On this Day

• Gun and Sewing Machine bazaar: A beautiful tiny entry behind the Masjed-e Olya Rotbe Andarabi mosque leads to a gun and sewing machine bazaar, ideal for gifts for her and him.
• The Shah-e Do Shamshira Mosque, also known as the Mosque of the King of Two Swords, is a two-story yellow edifice located on the banks of the Kabul River. It was built in the 1920s during King Amanullah's reign, which saw major political and social transformation in an attempt to modernize Afghanistan. This mosque's design deviates from typical Islamic religious architecture. Its Italian ornate stucco produces an intriguing look that some refer it as 'Afghan Baroque'.
• Next to the Shah-e Do Shamshira Mosque is the burial site of an Arab commander who was killed in battle when the Arabs invaded Kabul around the end of the seventh century.
• Timor Shah Mausoleum (Timorshahi): Another surviving landmark in central Kabul is the Mausoleum of Timor Shah Durrani, a prominent figure in Afghan history. In 1772, he inherited a unified Afghan monarchy from his father, and later relocated the capital from Kandahar to Kabul. As a result, he is credited with establishing the current Afghan state's capital. You will notice street merchants and can buy ancient Afghanistan postcards for a small fee to keep as keepsakes.
• Money Market: Where else in the world can you find people lounging on mounds of cash with no security guards in sight? If you enjoy collecting coins, you may purchase Afghanistan coins in this market for a few dollars.
• Lunch at Bach-e Broot (70-Year-Old Restaurant): The menu features delicious Afghan dishes. Beyond the cages and crowds, tucked between decrepit buildings, is Kabul's oldest restaurant, which has been serving chainaki, a traditional lamb stew, to the locals for nearly 70 years. Bacha Broot is one of the market's few remaining original structures; the others were destroyed by conflict and Soviet invasion.
• Kabul’s Old City: Walking deep into the crannies and warrens of Kabul's Old City, you'll step over gullies of exposed sewer lines and tiptoe around an open patch of soil where laborers are laying the groundwork for a new structure.
• Century-old homes and courtyards are being repaired in Murad Khane, a small neighborhood in Kabul's Old City. These constructions were fashioned from wood by craftsman a long time ago. Years of war, poverty, and neglect had left the region shriveled and littered.
• The ideal city tour begins at the Ariana Cinema, continues down Nadir Pashton Road to the river, and then follows the gold and commodities markets that border the Kabul River.
• Take in Murad Khane, the old city, and Turquoise Mountain Arts' substantial rehabilitation of the area.
• You will tour the centuries-old mud market, including Birds Market, Kite Market, Shorbazar (singers' quarters), Kah Foroshi (Grass Market), Rekah Khana (Blacksmiths), and other areas of Kabul's Old City.

Walking: 6–8 hours

Overnight: Best Hotel in Kabul City.

On this Day

• Chicken Street and Flower Street are excellent landmarks for determining where in the city to visit. Visitors came with thoughts of buying Lapis Lazuli, antiquities, and Afghan rugs.
• The Arg Presidential Palace and Clock Tower: The Arg ('citadel') is Afghanistan's presidential palace, located in Kabul. Since the Taliban abolished the Afghan presidency in 2021, it has served as the meeting place for Afghanistan's Cabinet.
• Eid Gah Mosque: The Eid Gah Mosque is Kabul's second largest mosque, located in one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods. 'Eid Gah' translates to 'prayer ground'. This mosque has hosted several religious events and festivals visited by kings and emirs. The momentous declaration of Afghanistan's independence was made here in 1919. Babur, the Moghul king, ordered the construction of the Eid Gah Mosque, which was built by Persian architects using precious stones from Punjab and Sindh. The mosque's architecture represents the rich Muslim tradition. One distinguishing element of its architecture is its extremely long and narrow layout.
• Pul-e Kheshti Mosque is Kabul's largest mosque, located in the city's ancient center district. It was built at the end of the 18th century and has undergone various renovations and restorations. Pul-e Kheshti Mosque is immediately identifiable by its huge blue dome. The mosque's current design is a blend of international modern style with traditional Afghan tilling.
• The National Gallery of Kabul houses a large collection of historic photographs and paintings by Afghan painters from the twentieth century. The National Gallery and other cultural institutions in the city have been damaged by wars, although many masterpieces have been conserved, overpainted, and restored. Over 120 paintings from the National Gallery were conserved to demonstrate that a nation lives as long as its culture does.

On this Day

• The end-of-century Emir of Afghanistan, Abdul Rahman Khan Mausoleum: Abdul Rahman Khan was Afghanistan's Emir from 1880 to 1901. He was a powerful monarch who earned the title of 'Iron Emir'. His mausoleum is located at the Mausoleum of Zarnegar Park (also known as the Gold Park). This edifice was once a palace before being turned into an Emir's mausoleum. A stunning red dome rests atop the tomb, which is built on a whitewashed drum.
• The Abdul Rahman Mosque is located across from the park. It is important to note that the mosque's sponsor is unrelated to the Iron Emir.
• The Great Walls of Kabul: You will see a lengthy historic wall spanning like an elongated dragon along the mountain slope, Sherdarwazah. The Wall starts at Artal Bridge and goes all the way to Bala Hissar (Kabul Citadel). The Wall is thought to have been built during the Hephathalite period, when King Zanburak Shah ruled over this region and Kabul served as his capital.
• Chihilsuton Forty Columns: Chihilsutun is an ancient palace with gardens located approximately 3.6 kilometers east of Kabul's Darulaman Palace. It was constructed in 1796 by Emperor Zaman Shah Durrani. The palace and surrounding suburb are located in the city's District 7. Chihilsutun is a historical location to visit.
• National Archive of Afghanistan: At the end of the nineteenth century, Abdu Rahman Khan constructed a mansion for his son. Today, that structure houses Afghanistan's National Archive. The Archives houses around 15,000 materials, including newspapers, pictures, antique coinage, and Quran volumes from the Durrani period. Many important documents (originals or copies) are available for visitors to view. Among them is the contract made with the British Empire in 1919, which granted Afghanistan complete independence.
• Kart-e Sakhi Shrine. Blue Mosque: The Sakhi Shah-e Mardan Shrine, also known as Ziyarat-e Sakhi, is a mosque and shrine in Kabul's Kart-e Sakhi neighborhood. It is related with the location where the Islamic prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought his cloak, as well as a visit by Ali, Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin. The shrine is located at the foot of Asamayi Hill, also known as Television Hill. To the north and west is the Sakhi Cemetery.

