Islamabad became the capital of Pakistan 20 years after the country’s independence. In August 1947, Pakistan became a free country. Islamabad officially became the capital of Pakistan on August 14, 1967.
Karachi is now a city in the province of Sindh. Now you might be wondering which city was the capital of Pakistan before Islamabad. The capital of Pakistan was the coastal city of Karachi, which was selected by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
If you are visiting Islamabad for travel purposes, you can enjoy these top 10 amazing and beautiful places in the city.
Islamabad is 906.5 square kilometers (3 times smaller than Karachi) because Karachi is 3,527 square kilometers larger and is the 12th largest city in the world.
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BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN ISLAMABAD
- FAISAL MOSQUE
The Faisal Mosque is the most beautiful mosque in Pakistan. It was built by the National Construction Company of Pakistan, led by Azim Khan. The mosque's construction began in 1976 under the National Construction Company of Pakistan.
You may wonder how much the project cost. It was funded by Saudi Arabia and cost around 120 to 140 million USD. The mosque has four pillars, and its location is very beautiful in the hills. You can see this beautiful mosque from the mountains.
The mosque is beautifully decorated inside. Muslims pray every Friday at the mosque, and it is free to visit. You must remove your shoes before entering; you can leave them with an attendant who will give you a code to retrieve them for $0.20. Inside, you will find 3–4 floors and several bookstores.
- DAMN-E KOH
Daman-e-Koh is a very popular spot in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is also a top tourist destination. You can see various animals in this area, such as monkeys. There is an amazing track for hiking or adventure in Daman-e-Koh. If you are going to Daman-e-Koh and want to hike, there is a track starting at the Islamabad Zoo and extending to other areas like Playland.
There are 2 to 3 tracks you can explore. Daman-e-Koh is situated in the Margalla Hills. Margalla Hills are also the gateway to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There is a road that goes directly to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. From Daman-e-Koh, you can enjoy views of Islamabad, including landmarks like the Centaurus building, Lake Park, and the F7 sector.
You can also enjoy the clouds and beautiful weather because it is located on a high point. In the evening, you can see the beautiful lights of the city. The name Daman-e-Koh is derived from Persian, meaning "foothills." The place is 2,400 feet above sea level and 500 feet above Islamabad.
- MARGALLA HILLS NATIONAL PARK
Margalla Hills offers numerous hiking trails, including those starting from Islamabad Zoo and extending to Trail 3, Trail 5, and Trail 6. The Margalla Hills National Park is a beautiful natural area located in the northern part of Islamabad, Pakistan.
It is a favorite spot for people who love hiking and exercising in nature, particularly those who prefer quiet places away from urban environments. Here, you can see many varieties of plants and animals. The trails lead you to viewpoints where you can enjoy the beauty of Islamabad. Around 250 bird species have been recorded in the park.
There are viewpoints like Monal Islamabad, but it was closed by the government in 2024 due to its impact on wildlife. Monal Islamabad was a breathtaking place to enjoy a meal. If you enjoy natural beauty, this is a place worth visiting.
Margalla Hills offers numerous hiking trails, including those starting from Islamabad Zoo and extending to Trail 3, Trail 5, and Trail 6. The Margalla Hills National Park is a beautiful natural area located in the northern part of Islamabad, Pakistan.
It is a favorite spot for people who love hiking and exercising in nature, particularly those who prefer quiet places away from urban environments. Here, you can see many varieties of plants and animals. The trails lead you to viewpoints where you can enjoy the beauty of Islamabad. Around 250 bird species have been recorded in the park.
There are viewpoints like Monal Islamabad, but it was closed by the government in 2024 due to its impact on wildlife. Monal Islamabad was a breathtaking place to enjoy a meal. If you enjoy natural beauty, this is a place worth visiting.
- LOK VIRSA MUSEUM
The LOK VIRSA Museum is a cultural museum where you can explore various aspects of Pakistani culture. The museum showcases traditional dress and fashion, which vary from region to region in Pakistan. For example, Punjabis and Pashtuns have different cultural practices. It also provides insights into historical cultures and the lives of people from the 20th century.
The museum shows how both rich and poor people lived, including how people lived in Balochistan. There are photos of notable politicians such as Benazir Bhutto and information about the lifestyle and dress style of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Additionally, the museum covers other regions of Pakistan, featuring traditional clothing, jewelry, and artifacts like wells, chairs, and beds.
It includes a basement area and displays traditional life from other countries as well. You can also see various crafts and cooking utensils used in daily life. The museum is an excellent place for tourists, students, and children to learn about Pakistani culture and lifestyles.
- PAKISTAN MONUMENT
The Pakistan Monument is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Islamabad. It was built in 2007, and the designer, Arif Masoud, was selected and approved in 2003 for this project. Located in Shakarparian Hills, the monument symbolizes the nation’s unity, culture, and history. After its completion, it became a top tourist spot and a very popular destination in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The monument is designed to resemble a blooming flower. From above, if you fly a drone, it looks like a fully bloomed flower. If you stand in front of it, you can't fully imagine its shape. The design features four large petals representing Pakistan's provinces—Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The three smaller petals represent the three territories—Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. All the petals are made of expensive granite and feature amazing artwork depicting important events and landmarks in Pakistan’s history, such as Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and Minar-e-Pakistan.
