Herat Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Herāt (Persian: هرات) is a big, relatively wealthy Afghan city, influenced by Iranian culture.
Contents |
Understand
The city is well developed because of trade with Iran and in a good shape compared to other Afghan cities. The people are very friendly and hospitable to foreigners and are also more religious than people in Kabul. No tourism exists in Herat but there is a small community of foreign workers from Europe or other western countries who are easy contact to by asking at the German or Indian consulate or hanging around in the Marco Polo Hotel.
Get in
By plane
Regular flights are operated from Kabul by Kam Air, Ariana and the UN. The small airport is 15km south of the city. Departing from the airport will be challenging for any one that does not speak Persian. Assistance from a local guide is recommended.
By car
The road from Kandahar has been rebuilt but is very dangerous through Helmand and Farah. The road from Iran is reported to be good.
See
- The famous big, blue mosque. Some few enormous pillars remain of this ancient building only. They are richly decorated with blue tile, lapis lazuli is used here.The location is outside the newer town, and its very big but deserted.
- A fort still occupied by the military but is possible to look around and get views over the city including the Mosque, five minarets on the road to Masshad, Iran, and a Tomb 5km out of town.
- Five minarets and a mausoleum stand on either side of a road built by the Iranian government. One of the minarets has a blast hole in it and another is held up by suspension cables to stop it collapsing. How long before all of the minarets collapse from the introduction of the road and its traffic is open to speculation.
- Takhte Safar, a very old and famous park situated near the mountain close to Gazergah.
Do
Trade Afghani for Iranian rials on the side of the street.
Take a shower in the huge subterranean Hammans.
Sleep
Marco Polo Hotel is the most popular "western standards" Hotel in the city. Rooms cost $30-$40 per night and include Internet access. Guesthouses are recommended for longer stays.
Local hotels provide rooms from $10 (common bathroom, no shower).
Stay safe
Herat is one of the safer cities in Afghanistan. However, there are sometimes small explosions attributed to political parties which are trying to make a point or create the impression that the city is not safe. Shootings are also common during personal disputes. Gun battles between the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police are not unusual.
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