Kabul travel guide: things to do in the capital
What to do in Kabul: the Gardens of Babur, Darul Aman Palace, the National Museum, Chicken Street and the bazaars. A traveller's guide to Afghanistan's capital.
Kabul: Afghanistan's capital up close
Kabul is where almost every trip begins. A mile-high city ringed by bare mountains, knocked down and rebuilt many times over, loud, warm and stubbornly alive. In one day you can walk a Mughal garden, stand in front of treasures thousands of years old, haggle for lapis lazuli and drink the best pomegranate juice of your life.
the Gardens of Babur in Kabul
Elevation
Around 1800 m
Known for
Gardens, museums, bazaars
Time needed
Two to three days
Role
The base for trips across the country
Getting there
International flights, then road or domestic flights out
Bagh-e Babur, the Gardens of Babur
The first Mughal emperor loved Kabul so much he asked to be buried here, on a hillside of terraced gardens. Today Bagh-e Babur is restored, with cypress avenues, running fountains and a small marble mosque, and it is the calmest, greenest place in the city.
Darul Aman Palace
This 1920s palace on the edge of Kabul was gutted through decades of war and has now been restored. It stands as a plain symbol of the city's fall and its rebuilding, and the view back over the plain is worth the trip.
The National Museum of Afghanistan
Founded in 1919, the National Museum holds objects spanning several thousand years, from Bactrian gold to Buddhist Gandhara sculpture. Much of it was looted or hidden during the wars and slowly recovered, which makes standing in front of it quietly moving.
Chicken Street and the bazaars
Chicken Street is the old traveller's bazaar, stacked with carpets, antiques and trays of electric blue lapis lazuli. Nearby you will find the spice sellers and the bird market, where Kabulis come to trade songbirds on a Friday. Bring patience and enjoy the haggling.
Mosques and shrines
The bright yellow Shah-Do Shamshira mosque, the mosque of the king of two swords, sits by the Kabul river in the heart of town. At Nowruz, the Sakhi shrine fills with crowds and colour for the new year.
A base for the whole country
Most travellers use Kabul as their hub. From here the roads and short flights run out to Bamyan, Band-e-Amir, the Panjshir valle, and Kandanhar and the north. We build it into every group tours and shape private routes around it on a tailor-made trip.
What travellers ask us about Kabul
Is Kabul safe for tourists?
Kabul is calm day to day and most organised trips start here. We move with a local team, keep a low profile and plan around the situation. Our page on whether Afghanistan is safe to travel covers the real risks in full.
What is Kabul known for?
The Gardens of Babur, the National Museum, Darul Aman Palace, the lapis and carpet bazaars of Chicken Street, and its setting high in the mountains.
How many days do you need in Kabul?
Two to three days covers the main sights and the bazaars, and gives you a base for day trips to Panjshir, Bamyan and beyond.
Can you visit the National Museum of Afghanistan?
Yes, it is open to visitors and it is one of the best places in the country to understand its history.
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