Dos

• Make sure to carry your own medicines and first-aid kits. The medical scenario in the country is unreliable, most hospitals and drug stores will not have your required medicines, or worse, may have fake ones.
• Always be cautious. Kabul has faced a lot of security threats and it is always advisable to be careful while traveling there. Do not give out your plans or addresses readily and do not trust everyone as easily.
• Dress modestly. Men are advised to wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. Women must cover their heads with a headscarf for the entire duration of the trip and wear long, roomy shirts or loose-fitting pants. Casual or form-fitting clothing of any kind is discouraged.
• Don’t wear anything too bright and avoid colors that are reminiscent of military or security contractor clothes.
• ZootZoot is a food delivery app. If you have late night hunger pangs get your food delivered and avoid going out at night as it can be unsafe.
• Always carry cash. Credit cards are very unlikely to be accepted anywhere apart from hotels and restaurants. Make a habit of asking upon entering whether the establishment accepts cards.
• Always stay updated with the news and happenings around you, as situations can change quite rapidly.
• Keep a low profile as foreigners are often targeted by petty criminals and terrorists alike.
• Kabul has a wide variety of amazing food items. Try street food and different kinds of dishes. Visit the restaurants only when you feel like splurging as they can be expensive.
• The tap water must be avoided as it can be unsafe for consumption.
• If you are planning to stay for long, book a guest house. Good hotels are very expensive due to the security measures and electricity costs.
• Always remove your shoes if you are invited to visit someone's house. Some shops may also follow this rule and if you see footwear outside the shop with the people inside walking barefoot, follow suit.

Don’ts

• Avoid discussing religion or faith with the locals as it is a contentious topic due to their past.
• Men should not initiate conversations or physical contact with the local women, while females should avoid physical contact with the local males.
• In public, men should neither talk to other women nor inquire about them from their male counterparts. Women should also avoid talking to men directly. Gender demarcation is clear and rigid; men and women sit separately.
• Alcohol has been banned and should not be consumed in public at all. Although you can find a decent place to drink avoid buying your own.
• Avoid any public gatherings or religious gatherings as they can turn violent without any warnings.
• Do not walk alone at night due to increased security risks. Walking during the daytime is safe in most areas.
• Avoid taking photographs of anyone without their expressed permission. Taking pictures of many buildings is also not allowed.
• Avoid traveling during the month of Ramadan. Kabul is an Islamic city and hence most of it will remain closed during the month, even food will be hard to find.
• Do not settle for the given price of an object that you find in the markets. Bargaining is commonplace and necessary, and it will help you save a lot.
• Do not buy a new sim card as Kabul has an excellent telecommunication network. Inquire with your service provider about tariffs and your own sim might work just fine.
• Do not try to coerce a local to drink as pressuring someone to drink is seen as an offensive action.
• Honour is a very big part of the Afghan culture, whenever you meet people greet them with ‘Salaam’.

Alcohol is illegal in Afghanistan. However, Kabul has a lot of places where foreigners can drink. A few good ones include Sufi’s which is known for its delicious kebabs. The bars in Kabul are not hard to find, and many restaurants themselves have a separate area for drinking. Getting your own supply of alcohol from the city is a task in itself, and you need to be friends with the right people in the right places, like military bases or embassies.

A local favorite is Khyber Restaurant on Pasthunistan Square. The place is quite happening, and you will witness weddings and other social soirees.  You can also visit the Flower Street Café during the early hours of the evening and try their Mexican chicken wrap and spinach salad.

You can also catch a movie at the cinema halls which usually feature Indian movies. The tickets are quite cheap.

The other aspect of a nightlife, clubbing and late-night dining seems to be almost non-existent in the city as locals are not allowed to drink. Many restaurants which claim to be 24-hour tend to close in the late nights so it’s advisable to confirm the timings beforehand.

