Good Time to Visit

Weather

Afghanistan's high altitudes and landlocked terrain create a cold continental climate, with wide temperature swings between seasons and between day and night. The country experiences blisteringly hot summers (June-August), and freezing cold winters (December-February). The temperature in Kabul varies from an average of -3°C in January (ranging between -7°C and 3°C) to an average high of 25°C in July (ranging between 15°C and 35°C). Rainfall in Kabul is usually less than 4 cm a month, apart from in March and April when there is approximately 10 cm of precipitation each month.

More information about the Afghan weather may be found in Climate in Afghanistan.

Festivals

One of the most important holidays in Afghanistan is Navrus (New Year), which is celebrated in March. Special foods - wheat for the ladies and veal for the men - are prepared, and wine drunk. Liberation Day takes place on 18 April, and probably isn't the time to flaunt any connections you might have with the West. This is followed by Revolution Day, 28 April, making the whole month a great time for flag waving. Other festivities are based around the Islamic calendar.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Afghanistan: