Islamabad

This Muslim Friendly Travel Guide is part of eHalal.io Travel Group Faisal Masjid From Damn e koh - The national mosque of Pakistan, Faisal Mosque

Islamabad (Urdu: اسلام آباد) has been the capital of Pakistan since 1960 when the national capital was moved from Karachi. Although it is only the ninth largest city of Pakistan, together with its neighbouring twin city of Rawalpindi and the greater Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area is the third largest conurbation with a population of over 4.5 million inhabitants.

Since its foundation in the 1960s, Islamabad has attracted people from all over Pakistan, making it one of the most cosmopolitan and urbanized cities of Pakistan. As the capital, Islamabad is the seat of the Government of Pakistan and the Presidential Palace (Aiwan-e-Sadr) is here.

Islamabad is known as a relatively clean, calm and green city by Pakistan standards. It hosts a large number of diplomats, politicians and government employees. Islamabad is a modern, well planned, well maintained and well-organised international city on the Pothohar Plateau in the north-eastern part of Pakistan, within the Islamabad Capital Territory and regarded as the most developed city in Pakistan. It has the highest literacy rate in Pakistan and, like Canberra in Australia, is surrounded by hills.

Islamabad Halal Travel Guide

Faisal Masjid & Margalla Hills - Margalla Hills, Islamabad Lush Green Islamabad - Lush Green Islamabad Hassle Bassle Islamabad - view of Blue Area and the commercial hub of the city.

Orientation

A relatively quiet city, Islamabad covers an area of 1,165.5 km² (450 mi²) of which 906 km² (349.8 mi²) is Islamabad proper. Travellers may be interested mainly in the Federal Government offices, Parliament House and the official residences of the President and Prime Minister; together with the Diplomatic Enclave - an area next to the Parliament House dedicated to foreign embassies and missions appointed to Pakistan.

Although the majority of the population in Islamabad traditionally have been employees of the Federal Government and the wealth of the Musharraf years fuelled a boom in Islamabad and it is becoming an important financial and business centre. In the last decade there have been vast changes in the city's traditional reputation. From it being a typical 9 to 5 city, Islamabad has become more lively with many new restaurants and hotels springing up to service this new wealth. A lot of international food chains have opened, and generally a great improvement in night life with increasing shopping areas opening till late. However during winter season streets are considerably quiet after dark.

Islamabad map - Islamabad zones map

Even now, Islamabad remains a city where people come from all over the nation to enjoy its peaceful, noise-free atmosphere with a lot of greenery and nice surrounding scenery. It also serves as a base camp for people from the south and coastal areas like Karachi, visiting relatively lush valleys such as Swat Valley|Swat and Kaghan Valley|Kaghan together with northern areas like Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral in the Himalayas mountains.

Islamabad city is divided into five major zones: Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, and Zone 5. Out of these, Zone 4 is the largest in area. Zone 3 consists primarily of the Margalla Hills and Margalla Hills National Park. Rawal Lake is also in this zone. Zone 4 and 5 consist of Islamabad Park, and rural areas of the city. Zone 1 consists mainly of all the developed residential sectors while Zone 2 consists of the under-developed residential sectors. Each residential sector is identified by a letter of the alphabet and a number, and covers an area of roughly 2 km × 2 km. The sectors are lettered from A to I, and each sector is divided into four numbered sub-sectors.

Travellers will soon notice that Islamabad is laid out on a grid system - sector names are based on the following scheme:
D sector designates Diplomats, E sector designates Elites, Friday sector designates Forces, G sector designates General, H sector designates Health and Education, and I sector designates Industry.

E7, F6, F7, G6, G7 are the oldest sectors and F8, F10, F11, G10, G11, I8 are where the 'new money' has been invested.

E8, E9 are occupied by military housing complexes and are effectively out-of-bounds to travellers. G7, G8 and G9 are poorer areas where the city planners wanted the cleaners and office clerks to live. But these areas tend to be the only cultured areas in the city. Here you would find a common (Pakistani) rather than a common Islamabadi.

The H and I sectors are a hotchpotch of mixed use residential, academic and industrial areas. E11, E12 and even now D12 are under construction and there is even a G13 being built up. F6 and F7 are where most of the action happens, but the numbers of embassies and powerful (Pakistani)s' dwellings in these areas also mean a lot of security, concrete barriers and raise arm barrier gates that happily are largely absent elsewhere.

In choosing your guest house, F6 & F7 may be your best option as they are generally posh areas and have all the necessary facilities close-by.

History

The city of Islamabad is on the Pothohar Plateau which is one of the earliest known sites of human settlement in Asia. Some of the earliest Stone Age artifacts in the world have been found on the plateau, dating from 500,000 to one million years ago. The crude stones recovered from the terraces of the Soan River testify to the endeavours of early man in the inter-glacial period. Items of pottery and utensils dating back to prehistory have been found in several areas.

