Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

Are you bored? Do you think of planning a vacation with your best friends? Are you looking for a place to enjoy your honeymoon? Then you should consider Pakistan as your vacation destination. You should consider these best places in Pakistan to visit.

 Lately, Pakistan has emerged on the scene as a travel destination and is becoming popular in Europe and other countries. Many foreign YouTube vloggers have visited Pakistan in recent years and tried to capture the beauty and history of these beautiful places through their content, leading to the audience showing keen interest in visiting Pakistan.

Still, there are many unexplored sites in Pakistan. Here in this blog, we will be providing and discussing information about the best places to visit in Pakistan if you are thinking about visiting this country. Here are the most famous and beautiful places in Pakistan to visit.

Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

Here, we have enlisted the 20 best places to visit in Pakistan.

Punjab| Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

In this section, we list all the best places in Pakistan that lie in Punjab.

Lahore

When you talk about best places to visit in Pakistan, how can it be possible that Lahore will not appear on your list? Lahore is one of the most developed, lively and hustling cities in Pakistan. Here, visitors from different countries and cities just come to enjoy its lively lifestyle which is filled with excitement and joy.

Lahore locally pronounced as “Lahoawre” is not famous for only a single thing but it is famous for a lot of things. The reasons why people from all over Pakistan came and dreamt to live here are its rich history, an extensive variety of food, museums, gardens and fashion hub.

Lahore is also famous for its hospitality as its local people are known as “Zinda Dilan-e-Lahore”. The word Zinda Dilan-e-Lahore reflects the generosity and hospitality of the Lahoawree people which means “generous hearts”. This is the reason why Lahore holds the most famous hotels in Pakistan.

Lahore is also considered the economic engine of Pakistan as this lively city is a house for many industries that makes a living for a lot of people. It is also one of the major reasons that people from different cities come here to earn a decent living and enjoy its lavish lifestyle.

Lahore’s Local Food

Lahore is also the hub of desi food, here, you’ll get new unique recipes with a modern touch. If you’re a foodie or love to try new recipes of desi food then you must pay your visit to Lahore. This is the reason why there are a lot of food streets in Lahore some of them are

• Gawal Mandi Food Street
• Lahore Fort Food Street
• Old Anarkali Food Street
• M.M Alam Road
• Lakshmi Chowk

Landmarks of Lahore

Some of the major landmarks of Lahore are:

• Shah Qila (Royal Fort)
• Badshahi Mosque
• Wazir Khan Mosque
• Minar-e-Pakistan
• Sheesh Mahal
• Lahore Museum
• Fakir Khana Museum
• National History of Museum
• Wagha Border
• Shalimar Garden
• Delhi Gate
• Lahore Zoo
• Safari Park
• Chuburji
• Allama Iqbal Tomb
• Bagh-e-Jinnah
• Model Town Park
• Packages Mall
• Emporium Mall
• Eiffel Tower Bahria Town Lahore
• Shahi Hamam
• Samadi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
• Fortress Stadium Market
• Haveli Nau Nihal Singh
• Anarkali Tomb
• Data Darbar
• Joyland

Here’s a fun fact even some of the Lahowaree people don’t know or never visited all these tourist attractions in Lahore or should we say Lahoware.

Badshahi Mosque

Badshahi mosque was constructed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb between 1671 and 1673. It was one of the largest mosques in the world from 1673 to 1986. It is considered one of the most popular places visited by tourists who come to Lahore.

It is located on the west side of Lahore outside of the walled city. It is widely considered one of the most iconic landmarks of Pakistan.  Still, Badshahi mosque is the second-largest mosque in Pakistan and the fifth-largest mosque in the whole world.

The beautiful and old infrastructure along with the small museum makes Badshahi mosque one of the best places to visit in Pakistan.

Rohtas Fort

It is a 16th-century fortress built by the Afghan warlord turned Padishah named Sher Shah Sori. It is located near the city of Dina in the Jehlum district of the Punjab province. It is one of the largest forts in Pakistan.

It was built to crush the rebellious tribal tribes of Potohar. It has twelve gates. The glimpse of the old mesmerizing architecture makes the tourist’s jaw drop. Because of its rich history, it was declared a world heritage site in 1997 by UNESCO.

Tourists who have a keen interest in visiting the old historical heritage sites across the world, Rohtas fort with its massive walls, twelve gates, and old style of architecture is one of the most famous places to visit in Pakistan.

Taxila

Pakistan has the award-winning and well-preserved ancient city of Taxila in the category of powerful, one-of-a-kind, and stunning Buddhist architecture.

