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Pakistan
Islamabad Travel Guide
Islamabad is Pakistan’s planned capital, laid out in green sectors at the foot of the Margalla Hills. It is quieter and greener than other Pakistani cities, with hiking trails starting on the edge of town.
- Best time: March to April and October to November
- Airport: ISB
- Pakistani rupee
Overview
About Islamabad
Islamabad is Pakistan’s planned capital, laid out in green sectors at the foot of the Margalla Hills. It is quieter and greener than other Pakistani cities, with hiking trails starting on the edge of town.
It is also the gateway to the north — Murree and the Galyat are a few hours’ drive — and forms a twin-city area with neighbouring Rawalpindi.
- Best time to visit
- March to April and October to November
- Currency
- Pakistani rupee (PKR)
- Time zone
- Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+5)
- Language
- Urdu; English is widely used
Hotels in Islamabad
Where to stay in Islamabad
Each area links to places to stay on our Islamabad hotels page.
- Blue Area & F-6/F-7Jinnah Avenue’s commercial strip plus the leafy F-6 and F-7 sectors with Jinnah Super and Kohsar Market.
- Near Faisal Mosque & the Margalla HillsThe E-7 and F-7 area at the foot of the hills, close to Faisal Mosque and Daman-e-Koh.
Getting there
Flights to Islamabad
Islamabad International Airport (ISB) opened in 2018 to the west of the city; allow time for the drive into the sectors.
- ISB
- Islamabad International Airport
Popular routes
Things to do
Things to do in Islamabad
Popular tours and tickets from our activity partner.
Popular attractions
- Faisal Mosque
- Pakistan Monument
- Daman-e-Koh
- Margalla Hills trails
- Lok Virsa Museum
- Saidpur Village
MuseumsFree cancel
5 hours
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1 hour
MuseumsFree cancel
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Islamabad, Pakistan
Explore Shangri-La of James Hilton, Hunza & Skardu (Private Tour)
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Islamabad, Pakistan
11-Day Private Pakistan Adventure: Hunza, Skardu & Fairy Meadows
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Islamabad, Pakistan
12-Day Hiking Tour World's Highest Mountain Ranges from Islamabad
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When to go
Best time to visit Islamabad
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant for the hills. Summers are hot with monsoon rain in July and August; winters are cool.
Transport
Getting around Islamabad
Ride-hailing apps and taxis are easiest. Metro Bus routes link Islamabad with Rawalpindi.
Travel tips
Islamabad travel tips
- Trail 3 and Trail 5 in the Margalla Hills are popular short hikes — start early to avoid the midday heat outside winter.
- Islamabad is laid out in lettered sectors (E, F, G…) with numbered sub-sectors; addresses such as F-7/2 make navigation straightforward.
- Rawalpindi is next door and shares the airport — its bazaars make an easy half-day trip.
- Islamabad is the usual starting point for the Karakoram Highway and flights to Gilgit and Skardu in the north.
Islamabad essentials
Islamabad travel FAQs
What is the best time to visit Islamabad?
March to April and October to November, when the weather is mild for the Margalla Hills and day trips north.
Which airport serves Islamabad?
Islamabad International Airport (ISB), which opened in 2018 west of the city and also serves Rawalpindi.
Plan your trip
Plan your Islamabad trip
- Hotels in IslamabadExplore hotels in Blue Area & F-6/F-7 and Near Faisal Mosque & the Margalla Hills and more.
- Things to do in IslamabadExplore Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument and other experiences.
- Pakistan travel guidePakistan travel guide: Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, plus Hunza and Skardu in the northern mountains — when to go, where to stay and getting around.
Nearby and related destinations
- Lahore, PakistanLahore travel guide: the Walled City, Gulberg and DHA, the best time to visit, Allama Iqbal airport and things to do.
- Karachi, PakistanKarachi travel guide: Clifton, Saddar and the Shahrah-e-Faisal corridor, the best time to visit, Jinnah International and things to do.
Facts last reviewed 27 September 2026. Hotel, flight and activity availability is provided live by our booking partners, and bookings are completed with them.