If you enjoy traveling at night and want to see how beautiful Islamabad is after dark, you can go to the Himalayas Hills to view the city’s night-time beauty.
- RAWAL LAKE
The Rawal Lake views are in Lake View Park. The main place to visit Rawal Lake is Lake View Park because it covers a very large area and provides lake views. If you are planning a picnic, Lake View Park is an amazing place to enjoy with your children because it has many parts, including a dedicated area for kids.
There is also a bird area with many types of birds. The electric swings require a ticket, and you can enjoy them. The park also has an F1 track, which is an exciting adventure. There are horse rides and lake views from above, and you can use boats to see how big the lake is.
For Islamabad residents and tourists, this is one of the best places as it is now free of charge. The main attraction is the beautiful scenery; from the lake, you can see the Himalayas mountains, and Imran Khan's house is also near.
It is not far from Bani Gala to see Imran Khan's house. There is also a fishing point, but you need to get permission before fishing. The place is also great for jogging and walking.
- SHADRA VALLEY
Shadra Valley is like a village, but this place attracts visitors a lot because of its natural beauty. Many people live in cities and cannot experience natural beauty like hills and greenery, so this place is a perfect match. This place is near Margalla Hills and is popular with tourists who want peace and to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The place is perfect for hiking, picnics, and relaxation. It is also a good picnic spot for families.
There are waterfalls and water spots. The roads to this place are well-maintained for bikes and cars. There are many shops if you want to buy something, and there is no park, so you can enjoy the area at your own choice. This place is called a valley because it is located between two mountains with a river or stream flowing through the middle. So this place is unique and not many like it exist in Pakistan. This is one of the best places to visit.
- SAIDPUR VILLAGE
Saidpur is one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. The beauty of this village is that it is located in one of the most expensive and famous areas of Islamabad, where prices are higher, like in F7 sector. Despite being in a high-priced area, it is still a village, which adds to its charm. This village is also part of Margalla Hills.
Every year, during the two Eids, there is a large ground where you can see many animals being sold, as Muslims come to buy them for the Eid festival. This area is also famous for this. Being a mountainous region, cows and goats can easily survive here, and fresh green grass is always available.
You can also enjoy the beauty of the scenery in this place. You can see the village culture here, and the weather is always pleasant and nice.
- CENTAURUS MALL
The Centaurus is a shopping mall for modern people and expensive items. Sometimes there are good sales, and many people visit. You cannot enter Centaurus Mall alone; you need to be accompanied by a female. Centaurus Mall is built in three connected buildings. The lower part of these buildings is the shopping mall. As you change floors, you'll find jewelry on one floor, clothing on another, and food outlets on the top floor.
There are many things to buy in this mall, as well as entertainment, such as enjoying food and viewing various items. There are luxury apartments in Centaurus where you can stay, but the rent is very high for middle-class individuals. The Centaurus complex is a multi-purpose development that combines living, working, and entertainment in one place. It includes luxury apartments for residents and office spaces for businesses.- ISLAMABAD ZOO
If you like to see animals, there is an amazing place in Islamabad where you can see many types of animals and birds. It is near Margalla Hills and Damn-e-Koh. Faisal Masjid and Playland are also very close to this place, so you can enjoy other places as well. In the zoo, you can see different types of animals from various countries, and the birds are very special. Every year, many people come here with children for picnics.
This is one of the favorite locations for families and tourists. The zoo is home to many animals, including big cats like lions and leopards, monkeys, deer, elephants, birds, and reptiles. It is an educational spot where children and adults can learn about different species.
- CENTAURUS MALL
Saidpur is one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. The beauty of this village is that it is located in one of the most expensive and famous areas of Islamabad, where prices are higher, like in F7 sector. Despite being in a high-priced area, it is still a village, which adds to its charm. This village is also part of Margalla Hills.
Every year, during the two Eids, there is a large ground where you can see many animals being sold, as Muslims come to buy them for the Eid festival. This area is also famous for this. Being a mountainous region, cows and goats can easily survive here, and fresh green grass is always available.
You can also enjoy the beauty of the scenery in this place. You can see the village culture here, and the weather is always pleasant and nice.
The Centaurus is a shopping mall for modern people and expensive items. Sometimes there are good sales, and many people visit. You cannot enter Centaurus Mall alone; you need to be accompanied by a female. Centaurus Mall is built in three connected buildings. The lower part of these buildings is the shopping mall. As you change floors, you'll find jewelry on one floor, clothing on another, and food outlets on the top floor.
There are many things to buy in this mall, as well as entertainment, such as enjoying food and viewing various items. There are luxury apartments in Centaurus where you can stay, but the rent is very high for middle-class individuals. The Centaurus complex is a multi-purpose development that combines living, working, and entertainment in one place. It includes luxury apartments for residents and office spaces for businesses.
- ISLAMABAD ZOO
If you like to see animals, there is an amazing place in Islamabad where you can see many types of animals and birds. It is near Margalla Hills and Damn-e-Koh. Faisal Masjid and Playland are also very close to this place, so you can enjoy other places as well. In the zoo, you can see different types of animals from various countries, and the birds are very special. Every year, many people come here with children for picnics.
This is one of the favorite locations for families and tourists. The zoo is home to many animals, including big cats like lions and leopards, monkeys, deer, elephants, birds, and reptiles. It is an educational spot where children and adults can learn about different species.