According to the Pakistani Tourism Development Corporation, this city is home to many fantastic Buddhist structures that have been built over millennia. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Pakistan.

There are so many archaeological sites that you definitely want to see here. It is a very unique spot because it actually is the host of one of the first-ever universities in the entire world.

The city is located close to the capital, Islamabad in the Rawalpindi District of the Punjab, Pakistan, situated about 32 km north-west of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, just off the famous Grand Trunk Road. You can do it as a half-day or full-day trip.

The top 10 best places to visit in Taxila are:

• Khanpur Dam
• Taxila Museum
• Dharmarajika Stupa
• Jandial Temple
• Mohra Muradu
• Bhir Mound
• Sirkap
• Jaulian

Federal Territory (Islamabad)| Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

In this section, we list all the best places in Pakistan that lie in Federal Territories.

Margalla Hills

Margalla Hills is located in the North East of Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan. It is one of the best places to visit in Islamabad. Also known as Paradise of Islamabad. Here you can breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the beautiful scenery.

Pir Sohawa is a beautiful tourist destination situated in Margalla hills. It is a must-visit for everyone, when in Islamabad. Tourists and locals like to enjoy picnics here.

The major attraction for tourists in margalla hills is its trails. Margalla hills have a total of five trails. People love to hike on these tracks From Trail 5 you can connect to trail 3 to get to Monal restaurant, which is one of the most renowned restaurants in Islamabad near Pir Sohawa.

With delicious food, you can also witness a beautiful sunset from there. Most people prefer to hike in the morning and then have breakfast from Monal. From the endpoints of all trails, you can see the city in beautiful scenery which is definitely a worthwhile view, especially at dawn and dusk. People mostly prefer to hike in the morning and then have breakfast at Monal.

There are various climbing places in the foothills of Margalla. Margalla hills also hold the treasures of 40 years old rock and fossils of marine life. Another attraction in Margalla hills is daman-e-Koh.

KPK| Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

In this section, we list all the best places in Pakistan that lie in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Swat valley

Swat valley is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. It is one of the most beautiful and famous places to visit in Pakistan. The people of swat are very nice, humble, and hospitable. Swat is located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Swat is known for its lush green fields and forests. The river of swat with its clear shade of blue is the characteristic of the swat valley.

There are many activities for the tourists in swat. They can go zip lining, hiking, camping, trekking or they can simply enjoy the beautiful nature by sitting shoreside of the river swat.  The most beautiful and famous places to visit in the swat valley are discussed below.

Malam Jabba

Malam Jabba is a hill station located in the ranges of Hindukush in swat valley. Malam Jabba is famous for skiing in winter. It is a famous ski spot in the swat valley.

The chairlift range of Malam Jabba is also pretty long which roughly 1.5 km is. The chairlift takes the tourist to the highest point of the valley. The view from the highest point of the valley is breathtaking.

Kalam

Kalam is located in the northern upper section of swat valley. Kalam is famous for its scenic sights of lush green fields and views of snow-capped mountains.

Kalam is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and contains lush green mountains and is along the banks of the swat river. It is one of the best places to visit in Pakistan.

Naran and Kaghan

Naran and Kaghan are included in the top 10 most beautiful places to visit in Pakistan, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A perfect spot for nature lovers. The major tourist attractions are lush green meadows, snow-covered mountains, spectacular lakes, and soothing rivers.

This valley is the most visited tourist destination in the country.

Major tourist attractions are:

• Lake Saiful Malook
• Lulusar Lake
• Ansoo Lake
• Dudipatsar Lake
• Shogran
• Jared
• Babusar Top
• Sharan forest
• Batakundi
• Burawai town
• Jalkhand

It is a prime destination to visit in summer. The most preferable time is from May to September.

Lake Saif al Malook

Saif ul Malook is one the most scenic, fascinating, charming, and highest lakes in Pakistan. Saif ul Malook lake is located about 10 km from Naran, at the northern end of Kaghan.

A lake with blue-colored water and a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. This lake, without any doubt, can be included in the top 10 most famous and beautiful places in Pakistan.

Millions of tourists visit this lake every year. The best time for visiting Saif ul Malook is from June to September because the roads are safer in summer.

The only way to reach Saif ul Malook is by 4×4 jeeps. This lake carries many interesting mystical tales of fairies because of its unexplainable beauty.

Siri Paye

Siri Paye is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Pakistan which is unfortunately missed by tourists, especially foreigners. Siri is located at a three to four-hour drive from the Shogran Valley.

The journey is spine-tingling and blood-curdling but once you reach the destination you will be rewarded with the most fascinating glimpse of nature.

