Karachi is a vibrant metropolis pulsating with life and culture. It is Pakistan’s largest city with an infectious energy of its daily hustle. Albeit it isn’t every traveler’s cup of tea; but there is something loveable about the chaos and bustle of things to do in Karachi.
I’d describe it as a chaotic but loveable megacity of Pakistan.
Here are our top ten things to in Karachi.
- About Karachi
- Is it safe?
- Best time to visit
- Getting there
- Getting around in Karachi
- Things to do in Karachi
Clifton Beach
Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam
Quaid-e-Azam House Museum
Mohatta Palace
Frere Hall
Do Darya
Empress Market
Zainab Market
Burns Road - Where to eat
- Where to stay
About Karachi
Karachi is the capital city of the southern Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the largest city in Pakistan and the 12th most populous city in the world with more than 22,000,000 inhabitants.
It has an undeniably rich historical tapestry and a diverse cultural heritage.
- Read our complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
Is it safe to visit Karachi?
While it is the main seaport and financial centre of the country, Karachi hasn’t always had the best standing for travellers.
It is fondly (or not so) known as the City of Lights and has a somewhat outdated reputation as a dangerous city destination. Albeit it is huge. But the reality is now with a trickle stream of adventure travellers, views of Karachi and the south of Pakistan is changing.
For some parts of Pakistan you do need to have a security escort in places. We did need security in Multan and on a day trip from Karachi to Thatta. But for the better part, it is possible to explore the things to do in Karachi independently.
We visited Karachi with kids though spent a lot of time exploring with local friends which made it even cooler. There are lots of great things to do in Karachi.
- Read about things to see and do in Multan.
What is the best time of year to visit Karachi?
The best time to visit Karachi is during the winter months, specifically between November and February when the weather is most pleasant with mild temperatures and less humidity.
Because trust me; Pakistan and South Asia have more than the usual four seasons and includes a very wet monsoon time of year!
- Read about the monsoon season and getting Dengue Fever in India.
Getting there
There are multiple ways to get to Karachi, including by plane, bus, train, or car.
The city is well connected by air with daily flights domestically to Islamabad and Lahore as well as to the Middle East, Turkey and Thailand.
We most recently took the overnight train from Islamabad to Karachi (which was an experience I tell you!). But it is also possible to get an overnight bus from Lahore or Multan to Karachi.
- Read about getting the train in Pakistan.
Getting around within Karachi
Within Karachi the best way to get around is to use public transport. There are auto rickshaws within the local parts of the inner city and suburbs. Or you can hail a taxi to get into the city and use auto rickshaws from there.
If you are planning any day trips from Karachi it is easiest to book a car a driver for the day.
- Read how to take a day trip from Karachi to Thatta and Makli.
Things to do in Karachi
In no particular order, here are 10 top things to do in Karachi.
1. Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam Karachi
Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam is a majestic mausoleum that stands as a testament to Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Without question, this is the most iconic of things to do in Karachi. The images of the pure white marble façade of the domed mausoleum are everywhere as you travel in Pakistan.
The mausoleum is designed with one hgue minimalist dome over a cube design and was inspired by the Samanid Mausoleum in Uzbekistan.
- Read about Azam Mandi and things to see in the Walled City of Lahore.
2. Quaid e-Azam House Museum
The Quaid-e-Zam House Museum is a key part of Pakistan history too. It shows the life of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.
The mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah is in the heart of Karachi. But I recommend taking a taxi to the House Museum.
It was Jinnah’s home from 1944 to 1948 during the time of partition between India and Pakistan and showcases the history of Karachi well.
3. Mohatta Palace Museum
The Mohatta Palace was built in 1927 in the posh seaside locale of Clifton as the summer home of Shivratan Mohatta, a Hindu businessman from what is now the modern-day Indian state of Rajasthan.
The Rajasthani-style design of this structure is a sight to behold.
However, Mohatta could only enjoy this building for two decades before the partition, after which he left Karachi for the new state of India.
In 1995 it was purchased by the Sindh Government for its conversion into a museum devoted to the arts of Pakistan.
It is interesting for a wander and one of the things to do in Karachi that transports you to the South Asian world of arts.
4. Frere Hall
Dating back to 1865, the Frere Hall building recalls the time when Pakistan was a part of the Indian British colony. The architecture is unique, blending Venetian Gothic and local styles with its yellow limestone facades.
