Most journeys begin in Kabul, home to Kabul International Airport. Ringed by mountains at 1,800 m, the city mixes Mughal gardens, crowded bazaars and hilltop views with the country's best range of hotels.
Best time to visit: April–June and September–October. Winters are cold with snow; summers warm and dry.
Getting there: Kabul International Airport has flights from Dubai, Istanbul, Doha, Jeddah, Islamabad and others.
Highlights
Bagh-e Babur
Terraced Mughal garden and resting place of Emperor Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty.
National Museum of Afghanistan
Treasures spanning the Bronze Age, Greco-Bactrian and Islamic eras.
Murad Khani & the Old City
Restored historic quarter with traditional crafts — calligraphy, woodwork and ceramics.
Chicken Street & Mandawi Bazaar
Carpets, lapis lazuli, spices and dried fruit.
Qargha Lake
Weekend picnic spot in the hills west of the city.
Where to stay in Kabul
Kabul Grand Hotel
Central Kabul's flagship five-star hotel, close to embassies, ministries and business hubs.
Park Star Hotel
Full-service Kabul hotel with 24-hour room service, fitness centre with sauna and parking.
Golden Star Hotel & Restaurant
Modern city-centre hotel with sweeping views, breakfast and dinner included.
Spinzar Hotel
Historic Kabul hotel offering excellent-value single rooms with breakfast.
Central Hotel
Comfortable, well-located hotel in the heart of Kabul with easy access to major sights.