9 Historical Places In Afghanistan

historical places in afghanistan
Neha
Neha  
Updated
| 4 min read

The land-locked nation of Afghanistan is a prominent Islamic state in South Central Asia. The country has been inhabited since the ancient times and you will find really old monuments and structures here to prove this point. The diverse landscape and these amazing sites make Afghanistan an interesting destination to visit especially for history buffs. You will be stunned with the beauty of the architecture across the nation–a result of several rulers who made it their home and built structures as per their liking. This profound influence of the ruling dynasty is seen throughout the city. Out of a long and fairly surprising list of attractions, we have handpicked the top historical places in Afghanistan for your next trip.

1. Herat Citadel

Citadel of Alexander in Herat
Source: Photo by user Artacoana used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Dating back to as early as 330 BC is the jaw-dropping Citadel of Alexander in the heart of Herat Afghanistan. The Citadel of Herat was built by Alexander when he arrived with his army in Afghanistan after the Battle of Gaugamela. Later, various other empires used it as headquarters and remained so for 2,000 years during which it witnessed much destruction and subsequent rebuilding by the ruling dynasties. It was in 1976 that the UNESCO excavated and restored the citadel. In recent years several international organizations decided to completely rebuild it. Now it also houses the National Museum of Herat. Its historical significance makes it a not-to-be-missed place in Afghanistan.

Herat Citadel

Address: Herat, Afghanistan

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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2. Massoud Circle

Massoud cirkle - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user davered1101 used under CC BY 3.0

The major roundabout in the capital city of Kabul is called Massoud Circle. The circle is named after Ahmad Shah Massoud and lies close to the Embassy of the United States in Kabul. If you go further on the road, it will take you to Hamid Karzai International Airport. The circle is of immense cultural significance in Afghanistan and hence a must-visit place. In fact, when you arrive at this capital city, this is the first of the few attractions you will come across.

Massoud Circle

Address: Kabul, Afghanistan

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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3. Buddhas of Bamyan

Caves
Source: Photo by Flickr user Tracy Hunter used under CC BY 2.0

The 6th-century Buddhas of Bamyan lie in the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan. You will find monumental sized statues of Gautam Buddha, an Indian saint, carved in monolithic cliffs in the Bamyan valley at an elevation of 2,500 m (8,200 ft). The art represents the ancient art form of Gandhara school and is totally remarkable. The statues are built in sandstone cliffs although straw and stucco were also used. Like other monuments, the site witnessed destruction and renovation with time and new rulers in Afghanistan but never did it lose its cultural and tourism significance.

Buddhas of Bamyan

Address: Bamyan, Hazarajat, Afghanistan

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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4. Kherqa Sharif

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located in Kandahar, Afghanistan is the holy Shrine of the Cloak. The shrine lies right next to the Kahandar mosque and one of the holiest sites in Islam. The building’s exteriors are of green marble from Lashkargah with tiled surfaces and beautiful gilded archways. The cloak is locked away inside the mosque and is rarely seen. Later the cloak was given to Amir Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1768 who is the founder of modern Afghanistan. Today, the site is a famous national landmark and attraction.

Shrine of the Cloak

Address: Kahandar, Afghanistan

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Afghanistan Tour Guide

Saeed Akbar

Saeed Akbar

My name's Saeed Akbar. I'm a fully licensed, professional tourist guide since In Asia, especially in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China, you need a special License issued by Government authorities to work as a tourist guide. I graduated from the University of Hawaii USA in Tour Guiding, Destination Management, Travel Tourism Marketing, Customers Skills, and Cultural Studies, but my passion has always been Working in history and Art, Archaeology not only theoretically but also Practically. I am a Travel Marketing consultant and a Trainer. My spoken English is excellent, during the university I also spent two years in the United States of America as an exchange student. Since 2006 I've been an active member of World Tour Guide. In my job, I love to transfer to my guests my love for the art, the history, and the traditions of my home country Pakistan so that they can feel it as a true Asian feels it. After two years in Untied States of America where I taught English, I learned the importance of customer service, something that in Pakistan is not always highly valued... I'm looking forward to meeting you in Pakistan. For any questions or information please contact me at

Tours by Saeed

5. Qala e Bost

Ghurid arch of Qala-e-Bost
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Saigonpunkid used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Qala e Bost translates to city of Bost. Bost was an ancient city in Southern Afghanistan housing the citadel, located about 10 km (6.2 mi) north of modern city Laschkar Gah. The ancient city of Bost, which was located on the eastern bank of the river Hilmend, was already settled in as early as 7th century BC under the Ghaznavids dynasty. The city lies in between Persia and India, and the strategic location made it famous for trade and commerce in the ancient world. Bost was a flourishing place for Islam back then and is now a unique and major attraction in the contemporary word.

Qala e Bost

Address: Lashkargah, Afghanistan

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6. National Museum of Afghanistan

IMG_2428 National Museum, Kabul
Source: Photo by Flickr user Ninara used under CC BY 2.0

The National Museum of Afghanistan is famously known as the Kabul Museum. This two-storey building lies around 9 km (5.59 mi) southwest of the center of Kabul in Afghanistan. Since its formation, the museum has seen major developments to suit international standards and now has a garden, too. The museum earlier showcased around 100,000 items dating back to several millennia which was lost in history and now has around 8,000 artifacts recovered with the help of international organisations.

National Museum of Afghanistan

Address: Kabul, Afghanistan

Website: National Museum of Afghanistan

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7. Darul Aman Palace

Darul aman palace kabul 2006-02
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user ArminWenger used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Another major attraction in Afghanistan is Darul Aman Palace. The name translates to “Abode of Peace”. It is the ruins of the original palace located about 16 km (10 mi) southwest of Kabul. It sits directly across the Afghan Parliament and very close to the National Museum of Afghanistan and the American University of Afghanistan. The palace was constructed in the early 1920s by then-King Amandullah and was connected to the city of Kabul with a narrow railway line. Today, it is considered a prominent attraction in Afghanistan.

Darul Aman Palace

Address: Kabul, Afghanistan

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8. Minaret of Jam

Minaret of jam 2009 ghor
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user david adamec used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

If you visit Ghor province in Afghanistan, don’t forget to visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Minaret of Jam. Geographically, it lies in the Shahrak District, next to the Hari River. It is believed that in the ancient times, the muezzin called for the prayer from this tower. The minaret walls are decorated with alternating bands of kufic and naskhi calligraphy, geometric patterns, and verses from the Quran. The circular minaret rests on an octagonal base with two wooden balconies and also had a lantern.

Minaret of Jam

Address: Ghor Province, Afghanistan

Price: 24 hours (daily)

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9. Gardens of Babur

Babur Gardens
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jim Kelly used under CC BY 2.0

One of the most gorgeous places to visit in Afghanistan is the Gardens of Babur in Kabul. The site is also the resting place of resting of the first of Mughal rulers, Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur. Developed in 1528, the garden truly flaunts the Mughal style of architecture. The grandeur of the Mughal style of art and way of living are not hidden from the world now and the garden is just another necessity for the former king. The garden has the tomb of Babur and also a mosque which was built for prayers.

Gardens of Babur

Address: 34.503°N 69., Block 157-158 Walkway, Kabul, Afghanistan

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 1 USD

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A different face of Afghanistan

The beauty and rich heritage of Afghanistan is reflected in these historic monuments. Believe it or not there are many other such historical places in Afghanistan that definitely deserve a visit. Explore this fascinating side of Afghanistan on your next trip here and remember to keep these spots in mind.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Neha is a traveler and professional writer driven by passion. She also makes sure to live life on her own terms.

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