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Pakistan Islamabad travel guide
14 things to do in Islamabad, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Islamabad
- Faisal Mosque — mosque in Islamabad (Pakistan) (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lal Masjid — mosque in Pakistan (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pakistan Monument — monument in Islamabad (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Margala Hills National Park — national park in Pakistan (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Lok Virsa Museum — cultural institute, museum, ethnology museum in ICT, Pakistan. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Pakistan Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Capital Territory, Pakistan (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Shakarparian — park in Islamabad, Pakistan (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Islamabad Zoo — zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Fatima Jinnah Park — public recreational park in Islamabad, Pakistan (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Salman bin Abdulaziz Mosque — proposed mosque in Islamabad (visit ≈ 30 min)
- shrine of Meher Ali Shah — dargah in Golra Sharif, Pakistan (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Rose and Jasmine Garden — garden in Islamabad, Pakistan (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Shri Krishna Mandir, Islamabad — religious building in Islamabad, Pakistan (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Daman-e-Koh — viewing point and hill top garden north of Islamabad, Pakistan (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Islamabad walking itinerary
Starting point: F-6 / Super Market. The top 4 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 6.0 km · 8,110 steps · 1 h 20 min on the way): Daman-e-Koh → Islamabad Zoo
- Day 2 (≈ 8.6 km · 11,550 steps · 1 h 55 min on the way): Rose and Jasmine Garden → Lal Masjid
Where to stay in Islamabad
- F-6 / Super Market: Central area with cafés and bookshops, near Kohsar Market.
- F-7 / Jinnah Super: Restaurants and shopping; lively in the evening.
- Blue Area: Business district and big hotels on the Metrobus line.
- E-7: A quiet, green area at the foot of the Margalla Hills.
Getting from the airport to Islamabad
- Islamabad International (ISB): Taxi, Careem or inDrive ≈ 35 min; a Metrobus line also runs.
Getting around
The city is spread out in sectors; Careem or inDrive is the easiest option. The Metrobus runs to Rawalpindi.
Classic places to eat
- Kabul Restaurant: Afghan pulao and kebabs at Jinnah Super.
- Savour Foods: The city’s best-known place for pulao kebab; quick and cheap.
- Des Pardes: Pakistani cuisine in old houses in Saidpur Village.
- Street 1 Café: A favourite for breakfast and coffee at Kohsar Market.
- Tuscany Courtyard: Italian food in a courtyard; a smart dinner spot.
Romantic views
- Daman-e-Koh (Sunset): This viewpoint in the Margalla Hills puts the whole city at your feet.
- Pir Sohawa (Evening): From this higher ridge the city lights spread out like a carpet at night.
- Rawal Lake (Sunset): From the lakeside viewpoints the sun sinks behind the hills.
- Faisal Mosque (Evening): The mosque at the foot of the hills looks magical when lit at night.
Day trips
- Taxila — 21 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Islamabad
- Fine: Blasphemy laws carry extremely severe penalties.
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings is prohibited.
- Fine: Drones need a permit and are confiscated otherwise.
- Warning: Same-sex relations are criminalised; check official travel advice.
- Warning: Alcohol is banned for Muslims; non-Muslim foreigners can buy it with a permit at licensed hotels.
- Warning: Wear loose clothes covering shoulders and knees in public; women cover their hair in mosques.
- Emergency: police 15, ambulance 1122, fire 16
- Plugs: C/D, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Pakistan, Wikivoyage — Pakistan, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Islamabad travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Islamabad?
- The top 4 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Add extra days for day trips (Taxila).
- What are the top things to do in Islamabad?
- Highlights: Faisal Mosque, Lal Masjid, Pakistan Monument, Margala Hills National Park and Lok Virsa Museum. The map has 14 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Islamabad?
- F-6 / Super Market: Central area with cafés and bookshops, near Kohsar Market. Other options: F-7 / Jinnah Super, Blue Area and E-7.
- How do you get from the airport to Islamabad city centre?
- Islamabad International (ISB): Taxi, Careem or inDrive ≈ 35 min; a Metrobus line also runs.
- How do you get around Islamabad?
- The city is spread out in sectors; Careem or inDrive is the easiest option. The Metrobus runs to Rawalpindi.
- What is the emergency number in Islamabad?
- Emergency: police 15, ambulance 1122, fire 16.
- Do you tip in Islamabad?
- About 10% is customary.
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