Shopping in Kuwait: A Perfect Guide to Popular Malls and Souqs

Kuwait is a small emirate in the Middle East, located between Saudi Arabia and Iran. With the real Arab culture still prevailing without any western influence, Kuwait is the best place to experience the beauty of heritage. Beautiful landscape, stunning architecture and vibrant souqs for traditional shopping in Kuwait have made it a destination where you can admire the magnificence in every corner. So, if you’re in search of some good places for a high-end shopping experience, this blog is for you. Give it a read without giving a second thought!

Best Places to Go for Shopping in Kuwait in 2025

Kuwait, a small country in the Middle East, is loved by travellers when it comes to shopping. Shopping in Kuwait is a lively experience that blends modern luxury with traditional charm. From high-end shopping malls featuring international fashion brands to bustling souks where one can buy local handicrafts, spices and authentic Arabian goods, the country offers a wide range of shopping destinations. Whether you're looking for some latest fashion designs, unique souvenirs or a taste of local culture, Kuwait's shopping scene has something to satisfy every taste and budget. Exhibiting every bit of Kuwait's art and culture, here are the best places to shop in Kuwait.

Best Souqs for Local Shopping in Kuwait:

Traditional souks in Kuwait are famous for its traditional goods, unique souvenirs, accessories and gifts and local delicacies. These souqs offer a glimpse into the lively culture and heritage of the country. Here are the top traditional markets in Kuwait that one must visit:

1. Souk Al Watiya

Famous for the gold and other gems, Souk Al Watiya is one of the popular places to find gold shops in Kuwait. Located in Watiya Abu Bakr Street, this souq houses many gold shops selling beautiful jewellery with the most intricate work. You can shop any gold jewellery in 21- and 22-carat, featuring expectational Arabic or Kuwaiti designs. Apart from gold, Souk Al Watiya also features a variety of shops selling garments, shoes, groceries, and more. You can even find the best hotels and restaurants close to the market area. The fancy and boutique cafes make it among the best places in Kuwait where you can hang out, shop and spend a day.

Location: Abu Bakr St, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM

2. Old Kuwaiti Souq Market

One of the oldest Kuwait shopping places, the Old Kuwaiti Souq Market is located in Ras Al Khaimah area of the country. This souq has several shops and retail units that make it popular among the residents and tourists alike. Within a short distance from Ras Al Khaimah Corniche, this place is almost flooded by travellers in the city. The Kuwaiti Souq was named after the Kuwaiti Hospital, located in the middle of the souq, which was constructed by Kuwait’s government in the past.

The real beauty of this old Kuwaiti Souq can be admired during the festival seasons like Eid, when the entire market is illuminated, and there are buyers everywhere discovering the charm of this souq, one of the best tourist attractions in the Middle East. The vibrancy of Old Kuwaiti Souq Market can be seen in its vast collection of accessories, clothing and every item sold here. One can always negotiate for the best price and get quality stuff in the affordable amount. From traditional clothing to kitchen accessories, gold and other souvenirs, you can find everything here..

Location: Ras Al Khaimah, Kuwait

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 11 PM

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3. Souk Al-Mubarakiya

One of the old traditional souqs in Kuwait, Souq Al-Mubarakiya is the best place to buy real souvenirs from Kuwait. Dating back to 200 years, this traditional market was damaged in 1990 due to Iran Invasion. After the renovation, the souq was restored with its traditional beauty.

While there are many malls in Kuwait, you can still get the best souvenirs like perfumes and antiques, costumes, and more. There are grocery stores, vegetable stalls, meat and fish shops, and other varieties like dates and other best gold souqs in Kuwait.

The cafes around the souk are the best places to spend some time after strolling around for the whole day. You can get the best Arabic and Indian food at the restaurants lined up here. There are two mini museums in Sheikh Mubarak Kiosk that attracts most of the tourists here.