This valley is a green plateau which is located at the top of the Hindu Kush Mountains. The landscape of the valley is lined by many ponds and is complemented by incredible fields of bright yellow flowers.

There are two crystal clear water lakes, Siri Lake and Paye Lake which are major tourist attractions here. Siri Paye is surrounded by three peaks named Makra Peak, Malika Parbat, and Musa ka Musala.

The place promises to refresh the soul of the visitor from whatever place in the world they come.

Nathia Gali

Nathia Gali is one of the best places to visit in Pakistan. Also considered one of the best places to visit in Galiyat. This tourist destination is known for its fascinating landscape.

Due to its proximity to Murree, millions of tourists visit Nathia Gali every year. Pleasant weather in summer makes it a perfect holiday destination.

During winter, the mountains are covered with snow which adds to their beauty making it more and more charming. To enjoy snowfall Nathia Gali is one of the best options.

Apart from landscape and snowfall, Nathia Gali also has a swarmed market, famous for traditional homemade items.

The most historic church in Pakistan, Matthews Church is situated in Nathia Gali. The government of Pakistan has introduced camping pods in Nathia Gali to promote tourism.

Yarkhun Valley

Yarkhun Valley is one of the most famous tourist spots in Pakistan. This unheard and untouched valley is located in Upper Chitral which is a district of the province KPK. Unseen high altitudes and overlooked villages make it to the list of the top most beautiful places in Pakistan.

Yarkhun Valley spreads between the towns of Brep and Lashkar Gaaz of Broghel Valley having a total length of 150 km. Besides this, from its northwest, it is linked with Afghanistan while from the southeast it is connected with Gilgit Baltistan.

To visit this valley in Chitral, you must have your own vehicle otherwise it will be a tedious battle for you. The only difficulty you will face while riding in a private vehicle is dirt roads. But once you reached there you will forget all your sufferings and fall in love with its scenic landscapes.

Famous tourist attractions near Yarkhun Valley are

• Gazin Valley
• Yasin Valley
• Thoi Pass – which connects Yasin Valley with Gilgit Baltistan.

Kashmir| Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

In this section, we list all the best places in Pakistan that lie in Kashmir.

Neelum Valley

Neelum valley attracts millions of tourists every year. Neelum Valley is famous for honeymoon trips in Pakistan. Neelum Valley is a 144 Km long Valley in Kashmir, located north and northeast of Muzaffarabad.

Neelum Valley translates into Blue Green Valley. The water of the Neelum River is also bluish-green. Neelum Valley is one of the most attractive vacation destinations in Pakistan because of its Lush green and dense forests, springs, streams, rivers, lakes, and mountains. It definitely provides a reason to fall in love over and over again.

Major tourist attractions are:

• Athmuqam
• Kutton jagran
• Karen
• Neelum river
• Ratti gali
• Noori top
• Sharda (Sharda Fort, and Sharda University)
• Arang Kel
• Taobut
• Hamlet

The road trip to Neelum will be outstanding because the Neelum Valley map gives tons of amazing views throughout the journey. You can reach these sites in 4×4 cars.

The best time to visit this valley is between September and October to have a quiet and tranquil experience. Summers are very crowded here. Winters are very cold in Neelum Valley.

Kel Arang kel

Arang Kel is one of the most beautiful and famous tourist destinations within the Neelum district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Arang Kel is a small village located at the top of the mountain above Kel. It is also known as the Pearl of Kashmir.

Arang Kel is a 5-hour drive from Muzaffarabad. If you consider landscapes, Arang Kel is the most beautiful part of Neelum valley.

The best time to visit Kel and  Arang Kel is summer as in summer one can witness lush green fields, chirping birds, wandering horses, and wooden huts which give a soothing effect to your soul.

There is a 1-hour long chairlift with beautiful scenery from Kel to reach Arang Kel. After that chairlift ride, you will have to hike for 1 hour to reach Arang Kel. These chairlifts are a kind of attractive, colorful wooden huts that are a tourist attraction.

Kel is a beautiful small town in Neelum in which the small wooden huts, Neelum river, and waterfalls are the major attractions for tourists.

Gilgit-Baltitstan| Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

In this section, we list all the best places in Pakistan that lie in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Hunza Valley

Hunza valley is very famous for its beauty. It is one the most beautiful and one of the best places to visit Pakistan. Hunza valley is located in Gilgit Baltistan. Hunza valley is famous for its beauty and breathtaking views. It is located between the mountain ranges of the Himalayas and Karakoram.

People often confuse the term Hunza valley considering it to be a smaller place but Hunza is a district consisting of many valleys and villages.

