Balkh Province · Afghanistan
Mazar-i-Sharif travel guide
Mazar-i-Sharif is a city in Balkh Province, Afghanistan, home to about 469,000 people.
- Best months
- April and October
- Nearest airport
- MZR8 km · Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport
- Currency
- AFNafghani
- Time zone
- Asia/Kabul
- Language
- Arabic, Balochi, Dari
About
About Mazar-i-Sharif
Mazar-i-Sharif or Mazar-e-Sharif is a city in northern Afghanistan, serving as the capital and largest city of Balkh Province. It has 12 city districts (nahias) and an estimated population of 568,013 people.
With a population of more than 485,000 (2020), Mazar-e Sharif is the 4th largest city in Afghanistan. It was founded in the 12th century after a local mullah dreamt of the secret site where Ali bin Talib, the Prophet's cousin and the fourth caliph of Islam, had been buried (outside of Afghanistan most Muslims believe that Ali is buried in Najaf, Iraq). A shrine, which was rebuilt as the Blue Mosque, was constructed on the site and the city of Mazar grew around it. Historically this region was known as Bactria, its capital was Balkh and Mazar was a smaller town nearby.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Mazar-i-Sharif
See
In the way of sights Mazar has little to offer the visitor other than the Blue Mosque, although some of the modern monuments built atop traffic circles are worth a photo.
- Blue Mosque
- Qala-i-Jangi
- Takht-e Rustam
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Mazar-i-Sharif to stay in
All hotel prices are negotiable, and it pays to negotiate. If you can find a working number, the best method is usually to negotiate on WhatsApp as opposed to using booking websites. As of 2026, there is no good quality budget accommodation. Local hotels offer multi-bed rooms from US$10-20 with a shared bathroom and toilet. Cheaper rooms have the worst toilet facilities.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Mazar-i-Sharif
2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mazar Hotel | 0.0 km | |
| Farhat Hotel | 0.0 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Mazar-i-Sharif
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Mazar-i-Sharif are April and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 39 °C; March is the wettest, with about 52 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 Mazar-i-Sharif: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport (MZR), about 8.4 km from the city centre in a straight line; Termez Airport (TMJ, 68 km) is also within reach.
MZR · Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport
TMJ · Termez Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Mazar-i-Sharif
Eat
Restaurant menus are usually only available in Dari. It is probably easiest to use AI to translate.
Drink
Freshly made fruit slushies. Banana shakes with almonds and dates are delicious, and the persimmon version looks equally alluring. Several stands are set up to the south of the park surrounding the Blue Mosque as well as at other spots around it.
Stay safe
Although Mazar is relatively peaceful and safe for travelers, things can change very quickly. Avoid walking at night if possible; always remain friendly and upbeat; and keep aware of your surroundings. Treat police with kindness and smiles even if they aren't showing you the same respect - unfriendly passport checks are not unheard of.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Mazar-i-Sharif: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Mazar-i-Sharif?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Mazar-i-Sharif are April and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 39 °C; March is the wettest, with about 52 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Mazar-i-Sharif?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport (MZR), about 8.4 km from the city centre in a straight line; Termez Airport (TMJ, 68 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Mazar-i-Sharif?
afghani (AFN).
Nearby
Destinations near Mazar-i-Sharif
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.