Failaka Island
جزيرة فيلكا
A historic island in the Gulf, with a Bronze Age Dilmun site and a Greek temple from the Alexandrian period, and traces of the 1990 war.
Failaka Island lies about 20 km northeast of Kuwait City. In the Bronze Age, it was a stronghold of the Dilmun civilization. Later, when Alexander's campaigns reached the region, Greeks established a settlement here called Icarus. Visitors can see the ruins of a Greek temple and archaeological excavation sites. After the Iraqi invasion in 1990, residents evacuated, and bullet-riddled buildings still stand today, creating a distinctive 'landscape of ruins.' A ferry from the Salmiya pier takes about 1 hour, and there are resorts and sightseeing shuttles on the island. A same-day return trip is recommended, and check the ferry schedule before setting out.
Opening hours
Ferry according to schedule (usually daily round trips)
Nearby sights
- The Scientific Center
- Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre
- Tareq Rajab Museum
- Green Island
- Kuwait Towers
- Bait Al-Othman Museum
- Mirror House
- Al Hamra Tower