Location: Abdullah Al-Mubarak, Abdullah Al-Salem & Palestine Streets, Kuwait

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

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4. Friday Market or Kuwait Flea Market

Kuwait is a country where street markets are highly popular and offer a fine shopping experience to travellers. One such place that clearly offers a fascinating experience is the Friday Market (or Souq Al-Juma'a) in Al-Rai area of Kuwait. This is a market that has become highly popular over the last few years and locals often prefer coming here to shop for the most authentic items. So, what is so special about this market?

Well, the Friday Market is also referred as ‘Kuwait Flea Market’ and is often seen as a perfect spot for shopping in Kuwait when it comes to second-hand things. Be it furniture, clothes, carpets or any other thing, this is a market that offers it all. In fact, as far as prices go, this is a market where one can expect low prices and there is a huge scope for bargaining. Also, it is one of the best places to buy electronic shops in Kuwait. If you're looking to shop for carpets, this is a market where you can expect to bargain for the same.

Location - Al-Rai Area, Kuwait

Opening Hours -

• Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

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Best Shopping Malls in Kuwait

Shopping malls in Kuwait offer a rich retail experience, with luxurious brand outlets and entertainment options. If you're in search for some top shopping malls in Kuwait, scroll down as we've filtered out some top malls here:

1. The Avenues

Established in 2007, The Avenues is the biggest and most luxurious shopping mall in Kuwait, offering a world-class retail experience. It features an impressive range of international and regional brands, high-end boutiques and a variety of dining options. The mall is known for its stunning architecture, with vast open spaces and beautiful design elements, including outdoor courtyards and canals. Beyond shopping, The Avenues also offers entertainment options, such as cinemas and a spacious area for events, making it a must-visit destination for both shopping and leisure in Kuwait. Also, one can explore some good toy shops in Kuwait, making The Avenues a great spot for families looking to buy gifts for their kids.

Location: Al-Rai, 5th Ring Road, between Ghazali Street & Mohammed Bin Alqasem Street, Kuwait

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 10 PM

2. Marina World

Spread over an area of 30,589 metre square, Marina World in Kuwait is the best outlet mall that combines a wide range of retail, dining and entertainment options. Located along the coast, it offers a relaxed atmosphere with picturesque views and a diverse selection of stores. For book lovers, Marina World also features several book shops in Kuwait, where you can browse through a variety of books in both English and Arabic. There are about 194 brand outlets, 165 shops, 81 dining outlets, 10 cafes, and 5 entertainment zone in this mall. Whether you're looking for the latest fashion trends, a good read or a place to unwind by the sea, Marina Mall is a must-visit spot in Kuwait.

Location: Salem Mubarak Street, Gulf Road, Kuwait

Opening Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 AM to 12:00 PM

3. Kuwait Magic Mall

Kuwait Magic Mall is one of the most popular shopping and entertainment centres in Kuwait. Located in the heart of Kuwait City, this mall features a variety of stores ranging from fashion and electronics to beauty and accessories. It’s also home to several family-friendly attractions, including an indoor amusement park and a food court. Kuwait Magic Mall is one of the best places to visit in Kuwait to spend a good day with family and friends as there are a few entertainment zones, including Virtual Reality Zone, Magic Bowling Alley, Indoor Family Entertainment Center andArcade Gaming Zone that provide a thrilling experience for gamers of all ages.

Location: Salem Sabah Al Salem Al Sabah St, Kuwait

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 11 PM

Best Things to Buy in Kuwait

Kuwait brings the best of the Middle Eastern culture and art that attracts tourists from every corner. When it comes to shopping, Kuwait is best known for the traditional souks and shops where you can find the handicraft items, jewellery, the antiques and other magnificent accessories to buy. Every top attraction in Kuwait houses at least one traditional market that is selling perfect piece of art for every visitor.

1. Wooden Work

Wooden art is quite popular and when it comes to home decoration items and gifts, the perfectly carved wooden figures are the best things to get while shopping in Kuwait. You can find quite impressive art that is made from wood into figures as camel, towers, coasters, and more, with intricate Kuwaiti art. There are motifs or Arabic calligraphy engraved on wood that can easily be found in any mall or shop near airports in Kuwait.