Driving: 6 to 8 hours.

Overnight: Best Hotel in Kabul City.

On this Day

• Bala Hissar (High Fortress) The Citadel of Kabul is an ancient stronghold south of Kabul's old city in Afghanistan. Its building date is thought to be about the fifth century AD.
• Bala Hissar was originally divided into two parts: the lower fortress, which housed the stables, barracks, and three royal palaces, and the upper fortress, which housed the armoury and Kabul's dungeon, known as the "Black Pit" (the Siyah Chal).
• Shewaki Stupa, erected during the Buddhist era Heritage: The stupa at Shewaki, 11 kilometers south of Kabul, was built during the third and fifth century CE as part of a holy route used by Buddhist pilgrims traveling from the Indian lowlands to Bamiyan. Shahbahar (King's Vihara), a significant Hindu temple in Afghanistan, is located near Shewaki. Shahbahar served as a Buddhist stupa during the Kushan era and a Hindu temple under the reign of Kabul Shahi.

Driving takes 6-7 hours.

Altitude: 1,798 meters.

Overnight: Best Hotel in Kabul City.

On this Day

• End of the century Emir of Afghanistan's Palace: Built as a summer house for Afghanistan's King Abdul Rahman Khan (1880-1901), the beautiful, domed palace gleams on top of a hill north of Kabul. It served as the kingdom palace while the modern Presidential Palace was not constructed. The palace is presently Kabul's most popular restaurant and hotel. Inside the palace, the stucco and mirror-studded décor reflects the original design. The balcony offers a beautiful 360-degree view of Kabul Valley.
• Qargha Lake Reservoir is a great spot for families to relax and have a delicious Afghan supper on the shores of Qargha Lake. On the assumption that lightning does not strike twice, this place is completely safe.
• Paghman Valley at the Bottom of the Hindukush: Paghman is a town at the bottom of the Hindu Kush Mountain, widely known as Afghanistan's summer capital, that has been converted into a holiday resort. Paghman is rich in palaces, gardens, and cultural and historical sites. A weekend and summer resort established with a European flare at the turn of the century by King Amanullah Khan. It was intended to be Afghanistan's most picturesque city and summer capital. Wide avenues are dotted with fir, poplar, and nut trees along a torrent that flows past an Arch of Triumph, expansive lawns, majestic brick buildings, and a golf course.
• L'Hotel Bahar: Located near the massive gate "Arch of Victory" akin to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, as a memorial to Afghanistan's 1919 battle of independence from Britain, this oasis of tranquility amid the jammed population of Kabul city. The King publicly ordered, supervised, and launched the completed royal Bahar Hotel, which features beautiful 100-year-old Native Walnut trees kept on the garden's periphery, serving as its focal point. The King's hillside pastel pink Bahar Hotel is now gutted and strangely deserted. The beautiful walnut trees and landscape are presently being maintained and renovated.
• Everything begins in the early twentieth century, when nobles travel to Paghman Valley, at the foot of the Hindu Kush Mountains, to collect natural water for its medicinal advantages before taking a few bottles home. This Afghan flavor icon has been passed down for 100 years, resulting in today's Jabriel Spring Natural Mineral Water.

Tip: Even in the summer, the water is quite icy.

Driving: 7-8 hours.

Altitude: 2,129 meters.

Overnight: Best Hotel in Kabul City.

On this Day

• Istālif is a settlement located 49 kilometers northwest of Kabul, at an elevation of 1,693 meters (5,554 feet) on the Shamali Plains, southwest of the notorious Bagram Airfield and Americas' Prison. For millennia, Istalif has been known for its handcrafted glazed pottery.
• Istalif was long regarded as one of Afghanistan's most beautiful sites; Emperor Babur fell in love with it in the 16th century and had parties in his rose garden and summer residence there. Alexander Burnes, a British political agent for Dost Mohammed in the nineteenth century, had come here to unwind among the plane and walnut trees. He described highland streams as being full with fish, whereas orchards and vineyards are the richest.
• The Afghan government is now restoring Istalif Palace, one of Afghanistan's most remarkable historical landmarks.
• The two-story hotel is located on a hillside in the Istālif district, 49 miles northwest of Kabul. It sits on 5,420 meters of elevation with views of the valley and Bagram Airfield. Guests can dine in the Garden or enjoy luxurious comfort among the majestic tall plane trees.
• The original Victorian-style blueprint for the palace was imported from England during King Amanullah Khan's reign, however construction on the site began during King Mohammad Zahir Shah's reign. The palace formerly hosted rulers and tourists from all over the world.

Driving takes 2-3 hours (one way).

Altitude: 1,693 meters.

Overnight at Istalif Royal Palace Hotel.