With its landmark triple towers looming over a clean and accessible corniche; a first-class aquarium and some excellent museums; stunning pieces of marine and land architecture; malls and souqs to please the most descending or eclectic of shoppers; and a selection of restaurants to whet the appetite of the fussiest gourmands, Kuwait City is a sophisticated and interesting destination in its own right. Add to its sights and attractions a harrowing layer of modern history, the effects of which rumble invisibly below the surface, and there is enough to keep all but the dedicated night clubber intrigued for days.

Kuwait City is vast. Extending 25 km or more from east to west and 12 km from north to south, one district runs seamlessly into the next. For the visitor, there are three or four key landmarks. Most of the city center, sites of interest and souqs are encased by the First Ring Rd and by Arabian Gulf St., which forms the corniche. At the northernmost point of the corniche are the distinctive triple Kuwait Towers and in the middle of central Kuwait City is the unmistakable Liberation Tower, used for telecommunications.