Things to See in Kuwait

Also known as the Red Palace, the Red Fort is a low rectangular mud structure near the highway, its name apparently deriving from the colour of its walls. Built around a large open courtyard with several annexes on its western side, the fort played a key role in the unsuccessful 1920 siege of Al-Jahra by the future king of Saudi Arabia.

The oil display centre is a well-organised and self-congratulatory introduction to the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and the country's oil business. It's located in Al-Ahmadi, built to house Kuwait's oil industry in the 1940s and 50s and named for the then emir, Sheikh Ahmed.

The home of Kuwait's main archaeological site, Failaka is definitely worth a visit. However, bear in mind that the Iraqis made Failaka into a heavily fortified base and filled the area with mines and, although these have been cleared, caution should still be taken. There are plans to turn the island into a luxurious holiday resort for tourists.