Capital city - Asia

Kabul

cityculture

Why visit

Kabul is Afghanistan's highland capital, set in a mountain basin with old bazaars, gardens, mosques, and a long Silk Road memory. Ordinary tourism remains highly constrained, so the page is mainly useful for cultural and geographic context.

How to use this result

Use it as a capital-city prompt

Kabul is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Afghanistan. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.

Check practical trip fit

Before planning around Kabul, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Afghanistan better matches the trip style.

Kabul at a glance

City population

4.4 million

Elevation

1,798 m

5,899 ft

Time zone

UTC+4:30

Asia/Kabul

Airport

KBL

Kabul International Airport

Afghanistan at a glance

Country center

33.0°, 65.0°

Coast

Landlocked

Country area

652,230 km²

251,827 mi²

Country population

42.2 million

65/km²

Subregion

Southern Asia

Currency

Afghan afghani (؋)

AFN

Dial

+93

Languages

Dari, Pashto, Turkmen

Demonym

Afghan

Internet

.af

Member state

ISO code

AF / AFG

Where in the world

33.0° - 65.0°

Afghanistan Open in Google Maps

Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0

Did you know

Kabul sits in a mountain valley at about 1,800 meters above sea level.
Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, is buried in the Gardens of Babur in the city.
The Darul Aman Palace, ruined by decades of war, was restored for the centenary of Afghan independence in 2019.
Afghanistan's Bamiyan Buddhas, carved into cliffs in the 6th century, were the world's largest standing Buddhas until destruction in 2001.
Afghanistan is one of only two countries whose national flag contains buildings (the other is Cambodia).

Bordering Afghanistan

Traveler notes

Babur's Gardens preserve one of the city's best-known historic landscapes
The Kabul River runs through the city basin
The city has been a crossroads for Persian, Central Asian, and South Asian influence

Plan checks

Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.

Explore more

Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.

Frequently asked about Kabul

What currency is used in Kabul?

Kabul uses the Afghan afghani (؋), ISO code AFN.

What languages are spoken in Afghanistan?

The primary languages are Dari, Pashto and Turkmen.

What is the international calling code for Afghanistan?

The calling code is +93.

When is the best time to visit Kabul?

Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Check current weather and local events before booking.

What airport serves Kabul?

Kabul International Airport (IATA: KBL).

Is Kabul at high altitude?

Yes, Kabul sits at 1,798 m (5,899 ft). Give yourself a day or two to acclimatize.

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