Limited excavations have confirmed evidence of prehistoric cultures. Relics and human skulls have been found dating back to 5000 BCE that show this region was home to Neolithic man, who roamed the banks of the Soan River. During the Neolithic, people developed small communities in the region around 3000 BCE. At one end of the Indus Valley Civilization and the area was an early habitation of the Aryan community in Central Asia. Their civilization flourished here between the 23rd and 18th centuries BCE. Many great armies - such as those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Timur and Ahmad Shah Durrani - used the corridor through the region on their way to invade the Indian Subcontinent. A Buddhist town once existed in the region and remains of a stupa have been identified in the G-12 sector. Modern Islamabad also incorporates the old settlement of Saidpur. The British took control of the region from the Sikhs in 1849 and built Asia's largest cantonment in the region in Rawalpindi.

When Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Karachi becomes its first capital. In 1960, Islamabad was constructed as a forward capital for several reasons. Traditionally, development in Pakistan was focused on the colonial centre of Karachi, and President Ayub Khan wanted it equally distributed. Moreover, Karachi having tropical weather conditions, was at one end of the nation, making it vulnerable to attacks from the Arabian Sea. Pakistan need a capital that was easily accessible from all parts of the nation was needed. Karachi, a business centre, was also considered unsuitable partly because of intervention of business interests in government affairs. The newly selected location of Islamabad was closer to the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the disputed territory of Kashmir in the north.

In 1958, a commission was constituted to select a suitable site for the national capital with particular emphasis on location, climate, logistics, and defence requirements along with other attributes. After extensive study, research, and a thorough review of potential sites and the commission recommended the area northeast of Rawalpindi in 1959. A Greek firm of architects, Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiadis, designed the master plan of the city, based on a grid plan and triangular shape with its apex towards the Margalla Hills. The capital was not moved directly from Karachi to Islamabad; it was first shifted temporarily to Rawalpindi in the early 1960s and then to Islamabad when the crucial development work was completed in 1966.

Islamabad has attracted people from all over Pakistan, making it one of the most cosmopolitan and urbanised areas of Pakistan. As the national capital it has hosted a number of important meetings, such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit. In October 2005 and the city suffered some damage due to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake having a magnitude of 7.6. Islamabad has experienced a series of terrorist incidents including the July 2007 Siege of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) and the June 2008 Danish embassy bombing, and the September 2008 Marriott bombing. In 2011, four terrorism incidents occurred in the city, killing four people, including the murder of the then Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. Tragic air crashes also took place here: on 28 July 2010, Airblue Flight 202 crashed in the Margalla Hills killing all 152 flight crew and passengers on board and Bhoja Air Flight 213 carrying 121 passengers crashed while making the final approach for landing, killing all on board on 20 April 2012.

Today, Islamabad is considered by some as one of the most extensively and successfully planned cities in South Asia. The city is home to many migrants from other regions of Pakistan and has a modern culture that is not so dissimilar to other internationalised cities.

How is the Climate in Islamabad

The climate of Islamabad has a typical version of humid subtropical weather, with five seasons: Winter (November–February), Spring (March and April), Summer (May and June), Rainy Monsoon (July and August) and Autumn (September and October). The hottest month is June, where average highs routinely exceed 38°C (100.4°F). Wettest month is July, with heavy rainfalls and evening thunderstorms with the possibility of cloudburst and flooding. Coolest Month is January. Islamabad's micro-climate is regulated by three artificial reservoirs: Rawal, Simli, and Khanpur Dam. Winters generally feature dense fog in the mornings and sunny afternoons. In the city, temperatures stay mild, with snowfall over the higher elevations points on nearby hill stations, notably Murree and Nathia Gali. The temperatures range from 13°C (55°F) in January to 38°C (100 °F) in June. The highest recorded temperature was 46.6°C (115.9°F) on 23 June 2005 while the lowest temperature was −6°C (21.2°F) on 17 January 1967. The city has recorded snowfall.

Travel to Islamabad

Islamabad-rawalpindi freeway - The Islamabad-Rawalpindi freeway.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Islamabad

New Islamabad International Airport IATA Flight Code: ISB 33.560714, 72.851614 - Islamabad International Airport Opened May 2023, this airport is set to completely revolutionize air travel in the city. The airport is 20 kilometers from central Islamabad. The terminal includes 15 gates with ten remote gates, a 4-star hotel, duty-free shops, food court and 42 immigration counters. Level I: international and domestic passengers’ arrival area and collection bays for baggage. At level II – there are the domestic arrivals and departure lounges, boarding bridges, vehicle parking, and Immigration counters for international passengers. Level III: international and domestic check-ins – baggage drop after check-in security scanning, international immigration departure and other airlines offices. The airport is connected to Islamabad via the Kashmir Highway and Rawalpindi via the GT Road and a proposed Ring road. A four-lane highway is also under construction to serve cargo traffic. The Islamabad Metrobus is being expanded to connect the airport. It receives Flights from a variety of international destinations, including from Europe with Turkish Airlines (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Istanbul) and the middle east with Emirates, Pakistan International Airlines - PIA and Shaheen Air (Dubai), HTTPS://WWWW.Wirblue.com AirBlue (Sharjah, Muscat and Doha), Iraqi Airways (Baghdad) and other Asian cities such as Urumqi with China Southern Airlines and Bangkok with Thai-Airways. Other international destinations are served direct from Karachi and Lahore, including the only link to central Asia (Uzbekistan Airways fly from Lahore to Tashkent).

