If you only have time to visit one place in Pakistan, make sure it’s Lahore. A Unesco City of Literature, and home to multiple Unesco World Heritage Sites, this ancient Mughal city is not only one of the most historic places in the country, it also hosts a thriving modern cultural scene. Lahore Fort has recently been restored with support from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Shalimar Gardens are one of the world’s finest Persian-style gardens, and the magnificent Badshahi Mosque is one of Pakistan’s most famous landmarks; in fact, it's one of the most striking religious buildings on the planet. The city’s food scene is fabulous, too.

1. The 11 best places to visit
in Pakistan
Aug 13, 2023 • 7 min read
The Himalayas in Pakistan have long been an irresistible place to visit
for many travelers © Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost / Getty Images
The 11 best places to visit in Pakistan
Aug 13, 2023 • 7 min read
Back to Top
Share
Login
The Himalaya and Karakoram mountain ranges have
long drawn adventurous tourists to northern Pakistan,
but these famous summits are far from the only
beautiful places to visit in the country.

2. In fact, there are fascinating places to visit spread right across
the country, from the cosmopolitan coastal metropolis of Karachi
to the centuries-old Mughal city of Lahore.
Our list of best places to visit takes in varied landscapes and
architecture, thousands of years of history, and some of the best
aspects of Pakistan’s vibrant contemporary culture. Together, it’s
a reminder of why Pakistan is one of Asia’s most exciting tourist
destinations. It's time to start planning your trip!
Explore the planet's most surprising adventures with our weekly newsletter delivered
to your inbox.
1. Lahore
Best place for culture
If you only have time to visit one place in Pakistan, make sure
it’s Lahore. A Unesco City of Literature, and home to multiple
Unesco World Heritage Sites, this ancient Mughal city is not
only one of the most historic places in the country, it also hosts
a thriving modern cultural scene.
Lahore Fort has recently been restored with support from the
Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Shalimar Gardens are one of
the world’s finest Persian-style gardens, and the magnificent
Badshahi Mosque is one of Pakistan’s most famous landmarks;
in fact, it's one of the most striking religious buildings on the
planet. The city’s food scene is fabulous, too.

3. Planning tip: Book a hotel in or near Lahore’s Walled City so you
can walk to many of the monuments.
2. Multan
Best place for spirituality
Multan is known as the City of Saints and it continues to be an
important regional center for Sufism, the mystical form of Islam.
Multan has been inhabited longer than almost anywhere else in
Asia – Alexander the Great besieged the city in the 4th century
BCE, adding to Multan’s claim to be the most historic spot in the
country.
The most beautiful places to visit are the city’s Sufi shrines,
especially the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam with its delicate
turquoise tiles, and the predominantly pink Mausoleum of
Shamsuddin Sabzwari, which is topped by a bright yellow dome.
Planning tip: Multan is at its busiest during the Urs festivals,
which commemorate the death anniversaries of local saints.
The festival dates follow the lunar calendar and therefore
change from year to year – check dates for the coming year
when planning your trip.

4. The Karakoram Highway is one of the most iconic road trip destinations
in the world © Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost / Getty Images
3. Karakoram Highway
Best place for scenery
The 1300km-long (808 miles) Karakoram Highway is one of the
world’s greatest road trips. There are front-row views of Nanga
Parbat (8126m/26,660ft), Rakaposhi (7788m/25,551ft) and
other dramatic mountain peaks from the road, which passes
through Gilgit and Hunza as it meanders north towards the
border with China.
Traveling the section from Gilgit to the Chinese border is one of
Asia’s greatest adventures – you can fly to Gilgit from
Islamabad and hire a 4WD vehicle and driver locally to explore.

5. Planning tip: The northern part of the Karakoram Highway is
closed between January and April due to heavy ice and snow,
so plan accordingly.
4. Rohtas Fort
Best place for military history
The territory covered by the modern state of Pakistan has long
been contested, and you’ll find fortifications all across the
country recalling past battles for supremacy. The largest of
these is Rohtas Fort near Dina.
This Unesco World Heritage Site is considered to be the best
surviving example of Mughal military architecture in Asia, with
4km (2.5 miles) of sandstone walls and 14 seemingly
impenetrable gates, protecting a vast and well-preserved
complex of mosques, step wells, palaces and domestic
buildings.
Planning tip: Rohtas lies north of Lahore, just off the Grand
Trunk Road (NH5) – visit en route between Lahore and
Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
5. Fairy Meadows
Best place for hiking

