Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. A crowded metropolis pressed into a basin of the Hindu Kush mountains, its bazaars, battle-scarred buildings and traffic-choked streets bear the traces of an ancient trading city, rapid urban expansion, periods of cosmopolitan ambition, and nearly half a century of war.
While the origin of Kabul is unknown, archaeological evidence shows settlement around the 6th century BCE and substantial defensive works dating from at least the 2nd century BCE. From the 1st century CE to the 8th century CE, Kabul and the surrounding basin formed an important center of Buddhism, although for much of this period Kabul was overshadowed by Kapisa, the principal settlement in the Kabul River basin until approximately the mid-7th century. Throughout its early history, the Kabul region was controlled by numerous political powers, including the Achaemenid Persians, Alexander the Great and his successors, the Seleucid Empire, the Mauryan Empire, the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek k…
As of 2026, travel to any province in Afghanistan (including Kabul) requires a permit. In Kabul, these can be obtained at the 1 Afghan Tour Office on Shash Darak Road for AFN 1000 each. The Millie Bus (Afghanistan's government-run bus service) operates routes in Kabul, but services are unreliable, and many buses are old. Taxis are the far easier option for getting around the city. As of 2026, taxis cost AFN 100–200 within the city, depending on destination and negotiation. Destinations farther afield, such as the airport or Qargha Lake, will cost AFN 200–400. If you don't negotiate hard, or if you take the first taxi you find, expect to pay about double these prices as a foreigner.
Despite its long history, Kabul is rather short on historical sights. Centuries of warfare and decades of urban sprawl have taken their toll. Most contemporary attractions are disappointingly lackluster, poorly maintained, and surprisingly expensive. The city is more compelling around Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque and the Mandawi Bazaar, offering a glimpse of old Kabul amid a maze of crowded lanes and bustling markets. 1 Bagh-e Babur (Gardens of Babur). The gardens surround the tomb of the first Mughal Emperor Babur. Though he had wished to be buried here, he was originally buried in Agra, and later moved to this spot.
1 Kabul Golf Club, Qargha Rd, ☏ +93 79 22 63 27. Closed down in 1978 by the Soviet Union, it reopened in 2004 after a 25-year hiatus. This 9-hole course bills itself as "extreme golf with an attitude". 750 Afs/US$15 greens fee for 9 or 18 holes. 2 Ariana Cinema, Pashtunistan Square. Primarily shows Bollywood or trashy action flicks, and the occasional American blockbuster. 3 Amani High School sports field. Open to the public on Tuesday afternoons and Fridays: football (soccer) with local Afghan guys, frisbee (with a collection of expats) and a 400 m (1,300 ft) running track in comparatively green and pleasant surroundings. Free. 4 Ghazi Stadium (National Stadium).
Food is a definite bright spot of Kabul, as it is cheap, delicious, and safe – except for street food, which is only cheap and delicious. Best not to risk the latter unless you've lived in Afghanistan a while. Restaurants open and close with surprising frequency, so it is a good idea to check whether a place is still operating before heading out. Most restaurant menus are in Dari; take a photo of the menu and ask an AI chatbot to explain it to you. 1 Andkhoi Bastan Turkmen Restaurant, Shahid Road (in front of Etisalat Main Office), ☏ +93 78 565 6575. Offers traditional food. 2 Ansari Kunduz Kabab, Ahmad Zahir Road and Kolula Pushta Road, ☏ +93 72 825 8140. Offers traditional food.
Afghanistan is a tea country, and Afghans drink enormous amounts of it, especially green tea (chay-e sabz) and black tea (chay-e siyah). Traditional chaikhanas are the analogue to cafés in the Arab world. However, much of Kabul’s traditional urban fabric was badly damaged during decades of war, and the city’s subsequent rapid and chaotic expansion contributed to the decline of its traditional tea-house culture.
The days when one couldn't venture out after sunset in Kabul are over, and safety has significantly improved since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Remain cautious, however. Kabul is a poverty-stricken city, and if you are recognizable as a foreigner you will stand out. Don't walk alone outside Shahr-e Naw (the New City) after dark. Avoid flashing large amounts of cash at any time of day. It’s common to encounter children begging for money, particularly in Shar-e Naw. While their requests may seem harmless, giving money can attract more children, quickly escalating into a crowd that’s difficult to manage.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Sep, Kabul typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-09-26. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy