Islamabad
Discover Islamabad
A modern planned city that is well-maintained and well-organised, Islamabad (Urdu: اسلام آباد) is Pakistan's clean, calm, and green capital. Founded in the 1960s, it attracts people from all over Pakistan, and hosts a large number of diplomats, politicians and government employees, making it one of the nation's most cosmopolitan and urbanized cities. Although it is only the country's ninth largest city, its metropolitan area (encompassing the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi) is the country's third largest conurbation, with a population of over 4.5 million. Lying on the Pothohar Plateau in the north-east, within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), it is regarded as the most developed city in Pakistan. Although the majority of the population in Islamabad traditionally have been employees of the Federal Government, the wealth of the Musharraf years fuelled a boom in Islamabad and it has become an important financial and business centre. In the last decade there have been vast changes in the city's traditional reputation. From it being a typical 9-to-5 city, Islamabad has become more lively with many new restaurants and hotels springing up to service this new wealth. A lot of international food chains have opened, and generally a great improvement in night life with increasing shopping areas opening till late. However, during winter season streets are considerably quiet after dark.
Taste of Islamabad...
At first glance the visitor may feel that Islamabad offers little to excite the taste-buds, however beneath the surface there is a thriving restaurant scene. There are many typical dhabbas (small restaurants) which offer traditional food. Many of the better restaurants are away from the main markets of F6 and F7. Most do not serve alcohol, but some allow you to bring your own. Call ahead to ask. For ease of use restaurants are organised by sector: "Inkantray" (Incantare) a not-so-nice place for hangout with friends. Mostly for shisha. In basement of Pizza Hut. Drinking alcohol in public is nominally banned although most of the top end hotels have their own bars, as do some of the larger embassies if you befriend a diplomat. The windowless basement sports bar in the Marriott is probably the most frequented of the hotel bars. Most Pakistanis though would find it extremely rude and offensive if you show or drink alcohol in public. Night Life is exists, but it's not easy to find. There are no open 'night clubs' in the city - however periodic special events are organised in various venues about once every two months - spread by word-of-mouth. Less excitingly some of the embassy clubs in the diplomatic enclave have 'dance parties' and the like but these tend to be exclusively expatriate and rather low brow. Non-Muslim visitors can obtain from the local police a so-called 'non-Muslim declaration'.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Islamabad into what it is today.
The city of Islamabad is on the Pothohar Plateau which is one of the earliest known sites of human settlement in Asia. Some of the earliest Stone Age artifacts in the world have been found on the plateau, dating from 500,000 to one million years ago. The crude stones recovered from the terraces of the Soan River testify to the endeavours of early man in the inter-glacial period. Items of pottery and utensils dating back to prehistory have been found in several areas. Limited excavations have confirmed evidence of prehistoric cultures. Relics and human skulls have been found dating back to 5000 BCE that show this region was home to Neolithic man, who roamed the banks of the Soan River. During the Neolithic, people developed small communities in the region around 3000 BCE. At one end of the Indus Valley Civilization, the area was an early habitation of the Aryan community in Central Asia. Their civilization flourished here between the 23rd and 18th centuries BCE. Many great armies - such as those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Timur and Ahmad Shah Durrani - used the corridor through the region on their way to invade the Indian Subcontinent. A Buddhist town once existed in the region and remains of a stupa have been identified in the G-12 sector. Modern Islamabad also incorporates the old settlement of Saidpur. The British took control of the region from the Sikhs in 1849 and built Asia's largest cantonment in the region in Rawalpindi....
