Faisal Mosque
A modern mosque at the foot of the Margalla Hills, with a tent-like roof and four tall minarets. It is one of the largest mosques in the world, and visitors may enter outside prayer times with modest dress.
Islamabad
Planned and green, this capital has the striking Faisal Mosque and trails for hiking in the Margalla Hills.
Attractive locations
Pakistan Monument
A large monument on Shakarparian hill shaped like a blooming flower, whose petals represent the country's provinces and territories. A small museum sits inside, and the viewpoint looks over the capital.
Daman-e-Koh
A hilltop viewpoint and garden in the Margalla Hills, with a wide outlook over Islamabad's grid of streets and trees. Walking trails lead up from the city, and restaurants nearby suit an easy afternoon.
Lok Virsa Museum
A museum of folk and traditional heritage, displaying costumes, crafts, musical instruments and village life from across the country. Craft stalls and a heritage craft area add to a relaxed visit.
Taxila
The remains of an ancient Gandhara city west of Islamabad, with Buddhist stupas, monasteries and city ruins. It is a World Heritage site, and a museum nearby shows sculptures found at the excavations.
Margalla Hills National Park
A hill park on Islamabad's northern edge with forested trails, picnic spots and viewpoints over the city. Several short hikes start near Daman-e-Koh.
Saidpur Village
A small village at the foot of the Margalla Hills, restored as a cultural area with narrow lanes, old temple buildings, craft shops and restaurants.
Airports
Islamabad International Airport ISB
It is about 26 km in a straight line from Islamabad.
Muzaffarabad Airport MFG
It is about 83 km in a straight line from Islamabad.
Bacha Khan International Airport PEW
It is about 144 km in a straight line from Islamabad.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Pakistan page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan10.9 °C40 mm
- Feb13.2 °C90 mm
- Mar18.4 °C88 mm
- Apr24.2 °C59 mm
- May30.3 °C62 mm
- Jun33.6 °C112 mm
- Jul31.7 °C220 mm
- Aug29.5 °C184 mm
- Sep27.4 °C80 mm
- Oct23.2 °C24 mm
- Nov17.5 °C18 mm
- Dec13.1 °C25 mm
Driest months: Oct, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 24% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Independence Day (14 August)
Celebrations take place all around, with flags and fireworks.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 15, rescue and ambulance 1122 (in many cities), fire 16 - confirm with your hotel or guide.
local government
Gilgit-Baltistan Police Tourist Police
Helps with: Tourism police unit of the Gilgit-Baltistan Police, deployed at tourist destinations in that region. Its page lists a Tourist Police Helpline, and the force's main office is in Gilgit.
Who qualifies: Visitors in Gilgit-Baltistan only. This unit does not cover the rest of Pakistan.
Phone: 1422
Email: [email protected]
Address: C.P.O (Central Police Office), Konodass, near Jinnah Bridge Road, Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
ngo
Pakistan Red Crescent Society
Helps with: Pakistan's national Red Crescent society. Its 1030 helpline is described as offering ambulance support, blood donation, first aid and psychosocial care; it also works on disaster response and restoring family links.
Who qualifies: People in Pakistan who need its first aid, ambulance, blood or disaster relief services.
Phone: 1030
local government
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Helps with: Pakistan's national disaster management body. It runs an emergency helpline and a WhatsApp contact, and issues alerts and travel guidance for disaster-prone areas.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Pakistan affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 051-111-157-157
Email: [email protected]
Address: Main Murree Road, near ITP Office, Islamabad
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Islamabad office handles migration matters in Pakistan; its contact page lists an email and a separate migration health department.
Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-related cases in Pakistan. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Email: [email protected]
Address: Islamabad, Pakistan
local government
Police emergency number 15
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 15
local government
Ambulance and fire emergency number 1122
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 1122