6 Best Things to Do in Islamabad

6 Best Things to Do in Islamabad

1. Admire the symmetry of the Pakistan Monument

First thing in the morning, take a ride-hailing car and visit the Pakistan Monument. The monument is built on top of a hill in a spacious park, and arriving early is still a good way to explore before larger crowds arrive.

I was there at 9:30 AM, and there were only two people walking around the park. By the time I left around 10:30 AM, several vans were dropping off local tourists. This place gets packed fast, so be sure to arrive early.

Where to Stay in Islamabad?

Budget

Backpackers Hostel and Guesthouse Islamabad

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Mid-Range

Jasmine Inn

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High-End

Islamabad Serena Hotel

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2. Visit the Lok Virsa Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

Only a few minutes' walk away from the Pakistan Monument, you will find the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, a great modern museum of history, art, and culture of Pakistan and other Central Asian countries. The museum consists of both outdoor and indoor exhibitions, ranging from a collection of displays showcasing the vibrant and diverse cultures of Pakistan from different areas to allowing you to listen to recordings of traditional music and watch several locally-produced cultural documentaries. There is no better place to learn about Pakistan than at the Lok Virsa Museum.

3. Eat your way through Centaurus Mall's Food Court 🥘 Place to Eat

I know, I know, you are probably wondering why visiting a mall is on this list, but hear me out. Pakistan, from the outside, is a very conservative country, and when you walk around a city like Lahore or Rawalpindi, you might forget that there is also a modern side to this country, and it is best seen in a place like the Centaurus Mall. Also, they have a food court full of both local and Western food chains that will indulge you for days. I had the best naan sandwich here.

This is also the best place to stock up on food and snacks before you start heading north in the mountains of Pakistan.

4. Check out the Daman-e-Koh Viewpoint ♥️ Must Visit

Later in the afternoon, take a ride-hailing car up to Daman-e-Koh for a sweeping view over Islamabad. I particularly liked coming up here toward sunset, when the light over the city and Margalla Hills was at its best.

If you are there on a Sunday, you will also be greeted with a small carnival-like market full of snacks and small amusement rides such as bouncing castles and spinning teacups, as well as lots and lots of locals enjoying themselves and having fun with their families. It is one of the best times to mingle with the locals in Islamabad. They are very welcoming, especially when they are happy!

5. Visit Pir Sohawa for the View

Further up the hill from Daman-e-Koh is Pir Sohawa, where I visited Monal for dinner and the sunset view over Islamabad. Monal closed in September 2024, so you can no longer follow my original restaurant recommendation, but the drive up toward Pir Sohawa is still worthwhile for the elevated views over the city and Margalla Hills. My photos here show what the Monal stop was like when I visited.

6. Visit the Faisal Mosque during Sunset ♥️ Must Visit

Faisal Mosque is one of Islamabad's best-known landmarks and the national mosque of Pakistan. Designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, its striking modern form was inspired by a Bedouin tent rather than the traditional domed mosque design.

The structure is impressive, but even more so right after sunset as the natural light subsides and the artificial light takes over, illuminating the structure with an orange hue. I was there around 6:00 PM and waited as the sky turned purple. The structure turned orange, and the prayer call echoed throughout the city. It was one of the most spiritual moments in Pakistan. If you can make it to the mosque, make sure you are there at sunset. You will not regret it.

Understanding Islamabad

Islamabad is a purpose-built, planned capital, with residential and commercial sectors arranged around a broad road network and large areas of greenery between them. Compared with many older Pakistani cities I visited, it felt spacious, orderly, and noticeably green, giving the capital a very different atmosphere from nearby Rawalpindi.

Islamabad also has an ugly twin sister city called Rawalpindi, which is situated next to it. You may have also noticed while traveling from Lahore, that buses coming to Islamabad are labeled Rawalpindi instead of Islamabad (yes, I was confused at first too), so do not be alarmed.

Rawalpindi is an old city that is the polar opposite of Islamabad. It's loud, dirty, with terrible traffic, and unorganized. If you want a calmer experience, I would recommend avoiding accommodation in Rawalpindi. Also, be sure that the accommodation you booked is really in Islamabad and not Rawalpindi because that makes a big difference.

When to Go to Islamabad?

For Islamabad itself, October to November and March to April are generally the most comfortable periods, avoiding the hottest part of summer and much of the July–September monsoon. If Islamabad is only the starting point for a trip into northern Pakistan, time your visit around the mountains instead: June to September offers the broadest access to high-altitude areas, while late September and October are excellent for autumn colors but some high passes and trekking routes become increasingly weather-dependent.

Daily Budget

This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Pakistan?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Islamabad, Pakistan without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Islamabad, Pakistan:

For a longer trip around Pakistan, I would still recommend getting a local SIM or eSIM rather than relying entirely on WiFi. I personally used Zong when I traveled here and had a signal through much of my trip north, except around Fairy Meadows. For a physical Zong SIM, foreigners can currently visit a Zong Customer Service Center or participating franchise with an original valid passport and valid Pakistani visa; the SIM is issued after the required identity verification.

When I visited, I got my Zong SIM at the Customer Experience Center on Jinnah Avenue and the process took me less than five minutes. Package prices have changed since my trip, so check Zong's current prepaid offers when you arrive rather than relying on my old prices. If you are heading into the mountains, having calling credit as well as data can still be useful when mobile data becomes unreliable.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

How to Get to Islamabad?

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) is the main international gateway to the capital, with connections through major regional hubs as well as nonstop services from a number of Asian and Middle Eastern cities. From Southeast Asia, Thai Airways currently operates nonstop Bangkok–Islamabad flights. Airline schedules change frequently, so I recommend comparing the routes available for your actual travel dates rather than planning around a specific carrier months in advance.

If you are coming from Lahore, as I did, Daewoo Express is still one of the straightforward bus options for reaching the Islamabad–Rawalpindi area. Journey times depend on traffic and the service you book, so check the current timetable when buying your ticket. From the terminal, use a current ride-hailing app such as inDrive or Yango, or take a taxi to your accommodation in Islamabad.

How to Get Around Islamabad?

When I visited, I used Uber for almost everything, but that advice is now outdated: Uber stopped operating in Islamabad in 2022 and left Pakistan entirely in 2024, while Careem ended its Pakistan ride-hailing service in July 2025. In 2026, inDrive and Yango are among the main ride-hailing options in Islamabad. They are the easiest replacement for the Uber trips described throughout my original itinerary.

For Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa, mobile reception and ride availability can be less predictable than in central Islamabad. If you are going up for sunset, arrange your return in advance or ask your driver whether they can wait, rather than assuming you will immediately find another car at the top. Islamabad also has a Metrobus network, which can be useful for some cross-city journeys, although ride-hailing is generally more convenient for the sightseeing stops in this itinerary.