Climate
The climate of Islamabad has a typical version of humid subtropical climate, with five seasons: Winter (November–February), Spring (March and April), Summer (May and June), Rainy Monsoon (July and August) and Autumn (September and October). The hottest month is June, where average highs routinely exceed 47 °C (117 °F). The wettest month is July, with heavy rainfalls, evening thunderstorms, and the possibility of cloudburst and flooding. The coolest month is January. Islamabad's micro-climate is regulated by three artificial reservoirs: Rawal, Simli, and Khanpur Dam. Winters generally feature dense fog in the mornings and sunny afternoons. In the city, temperatures stay mild, with snowfall over the higher elevations points on nearby hill stations, notably Murree and Nathia Gali. The temperatures range from 0 °C (32 °F) in January to 47 °C (117 °F) in June. The highest recorded temperature was 54.6 °C (130.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTo go to the city center take orange Metro Bus line (cheaper) or a taxi. The taxi costs about US$15 (2025). Drivers may ask more, but bargain hard and set the price before the ride. Despite Islamabad have its railway station in sector I-9, majority travel through the railway station in the neighbouring city Rawalpindi, which is a major railway station and has good railway connections with various major cities including Karachi, Lahore & Peshawar. Pakistan Railways premium Green Line service between Islamabad and Karachi offers free Wi-Fi, breakfast, newspaper among other basic facilities to its passengers. The train is air-conditioned and has few stops along the route such as Hyderabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Tickets on this route are more expensive compared to other trains. If you want a paper city map (you'll love to have one, just to see the difference in map making), you can buy one in the bookstore in Centaurus Mall. Taxis in Islamabad are abundant and popular....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
If you want a paper city map (you'll love to have one, just to see the difference in map making), you can buy one in the bookstore in Centaurus Mall. Taxis in Islamabad are abundant and popular. They are generally safe, but you may be initially shocked by the lack of safety belts, or lack of habit of using them. Most characteristic taxi car is a small Suzuki Mehran (people say these don't break), without taxi signs. Taxi costs around Rs 200 (2025) per sector traveled, depending on your bargaining skills. Travel to and from airport is more expensive, you can bargain down to US$15. Prices will be higher at night, especially departing from places like Jinnah Super (F-7). It is always advisable to agree the fare before traveling. There are also motorcycle taxis, cheaper than cars. They may be handy, but for your safety (you ride without a helmet, pretty fast and among other traffic) you should consider taxi car instead.
Where to Stay
Budget accommodation in Islamabad is fairly lacklustre and of questionable cleanliness. There are many guesthouses around the city that make a nice alternative to a hotel. The police have set up numerous checkpoints on roads to sensitive buildings and on the roads entering the city. These are usually harmless and they'll wave you through, but to access Constitution Avenue (including the Serena hotel) the police will want to look in the boot of your car. While travelling in city, you should keep your national identity card, passport, or driving licence with you to prove your identity. Crime-wise Islamabad is safe. Men can walk pretty much anywhere in the city day or night with little to fear. Lone women will attract male attention, particularly in areas of the city not often frequented by westerners. The Red Mosque in G6 and immediate surrounds aren't recommended given the history attached to this area. The Police emergency number is 15.
Money & Budget
Foreign currency exchange is easily available in Centaurus Shopping Mall and from F-6 Blue Area (the central business district along the Jinnah Avenue) where there are hundreds of offices (check with a few of them before going ahead with it). Each sector having its own central shopping area (or markaz) where all local amenities are found. Some of the more popular markazes are the F6 Markaz (aka Super Market) F7 Markaz (aka Jinnah Market), G6 Markaz (aka Melody Park), G9 Markaz (aka Karachi Company) and so on. There isn't much going on in the markets of F8, G7 an G8 that would interest the tourist. Each markaz has its own peculiarities and each one is worth visiting individually. However most things are catered for in each markaz, i.e. clothing, shoes, fast food etc.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The police have set up numerous checkpoints on roads to sensitive buildings and on the roads entering the city. These are usually harmless and they'll wave you through, but to access Constitution Avenue (including the Serena hotel) the police will want to look in the boot of your car. While travelling in city, you should keep your national identity card, passport, or driving licence with you to prove your identity. Crime-wise Islamabad is safe. Men can walk pretty much anywhere in the city day or night with little to fear. Lone women will attract male attention, particularly in areas of the city not often frequented by westerners. The Red Mosque in G6 and immediate surrounds aren't recommended given the history attached to this area. The Police emergency number is 15. There are various Police stations in the city with staff available 24/7. 112 from any GSM mobile handset should theoretically forward to the local emergency number, too. Bottled water is a good idea.