Kabul Province · Afghanistan
Where to stay in Kabul
Kabul is a city in Kabul Province, Afghanistan, home to about 5,333,000 people.
- Best months
- May, September and October
- Nearest airport
- KBL6 km · Kabul International Airport
- Currency
- AFNafghani
- Time zone
- Asia/Kabul
- Language
- Arabic, Balochi, Dari
About
About Kabul
Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is within the jurisdiction of Kabul District and has an estimated population of 5,333,284 people.
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.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Kabul
See
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.
- Bagh-e Babur
- Bagh-e Bala
- British Cemetery
- Darul Aman Palace
- Tajbeg Palace
- Kabul Zoo
- Lake Qargha
- Mausoleum of Nadir Shah and Zahir Shah
- Bala Hissar
- Old City Wall
- TV Mount
- National Museum of Afghanistan
Do
- Kabul Golf Club
- Ariana Cinema
- Amani High School sports field
- Ghazi Stadium
- Kabul National Cricket Stadium
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Kabul to stay in
Kabul has a range of hotels and guesthouses. Guesthouses, often large Pakistani-style mansions, are common in Wazir Akbar Khan and Shar-e Naw, and may offer better value than hotels. Most rates are negotiable, particularly at the budget end – try booking through WhatsApp instead of online booking platforms. As of 2026, city electricity is intermittent and city water may be off or intermittent for days at a time. If these utilities are essential for you, it is worth asking your accommodation if they have contingency systems (generators, water tanks, etc.).
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Kabul
5 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Inter-Continental Kabul IHG Hotels & Resorts | 1969 | 3.7 km |
| Kabul Serena Hotel Serena Hotels | 1945 | 1.8 km |
| Safi Landmark Hotel | 2005 | 0.0 km |
| Chinese Express Hotel | 1.8 km | |
| Kabul Star Hotel & Restaurant | 1.1 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Kabul
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kabul are May, September and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; February is the wettest, with about 90 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Kabul: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kabul International Airport (KBL), about 5.6 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting around
As of 2026, travel to any province in Afghanistan (including Kabul) requires a permit. In Kabul, these can be obtained at the 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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
KBL · Kabul International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Kabul
Eat
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.
Drink
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. Today, Kabul lacks a conspicuous chaikhana scene, although traditional tea houses can still be found around the Mandawi Bazaar and elsewhere in the old commercial center.
Stay safe
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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Kabul: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Kabul?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kabul are May, September and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; February is the wettest, with about 90 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Kabul?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kabul International Airport (KBL), about 5.6 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Kabul?
afghani (AFN).
Nearby
Destinations near Kabul
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.