If you are planning to travel to Pakistan, there is a likely chance that you will be passing through Islamabad. If you are one of those who love adventures and planning to travel to the northern areas, Islamabad awaits you on the way.  You will surely enjoy your time there, all the while seeing a different perspective of a country you otherwise wouldn’t see from visiting touristy cities or the mountains. 

Islamabad is the model of what a modern Pakistani city should look like. The clusters of tall buildings are divided into zones, laid out as a grid with a vast network of roads connecting them all like a spider web. In between the buildings, greenery is sprinkled all over the city, making it the greenest city in the country. Rickshaws are banned due to loud noises, and the streets are as clean as day. It is what the government envisioned a capital city should be and they went all-in with it. Islamabad also has a twin-sister city called Rawalpindi which is situated next to it. 

Let’s take some sneak peek of its HISTORY

The city of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is located on the Pothohar Plateau within the Islamabad Capital Territory—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 1 million to 500,000 years ago. The crude stones recovered from the terraces of the Soan River testify to the endeavors of early man in the interglacial 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 BC 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 BC. Situated 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 BC. 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. Near the G-12 sector, remains of a Buddhist town that once existed were also identified. 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 Rawalpindi.

When Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Karachi was its first capital. In 1960, Islamabad was constructed as a forward capital. It is considered one of the most extensively and successfully planned cities in South Asia.

Islamabad is located at:

Islamabad is located at 33.43°N 73.04°E at the northern edge of the Pothohar Plateau and at the foot of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad Capital Territory. Its elevation is 540 metres. The modern capital and the ancient Gakhar city of Rawalpindi form a conurbation, and are commonly referred to as the Twin Cities. To the northeast of the city lies the colonial era hill station of Murree, and to the north lies the Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kahuta lies on the southeast, Taxila, Wah Cantt, and Attock District to the northwest, Gujar Khan, Rawat, and Mandrah on the southeast, and the metropolis of Rawalpindi to the south and southwest. So, now if you’re planning a trip from Islamabad to Hunza, the above discussion would help you alot.

Islamabad is famous for:

• Visit the magnificent Pakistan Monument

First things first, visit Pakistan Monument. The massive monument is built on top of a hill in a spacious park and by being there early in the morning, you will have the whole place to explore yourself so you can walk around at your leisure. You can’t miss this opportunity while the entire Islamabad city tour.

• Visit The Lok Virsa Museum

Lok Virsa Heritage Museum is situated only a few minutes’ walk away from the Pakistan Monument. It’s full 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. 

• Eat All you can at Centaurus Mall’s Food Court

Centaurus Mall is one of its kind and has everything for everyone. Also, they have a food court full of both local and western food chains that will indulge you for days. 

• Check Out The Daman-E-Koh Viewpoint

Daman-e-Koh viewpoint is the place where you will be able to see why they call Islamabad the greenest city in the country. There is no better view of the city than this. Don’t forget to check this. 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. It is one of the best times to go mingle with the locals in Islamabad. 

• Dine With A View At Monal Restaurant

Further up the hill from the Daman-e-Koh viewpoint, you will find a nice restaurant called Monal where you can dine both local and western food with a high vantage point of Islamabad surrounded by the hills of Margalla Hills. The food is quite expensive and may not be the most delicious but you can’t beat the view of Islamabad from above at sunset.

• Visit The Faisal Mosque During Sunset

Faisal Mosque is one of the most well-known landmarks in Islamabad and for good reason. It is the largest mosque in the country that can hold 100,000 worshippers at once and 200,000 more in the courtyard area. The design of the mosque is very unique with the structure shaped like a Bedouin tent instead of the typical dome-shaped exterior that you find in most mosques around the world. The structure is impressive, but even more so right after sunset as the natural light subsided and the artificial light took over, illuminating the structure with an orange hue. 

Some other notable places are The Jinnah Sports Stadium, Margalla Hills, Safa Gold Mall, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Emporium Islamabad, Tanzara Art Gallery, Saidpur Village, Lakeview Park, etc.

What’s the prevalent language in Islamabad? 

Besides Urdu and English, the other languages spoken in Islamabad include Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi, and Pahari.

Best months to visit:

Most visitors argue that the best months to have day trips from Islamabad are: April, March, October, November, February. The coldest month is January with temperatures between 5℃ / 41℉ at night and 18℃ / 64℉ in the day.

What’s the Climate look like?

The climate of Islamabad is a humid subtropical climate with four seasons: a pleasant Spring (March–April), a hot Summer (May-August), a warm dry Autumn (September—October), and a cold Winter (November–February).

Where to stay in Islamabad? 

• Serena Hotel 

Serena Hotel at Islamabad welcomes guests with an outdoor swimming pool and relaxing spa treatments. Breakfast, room service, and dining services are exceptional.

• Reina Boutique Hotel

It offers accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi service throughout the property. This location is ideal if you are staying with family or for official work.  

• Ramada by Wyndham

This extraordinary place is situated 9 km away from Shah Faisal Mosque. Ramada by Wyndham features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, and a fitness center. 

• Hotel Crown Plaza

This amazing place is situated 12km away from Islamabad Airport and welcomes both business and leisure travelers. The hotel is in the center of the city and the staff is exceptionally cooperative and helpful. 

• Islamabad Marriott Hotel

The 5-star Islamabad Marriott Hotel provides high-speed wireless internet, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. As it provides a luxurious feel, pampering spa treatments with separate male and female lounges are also available. 

Where to Eat in Islamabad? 

Some of the famous eateries you may consider while exploring Islamabad tourist places are as follows:

• Savour Foods
• Cafe Rustic
• Bismillah Tikka and Chargha House
• Monal Restaurant
• KC Grill
• Kabul Restaurant
• Tuscany Courtyard

Information you should know:

• Emergency helpline: 15
• Police: 9100008
• Fire brigade: 16
• National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) Helpline: 1717
• Bomb Disposal Squad: 1332
• Islamabad Traffic Police: 915
• Terror related Helpline: 1717
• PIMS Hospital: 9261223
• CDA Hospital: 111-000-232, 9230418
• SHIFA Hospital: 4603666