What To Do In Islamabad – Travel Guide

Getting Around Islamabad

The gates to Pakistan have been opened. After decades of being a country shrouded in war and extremism, Pakistan has emerged as a leader in South Asia and one of the world’s newest tourist hotspots. With its stunning natural beauty in Gilgit and rich history in Lahore, there are an endless amount of reasons for travelers to flock to Pakistan. The capital, however, lacks the pull of other more cultured cities. If you find yourself passing through this city, you are sure to want to make the most of your time there. The question on your lips probably is, “What to do in Islamabad?”

Much like Dubai, Islamabad is a city emerging from the dust and sand. As a planned city, you will find massive 10-lane highways turning the entire region into a grid. As a pedestrian, the wide asphalt roads act like a moat confining you into whatever neighborhood you happened to find a hostel or hotel in. There are several heroic and reverent monuments erected throughout Islamabad. But getting to them will take several hours hiking on the side of the street while chocking on the fumes of the traffic or a hefty taxi ride.

Islamabad is a hard city to conquer, but once you hit the pavement and set out intent on exploring the city, you will not regret it. Merely reaching one of the out of the way landmarks in Islamabad is an accomplishment in itself. But where should you start when it comes to checking out all the best places to visit in Islamabad?

Thinking about traveling to Bahawalpur? You can read about all the best things to do in Bahawalpur here!

The Shah Faisal Mosque

Arguably the most iconic place in Islamabad, the blinding ivory Shah Faisal Mosque stands at the edge of Islamabad by the Margalle Hills. With just before the dusty plains of the capital rise up into steep green mountains, this contemporary mosque rests at the border of the wilderness. Even local monkeys can be seen swinging around the outside of the masjid, wreaking havoc on tourists and devotees alike.

The contemporary and modern masjid of King Faisal Mosque is usually on the top of the list for most tourists who find themselves stuck in Islamabad for a few days. While the mosque doesn’t have the age of the Badshahi Mosque or the beauty of the Wazir Khan’s Mosque, the pure white color, and the unique design is a spectacle in itself. While the mosque is stunning in its own way, you will still have to figure out how to get to the Shah Faisal Mosque. From Centaurus Mall, roughly 4km away, you can hail a taxi for 100 PKR (0.60 USD). 

Wanting more details about traveling to the Shah Faisal Mosque in Islamabad? You can read more here!

Pakistan Monument

After making your way all the way to the Shah Faisal Mosque, heading to the Pakistan Monument in the same day is something you almost have to force yourself to do. With no public transportation available to the landmark, you are stuck shelling out even more money for another taxi. Located on the highest point of the Shakarparian Hills, the Pakistan Monument can be seen from all over Islamabad and even the neighboring city of Rawalpindi. What is infuriating is that despite the monument being in plain view, you will still have to cross countless highways to rich the summit.

Even if you do happen to make it to the gates of the Pakistan Monument by foot, you will then have to shell out an additional 200 PKR (1.29 USD) to entire the complex. Inspired by Mughal architecture, the monument is divided into several pedals, each representing the cultures and people of Pakistan. Depicting dramatic scenes and images of national pride into the granite, the sculpture is without a doubt a delight to wonder at. With sweeping views of the surrounding highways from the Pakistan Monument, you can also get an idea of how much of nothing Islamabad really has. The complex also houses its own museum, but you will have to hand over another 200 PKR to enter.

In Peshawar and wanting to explore the famous Jingle Trucks? You can find out how here!

Lok Virsa

Hidden away behind a thick of trees at the base of the Shakarparian Hills, you will find the Lok Virsa Museum. It is here where you will find a showcase of traditional cultures and heritage in Pakistan. It is not only the culture of their forefathers that is preserved in the Lok Virsa, but this museum also houses its own movie nights and modern art exhibits, building a platform to protect the country’s traditions but also encourage a thriving modern culture as well.

To truly experience all parts of Pakistani culture in one place you will want to keep your eyes open for the Lok Mela. It is during this heritage festival that musicians, dancers, and craftsmen breathe life into this museum and give performances representing their own traditions and heritage from their part of Pakistan. Although this festival only happens once a year, Lok Virsa is known for hosting events throughout Islamabad that celebrate the unity and diverse culture of Pakistan.

Many people hire a driver, but you can read about how to get to Kandol Lake on your own here!

