The notebook of Balkh and Mazar-i-Sharif
See the city change over the hours.
Balkh and Mazar-i-Sharif combine an ancient city, historic mosques and funerary heritage. The two cities form separate areas. France Diplomatie strongly advises against all travel to Afghanistan. This page documents heritage without guaranteeing its current condition, opening or the possibility of a visit.
At your own pace
Identity summary
2 to 3 days
Spring · Autumn
Recommended car
Heritage · City
Limited accessibility
Modular rhythm
General presentation
Balkh and Mazar-i-Sharif
Balkh and Mazar-i-Sharif combine an ancient city, historic mosques and funerary heritage. The two cities form separate areas. France Diplomatie strongly advises against all travel to Afghanistan. This page documents heritage without guaranteeing its current condition, opening or the possibility of a visit.
Check the accesses, reservations and times at the site prior to the visit.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Mazar-e-Sharif Blue Mosque
- Balkh Green Mosque
- Haji Piyada Mosque — No Gonbad
- Ancient Walls of Balkh
Before you choose
- Check the accesses, reservations and times at the site prior to the visit.
- Indicative Hidengo duration, excluding transport; it varies with the route, access and local conditions.
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
Shrine
Mazar-e-Sharif Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque dominates Mazar-e-Sharif. Traditions of religious attribution are distinguished from historical facts, and current access is not guaranteed.
Historic mosque
Balkh Green Mosque
The Green Mosque belongs to the Timurid heritage of Balkh. The visible remains and restorations must be distinguished, without presuming a possible visit.
Religious vestige
Haji Piyada Mosque — No Gonbad
Haji Piyada preserves the remains of an old mosque near Balkh. Fragile decorations and structures are conserved, not a free route.
Urban vestiges
Ancient Walls of Balkh
The traces of Balkh's enclosures make it possible to read the expanse of an ancient city. The areas are dispersed and their present condition must be checked.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
Escaped to discover
Termez and the heritage of Surkhandarya
Surkhandarya, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
Discover this idea
Similar destinations
Same landscapes and the same pace of travel, elsewhere in the world.
