Afghanistan · 2026 itinerary
Kabul 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Kabul: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Central public park with walking paths, playgrounds and a pond. Popular with locals for picnics and evening strolls. Free entry always.
🕐 24/7 (gates open sunrise to sunset)
Free entry💡 No entry fee. Best visited Friday afternoon for the liveliest scene — street food vendors sell corn on the cob and boiled eggs for pocket change.
Hotels near Shahr-e Naw Park →Shrine of the 18th-century founder of modern Afghanistan, in the old city. Simple white marble building, still a pilgrimage site for locals.
🕐 Daily 06:00–20:00
Free entry💡 Free entry. Remove your shoes and cover your head out of respect. A donation box is there if you wish to give a few AFN.
Hotels near Mausoleum of Ahmad Shah Durrani →Jaisalmer · ££
رستورانت هرات · ££
Deeper Into Kabul
Ruined 1920s palace, heavily shelled during civil war. Now under reconstruction but still dramatic from the outside. The grounds are open and free.
🕐 Exterior accessible 24/7; interior closed to public
💡 Free to walk the perimeter. Bring your own water — no shops nearby. Best light for photos is late afternoon.
Laid-out gardens from the 16th century, restored by the Aga Khan Trust. Terraced walks, a small museum and the tomb of Emperor Babur. Popular with families at weekends.
🕐 Daily 08:00–20:00 (winter until 17:00)
💡 Entry is 200 AFN (about £2). Go early morning to avoid crowds and soak up the quiet. The cafe near the top sells decent green tea for 30 AFN.
Sofra Restaurant
Charli Restaurant
Final Favourites & Departure
Holds over 100,000 items from Afghanistan’s ancient past, including Buddhist, Islamic and pre-Islamic artifacts. Many pieces were damaged or looted during war,
💡 Entry is about 20 AFN (30p). Hire a local guide outside for 100 AFN — they give context you won’t get from the labels.
قصر عروسی بینظیر
صالون عروسی آرزوی شهر
Getting Around Kabul
Catch the blue-and-white buses from the main road a 5-minute walk north of the hotel. They're crowded but cheap. Keep your wallet in a front pocket.
Use shared taxis (yellow or white) for short hops—flag one down and state your destination. For safety, only ride with a known driver after dark.
These 12-seater minibuses run fixed routes but stop anywhere you ask. Learn the Farsi/Dari phrase for 'stop here' ('sawm ronda') to avoid overshooting.
Fix the price before getting in. Ask a local at the airport desk for a fair rate—drivers often double the fare for foreigners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Kabul?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Shahr-e Naw Park and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Kabul?
See our full best time to visit Kabul guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include B's Place, Kabul Inn, Maple Leaf. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.