Islamabad
Capital of Pakistan and the financial heartland of the country, Islamabad is a popular holiday destination in South East Asia. The metropolis is replete with serene lakes, heritage edifices, fascinating museums, enthralling shopping spots and boasts the intriguing carte du jour of lip smacking Mughal cuisines. Millions of travellers make way to the city for revelling in its ceaseless glory embracing imposing culture and soothing verdancy. Holiday to this mesmerizing destination is a perfect way to jollify the charms of Pakistan.
Netting air tickets on cheap flights to Islamabad ensures a great time for all kinds of holidaymakers including the nature lovers, historical buffs and epicurean. The varied and pleasant offerings of the city sprinkle joy and ecstasy to the all sojourns to this fascinating city.
Best Time to Visit Islamabad
Islamabad witnesses a torrent of holidaymakers throughout the year. However, winter is the time when the demand for tickets on cheap flights to Islamabad rises and the city burst with tourist activity. The cool temperature between the months of November to February is conducive to outdoor sightseeing and offers a pleasant climate to indulge in other thrilling activities. Summer can be considered as the off season for Islamabad tourism with June as the hottest time of the year when the city experiences 31.2°C / 88.2°F on average. No wonder, it is the time when cheap flights’ tickets to Islamabad abound the internet and travel agencies.
Popular Tourist Attractions in Islamabad
Islamabad offers a great deal of charismatic tourist destinations. Legendary heritage of the city shines in enormous mosques, imposing mausoleums and captivating museums while the natural splendour smiles radiantly at enchanting lakes and gardens. Every nook and cranny ooze irresistible lure to tempt the holidaymakers. Grabbing cheap tickets on flights to Islamabad is an apt way to bask in the everlasting grace of alluring metropolis. Here is the rundown of popular attractions to catch during Islamabad holidays.
- Daman-e-Koh
- Lok Virsa Museum
- Golra Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum
- National Art Gallery
- Rawal Lake
- Shah Faisal Mosque
Top Shopping Attractions in Islamabad
Islamabad is a hub for shopping enthusiasts and captivates hordes of tourists to stop at its amazing shopping attractions offering countless items of tourist’s interest. The city is divided into different sectors and each sector has its own unique shopping area called as markaz. The distinctive style and assortment of products are among the attention grabbing features of the markaz. Some of the popular markaz are listed below:
- F6 Markaz or Supermarket
- F7 Markaz or Jinnah Market
- G6 Markaz or Melody Park
- Blue Area
Awesome Eating Out in Islamabad
Strewn with plenty of gourmet eateries and myriads of high-end restaurants, Islamabad is decidedly a paradise for epicureans. The serene ambience, excellent service and mouth-watering menus provide nothing short of culinary nirvana. Holidaymakers booking flight to Pakistan must never miss a chance to explore the outstanding eating joints dishing out scrumptious local and international cuisines in Islamabad.
- Majlis
- Red Onion
- China Town Restaurant
- Pappasallis
- Mezzo
Best Hotels in Islamabad
Be it budget-conscious traveller or an extravagant holidaymaker, the thriving scenario of accommodation will never dismay the exuberant spirit of jaunting. Islamabad greets the visitor with warm ambience and treats them with awe-inspiring hospitality. With ample of budget-friendly hostels and dozens of ritzy hotels, the metropolis veritably makes for a delightful destination for holidays. Some of the popular hotels in Islamabad are:
- Ambassador Hotel
- Holiday Inn Islamabad
- The Riviera
- Serena Hotel
Airport in Islamabad
The capital city of Pakistan is served by Benazir Bhutto International Airport or the Islamabad International Airport, located outside of Islamabad. Being the third-largest airport and one of the busiest airports in Pakistan, the Islamabad International Airport serves as a prominent base for Shaheen Air International and Pakistan International Airlines. The airport receives flights from several international destinations including and offers a state-of-the-art facility to the passengers. It serves an array of airlines including Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Thai Airways International, United Airlines, American Airlines, Ariana Afghan Airlines, Emirates, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and China Southern Airlines.
Getting Around in Islamabad
There are number of options for getting around in Islamabad. One can commute via car, train, bus, and taxi. However, the public buses are the cheapest yet overcrowded mode of commutation within the city. Taxis can be easily found in most of the public areas and streets. It is the best way to travel around the city and makes for a safe and economical touring. Travellers are advised to negotiate the fares before riding.
Islamabad Travel Tips
- Islamabad is relatively a safe metropolis, as compared to other cities in Pakistan. Violent crime is rare and cases of theft and robbery are infrequent. However, one must be cautious about the surroundings.
- Women travellers must dress properly and cover their heads while entering sacred places like mosques and other rural areas.
- Smoking and drinking are prohibited at public places. A polite permission at restaurants and other public zones is recommended.
- Cab drivers in Islamabad are known to charge hefty amounts from foreigners. Make sure to confirm fares with locals or hotel staff to get an idea about the fares.
- Travellers must check Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website for advice on travel to Pakistan.
(Note: This destination guide is based on information gathered from reliable resources available on the internet and provides only general information about the destination. Southall Travel holds no responsibility for any misrepresentation of facts and shall not be in any way liable for any kind of eventuality such as damages, loss, additional costs etc arising from the use of information given in this guide.)
Other holiday locations in Pakistan popular among travelers are: Lahore | Karachi | Peshawar.