Band-e Amir National Park

Band-e Amir National Park (Persian: بند امیر) is the first national park of Afghanistan. It is a stunning group of turquoise lakes in the Eastern zone of the country, in Bamyan Province. It sits high in the Hindu Kush at an altitude of 2900 m, and in 2013 about 6,000 local tourists visit the site each year. The area is protected by a small number of park rangers and most of the landmines are cleared.

Balkh

Once one of the greatest cities in the region and capital of ancient Bactria. Although much of it lies in ruins, the remaining architectural and cultural elements remain little changed since Alexander the Great set foot there.

Mazar-e Sharif

home to the impressively tiled Blue Mosque, and the staging point for trips into Uzbekistan

Kunduz

A major city in the northeast, and crossing point to Tajikistan

Kandahar

a Taliban-influenced southern city, not safe for travel at this time

Jalalabad

in the east, between Kabul and the Khyber Pass

Herat

in the west, gateway to Iran, has a strong Persian influence and several interesting historical sites

Ghazni

in the south-east, between Kabul and Kandahar

Bamiyan

The remains of the Buddhas. Once considered one of the wonders of the world, these tall stone carvings were destroyed by the Taliban in a notorious act of cultural vandalism.

Kabul

in the east, the capital city

Mazar-i-Sharif

capital of Balkh, Afghanistan

Bamyan

city in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan

Gardens of Babur

park in Afghanistan

Darul Aman Palace

Built as King Amanullah's Palace in the 1920s, it has been destroyed and rebuilt a few times over. Plans were unveiled to renovate it again although it is still in a state of crumbling disrepair on the verge of collapsing.

Ghazi Stadium

Home of the Afghan football team. Just past the stadium is the mine museum as well as a road up the hill where you will find hundreds of Afghan men and boys flying kites on holidays.

Salang Pass

mountain pass

Blue Mosque (Mazar-i-Sharif)

Also known as the Blue Mosque, the shrine marks the burial site of Ali bin Talib, the Prophet Mohammad's cousin and the fourth caliph of Islam. At night the mosque is lit by coloured lights. However, due to many homeless sleeping in the surrounding park, it is not advisable to walk around it.

Tajbeg Palace

Not to be confused with Darul Aman, this palace was also built in the 1920 built to house the Royal family.

Shahr-e Gholghola

human settlement in Afghanistan

Dahla Dam

dam in Afghanistan

Great Mosque of Herat

More than 800 years old, full of life and incredibly beautiful. Be sure and seek out the craftsmen's shop behind the main entrance, where you can watch them cut tiles and lay out new pieces for the building.

Bagh-e Bala Palace

Built in the late 19th century, it served as a summer palace for Amir Abdur Rahman. Today, much of the original interior has been preserved, and the area around the palace has become a large park.

Shrine of the Cloak

One of the holiest sites in Afghanistan, contains what is said to be a cloak/robe worn by Prophet Mohammad during his famous night journey. The cloak is locked away inside and has not been taken out since 1996.

Jabal Saraj

town in Parwan Province, Afghanistan

Herat Citadel

On a hill to the west of the old city, with great views overlooking the city. It has reopened to visitors after being used by the military to store ammunition for the last few years, and is under restoration by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. It has an eerie deserted feel, and you're free to roam and climb around all you want. However, be a little careful as some of the paths are slightly precarious. The guards generally demand a US$5 entrance fee, though bargaining can get you in for less, or even for free.

Qargha Reservoir

Described as Kabul's lake district, only 9 km from the city. Spojmai restaurant provides international cuisine. Swimming and boating are popular on the lake with plans for water skiing and jet-skis in the future.

Bala Hissar, Kabul

Alokozay Kabul International Cricket Ground

Home of the Afghan cricket team. Newly built.

Chil Zena

Musalla Complex

Once a mosque, a medressa, and a mausoleum, all that remains is a single, precariously tethered minaret and the large domed tomb of Gowhar Shad, who commissioned the original complex. If you have time, wait for the keeper to come unlock the tomb, this might involve asking the guard to call, he will ask for a few dollars it's worth it to see the interior. At the very back of the park behind the mausoleum, part of a second minaret, part of the madrassa, can be found with a rusting tank parked nearby.

Shamali Plain

The Shomali Plain, also called the Shomali Valley, is a plateau just north of Kabul, Afghanistan. It is approximately 30 km wide and 80 km long. Once, it was a fertile area, rich with water, where fruits and vegetables were cultivated, and where Kabul's residents picknicked on weekends.