Where to Buy: Malls like The Avenues and local markets

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2. Perfumes

Arabian perfumes , also called Attar, is the most popular thing you can find in almost every shop in Kuwait. The traditionally made scent not just smells good but carries a legacy along in every Gulf nation. It can be added to the list of souvenirs you possibly want to bring back home for your family or friends as the best gift.

Look out for traditional perfumes that are made originally in Kuwait as there are many places that will be selling a wide range of perfumes. Abdul Samad al Quraishi and the Fragrance Kitchen are some of the best-known Kuwaiti brands that produce authentic perfumes.

Where to Buy: Any Traditional Souq in Kuwait like Old Kuwait Market Souk

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3. Metalwork

Still confused what to buy during Kuwait shopping? Well, Kuwait offers the most beautiful and intricate piece of metalwork as souvenirs to buy for your family, friends, and relatives. From teapots to trays, cups, and colourful lamps, markets here display every attractive and interesting metal art that makes a perfect gift from this cultural land. Inspired by the Arabic art and carvings, you can buy these from any of the local shops in the city. Even these metallic decors are so popular that malls and galleries are also displaying these interesting gift items to attract the visitors.

Where to Buy: Souqs in Kuwait like Souk Al-Mubarakiya

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4. The Wooden Shields

It was during the war times when shields were used by the people to fight enemies and protect themselves from any foreign attack. Since then, these wooden shields are popular as a heritage. Today, miniature shields are crafted with wood and sold as a souvenir in many marketplaces. These can be used as decoration, wall hangings and a prop to enhance the house interiors. You can also find various patterns and colours to have option for buying the best while shopping in Kuwait. Being light in shape with different shapes as circular or triangular, you can easily find a perfect wooden shield to take back home.

Where to Buy: Souk Al-Mubarakiya

5. Other Gifts to Buy

Whether you are looking for acrylic boxes or trinkets, wall hangings, jewellery or metal ornaments, Kuwait offers every souvenir you need to take back home. You can find paper boxes or tote bags that are decorated with embroidery and other artworks. These bags are available in various patterns and colours to complement your style.

Where to Buy: Malls like Marina World and local markets

6. Tote Bags

Now here's a thing, a tote bag may seem to be an unusual thing to buy when visiting any country, but it is something you should definitely look to buy in Kuwait. There are bags with printed graphics while one can also find bags with unique designs and colours Interestingly, tote bags can be purchased from any shopping place in the country. Today, travellers plan on taking tote bags as souvenirs back home. Just about every souk and souvenir in the country has several tote bags available for shoppers. Simply visit any street market and you'll find many choices of tote bags to shop from. So, if you're looking to buy something on your shopping day out in Kuwait, try shopping for tote bags as souvenirs.

Where to Buy – Old Kuwaiti Souq Market, Friday Market, Souk Al Watiya

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7. Traditional Food

Ask a foodie what he/she would like to shop for, and the answer would be food. Not just Kuwait, but the whole of the Middle East is widely popular as far as food is concerned and one of the many things that travellers love to buy is food when they are in Kuwait. There are Kuwaiti sweets, dried fruits, nuts and dates that are available all around the country and travellers can shop for them. Not just any mall in the country but most street markets have shops selling the best of dry fruits for the visitors. So, if you're in Kuwait and want to buy something, why not opt to shop for food items that are highly popular in the country?

Where to Buy - Souk Al Watiya

Shoppers out there can now plan a holiday and get some exceptional experience of shopping in Kuwait. From the top international brands to the best local craft accessories, there are souqsand markets you can explore to get the most memorable gift fromKuwait holidays. Do carry some additional bags to bring back the most valuable memory. If you are planning a visit to Kuwait, you can check out some of the well-curated Saudi Arabia tour packages and have a vacation of a lifetime.

Shopping in Kuwait - FAQs