Daman-e-Koh

One of the last things you would expect to find in Islamabad is jungles and waterfalls, but you can find just that among the towering nearby Margalla Hills. This small range of mountains walling in Islamabad exists as a refuge for monkeys, birds, and jungles at the edge of the modern capital. It is easy to get inspired to take a break from the pollution and dust of Islamabad, but the question yet again rises, “how do I get there?”

The most famous spot along the Margalla Hills is Daman-e Koh. Offering the best view of Islamabad, it is no wonder why tourists flock to this hillside every evening to catch the sunset. Unfortunately for you backpackers, you will be stuck with grabbing another taxi to explore some of the more natural sides of Islamabad. As the tourism industry continues to grow in the country, it is only a matter of time before you can find shuttles carting tourists to the peaks of the Margalla Hills.

Don’t know how to take the bus in Pakistan? You can read my guide on getting from Lahore to Islamabad here!

Exploring Rawalpindi

It may seem a bit contradictory, but the best thing to do in Islamabad is actually leaving Islamabad. Just a few kilometers outside of the gridlike capital is the more lawless city of Rawalpindi. While Islamabad is tightly controlled and many sights are separated by large stretches of nothing, Rawalpindi is a historic town oozing with traditional architecture and culture. Even if you are staying in Islamabad, reaching Rawalpindi is as easy as hopping on the metro and riding the train several stations.

Although much of the political focus has been shifted away from Rawalpindi to Islamabad, the capital can never hope to replicate the immersive culture that thrives in this town’s alleyways and markets. With abandoned Hindu temples and elegant minarets towering overhead, you can see many reminders of a nation prior to partition. Unlike the vast highways and quiet neighborhoods of the capital, Rawalpindi literally has an adventure waiting behind every corner.

Multan is infamous for having a tight control on tourists. You can read more about traveling to Multan with a guard here!

Markazi Jamia Masjid

While you are wandering the endless labyrinth of winding alleyways of Rawalpindi, you are sure to come across the elaborate Mughal murals at the gates of many mosques throughout the city. With their colorful floral designs and intricate details, you will almost have to stop yourself from entering every mosque you happen to find amongst the chaotic streets of Rawalpindi. But if you are looking to explore some of the gorgeous mosques scattered throughout the city, you should make a point to visit Markazi Jamia Masjid.

When you find yourself traveling through a Muslim country, it is easy to get tired of visiting the endless mosques which each and every city is famous for. Rawalpindi’s Markazi Jamia Masjid, however, stands apart from the rest with its splashes of neon colors and its bright detailed designs. From the century-old murals to the renovated modern paintings, you could easily spend hours laying on the carpet staring into the endless world of colors that cover each and every wall of the mosque.

Want to read more about the Markazi Jamia Masjid? You can check out more here!

Raja Bazaar

Nearly every city and town in Pakistan has a bazaar, but not one of these markets can really compare with the madness of Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazaar. As the sun begins to creep slowly towards the horizon, the streets of Rawalpindi and swarmed by peddlers and stall owners. From clothes to Tupperware, you can find everything being sold on the street corners. The bazaar is then stormed by the endless onslaught of customers and those who are simply trying to commute home after work: the perfect storm. These two opposite forces crash into each other in the center of the market, making the entire city gridlocked.

The only way you can avoid being stuck in the streets like you are a sardine-packed into a tin is to duck down one of the small alleyways leading into the dark recesses of Rawalpindi. Even in these narrow streets, you will find a refuge for gold sellers and jewelry makers, away from the chaos out in the main bazaar. One of the great thrills about exploring the dim light labyrinth of Rawalpindi is that you never know where you will come out at.

One of the most famous borders on the planet is the Wagah border. Read about going to the border parade here!

What To Do In Islamabad

Islamabad is a great place to splurge and treat yourself on some comforts of home before heading out to the mountains of Gigit for the real adventure. In the capital, all you will find is newly constructed cookie-cutter neighborhoods all centered around the one mall in the heart of the city. With international fast food joints and well-stocked supermarkets, Islamabad is perfect for one last hurrah before you load on to the bus for the 12-hour journey up north.

To get any real culture or sense of adventure in Islamabad, you will have to head to Rawalpindi. In this twin city of Islamabad, you will find picturesque street scenes with historic houses and families lounging about on street corners. This candid look at life in the capital is nearly impossible to come across in the endless suburbs of Islamabad.

The question you should really ask yourself is, “Should I travel to Islamabad?” Many travelers exploring Pakistan never really plan on spending that much time in the country’s capital, it is a mere transit stop on the way to some of the more breathtaking and noteworthy destinations. While you are getting your gear packed and permits sorted, you might as well make the best of your time in Islamabad.