World Guide

Afghanistan

Country · Asia, Southern Asia

Buddhas of Bamiyan
Pictured: Buddhas of Bamiyan · Photo: James Gordon, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Afghanistan is a country located in Southern Asia with a population of about 44 million and an area of 652,230 square kilometers. Its capital is Kabul. The country offers visitors natural landscapes and historical sights.

Highlights

The site covers 13 top sights, including cultural and natural landmarks across cities like Kabul and Herat. Notable sights include the Buddhas of Bamiyan, Hindu Kush, Minaret of Jam, Gardens of Babur, Tajbeg Palace, Mausoleum of Imam Ali, Bala Hissar in Kabul, Band-e Amir National Park, Darul Aman Palace, Herat Citadel, Great Mosque of Herat, Shahr-e-Gholghola, and the Musalla complex.

Food and drink

Local dishes include Kashk, Kabuli pulao, Aush, Tandyr nan, Afghan salad, Nisholda, Bolani, Gosh-e fil, Afghani burger, Talkhan, and Afghan bread.

When to go

Based on climate data at the capital, January brings daily highs of 2 °C and lows of -11 °C with 42 mm of rain on about 7 days. February has highs of 4 °C and lows of -9 °C with 60 mm of rain on about 7 days. March sees highs of 10 °C and lows of -2 °C with 77 mm of rain on about 12 days. April has highs of 17 °C and lows of 4 °C with 53 mm of rain on about 10 days. May features highs of 23 °C and lows of 9 °C with 35 mm of rain on about 9 days. June records highs of 27 °C and lows of 13 °C with 12 mm of rain on about 6 days. July is the warmest month with highs of 30 °C and lows of 15 °C with 7 mm of rain on about 8 days. August has highs of 29 °C and lows of 15 °C with 5 mm of rain on about 8 days. September brings highs of 26 °C and lows of 11 °C with 6 mm of rain on about 4 days. October sees highs of 19 °C and lows of 6 °C with 11 mm of rain on about 4 days. November has highs of 13 °C and lows of 0 °C with 14 mm of rain on about 5 days. December records highs of 6 °C and lows of -6 °C with 27 mm of rain on about 2 days.

Practical notes

The currency is the afghani. Languages spoken are Pashto and Dari. The voltage is 240.0 V using plugs C and F, driving is on the right side of the road, and the time zone is UTC+04:30.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Afghanistan

  • Kashk
  • Kabuli pulao
  • Aush
  • Tandyr nan
  • Afghan salad
  • Nisholda
  • Bolani
  • Gosh-e fil
  • Afghani burger
  • Talkhan
  • Afghan bread

Top sights in Afghanistan

  1. Buddhas of BamiyanUNESCOBuddhas of Bamiyan
  2. Hindu KushHindu Kush
  3. Minaret of JamUNESCOMinaret of Jam
  4. Gardens of BaburGardens of BaburKabul
  5. Tajbeg PalaceTajbeg PalaceKabul
  6. Mausoleum of Imam AliMausoleum of Imam AliMazar-e Sharif
  7. Bala Hissar, KabulBala Hissar, KabulKabul
  8. Band-e Amir National ParkBand-e Amir National Park
  9. Darul Aman PalaceDarul Aman PalaceKabul
  10. Herat CitadelHerat CitadelHerat
  11. Great Mosque of HeratGreat Mosque of HeratHerat
  12. Shahr-e-GholgholaUNESCOShahr-e-Gholghola
  1. Musalla complex · Herat

UNESCO sites in Afghanistan →

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is March, with about 77 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C241017232730292619136
Average low, °C-11-9-2491315151161-6
Rainfall, mm426077533512756111427
Rainy days77121096884452

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Kabul (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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