There are many beautiful sights in Hunza. Some of the most famous and beautiful places in Hunza are

Passu Cones

Passu is a small village in the goal valley of the Hunza district. Passu cones are located in the passu village. It is a major tourist attraction because of the beautiful landscapes of passu cones. 

Tu Podpan also known as passu cones is the highest peak in this region and is about 6,106 meters above sea level. Passu cones are located in the Karakoram mountain ranges. These are called cones because of their pointed peaks which look like cones and their view is breathtaking.

The view of passu cones from the hanging Hussaini bridge is also one of the main tourist attractions and activities in passu village.

Attabad Lake

Born out of a tragedy of a massive landslide that occurred in 2010. The flow of the Hunza River was blocked and Attabad Lake was formed. Attabad Lake is one of the best places to visit in Hunza valley.

Attabad Lake makes it one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan to visit in Hunza valley. Activities like boating, fishing, jet skiing, and swimming make it one of the most famous tourist attractions of Pakistan.

The newly built Lexus Hunza Attabad lake resort is getting very popular because of its good infrastructure, location, and quality of services.

Baltit Fort

Baltit fort located near Karimabad is also one of the most famous places to visit in this region. For those tourists who are interested in history and have a keen interest in visiting historical places, the Baltit fort is a major destination for them to visit. It was founded in the 8^th century and has been on the UNESCO world heritage tentative list since 2004.

Deosai National Park

It is considered one of the highest plateaus in the world. Located in Gilgit Baltistan it is near the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges. It is spread over an area of 3000 km2. 

Deosai national park is considered one of the best places to visit in Pakistan due to its biodiversity, alpine trees, pleasant weather, and high altitudes.

Deosai national park is the habitat of the Himalayan brown beer, snow leopard, golden marmots, and lammergeiers. Animal-loving and nature-enjoying tourists should have this place on their bucket lists.

Naltar Valley

Naltar Valley is a popular tourist attraction in Pakistan. This alluring valley lies away from the cities and towns of Gilgit Baltistan. You can visit this valley at any time of the year, both in the summer and winter.

In winter, Naltar provides great skiing spots. It has green lush landscapes, attracting lakes and captivating mountains. This Valley is lined by long beautiful pine trees. People describe it as a true paradise.

Naltar is basically divided into two villages Naltar Bala (Naltar upper) and Naltar PaPlainNaltar lower).

Naltar is home to three beautiful lakes which are collectively known as Bashkiria lakes. One of the three lakes has green-colored water while the second has blue-colored water and the third has azure-colored water.

It is rightly renowned for its potato cultivation, believed by many to be the most delicious on the planet earth. Naltar is like a lost paradise on earth because of its unforgettable and charismatic scenery.

Naltar Valley has a well-deserved reputation for being a place that is not to be missed while touring Pakistan. To reach this Valley you have to use 4×4 jeeps as there is no form of public transport available. Hotels and cabins are available to accommodate tourists.

The best time to visit this valley is after the month of May so you will be able to avoid the peak tourist season.

Khunjerab Pass

The Khunjerab Pass, also known as the Pakistan-China border, is the highest point on the Karakoram Highway, an architectural marvel. It is also the highest paved international border crossing in the world, standing at 15,397 feet.

Its name comes from two Wakhi words: “Khun” meaning blood, and “Jerab” meaning a stream from a spring or waterfall. The Khunjerab Pass is worth seeing for its scenic beauty, breathtaking mountain views, grazing yaks, and orange marmots.

People love to take photos in front of the official gate which is surrounded by very tall peaks and lush green fields. It is a mark of everlasting friendship between Pakistan and China.

The drive to this area may be a bit longer than you are accustomed to. But once you enter these beautiful valleys filled with beautiful green meadows and majestic snow-covered mountains, you won’t mind the distance.

Hunza and Gilgit are two of Pakistan’s most popular tourist destinations. You cannot, however, plan a trip to these valleys without including Khunjerab Pass on your route map.

The road from Islamabad to Hunza is also in good condition. So, you won’t have to worry about your journey being uncomfortable.

Because of the high altitude, the crossing may be closed after November due to heavy snow. However, after April, the pass reopens and can be visited at any time. However, the best time to visit this landmark is between May and September.

Sindh| Best Places to Visit in Pakistan

In this section, we list all the best places in Pakistan that lie in Sindh.

Karachi

Life in Karachi is not a vibe it’s a feel an aesthetic one or the one you feel while visiting or living here. Karachi – the city that never sheds light, how can we think of dropping this city from the list of best places to visit in Pakistan?

