Things to Do in Kuwait City in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Kuwait City
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- April sits right before the brutal summer heat kicks in - you're getting warm temperatures around 32°C (90°F) but nothing like the 45°C+ (113°F+) you'd face in July and August. Outdoor activities are still manageable if you time them right, particularly early mornings before 10am when temperatures hover around 24°C (75°F).
- The spring shopping festivals are in full swing during April, with major malls like The Avenues and 360 Mall running their biggest sales events. You'll find genuine discounts of 30-50% on everything from electronics to designer clothing, and the new Avenues Phase 5 expansion opened in late 2025, adding another 200+ stores to explore in air-conditioned comfort.
- Sea temperatures reach a comfortable 23-25°C (73-77°F) by April, making it one of the best months for beach activities and water sports along the Arabian Gulf coast. The water is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit but not yet the bathwater temperatures of summer that some find unpleasant.
- April marks the tail end of dhow sailing season before it gets too hot - traditional wooden boats still run sunset cruises and fishing trips, and you'll catch the last of the cooler evening breezes off the Gulf. After April, most of these operations pause until October when temperatures drop again.
Considerations
- That 70% humidity is no joke - it's the kind that makes your clothes feel damp within minutes of stepping outside, and your camera lens fogs up when moving between air-conditioned interiors and outdoor heat. The combination of 32°C (90°F) and high humidity creates a heat index that feels closer to 37-38°C (99-100°F) during midday hours.
- April is technically listed as having 10 rainy days, but here's what that actually means in Kuwait - you might get brief dust storms or the occasional light drizzle rather than proper rain. The 0.0 mm rainfall figure tells you these aren't substantial storms, but the variable conditions mean you can't always predict when skies will suddenly cloud over or when dust will reduce visibility.
- This is peak wedding season in Kuwait, which means popular restaurants and venues get booked solid on Thursday and Friday evenings. You'll need reservations at nicer establishments at least a week ahead, and expect louder, more crowded dining scenes at traditional Kuwaiti restaurants as extended families celebrate.
Best Activities in April
Kuwait Towers and Waterfront Walking
April mornings before 10am are ideal for exploring the Kuwait Towers area and the newly extended Arabian Gulf Street waterfront promenade. The 6 km (3.7 miles) walking path from Salmiya to Kuwait Towers offers Gulf views without the punishing heat of summer, and the observation deck at Kuwait Towers provides air-conditioned relief with 360-degree views. The humidity actually creates some interesting haze effects for photography during golden hour around 6pm. Go early morning or late afternoon - midday sun with UV index 8 is brutal even in April.
Traditional Souq Tours
April is actually perfect for exploring Souq Al-Mubarakiya and the smaller neighborhood souqs because the covered sections provide shade while still being warm enough that the traditional tea shops feel refreshing rather than stifling. The souq stays open until 10pm, and the evening hours from 7-9pm offer the best atmosphere when locals come out after iftar (if Ramadan overlaps, though it won't in April 2026). You'll find seasonal dates, fresh herbs, and spring spices that aren't available year-round. The humidity keeps the spice aromas hanging in the air longer.
Desert Camping and Stargazing
April represents the absolute last chance for desert camping before summer makes it impossible - by May, overnight temperatures won't drop below 25°C (77°F) and it's genuinely dangerous. In April, desert temperatures still fall to comfortable 16-18°C (61-64°F) at night, perfect for traditional Bedouin-style camps about 60-80 km (37-50 miles) south of Kuwait City. The spring desert flowers are mostly gone by April, but you'll catch the tail end of the season. Clear skies and low humidity make for exceptional stargazing, and the Milky Way is visible without light pollution.
Failaka Island Day Trips
The ferry to Failaka Island runs more frequently in April before summer schedule cuts, and sea conditions are typically calm with those 23-25°C (73-77°F) water temperatures. The island offers Greek archaeological ruins, abandoned buildings from the Iraqi invasion (eerie but historically significant), and relatively empty beaches. April is ideal because you can explore the outdoor ruins without heat exhaustion - by June this becomes genuinely unpleasant. The 20 km (12 mile) ferry ride takes about 45 minutes and the Gulf is usually smooth this time of year.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre Events
Kuwait's newest cultural landmark, completed in 2023, runs its spring performance season through April with international orchestras, Arabic theater, and contemporary dance. The architecture itself is worth seeing - the complex covers 214,000 square meters (2.3 million square feet) and the air conditioning is a welcome respite from April humidity. April programming tends toward lighter, more accessible performances before the venue closes for summer maintenance in May and June. The outdoor plaza areas are usable in early morning and evening during April but become unbearable by summer.
Marina Crescent and Yacht Harbor Dining
The Marina Crescent area comes alive in April evenings when outdoor dining becomes pleasant rather than punishing. The 3 km (1.9 mile) waterfront development offers everything from casual cafes to upscale restaurants, and the yacht harbor provides people-watching opportunities as boat owners prepare vessels for the brief spring sailing season. The humidity actually moderates a bit near the water in the evenings, dropping to around 60% with the sea breeze. This is peak season for outdoor tables before everyone retreats indoors for summer, so the atmosphere is particularly vibrant with both locals and expats taking advantage of the weather.
April Events & Festivals
Hala Febrayer Extension Events
While the main Hala Febrayer festival runs through February, some venues extend programming into early April with cultural performances, traditional markets, and food festivals. The Kuwait International Fair grounds often host these spillover events, featuring traditional crafts, Bedouin heritage displays, and regional food vendors. Not as large-scale as the February celebrations, but you'll catch authentic cultural experiences without the massive crowds.
Spring Shopping Festival
Major malls coordinate their biggest sales events in April, with The Avenues, 360 Mall, and Avenues Mall running promotions that actually offer genuine discounts rather than the token sales you see year-round. Look for electronics deals in particular - Kuwait has competitive pricing on tech, and April sales can save you 25-40% on cameras, phones, and laptops. The festival includes entertainment events, prize drawings, and extended mall hours until midnight on weekends.