Kabul 5-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   National Museum of Afghanistan

   The National Museum of Afghanistan once housed one of the greatest collections of Central Asian artifacts in the world. A large percentage of the previous collection was looted in the 1990s during Taliban rule after the upper floors of the museum were bombed. Many of the early Buddhist treasures were destroyed by the Taliban at the same time as the Bamiyan Buddhas. Looted items still turn up around the world at auctions.

2. Stop 2

   National Gallery of Afghanistan

   A beautiful gallery in a charming old-Kabul house that has been carefully restored. The collection used to have 820 paintings and portraits but 50% have been looted or destroyed; the director said the Taliban destroyed 210 portraits. Most of the collection is of European and Afghan landscapes and portraits of famous Afghan writers and kings and a portrait of the French writer Victor Hugo. Well worth making the effort to see. The Sultani Gallery is attached, but the opening hours are a mystery.

3. Stop 3 · 13 min walk

   National Archives of Afghanistan

   The National Archive contains numerous historic documents, with some on display in a small museum.

Eat · Andkhoi Bastan Turkmen Restaurant: Offers traditional food.

1. Stop 1

   Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque

   Historic mosque built during the reign of Amanullah Khan in the 1920s. Its Italian decorative stucco makes it quite unique compared to other mosques in the region.

2. Stop 2

   Id Gah Mosque

   Second largest mosque in Kabul but considered the cardinal mosque in Afghanistan. Up to a million people gathers here during Eid prayers. The mosque has been the scene of festivals and ceremonies and was the site where Amanullah Khan announced Afghanistan's independence on August 19th, 1919.

3. Stop 3

   Sakhi Shrine

   Decorated with glazed tiles in a neo-Safavid Persian style, the building bears many inscriptions, including dedicatory texts, Qurʾanic excerpts, prayers, Hadith, and poetry. It is believed that the shrine marks the spot where the cloak of Muhammad was kept on its way to its present location in the Shrine of the Cloak in Kandahar.

Eat · Ansari Kunduz Kabab: Offers traditional food.

1. Stop 1

   Gun market

   Guns, guns and more guns. Mostly rifles (and sewing machines, weirdly). Don't be shy – the dealers are happy to let you pose with the guns and take photos.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Bird market

   A centuries-old alleyway lined with cages filled with songbirds, fighting birds, and the occasional sickly bunny. Branching corridors leading to dilapidated courtyards where chickens are slaughtered by hand with a quick twist of the neck. Not for animal lovers nor the fainthearted.

Eat · Biryani House: The special chicken biryani is excellent.

1. Stop 1

   Bagh-e 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. Historically, the gardens have been visited by Afghans for picnics and lazy afternoons. There is a swimming pool, a small mosque for prayers and a small museum among other things. As of 2026, the tomb is padlocked and the gardens aren't really worth the steep entrance price.

2. Stop 2 · 66 min walk

   Bagh-e Bala

   Built in the late 19th century, it served as a summer palace for Amir Abdur Rahman. Today, much of the original interior has been preserved, and the area around the palace has become a large park. Under renovation as of 2026.

3. Stop 3 · 54 min walk

   British Cemetery

   Where foreigners are buried in Kabul. There are also memorial plaques commemorating those ISAF forces killed. Closed and padlocked as of 2026.

4. Stop 4 · 133 min walk

   Darul Aman Palace

   Built as King Amanullah's Palace in the 1920s, it has been destroyed and rebuilt a few times over. By 2019, restoration works had been largely completed on the palace, which suffered massive damage during the 1990s civil war.

5. Stop 5 · 17 min walk

   Tajbeg Palace

   Not to be confused with Darul Aman, this palace was also built in the 1920 built to house the Royal family.

6. Stop 6 · 96 min walk

   Kabul Zoo

   The zoo is very popular with Afghans, and houses over 100 animals, albeit in relatively poor condition. China was once one of the main donors of animals in the zoo, but after the death of a few animals to disease and malnutrition, China has announced that there will be no donations until living conditions improve.

Eat · Bolani: Offers bolanis only (Afghan stuffed flatbread).

1. Stop 1

   File:Istalif Village, Kabul Province, Afghanistan.JPG

   Listed as a next stop from Kabul. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   #Travel permits

   Listed as a next stop from Kabul. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Istalif

   Listed as a next stop from Kabul. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.