March as the best months to visit Kuwait. Plan your trip for this window if you want more time outdoors in Kuwait City and along the coast.

  • A capital on the coast

    Kuwait City is both the capital and a coastal city. With about 2989000 residents, it is where most visitors base themselves, and the sea is part of daily city life.

  • Small country, easy to cover

    Kuwait covers just 17818 km², with a total population of 4881254. Distances are short, and traffic drives on the right, so travellers used to right-hand driving will find it simple to explore beyond the capital.

  • Straightforward practical details

    Kuwait uses the Kuwaiti dinar, and Arabic is the official language. The country runs on UTC+03:00. Power is 240 V with type C and G plugs, and the emergency number is 112.

Is Kuwait right for you?

Great for

  • Travellers wanting dry, sunny winters, with 9-10 sun hours a day in Dec-Feb
  • Desert heat lovers, since July highs reach 44.5°C
  • Short winter breaks, since Dec-Mar highs stay 17-26°C with little rain
  • City trips based in one coastal capital, Kuwait City

Less ideal for

  • Summer visits, since June-September highs run 41-45°C with zero rain days
  • Beach holidays, as the country has only one coastal city and no beach data listed
  • Rainy-season seekers, since even the wettest month, November, gets just 31 mm of rain
  • Travellers wanting festivals or events, as none are listed for Kuwait

Kuwait right now: October

4.0/10
Avg high
35°C
Avg low
20°C
Rain days
1

Averages for Kuwait.

Weather by month

This climate data is for Kuwait City. January to March and November to December are the most comfortable months, with highs of 18-26°C and most of the year's rain, so pack a light jacket for cool evenings. June through September are the toughest months, with highs of 41-45°C, almost zero rainfall, and intense sun of up to 12.5 hours a day.

Average highs and lows in Kuwait by month January: high 18°C, low 6°C , 3 rain days . February: high 21°C, low 8°C , 4 rain days . March: high 26°C, low 13°C , 3 rain days . April: high 32°C, low 18°C , 2 rain days . May: high 38°C, low 24°C , 0 rain days . June: high 43°C, low 28°C , 0 rain days . July: high 45°C, low 30°C , 0 rain days . August: high 44°C, low 29°C , 0 rain days . September: high 41°C, low 26°C , 0 rain days . October: high 35°C, low 20°C , 1 rain days . November: high 24°C, low 13°C , 5 rain days . December: high 19°C, low 8°C , 4 rain days . 18°C 6°C JAN 3d 21°C 8°C FEB 4d 26°C 13°C MAR 3d 32°C 18°C APR 2d 38°C 24°C MAY 0d 43°C 28°C JUN 0d 45°C 30°C JUL 0d 44°C 29°C AUG 0d 41°C 26°C SEP 0d 35°C 20°C OCT 1d 24°C 13°C NOV 5d 19°C 8°C DEC 4d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Kuwait (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Kuwait: month-by-month weather →

Food to try in Kuwait

Machboos

This is Kuwait's national dish: spiced rice cooked with meat, usually chicken or lamb, and dried lime. It is served at family gatherings and festive meals across the country.

Mutabbaq Samak

A layered rice dish made with fish instead of meat, flavoured with spices and tamarind. It reflects Kuwait's long history as a fishing and trading nation on the Gulf.

Gers Ogaily

A sweet cardamom and saffron bread, often eaten at breakfast or with afternoon tea. It has a dense, slightly spiced flavour that pairs well with Arabic coffee.

Harees

A porridge-like dish made from boiled, cracked wheat and shredded meat, slow-cooked until smooth. It is traditionally served during Ramadan evenings and at celebrations.

Daqoos

A spicy tomato and garlic sauce used as a dip or condiment with grilled fish or rice dishes. It adds heat and tang to otherwise mild staples like machboos.

Arabic coffee (gahwa)

Lightly roasted coffee infused with cardamom, served in small cups as a sign of hospitality. It is offered to guests in homes and at majlis gatherings throughout Kuwait.

Know before you go

  • Language and currency: Arabic is the official language, and English is widely understood in cities. The currency is the Kuwaiti dinar, one of the highest-valued currencies in the world.
  • Plugs and voltage: Kuwait uses plug types C and G, running on 240 V. Travellers from countries with different plug shapes or lower voltage will need an adapter.
  • Driving side: Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in Kuwait, the same as in most of mainland Europe and the US.
  • Emergency number: Dial 112 for police, fire or ambulance anywhere in Kuwait.
  • Calling code: Kuwait's international calling code is +965. You'll need this if arranging SIM cards or calling ahead to hotels.
  • Time zone: Kuwait sits in the UTC+03:00 time zone year-round, with no daylight saving changes to plan around.

Kuwait: frequently asked questions

Is Kuwait good to visit in August?

No, August is tough. Daytime highs average 44.2°C with zero rain days and 11.9 hours of sun, so the heat is intense and there is no rain to cool things down. This month scores just 3.5 out of 10 on our verdict scale, rated "avoid".

What is the best time to visit Kuwait?

The best months are March, January, February and December. These months score between 9.1 and 9.5 out of 10. Highs range from about 17.7°C in January to 25.9°C in March, with lows between 6°C and 12.5°C, making the weather far more comfortable than the summer months.

How hot does it get in Kuwait in summer?

Very hot. July is the peak, with an average high of 44.5°C and a low of 29.9°C. June and August are close behind, with highs of 42.6°C and 44.2°C. None of these three months get any rain, and all score 3.5 out of 10.

Does it rain much in Kuwait?

Rain is rare and seasonal. November is the wettest month with 31 mm over 4.8 rain days, followed by December at 25 mm over 4.4 days. From May through September there is almost no rain at all, with June, July, August and September recording 0 mm.

Is Kuwait warm enough to visit in winter?

Yes, winter is mild and comfortable. December highs average 18.8°C with lows of 7.7°C, and January highs average 17.7°C with lows of 6°C. Both months score above 9 out of 10, among the best conditions of the year.

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