Travel advisory · AfghanistanGovernments advise against all travel to Afghanistan.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel | Feb 20, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen nach Afghanistan wird gewarnt (Reisewarnung) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel (level 4 of 4) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Formellement déconseillé, whole territory | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Mazar-i-Sharif
Travelers come for the Blue Mosque, the Nowruz celebrations in spring, and the ancient city of Balkh nearby.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Mazar-i-Sharif is the capital of Balkh Province and the largest city in northern Afghanistan. Its name means noble shrine, and the city grew around the tomb that tradition links to Ali ibn Abi Talib. The shrine's blue-tiled mosque and courtyards are the main reason visitors come. Women must cover their hair at the shrine.
The ancient city of Balkh, a short drive west, is one of the oldest settlements in the region and pairs well with a visit to the shrine. Spring is a good time to go, around Nowruz in late March, when the shrine hosts celebrations. Summer is hot and dusty, and winter is cold, so spring and autumn are the easiest seasons. Plan a day for each site, and check current government travel advice before you book, since conditions in Afghanistan change quickly.
Mazar-i-Sharif in five
- Check your government's advice before you bookCheck your government's current advice for Afghanistan before you buy flights. It can change quickly.Afghanistan guide
- Bring cash in afghanis and dollarsCards from abroad are unlikely to work in Mazar-i-Sharif, so count what you need before you arrive. Keep small notes for drivers, tea shops and tips.Money and costs
- Arrange rides through your hotel or hostBook drives through a hotel or host you trust. Agree the price and the route before you set off.Getting around
- Test your eSIM before you flyCheck your phone's coverage and SIM options at home before you leave.Phones and eSIM
- Cover up for the Shrine of Hazrat AliWomen must cover their hair at the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, known as the Blue Mosque, and visitors of both sexes should dress modestly in public.
Things to do in Mazar-i-Sharif
See all attractions in Mazar-i-Sharif
Need to know
- Currency
- Afghan afghani (AFN)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most foreign visitors; check your government's advice first
- Emergency
- Not verified here; ask your embassy or hotel
- Tipping
- Small tips for drivers and guides, if you wish
- Time
- UTC+4:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchNowruz, crowded
- AprilMild, green
- MayWarm, dry
- JuneHot, dusty
- JulyHot, dusty
- AugustHot, dusty
- SeptemberWarm, clear
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberCooling down
- DecemberCold, short days
Right now in Mazar-i-Sharif
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 67%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 14%
Mazar-i-Sharif
01:12 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°12°14%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Wed23°12°25%Wednesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu22°12°22%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Fri24°11°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat26°11°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun26°13°16%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 16%.
Updated 01:06 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 64.87 AFN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Balkhabout 30 min by carAn ancient city close to Mazar-i-Sharif, good for a short morning visit by car.
- Hairatanabout 1 hour by carA border town on the Amu Darya and the crossing to Uzbekistan, mainly for overland travelers.
- Bamyana full day by roadBuddha niches and lakes in the central highlands, if your government's advice allows road travel.
Before you go to Mazar-i-Sharif
Rules for Mazar-i-Sharif, checked
- Read your government's current advice before you book; the UK FCDO page covers Afghanistan.Source
- Women should cover their hair and body in public, and all visitors should dress modestly at the shrine.
- Ask before photographing people, and do not photograph security checkpoints or military sites.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Afghanistan; do not bring any through customs.
Plan around Mazar-i-Sharif
Hotel and guesthouse options in the city
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa rules and where to check current advice
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, afghanis and what to budget per day
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, road transport and driver hire
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSignal, SIM options and offline maps
Read the guideAll of AfghanistanCountry overview and regions beyond the city
Read the guideMazar-i-Sharif FAQ
Is Mazar-i-Sharif safe to visit?
Safety depends on current conditions. Check your government's advice before you book, and do not rely on this guide for security updates.
Do you need a visa for Mazar-i-Sharif?
Most foreign visitors need a visa to enter Afghanistan. Check the requirements with the Afghan embassy or consulate that covers your country, and read your government's advice.
Can you pay by card in Mazar-i-Sharif?
Cards from abroad are unlikely to work reliably. Carry cash in afghanis and US dollars, and ask your bank whether your cards work before you travel.
What is the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif?
The Blue Mosque is the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, the city's best-known site. Women must cover their hair, and visitors should dress modestly.
When is the best time to visit Mazar-i-Sharif?
Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons, with mild days. Summer is hot and dusty, and winter is cold.