Ghazni, the capital of Ghazni Province, is a historic city in central Afghanistan, about 2–3 hours from Kabul. Today, you can explore its archaeological sites, which reflect its rich Islamic and Persian history.
More and more travelers are showing interest in visiting Ghazni. You can visit it on a day trip from Kabul just like Parwan or make a short stop on your way to Kandahar.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know: how to plan your trip, how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Ghazni.
1.1. FROM KABUL TO GHAZNI, AFGHANISTAN
If you want to travel from Kabul to Ghazni, take a minibus or shared taxi from the station where vehicles head towards the western and southern regions of Afghanistan.
The location of this station is 34°31′25.95″N 69°03′09.91″E.
A seat in a minibus costs 200 AF or 250 AF (~2.70-3.40 USD) and a seat in shared taxi costs 300 Afgani (~4 USD).
It takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to drive from Kabul to Ghazni.
1.2. FROM KABUL TO KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN
To travel from Kandahar to Ghazni, head to the Kabul Bus Terminal in Kandahar.
The bus ticket costs 500 AF (~6.80 USD).
On this trip, I teamed up with another traveler who had a car and a driver, making it incredibly easy to get around. Without this option, I would have walked to most places and taken a few taxis.
From Taj Continental hotel, you can easily walk to the Citadel of Ghazni, then continue to the minarets. Along the way, you’ll pass several fascinating historical sites, including old shrines and tombs. Around the minarets, you can also explore on foot, as the area is filled with old buildings. From the minarets, you can walk to Tepe Serdar, then head back to the main road and decide what’s next.
By this point, you’ve already explored Ghazni’s key landmarks. If you have extra time, you might also visit the Abdul Razaq Mausoleum or the Tank Museum. It all depends on your interests! If you decide to see more places, you can take a taxi from the main road.
On the main roads, you’ll also see larger rickshaws that locals use to get around in Ghazni. You can give them a try as well.
This is the location of the Ministry of culture where you can obtain your local permit: 33°32’40.4″N 68°25’25.5″E
Officially, when you arrive in Ghazni, you are required to register with the local authorities.
As part of this process, you will automatically be assigned a Taliban escort to accompany you everywhere in the city.
I didn’t want to waste time obtaining a permit and being escorted by the Taliban.
So, I simply skipped the local permit and no one ever asked for it. No regrets, as everything went smoothly in Ghazni. I was able to stay in a hotel and explore the city and the historic sites freely without anyone questioning me or requesting identification.
Old building in Ghazni, Afghanistan
5.1. GHAZNI MINARETS
Minaret of Masud III in Ghazni, Afghanistan
The Ghazni Minarets are two ancient towers from the 12th century, built during the Ghaznavid Empire. They stand about 20 meters tall and are decorated with intricate brick designs and Kufic inscriptions.
These minarets once marked the entrance to a grand mosque or palace, but most of the original buildings are long gone.
We drove to the minarets, where you can find the Minaret of Masud III and the Minaret of Bahram Shah.
Around them, there are other historical sites, including tombs and shrines like the Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Ghaznavi. We explored as much as possible by car, but if you’re on foot, it will take some time to see everything but it’s definitely doable.
Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Ghaznavi in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Fascinating historical sites in Ghazni, Afghanistan
5.2. CITADEL OF GHAZNI
On the way to the Citadel of Ghazni, Afghanistan
The Citadel of Ghazni, also known as Ghazni Fortress, is a historic stronghold that dates back over a thousand years.
It sits on a hill overlooking the city, offering great views and a glimpse into Afghanistan’s past. While much of the structure is in ruins, its towering walls still stand as a reminder of Ghazni’s strategic importance.
We drove all the way up to the fortress but you can also walk up. It was pretty intresting.
View from the Citadel of Ghazni, Afghanistan
5.3. ABDUL RAZAQ MAUSOLEUM IN GHAZNI
Abdul Razaq Mausoleum in Ghazni, Afghanistan
The Abdul Razaq Mausoleum is a historic tomb in Ghazni with beautiful tilework and unique patterns. It’s believed to be the resting place of an important figure from the Ghaznavid era.
While it’s not as well-known as other sites, it’s a great spot for history and architecture lovers. If you’re exploring Ghazni, it’s worth a quick visit.
People live around this mausoleum. We wandered through the area, searching for older men who might know the keeper of the keys of the mausoleum.
As we waited, a group of children gathered around, curious at first but soon turning rowdy. Their playful energy shifted, and the older men had to step in to calm them down.
In the end, the keyholder never showed up. As we walked away, the kids started throwing stones at us. Well, just part of the experience. It was unsettling but, in its own way, unforgettable.
5.4. TEPE SERDAR MONASTERY IN GHAZNI
View from the Tepe Sardar Monastery in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Tepe Sardar in Ghazni is believed to be an ancient Buddhist settlement during the 7th to 9th centuries from the Kushan Empire.
We made our way up the hill to Tepe Sardar, where we encountered some men—who I couldn’t quite identify, possibly Taliban. They guided us around the site.
Much of the site has been damaged.
While I enjoyed the exploration, I personally didn’t find the place all that fascinating. But it’s a significant historical site, and that’s why I felt it was important to share my experience here.
5.5. TANK MUSEUM IN GHAZNI
Tank Museum in Ghazni, Afghanistan
The Tank Museum in Ghazni is a truly fascinating open-air museum. For me, it was the most intresting site in Ghazni.
Ghazni was one of the main centers of resistance and scene of bloody fighting between the Taliban and the U.S.-led forces during the 20-year (2001–2021) occupation of Afghanistan.
Tank Museum in Ghazni, Afghanistan
The museum features a collection of military tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment left behind after the war. They are relics of the military defeat of America and its allied nations.
The exhibition also houses tanks left over from the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979-89.
We tried a restaurant called Ghazni Chief Fastfood, and I really liked it. We ordered a variety of dishes, and the total came to 570 Afghani (7.70 USD) for 3 of us.
Afghan feast in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Besides what you see in the picture, we also got soups. My favorite was the pilav and the soup. The burger I ordered I didn’t like at all.
The restaurant’s location is here. There are many other restaurants nearby, such as the Qanber Burger. I recommend exploring the area and choosing whichever place appeals to you the most.
We also stopped at a random spot along the way. It was a super cheap place, and the pilav there was delicious. The location is here. There are also a few good shops around, perfect for picking up some chocolate, snacks, and drinks.
I researched all the hotels in Ghazni and read many traveler reviews. In the end, I decided to stay at Taj Continental.
Price: 1500 Afghani (~20 USD) per night, including breakfast
WhatsApp: +93 78 543 4481
Location: Easily found on Google Maps as Taj Continental.
Breakfast: The breakfast was great—we got eggs, bread, and tea. I ordered extra warm milk to make coffee with the Nescafé I always carry when I travel.
The restaurant of Taj Continental in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Wi-Fi: Available.
Overall Stay:
The hotel is brand new. The rooms were clean and newly furnished, and when I was there, the beds, mattresses, and blankets were all new. The staff did their best to make me feel comfortable.
I stayed in November, and the hotel was very cold. I asked for a heater, and they gave me an electric one. However, at some point during the night, the electricity went off. Even with two warm blankets, I felt cold.
I didn’t shower because the water wasn’t warm. They said they had hot water, but it definitely wasn’t warm enough for me, plus the bathroom was also cold.
That said, I managed without a shower.
Overall, I didn’t regret staying here, as this still seems to be the cleanest hotel in Ghazni.
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