• Bagh-e-Bala is a scenic garden surrounding a magnificent palace. The palace itself has seen its fair share of history. It used to be a summer home for Amir Abdul Rahman. After Rahman died, it became a state guesthouse, then a museum, and was finally abandoned. In the 2000s it was renovated and named Bagh-e-Bala restaurant. The palace’s interiors will remind you of the 19^th century and the grounds around it are covered in beautiful tall pine trees. The palace is a commanding and enduring structure. It also presents a beautiful view of the city.
• OMAR Mine Museum is Afghanistan’s acknowledgment of its history; a collection of more than 60 types of mines. Ranging from small mines painted in bright kid-friendly colors to mines the size of dinner plates that were aimed at vehicles. The museum is a morbid and dark place. It has a sober effect, especially when you witness children picking up the brightly colored “butterfly” mine and innocent civilians falling victims by stumbling across unsuspecting minefields. The organization, OMAR has around 500 Afghans working to de-mine the country and educating the people on how to recognize the mines that still litter the countryside. Due to security concerns, the museum can only be visited by booking an appointment through the main OMAR office in Kabul. A unique but unusual place to visit.
• Bagh-e-Zanana - A purely woman-centric park was an unexpected addition to the man's world down in Kabul, but it was a welcome addition, nonetheless. The garden is spread over 13 hectares and is strictly for women. The place is designed to make women feel at ease. The park also has a sports gymnasium, a bookstore, and internet facilities. You will also find women selling wares and running a restaurant. It is a must-see for visitors.
• Tajbeg Palace: This is an enchanting old ruin and the desolate old building with bullet-riddled walls tells the story of Afghanistan. The stately mansion was built in in the 1920s and abandoned in the 1980s and has served as a base for Soviet occupiers, Afghan holy warriors, and militants. There are plans to restore the place to its former glory. The access to the battered palace depends on the current custodians and as with any travel within the city, caution is advised.
• Visit the last operating synagogue in Afghanistan operated on Flower Street by the last surviving Jew in the country: Zablon Simintov. Being the last Jew isn't easy and Simintov runs a kebab restaurant on the premises to make ends meet. The only Torah in the country was stolen from Simintov in the early 2000s. The population of Jews in Afghanistan dwindled from 5,000 in the 1940s to 2: Zablon Simintov and Ishaq Levin. The two were arch rivals and had newspaper articles written about them. After Levin's death from old age, Simintov is the last standing bastion of a beautiful yet tragic history.
• Babur's Gardens were recently restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. It's a beautiful garden and a respite from the busy and dusty streets. The garden is spread over 11 hectares and has plenty of space for small family parties. The garden also houses the tombs of the first Mughal Emperor Babur, his older sister, his youngest son, his granddaughter, and grandson. The staff is quite knowledgable and the surrounding view of the city makes it worth a visit.

• Skateistan - The first of its kind in Afghanistan, Skateistan is a skatepark located in Kabul. An NGO that is dedicated to giving Afghani children a better future, the facility also doubles as a skate school with a gym and even rock climbing. The skatepark has a lot of young girls learning how to skate.
• Kabul Zoo - While not the most populous zoo in the world, the Kabul Zoo has its own fair share of things drawing tourists towards it. The main attraction is the statue of the lion, Marjan. The monument is a homage to the beloved lion who died in 2002. The story behind the blind, lame, and deaf lion is heartbreaking yet enduring and reminds you of the strong spirit that is at the heart of Afghanistan.
• Striker's is Afghanistan’s first-ever bowling alley and the atmosphere will certainly leave you surprised. Owned by an Afghan Canadian woman, the place boasts superb bowling lanes and restaurants. It’s a family-friendly place that you can visit to relax over the weekend.
• Kabul Golf Club - A golf course set on a unique terrain of sand and oil that ensures the ground is smooth is a unique addition to the city. The area had been used for military and mine training exercises and was only meant for thrill seekers who can afford to bring their own military escort.
• Kabul Wall - A giant wall bordering the Sher Darwaza mountain is the oldest, still-standing structure in the city of Kabul. The wall becomes bedecked with indigenous flora during the rains. The story of how the wall was built in the 6^th century is shocking and will make the hike up the wall worth it. The wall itself is long and, offers a chance for a long calming walk.

Kabul is teeming with bazaars, or street markets and they are a memorable experience for all travelers.

• Carpet weaving is one of the most enduring traditions in Afghanistan. You can choose from a wide variety of designs and sizes. Make sure you bargain as they will try to sell it at a higher cost.
• Sheepskin coat or the Afghan coat has a long and surprising history involving the Beatles! The coats became popular when the famous band was photographed wearing them. The beautiful and elaborately decorated coat comes from the Ghazni province.
• Nuristani woodwork created by extremely skilled woodcarvers who passed down their knowledge from generation to generation. The Kabul University and British Council are desperately trying to trace and document the history of this tribe of woodcarvers. The style of their craft is symbolic and are carved into door frames, chairs, and pillars.
• Metal vases, platters, and pots are also popular among tourists.
• Kandahar embroidery is typical of the Afghani clothing style. Woven in an interlocked pattern, these are used to embellish clothes and make scarfs.
• The Afghani rugs are small carpets (4x7 feet) and are finely woven. Hatchli is a popular design. Travelers are known to love them as these are handy.
• Jewelry, especially the blue-tinged stone called the lapis lazuli. Found only in Afghanistan and Latin America, the stone is used in jewelry.
• Military souvenirs - Items from the militaristic side of the city, guns, medals, military clothes, and the like. While purchasing guns make sure you have the proper documentation to carry firearms back to your own country.