Karachi or locally pronounced as “Kiranchi” isalso known as “city of lights”. The reason why it is called a city of lights is because of its vibrant and lively nightlife. Is it true? Really? Heads up Kiranchites (Karachites) and do let us know in comment section with your valuable insights.

Karachi aka “Mini Pakistan” is home to all types of ethnicities and languages in Pakistan. Here you’ll find people from all provinces and tribal areas of Pakistan. This diversity led Karachi to the title of Mini Pakistan as here you’ll find Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtoons, Kashmiris, Balochis and Gilgities.

Karachi is the economic driver of Pakistan as all the manufacturing industries are located here. Its conditions set the tone for the economic conditions in Pakistan. It is because Karachi is the transport hub of Pakistan as it holds 2 large seaports of Pakistan. Port Bin Qasim and Port of Karachi.  Moreover, it also possesses the busiest airport in Pakistan which runs all local and foreign flights.

Besides this, Karachi is also a house to major financial institutions of Pakistan. Like, the head of Pakistan’s Central Bank named State Bank of Pakistan is located here.  Similarly, the head office of all commercial banks of Pakistan also positioned here.

In short, disruption in peace and stability will worsen the economic conditions in Pakistan. Because sets the tone for local trade and foreign trade of Pakistan.

Karachi’s Local Food

Besides this, Karachi is also famous for its local food. There’s a classic war between Kiranchites and Lahowarees about which city’s local food is best. The most famous dish in Karachi is spicy biryani. Visitors from different localities will fall in love with its first bite.

Same as Lahore, Karachi has also a lot of food streets where people can taste different dishes and enjoy their life to fullest. Here are some of them

• Hussainabad Food Street
• Burns Road Food Street
• Bohra Foo Street

Landmarks of Karachi

Some of the major landmarks of Karachi are:

• Mazar-e-Quaid
• Frere Hall
• Mohatta Palace Museum
• Tuba Mosque
• Empress Market
• St. Pattrick’s Cathedral
• Merewether Clock Tower
• Pakistan Airforce Museum
• Port Grand Karachi
• Dolmen Mall
• Canvas Gallery
• Quaid-e-Azam House
• Denso Hall
• Ocean Towers
• Ibn-e-Qasim Garden
• Nisar Shaheed Park
• Pak Maritime Museum
• Clifton Beach
• A.K. Khan Park
• Bahria Dancing Fountain
• Winterland
• Wild Venture Water Park

So, Kiranchites tell us, have you visited all these “landmarks of Kiranchi” or you guys are also like Lahowarees. Comment section is all yours!

Mohenjo Daro

Mohenjo-Daro is a famous tourist destination in Pakistan, located in Sindh, a province in the country’s southeast. Mohenjo-Daro is one of the world’s oldest urban settlements and was a major settlement of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.

Mohenjo-Daro an archaeological site that dates back to 2500 BCE and is home to the Sindh people. Mohenjo-Daro literally translates to “mound of the dead” in Sindhi.

Studies show that the ruins and mounds were a part of the Indus Valley civilization. Those who have an interest in history will be amazed by the engineering and urban planning there that was far ahead of its time.

The houses of Mohenjo daro with fired and mortared bricks and wooden superstructures. The settlement was grid-planned and had public baths and a highly efficient water management system.

Other tourist attractions near mohenjo daro are:

• Indus River
• Chandka Medical College
• Jhoker Jo Daro
• Nau Dero

 The monument can be visited any time of the year but April, August, and November are the best months to see these archeological sites. The area is accessible by public bus or private transportation.

Shah Jahan Mosque

Shah Jahan mosque is located in Thatta a small town in the Sindh province. It was built during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan back in 1647.

Unlike other mosques, Shah Jahan mosque is widely known for having the most elaborate and beautiful tile work in all of south Asia. Its blue elegant tile work enhances the beauty of its infrastructure and makes it one of a kind.

The immaculate artistry in the tile work and infrastructure of the mosque attracts tourists from all around the world and makes it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Pakistan.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Pakistan is a land of immense beauty and diversity, offering a plethora of attractions for tourists to explore. From the rugged mountains of the north to the serene beaches of the south, the country has something to offer for everyone. Some of the best places to visit in Pakistan include ancient historical sites, bustling cities, majestic mountains, picturesque lakes, and breathtaking valleys.

Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a cultural enthusiast, Pakistan has an abundance of attractions that are sure to leave you mesmerized. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the hidden treasures of Pakistan, and you will surely be amazed by the beauty and hospitality of this incredible country. 

For more informationon tour guides, visit E-Lands Pakistan – Explore Pakistan.