At KWI, stay airside—limited amenities but security procedures discourage leaving.
Take a taxi from KWI arrivals to the Kuwait Towers and Corniche area: 20 to 25 minutes, KWD 4 to 5 ($13 to $16). The Towers (entry KWD 2 / $6.50) have an observation sphere with Gulf views. The adjacent seafront corniche is a free 3 km walking path. Allow 40 minutes for the round-trip taxi and plan 1 to 1.5 hours at the Towers. Budget KWD 10 to 12 total including entry and transport.
Kuwait Towers (45 minutes from airport by taxi and back) plus the Grand Mosque (open to non-Muslims Sunday to Thursday 8 AM to 11 AM, free) fill 3 to 4 hours of sightseeing. The National Museum of Kuwait (closed Fridays, free entry) is near the Grand Mosque. Salmiya is 20 minutes east of the Towers by taxi and has malls, restaurants, and coffee shops if you need a break. Budget KWD 15 to 20 for the day including taxis and entry fees.
Al-Shaheed Park (free, near the Kuwait Towers) is a large urban park with good walking paths and a butterfly garden. The Heritage Village on the waterfront reconstructs traditional Kuwaiti architecture and crafts. Both are compact enough to combine with the Kuwait Towers and Grand Mosque for a full morning or afternoon circuit. Budget around 5 to 6 hours total for all four sites.
