Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan, a mountain-ringed city of roughly 4.6 million at 1,790 m. This guide records its historic sites, markets and food while stating plainly that every government advises against travel there.
Kabul sits at 1,790 m and has a continental semi-arid climate: cold, snowy winters; mild spring; hot, dry summers; and a crisp, clear autumn. Rain and snow fall mainly from December to April.
Best time to visit
Best: April-May and September-October
Peak Season: May and September (the few visitors who come)
Avoid: December-February (snow, cold and cancelled roads)
Notes: Nowruz on 21 March brings festivals and many local crowds.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
4/-7 C (high/low)
Cold and snowy; heating is limited and roads can ice
February
6/-4 C (high/low)
Cold with snow and rain
March
12/2 C (high/low)
Cool and wet, spring blossom begins
April
19/8 C (high/low)
Mild with showers, almond and cherry blossom
May
25/12 C (high/low)
Warm, clear and green; ideal sightseeing
June
31/16 C (high/low)
Hot, dry and sunny
July
33/18 C (high/low)
Hot and dusty
August
33/17 C (high/low)
Hot and dry
September
29/12 C (high/low)
Warm, dry and clear
October
22/5 C (high/low)
Pleasant autumn light, cold nights
November
14/-1 C (high/low)
Cool and dry, first frosts
December
7/-4 C (high/low)
Cold, snow possible
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Mild to warm, 12-25 C highs with showers and blossom.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Hot and dry, 31-33 C highs with dust.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
Warm days and cold nights, 14-29 C highs.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cold, -7 to 7 C, snow.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Overview
- Kabul has no tourist season to speak of; Fridays and Nowruz are the busiest local periods at Babur Gardens and Qargha Lake.
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Nowruz
Persian new year with picnics, flowers and Sakhi shrine gatherings.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
Shops close and families visit gardens; plan accommodation early.
Independence Day
Government-led celebrations.