The surrounding gardens and peaceful atmosphere provide a pleasant backdrop for photos. While the hall is a combination of museum, art and history with exhibit spaces and a public library.
5. Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach is also known as Sea View Karachi and is situated on the beach of Arabian Sea. The popularity for beach going has always been a thing for locals. But more recently with YouTube and more travellers to Pakistan, Clifton Beach has become one of the most iconic things to do in Karachi.
The beach itself is nothing particularly special. Nor is it synonymous with divine swimming and relaxing beachside…
However, it is an amazing part of Karachi culture and a fabulous destination for people-watching.
There are camels and horse rides (and touts galore too). The park and promenade at the edge of the sand fills up with wandering chai vendors and grilled corn on the cob.
It’s a colourful amalgamation of Sindhi culture and an uplifting – and unexpected – beach outing in Pakistan.
- Tip: The best time to visit this renowned beach is during the cooler months of the year, which are typically from November through February.
6. Zainab Market Karachi
Zainab Market is Karachi’s oldest variety market at Zaibunissa Street in the city. The roots of this market date back centuries, with Karachis positioning and history weaving tales of trade for generation.
The modern Zainab Market still has the bustle and wonder of the historic roots. But these days you can find everything from the odd touristic souvenir to Sindhi Ajrak, Kashmiri Pashima and everything else in between.
7. Karachi Empress Market
This is another of the iconic things to do in Karachi. The famous Empress Market was constructed at a well-chosen site that was clearly visible from a great distance.
The building is named after the then Empress of India, Queen Victoria. Though today, for visitors it is more of a cultural experience with everything from fresh produce to clothes and fabrics, the ever-essential masalas and all kinds of stationeries and dried fruits.
A wander through is definitely recommended for your Karachi experience! We bought some colourful Pakistani truck toys cum souvenirs that are proudly displayed two years later back home in New Zealand!
8. Do Darya
Do Darya is a famous food street located in the Clifton area of Karachi. It is situated on the coastline of the Arabian Sea, offering beautiful views of the water with a heightened sense of luxury in the chaotic bustle of the megacity.
The title of Do Darya comes from a Persian phrase which means ‘Two Seas’. There was the ocean on either side of Bundal Island, which gave the place its name — Do Darya, or the place where two rivers meet.
The city is enormous and there are many food choices to make and historic things to do in Karachi. But an evening at Do Darya is one of the sites that is proudly boasted by locals for its food and impressive options for dinning with deluxe sea views from close to the city.
9. Burns Road
This is one of the best food-things to do in Karachi and the best-known Pakistani food street!
Burns Road is street in the heart of the city renowned for its many restaurants and street food vendors.
The street has restaurants that were founded in the 1940s so it really is a proper taste of Pakistan culture and heritage.
The neighbourhoods surrounding Burns Road housed early Karachi settlements. Which over time has created a melting pot of ethnicities from within South and Central Asia and favours from all over the country and continent.
10. Day trip to Thatta and Makli
This is a great way to expand on the typical things to do in Karachi. A day trip to Thatta and Makli includes one of Pakistan’s oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Makli is a necropolis spanning over 10km near the town of Thatta which also includes the beautiful Shah Jahan Thatta Mosque.
Inside the courtyard and Tomb of Isa Tarkhan II at Makli.
Where to eat / Cafes and restaurants in Karachi
Burns Road and Do Darya are two of the most famous eat-streets and districts to find the tastiest food in Karachi. But within each of those spots are some renowned restaurants and cafes in Karachi to head for on your visit.
- Café Bogie: A converted train café with particularly delicious chai.
- New Delhi Javed Restaurant: In Gulberg town, this is an amazing stop for Nihari in Karachi.
- Fresco Bakers: Delicious Arabian paratha and halwa puri on Burns Road.
- Charcoal: Delicious food on the Do Darya waterfront.
Read more about travel in Karachi and Pakistan
- 15 Things to do in Multan.
- 10 Things to do in Islamabad.
- 26 Things to do in Lahore.
- 10 Things to see in Old Lahore and the Walled City.
- Day Trip from Islamabad to Murree.
- 8 Things to do in Islamabad with kids.
- Day Trip from Islamabad to Taxila.
- Crossing the border from Pakistan to India.
- 10 Day Punjab India and Pakistan Itinerary.
More about travel planning for Pakistan and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before visiting Pakistan!
