Afghanistan is full of amazing places to see from both natural beauty and amazing ancient historical sites. The cities are chaotic and fun and have so much to offer for tourists to see. Kabul alone deserves at least two full days to explore. Here are our top 10 picks that you can use to plan your ultimate Afghanistan itinerary. Of course, we cover most of these tours of our Saiga Afghanistan Group Tours here .
Kabul
Kabul is the biggest city and capital of Afghanistan and for the majority of tourists that visit the country this will be your first port of call. If you are using your Afghanistan e-visa you can currently only enter through Kabul International Airport.
Kabul has so many sites that you will want to tick off. Here are some of our favourites:
Chicken Street – This used to be the main hub for tourists that traversed the old hippie trail. This is where you can find shops selling souvenirs, carpets, gems, saffron you name it. If you’re looking for fridge magnets then you will definitely find them here on chicken street.
Bird Market – another avian themed market, however this one is a full crazy bazar that sells everything you can imagine including (you guessed it) birds. This is a super intense crowded market and definitely a highlight of any trip to Kabul. This is also where you can find super cheap Afghan outfits to look the part while you travel.
Wazir Akbarkhan – this is a big hill in the centre of Kabul and where you can find the biggest flag in Afghanistan. This is a popular hangout spot for young guys who will come and picnic at the top. The hill provides great views over the city.
Babur Gardens – This is a set of gardens that are the resting place of Babur the founder of the Moghul Empire who thought Kabul was the most beautiful city he’d ever seen. His tomb is surrounded by beautiful gardens and have great views over the city.
Sakhi Shrine – With glorious, blue-tiled domes the Sakhi shrine is the biggest Shia Mosque in the city and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
British Cemetery – This is a small hidden cemetery dedicated to the foreigners who died in Afghanistan most of whom were in the country serving in the military or working for NGOs.
For more places to visit in Kabul check out our blog: Top Sites in Kabul.
Bamiyan
This is one of the true highlights of the country and sits in the middle of the Hindu Kush mountains and roughly a 4-hour drive from Kabul. This is the site of the Buddhas of Bamiyan one of the most impressive sites of the country that were sadly destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. In addition to the incredible mountain views that surround the city, there is also the Palace of Screams (Shahr-e-ghulghula) named so after Genghis Khan slaughtered the town after the people here killed one of his grandsons.
Band-e- Amir National Park
This is another highlight of the country showcases the immense natural beauty. This series of six interconnected lake that have a deep blue and sometimes aqua colour surround by plunging cliffs and snow-capped mountains. As of March 2026 access for women to the area has been restricted however there are apparently plans for a women-only area. This is located a 1.5 hour drive from Bamiyan city.
Mazar-i-Sharif
The jewel of the north, Mazar is a vibrant city and previously the economic hub of Afghanistan due to its proximity to both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Here you can visit the amazing Blue Mosque, which is arguably the most beautiful mosque in all of Afghanistan. Note that access on Fridays is strictly forbidden for females.
Balkh
40 minutes drive from Mazar you can find the ancient city of Balkh. Balkh used to be one of the most important cities in the region until it was destroyed by both Alexander the Great and then later again by Genghis Khan. Balkh was an important religious centre for Buddhism, had a large population of Jewish traders and is also the site of the first Mosque in Afghanistan built in a Greco style around the year 900 CE. Balkh is also the birthplace of the world’s most famous Rumi, and you can even visit his birth house.
Ghazni
Ghazni lies about a 2-hour drive south of Kabul on the way to Kandahar. Ghazni is most famous for its minarets which used to mark the entrance to a huge mosque that no longer exists due to years of earthquakes, invasions and other wear and tear. Ghazni also has some great shrines to the leader of the Ghaznavid Empire that once conquered India as well as impressive citadel which gives you great views over the city. There is also a road lined with old Russian army vehicles which are great to climb over and take photos.
Herat
Herat is a great place to see the Silk Road history of Afghanistan and one of the best things to see in Herat is the citadel. The central Herat Blue Mosque is also worth a visit as is the Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Shrine for amazing Islamic architecture.
We would also recommend checking out the Tomb of Queen Goharshad Begum and also the impressive Gazur Gah Shrine. If you want souvenirs then definitely head down to the antiques bazar.
Kandahar
Kandahar is an incredibly interesting city in the south of the country and the home of the Pashtuns. This was previously the kidnap capital of the world now would be considered one of the safest cities in Afghanistan. Here you can see the shrine to Mirwiz Hotak the founder of the Hotak Dynasty, the impressive Chehelsetoon also known as 40 Steps which gives you great views over the city and also the Mosque of the cloak of the Prophet Mohammed one of the most revered mosques in all of Afghanistan. While you’re here it is important to try the pomegranate juice which is probably the best in the world.
Panjsheer Valley
Panjsheer is a stop known for its beauty in Afghanistan with impressive cliffs, mountains and the stunning glacier-fed rivers. This is raw Afghanistan with limited accommodation options, and a more intense tight scenery than that of Bamiyan, but still one of the most rewarding in the country.
Samangan
Samangan lies roughly 3 hours away from Mazar on the road back to Kabul. Samangan was once a popular centre for Buddhism in the region and today you can still see a great stone stupa dug into the rock as well as caves with Buddhist art. This site dates back 1500 years and is a great example of how many cultures have come and gone through this region.
The easiest way to visit these sites is to join a Saiga Afghanistan group tour. We have limits on the amount of people that can join and tours fill up quickly so to secure your place send us an email to [email protected] .
