Away With The Steiners

10 Understated things to do in Islamabad vying for your visit.

Sarah Steiner

Pakistan is one of the most vibrant countries in Asia.  And it makes sense then that as the capital city there are lots of great things to do in Islamabad.   

However, Islamabad is often overlooked as a destination choice in Pakistan.  More so the capital is used as a base for reaching the historic southern cities or the beautiful north of the country.  But this is part of its appeal. 

It is understated and doesn’t have claims as a timeless historic megacity like Karachi.  It isn’t trying to be ultra-modern or as even as culturally rich as Lahore or neighbouring Rawalpindi. 

I know I’m bias. But after four visits to Pakistan and multiple times in Islamabad I have grown to love this understated and relatively new capital city.  

Read on to find out more about this unique city and all the best things to do in Islamabad, Pakistan.  

About Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan.  As a South Asian capital, it is a vibrant metropolis but with an unlikely blend of modernity and tradition.  It is known as a clean, calm and green city by Pakistan standards and I would have to say that description is pretty apt.  

It is a relaxing and easy city to explore.  

Islamabad was built between 1960 and 1970 to replace Karachi as the capital of Pakistan.  It is a planned city with structured districts and organised infrastructure.  But there are green spaces and parks sprinkled all over the city, making it easily the greenest city in the country.

It is what the government envisioned a capital city should be.  

Is it worth visiting Islamabad? 

As a traveller, Islamabad is debatably dulling as far as South Asian cities go.  

Lahore is my all-time favourite city in Pakistan.  There is history and chaos, and it feels more expected than the organised space of Islamabad.  Karachi has the beach along with an entire famous food district that has been serving up biryani for generations.  And Multan has a history with Sufis and saints claiming its spot as the oldest city in South Asia. 

But Islamabad is undeniably the epicentre for travel to the north.  And for a first trip to Pakistan is a gentle introduction if that is your landing spot and first impression. 

So, I say yes.  

It’s easy and spread out.  

But there are enough interesting and tasty things to do in Islamabad along with the iconic national monuments that make the capital of Pakistan worth a stop. 

Best time to visit 

The best – officially – time to visit Islamabad is in the Spring and Autumn months of March and April or October and November.  

The beginning and end of summer, notably September and October, are our favourite times to visit. 

Seeking cooler daytime temps in the hills of Murree visiting Islamabad in July.
Seeking cooler daytime temps in the hills of Murree visiting Islamabad in July.

Things to do in Islamabad

In no particular order, here are 10 top things to do in Islamabad. 

Faisal Mosque

This is definitely the most famous thing to do in Islamabad.  

The Faisal Mosque is currently the largest mosque in Pakistan and the sixth largest mosque in the world in terms of capacity!  The mosque can hold close to 300,000 worshipers at one time. 

The main prayer hall and inner courtyards can hold approximately 74,000 people, while the mosque grounds have a capacity of almost 200,000 people!

It is especially magnificent to visit at sunset and hear the sound of the call to prayer in the surrounding Margala Hills. 

The Faisal Mosque is magnificent at any time of day…
But the golden hour of sunset and the evening call to prayer is magical.

Pakistan Monument

Albeit it isn’t centuries old and doesn’t hold as many titles as the Faisal Mosque.  But the Pakistan Monument would definitely be tied as the other most iconic thing to do in Islamabad. 

The monument was constructed in 2007 to symbolize the unity of the Pakistani people. 

It is a petal-shaped structure with the four large petals representing each of the four main cultures of Pakistan: Punjabi, Baloch, Sindhi and Pakhtun.  You can see the monument from much of the metropolitan area. 

The four petals of the Pakistan Monument.

Shakarparian Park

Shakarparian Park is a national park in the Shakarparian Hills located near the Zero Point Interchange in Islamabad.  It is Islamabad’s largest and most popular park, covering over 350 acres.  

The park is most famous as being the spot where President Ayub Khan stood with other members and decided that this will be new capital of Pakistan.  And thus, the Pakistan Monument is also located in Shakarparian.

I wouldn’t call the capital city a hugely overwhelming metropolis.  As a visitor it feels unhurried and relatively green.  But the parks are worth appreciating in any capital city and Shakaparian is one of the popular green spaces in Islamabad.  

Lok Virsa Museum

The Shakarparian Park is also home to several museums.  

If I had to choose one, I’d recommend Lok Virsa.  Although I’m also admitting it wasn’t until our most recent fourth visit to the capital that we discovered it.  However, it is well worth a visit. 

Lok Virsa is a fantastic cultural experience in Islamabad including lifelike exhibits, embroidered costumes, old jewellery and intricate woodcarvings. (Ha! So much for saying it wasn’t rich in culture?).  

The museum is up above the city in the national park grounds and with the space for a large heritage museum and traditional handicraft gallery and market.  We also bought some cute truck-art souvenirs from the handicraft shops! 

Itwar Bazar

This bazar is a popular Sunday market in Islamabad known for clothing and handicrafts.  The name means ‘Sunday Market’, but it’s actually open on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

It is notoriously popular for thrift and cheap clothing.  So, if you are after a shopping buzz you’ll find that here on a Sunday.  But we rate it otherwise as one of the things to do in Islamabad for food!  

There are rows of fruit stalls, dried fruit stands and kiosks for sugarcane and chai. 

