Places to see in Kandahar
Kandahar's landmarks are compact: most of the historic core sits within a couple of kilometers, with the Arghandab orchards and Old Kandahar a short drive west.
Shrine of the Cloak (Kirka Sharif)
Kandahar's holiest site, housing a cloak attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, brought to the city by Ahmad Shah Durrani. The turquoise-tiled complex anchors the old city.
Mausoleum of Ahmad Shah Durrani
The octagonal, blue-domed tomb of the founder of modern Afghanistan, beside the shrine — a masterpiece of 18th-century Afghan architecture.
Chil Zena (Forty Steps)
A staircase cut into a rock outcrop west of the city, with a chamber and Mughal inscriptions from Babur's era, overlooking the plain and Old Kandahar.
Baba Wali shrine & gardens
Shrine of the Sufi saint Baba Wali Kandahari above the Arghandab River — the city's favorite picnic spot amid pomegranate orchards.
Red Mosque (Jame Mor Mosque)
A modern landmark of the city skyline, known for its scale and rose-colored facade.
Kandahar Museum
Regional collections from Mundigak and Old Kandahar excavations to ethnographic pieces.
Arghandab Valley
The green belt of orchards and vineyards northwest of the city — spectacular in spring blossom and autumn harvest.
The bazaars
Shah Bazaar, Herat Bazaar and the specialty markets: dried fruit, khamak work, copper and karakul.
Old Kandahar (Zorr Shar)
The ruined pre-1738 city and citadel, with layers reaching back to Alexandria in Arachosia. History
Planning tips
Non-Muslims cannot enter the inner sanctuary of the Shrine of the Cloak, but the courtyard and mausoleum area are normally accessible. Fridays are busy at all shrines; mornings are the best light for Chil Zena. See the travel guide and current safety notes before planning anything.