Babur's tomb
Marble behind a pierced screen.
USAID Afghanistan — Public domain · ninara from Helsinki, Finland — CC BY 2.0 · ninara from Helsinki, Finland — CC BY 2.0 · Ninaras — CC BY 4.0
The Gardens of Babur are a historic site in the Guzargah district of Kabul, more than 500 years old, with gardens, terraced buildings, a small mosque and plenty of space to walk. They hold the tomb of Babur, the first Mughal emperor, and those of some of his relatives. The site used to receive up to a million visitors a year and is among the loveliest green spaces in the capital, looking out on the Sher Darwaza mountain. The garden is thought to date from about 1504, when Babur ordered an avenue garden in Kabul, described in some detail in his memoirs, the Baburnama. He asked to be buried here, and later Afghan rulers redeveloped the place many times. So its buildings now span different ages, which is part of its character. You climb successive terraces among roses, trees and straight stone paths until you reach Babur's plain marble tomb behind a pierced marble screen. Beside it is the small mosque of Shah Jahan with its fine white arches. On the other side a building with wooden arcades and balconies looks over the garden. The colours are finest in spring. It is about 7 km in a straight line from central Kabul and easy to reach by taxi. Reports mention limits on women entering public parks, so check in advance. Dress modestly. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Afghanistan, and access may not be possible, so check official guidance before making any plans.
Marble behind a pierced screen.
Fine white arches.
Roses and stone paths.
Guzargah, District 5, Kabul, Afghanistan
Reports mention limits on women entering public parks, so check in advance.
Do not count on it, and check official guidance first, as the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Afghanistan.