It is an exciting glimpse of local culture in the capital city in surprising contrast to the glitzier modern districts and malls of the Blue Area and F-6 and 7. 

A colourful display of nuts and dried fruit (that we stocked up on) at Itwar Bazar.
Preparations near the bazaar before Pakistan Day in Islamabad.

Centaurus Mall 

Shopping malls aren’t instinctively synonymous with things to do in Islamabad.  But this is the capital city of Pakistan, and it proudly boasts one of the larger and most modern shopping malls in the country. 

Albeit it’s a far cry from wandering the historic streets of Rawalpindi or Lahore.  And yes, from the outside Pakistan is a conservative and traditional country to travel in.  But there is a modern side to it too.  

I can’t review the other Pakistan megamalls.  (Our lists of other things to do in Asia are staunchly mall-free).  But if you’ve been travelling for a while, Centaurus is cool and mod with the necessary air conditioning to escape the summer temperature and tuck into a taste of familiar chain food. 

Ordering colourfully green ice creams on Pakistan Independence Day at Centaurus Mall.

Lakeview Park 

Rawal Lake is one of the main water reservoirs for Islamabad.  It is a sprawling man-made lake to the southeast of the city, and despite its purpose for practical use it is a calm oasis in the city and one of Islamabad’s boastful green spaces. 

The park has various paths and picnicking spots.  You can take a boat ride on the lake and there are small market areas with snacks and festival-type food with cotton candy and ice cream carts all around. 

Daman-e-Koh 

Daman-e-Koh is a key viewpoint and lookout in the Margalla Hills offering great views of Islamabad including the iconic Faisal Mosque and Rawal Lake.

The name Daman-e-Koh comes from the Persian words Daman, meaning ‘foot’, and Koh, meaning ‘hill’.  It is an apt title for this viewpoint not all too high above the city but nestled brilliantly in the Margalla foothills.  

The best time to appreciate the viewpoint is in the golden hour at sunset.

Pakistan Museum of Natural History 

The Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) was established in the capital in 1976.  It has exhibits and galleries which display and provide information about the ecology, geology, and palaeontology of the country. 

However, I’m not going to lie.  We visited the museum on our first trip to Pakistan in 2022 and it is dated and low on maintenance.  

Though sometimes that is the charm of being a traveller in South Asia, right? 

Our kids enjoyed the displays of dinosaur skeletons and the various collections of stuffed animal exhibits.  I do rate it as one of the worthwhile things to do in Islamabad with kids.  Though overall it isn’t worth writing home about.  

If you are backpacking through on a swift trip and looking for things to do in Islamabad with one day in the city, this is not a priority.  (Sorry, PMNH). 

F-9 Park 

F-9 Park, known more officially as Fatima Jinnah Park, covers four square kilometres in the centre(ish) of the city.  

It is the largest green space in Islamabad and well worth a wander to appreciate.

Day trips from Islamabad

Most of the things to do in Islamabad above can be done in one or two days.  (Depending on how much you actually like modern shopping malls whilst backpacking in Pakistan?).  

But Islamabad is centrally located and as well as being a stopping point enroute to the north or south it also has an array of day trips that are a great option to extend on the standard sites in city. 

After school views from the mountain train in Murree.
The road up into the hills is a work of engineering (and a lot of winding corners).

Things to do in Islamabad with kids 

There is a number of fun – and somewhat surprising – things to do here in Islamabad with kids. 

I’m saving the details for another post specifically on the best things to do in Islamabad with kids.  But for now, Dino Valley and FunCity are a good start!

Appreciating the FunCity Arcade at Centaurus Mall for another visit to Islamabad.

Where to eat / Restaurants in Islamabad

Hands down the food is one of the best things in Islamabad.  

You can’t leave Islamabad without trying the famed Kebab of Kabul Restaurant.

Getting there

Islamabad is well connected with the rest of the country by road, rail and air.  

The international airport has regular connections to Dubai, Doha, Istanbul and Bangkok. 

If you are heading north in Pakistan there is the option to fly to Gilgit or Skardu or take a bus. 

Distances to the surrounding major cities are reasonable and the roads are in good condition. 

There is a daily overnight train (or bus) from Islamabad to Lahore and south to Karachi.  We did the full distance on the Green Line train Islamabad to Karachi. 

On the road heading into the hills from the capital city.

Getting around in Islamabad

The inner city of Islamabad doesn’t have the usual buzz of South Asian auto rickshaws.  These are banned in the capital city.  (There are plenty in neighbouring Rawalpindi).  

However, taxis are cheap and easy to use, especially if you use Uber or Indrive.

Grateful for our hospitable taxi driver during the monsoon rains in August headed for Taxila.

Money and ATMs in Islamabad

After some stressful research (and mild panic we were going to be stranded in Pakistan without money) on our first visit, we discovered there are only two ATM’s in Pakistan that accept international credit cards: 

We tried a load more.  But none of the other eight (plus) banks we tried worked for us.  

Where to stay in Islamabad

Islamabad has a diverse range of accommodation options from expensive international chain hotels in the big cities to smaller basic motels.

Our room at Shelton Rezidor.
A quad or family room at Shelton Ambassador in Islamabad.

More about travel planning for Islamabad, Pakistan and beyond

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime and can recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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