Best Time to Visit Kabul

Spring: green hills and showers

March is cool and damp, with rain on about eleven days. April is the wettest month, with 90 mm, and March isn't far behind at 85. But the showers are short, the days warm up, and the hills around the city turn green. By May it's dry enough to walk about comfortably, with warm afternoons and cool nights.

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, falls around the spring equinox in March. Families picnic and visit shrines, and in Kabul many head to the Shrine of Ali (Ziyarat-e Sakhi) near the Kabul River. Check the current situation before you go, as public events can change at short notice.

Summer: hot, dry and bright

June to August are the sunniest months. July is the hottest, with highs around 33°C, and August is close behind. The air is dry, so it feels easier than the number suggests. Evenings cool off, and nights stay mild. Dust can hang over the city in the afternoon.

June is the best of the three. It's warm, sunny and the driest of the summer months. July and August bring a few more showers. If you want to see the Old City and the Babur Gardens, go in the morning, when the light is soft and the paths are cooler. The gardens climb a hillside, and the walk up is easier before midday.

Autumn: the sweet spot

September and October are the best months for most trips. Days are warm and clear, nights turn crisp, and October is the driest of the two with only four rainy days. Fruit season runs into autumn, so look for grapes and pomegranates in the markets. Kabul is known for both.

November is still pleasant, with highs around 16°C, though you'll want a jacket by evening.

Winter: cold and quiet

December to February are the coldest months. Highs sit between 8°C and 11°C, and nights drop below freezing in January and February. Snow can close mountain roads, including the Salang Pass north of the city. If you plan to travel beyond Kabul, that matters.

This is the low season. Few travellers visit, and the city is calm. It suits you if you want a quiet stay and don't mind bundling up in a cosy tea house over green tea and sweets.

For most people, May or September to October works best. Pick June if you want long, sunny days, or April if you don't mind some rain.