6. The Fairy Meadows National Park is undoubtedly one of the
most beautiful places to visit in Pakistan. Mighty Nanga Parbat
(8126 m/26,660ft), the ninth-highest mountain in the world, rises
above fertile grasslands and alpine forest, home to brown bears
and deer. Wildflowers paint the meadows in spring and summer
and the serene landscapes are reflected in the water of small,
still lakes.
Planning tip: There are a few tourist cottages and guesthouses
at Fairy Meadows, but camping brings you closer to nature. Get
here from Raikot Bridge, on the Karakoram Highway south of
Gilgit.
The sheer scale of the ruins at Moenjodaro is something to behold ©
Getty Images
6. Moenjodaro
Best place for ancient history

7. Moenjodaro, meaning “The Mound of the Dead”, was built in
Sindh more than 4500 years ago, making it one of the world’s
oldest cities. This was the center of the technologically and
culturally advanced Indus Valley Civilisation, which stretched not
only across Pakistan but also into Afghanistan and India. This
was the very first site in South Asia to be designated as a
Unesco World Heritage Site. The ruins are huge –
archaeologists have excavated streets, granaries and guard
towers, and even a grand public bath.
7. Shandur Pass
Best place for spectator sports
The Shandur Pass lies at 3720m (12,204ft) above sea level in
Gilgit-Baltistan, one of the most beautiful mountain regions in
Pakistan. Close to the idyllic Shandur Lake, this lofty pass is the
location of Pakistan’s most famous polo ground, which hosts an
annual tournament between the teams of Gilgit and Chitral. The
matches are played on horseback with free-style rules and the
Polo Festival attracts thousands of spectators.
Planning tip: The Shandur Polo Festival dates are fixed every
year from 7-9 July but plan ahead as there’s heavy demand for
accommodation and transport.

8. Expansive beaches and excellent live music venues await you in Karachi
© Getty Images
8. Karachi
Best place for nightlife
You won’t find many Western-style nightclubs in Pakistan, as
the country is officially alcohol-free (unless you have a
government permit), but there’s still plenty to do in Karachi once
the sun goes down. Venues like Base Rock Cafe and The
Second Floor (T2F) attract an enthusiastic audience of live
music lovers, and Burns Road and Rashid Minhas Road are
packed every evening as foodies flock to their buzzing
restaurants and street food stalls. Combined with the city’s
expansive beaches, it’s an experience many travelers are
surprised to find in Pakistan.

9. 9. Katas Raj Temples
Best place for myths and legends
Modern Pakistan has a Muslim-majority population, but before
the arrival of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faiths were
prevalent. The pool in the center of the Katas Raj Temples in
Punjab is said to have been formed from the tears of the Hindu
god Shiva, and in the Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata, the
Pandava brothers were exiled here.
Early travelers mentioned the presence of a Buddhist stupa, too,
and you can still see its remains alongside the ruins of multiple
temples, a small fort, and havelis. The buildings are in poor
condition and little conservation work has been done, but Katas
Raj remains a remarkable place to explore.

10. You may think you love your pet until you visit Hiran Minar © Tahir
Mahmood / Shutterstock
10. Hiran Minar
Best place for a day trip
We all love our pets, but the Mughal Emperor Jahangir took his
affection to extreme lengths when he built Hiran Minar for his
favorite antelope, Mansraj, who he proclaimed to be "Lord of all
animal beings". The early 16th-century tomb, minaret, and
pavilion overlook a huge reservoir in the center of what was
once a royal hunting ground but today is a wildlife reserve.
Animals and birds still come out of the scrub forest to drink, so it
remains one of the best places to visit in Pakistan for wildlife
watching, fishing, and generally relaxing in peaceful
surroundings.
Planning tip: Hiran Minar is an hour’s drive outside Lahore and
is easy to combine with the nearby Sheikhupura Fort.
11. Attari
Best for pomp and circumstance
The Attari-Wagah border post is the only place where you can
cross between Pakistan and India by land. Its daily closing
ceremony is also one of the most over-the-top examples of
military posturing you’ll ever see, with soldiers from both sides

11. competing to show off who can kick higher, shout louder, parade
more in sync, and grow the most impressive facial hair. Take a
seat in the stands and join the cheering, flag-waving crowds for
a very entertaining afternoon out.