Kabul and Bamyan See Tourism Rise as Visitor Numbers Climb

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There are new developments in tourist arrivals to Afghanistan, Kabul and Bamyan, where there are now reports of 8 million domestic and 10,000 foreign tourists visiting sites of interest over the past year, according to the Ministry of Information and Culture. At the same time, there are plans for small groups to be organised on trips to Kabul, Bamyan, Herat and Kandahar. This figure is relatively low compared to the global tourism sector, although the tourist map is slowly developing.

Foreign Tourism Is Moving Back Into Focus

The latest figures have put Afghanistan’s tourism sector back into the conversation.

According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture, foreign arrivals reached 10,000 over the past year, while domestic tourism reached 8 million visits. The ministry says it is working to promote the country’s tourism potential and expand services for visitors.

The ministry’s recent tourism activity also shows strong domestic movement. During the Eid al-Fitr holidays in March 2026, officials reported almost 2.3 million domestic and international tourists visiting recreational and natural attractions across Afghanistan.

Then, during Eid al-Adha in June, the ministry reported almost 4 million domestic and international tourists visiting recreational destinations and natural attractions.

So, the tourism story is not just about foreign visitors. Domestic travel is currently providing a much larger part of the reported visitor volume.

Kabul Remains the Main Starting Point

Kabul is the natural starting point for many organised international itineraries.

The capital offers historic neighbourhoods, bazaars, museums, gardens and major architectural landmarks. Tour programmes also commonly use Kabul as the gateway for journeys towards Bamyan, Herat and other provinces.

International tour operators are currently advertising structured group departures rather than relying solely on independent travel. Young Pioneer Tours, for example, is offering scheduled Afghanistan trips in 2026 and 2027, with groups capped at 10 participants and local expert guides accompanying travellers.

That small-group model is particularly visible in specialist adventure tourism.

Bamyan Remains a Major Draw

Bamyan continues to occupy an important place on the international tourism map.

The province is known for the Bamyan Valley, the archaeological landscape associated with the Buddha statues and the nearby Band-e-Amir National Park, whose series of deep-blue lakes form one of Afghanistan’s best-known natural attractions.

However, the destination has also been associated with significant security concerns. In May 2024, three Spanish tourists were killed in a shooting in Bamyan while on a guided tour. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office continues to advise against all travel to Afghanistan, including organised tours.

That distinction matters when reading the current tourism growth figures. Increasing visitor numbers do not mean international travel advisories have been withdrawn.

Herat Adds Silk Road Heritage

Herat brings a very different tourism proposition.

The western Afghan city is known for its Timurid-era architecture, the Herat Citadel, Musalla Complex and Gawhar Shad Mausoleum. These sites connect the city to Afghanistan’s broader Silk Road history and make it a significant destination for heritage-focused itineraries.

CultureRoad’s current Grand Afghanistan tour includes Herat before travelling south towards Kandahar. The operator’s scheduled 2026 itinerary includes visits to the Herat Citadel, Musalla Complex and Gawhar Shad Mausoleum.

The inclusion of Herat shows how organised tourism is increasingly packaging Afghanistan as a multi-city cultural journey rather than a single-destination visit.

Kandahar Enters the Route

Kandahar is also appearing in specialist itineraries.

CultureRoad’s current Grand Afghanistan programme includes travel from Herat to Kandahar, followed by sightseeing in the southern city. Its itinerary lists the Forty Stairs and other historic locations among the planned visits.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture is simultaneously restoring heritage properties. In January 2026, the first phase of restoration at the House of Ahmad Shah Baba in Kandahar was completed and the site was opened to tourists. The project cost 17.5 million Afghanis and took 17 months.

That gives cultural tourism another restored site in one of the country’s most historically significant cities.

Women-Only Tours Create a New Segment

There is also a more specialised development within the international market.

Young Pioneer Tours currently advertises limited women-only Afghanistan tours, including a 2026 autumn itinerary. Its published programme includes Bamyan and Kabul, alongside cultural and historical visits.

This adds a distinct segment to the organised-tour market, although foreign women travelling in Afghanistan remain subject to local regulations and a complex operating environment.

The existence of women-only departures does not remove the wider travel risks identified by governments.

Tourism Services Are Being Formalised

Afghanistan’s tourism authorities are also working on the industry behind the visitor numbers.

In January 2026, the Ministry of Information and Culture held meetings focused on tourist services, security, visa procedures and standardising tourism companies. Officials said improving coordination and service quality was a priority.

The country’s Tourism and Hospitality Institute also began a new academic term in April 2026, with training aimed at developing professional tourism and hospitality skills.

These initiatives are intended to improve the services supporting the expanding visitor market.

Key Stats

• 8 million: Domestic tourists reported over the past year.
• 10,000: Foreign tourists reported over the same period.
• 2.3 million: Domestic and international visitors recorded at natural and recreational attractions during Eid al-Fitr 2026.
• Nearly 4 million: Visitors reported at recreational and natural attractions during Eid al-Adha 2026.
• 10: Maximum group size stated by Young Pioneer Tours for its Afghanistan trips.
• 17.5 million Afghanis: Cost of the first restoration phase of Ahmad Shah Baba’s house in Kandahar.

Travel Information

Kabul International Airport is Afghanistan’s principal international gateway. Kabul is the main starting point for organised journeys to Bamyan and other provinces.

Afghanistan uses the Afghani (AFN).

Tourists travelling through Afghanistan should use properly organised arrangements and confirm visa, permits, accommodation and provincial travel requirements before departure. Afghanistan’s Tourism Directorate says foreign tourist groups must be formally introduced to provincial authorities through documentation provided by tourism companies.

Travel conditions can change rapidly, and road journeys between provinces require careful planning.

Safety and Travel Advisory

The growth in tourism does not change the current official warnings.

The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan, citing terrorism, kidnapping, detention and other security risks. The US Department of State also maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory because of civil unrest, terrorism, kidnapping, wrongful detention, crime, natural disasters and limited health facilities.

Travellers should check their own government’s latest advisory and insurance conditions before considering a journey.

FAQ

1. How many foreign tourists visited Afghanistan?
The Ministry of Information and Culture reports 10,000 foreign tourists over the past year.

2. Which destinations are appearing in organised tours?
Current specialist itineraries include Kabul, Bamyan, Herat and Kandahar, with historical and cultural attractions forming a major part of the programmes.

3. Is Afghanistan currently considered safe for tourists?
The UK advises against all travel, while the US maintains a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory. Organised tours do not remove these risks.

Timeline and Events

Afghanistan’s tourism authorities have been rebuilding the sector through domestic tourism campaigns, restoration of heritage sites, tourism-company regulation and hospitality training. International specialist operators are simultaneously scheduling small-group and women-only tours for 2026.

The reported visitor numbers therefore reflect a combination of substantial domestic travel and a much smaller, specialist international market.

Important Dates

2024: Afghanistan recorded nearly 9,000 tourists, according to reporting based on tourism authorities.

January 2026: The Ministry of Information and Culture held meetings on tourist services, security and visa facilitation.

6 January 2026: Restored sections of Ahmad Shah Baba’s historic house in Kandahar opened to tourists.

24 March 2026: Nearly 2.3 million domestic and international visitors were reported at natural and recreational attractions during Eid al-Fitr.

2 June 2026: The ministry reported almost 4 million visitors during Eid al-Adha.

Conclusion

Activity in the tourism industry of Afghanistan can be evidenced through figures, with domestic tourism dominating by far but supplemented by an emerging specialist market from abroad. With reports of 8 million domestic tourists and 10,000 foreign tourists, there have been organised group tours that cover the cities of Kabul, Bamyan, Herat, and Kandahar. Restoration of heritage sites, training of tourism workers, and improvements in service delivery have been contributing to infrastructure for the tourist sector. Nonetheless, travel advisories are still in place, which means that this tourism figure should be observed.