Travel on a Bus in Islamabad

The Red Metro Bus in Blue Area - Islamabad Metro Bus

Niazi Express, Skyways and Daewoo Sammi (+92 51 111 007 008) are some of the nicer long-haul operators. Skyways offer some direct services to/from Islamabad and Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. Daewoo has its own terminal on the road from Islamabad just outside Rawalpindi. The majority of buses arrive and depart from Rawalpindi, a few kilometers and a 45-minutes taxi ride from Islamabad. It's best to book Daewoo by phone in advance if feasible. They serve Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Murree, Sialkot, Abottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Multan.

By Rail

Despite Islamabad have its train station in sector I-9, majority travel through the train station in the neighbouring city Rawalipindi, which is a major train station and has good railway connections with various major cities including Karachi, Lahore & Peshawar.

Pakistan Railways' "Green Line" service between Islamabad and Karachi offers free Wi-Fi, breakfast, newspaper among other basic facilities to its passengers. The train is air-conditioned, has few major stops along the route such as Lahore, Hyderabad, Khanewal, Rawalpindi and cost Rs 5,500 for one-way trip.

Faisal Mosque,Islamabad - Near view of Faisal Mosque

By car

How to get around in Islamabad

GPS 33.69442|73.06458

"Inkantray" (Incantare) a not-so-nice place for hangout with friends. Mostly for shisha. In basement of Pizzas Hut.

F11

Masoom's Cafe - Shop 6-9, Hassan Arcade, F11 Markaz ☎ +92 51 2228300 Opening Hours: 8AM Monday - midnight mains Rs.400- Rs.700 Restaurant, cafe, patisserie - modern decor, plasma screens, surprisingly good food and service - has a nice outdoor area for sheesha and Snacks also.

PappaSallis (Lord Trade Center, F11 Markaz). +92 51 210-1136. Sister branch of the longstanding Italian restaurant. (Pakistani) flavoured Italian food. Mains Rs600.

E11

Des Pardes A sister restaurant of the popular (Pakistani) eatery in Saidpur village. Someone has clearly spent some money on opening this place - set in a huge tent in E11 markaz. Excellent (Pakistani) food, but you may find it quiet on a weeknight.

Blak Lounge - E11/3 Markaz ☎ +92 51 2228463 - Overly stylish sheesha lounge and cafe, very much the modern face of Pakistan and a place to go to meet the hip, young and rich.

Homestyle Cafe / Funky Bake swish cafe in E11 markaz, has a great little made-to-order cupcake setup (Funky Bake) attached.

G6

Melody Food Park In Melody G-6 Markaz is a food area with variety of food to choose from with some nationally famous restaurant names having outlets there. Plenty of BBQ and traditional (Pakistani) food with a variety of fresh fruit juices to choose from.
Rakaposhi, pastry shop at the Serena, has some of the best coffee and pastries in Pakistan. Worth a visit if you just want to relax or get some work done. The Serena also offers wireless internet, so, it is an ideal place to sit and get some work done if you like.
Kamran Restaurant In Aabpara, G-6/1 is also a famous place for traditional (Pakistani) cuisine.
Real French Bakehouse At back side of Melody food park shop 9 block 21 is one of the leading baker of Islamabad producing a variety of French and local products with its expert team in a hygienic way. Cell +92 51 2603390.
Nirvana Cafe and Spa, popular spot with 'ladies who lunch', business meet and greets and devotees of the tuna sandwiches. House 18, Street 90, G-6/4. The thai red Curries is good.

G9

Khyber Afghan Restaurant | Street 55, G9/4 - Pleasant local Afghan restaurant set in a small house, and a good excuse to explore the back streets of little-visited G9. Can eat well for under Rs. 500 per person.

Tapas - Shop No. 1, Jehangir Market G-9/2 ☎ +92 51 2854455 Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - 12PM Quality fast food. Pathooras, burgers, french fries, shawarma, roll paratha, salads, Pastas and soups.

Sufi Restaurant
Afghani Tikka House
Tehzeeb Bakery

Karachi Company commonly called G-9 Markaz is the most populous and busiest market in the whole city. Here you can find anything ranging from cars to ovens to clothes at the cheapest of prices. Some food outlets are only reserved to this place and one should not miss out the Afghani Chips or the Aloo wala Paratha sold here by street vendors. People here are generally very hospitable but since this is one of the more slightly dangerous localities, you should stay on your toes 24/7 here. Otherwise it is a very safe place with a famous Chicken Corn Soup vendor on the back side and just in front of it in the sector G-9/1 street 32 I&T centre market you can obtain the famous Afghani Tikkas.

I8

Masoom's cafe Anique Arcade, I-8 Markaz ☎ +92 51 3029922 - Masoom's Cafe, right beside Bank Al-Habib, a small & pleasant cafe and pâtisserie, a place for lunch or a coffee rather than a dinner. And it also has a large variety of Hot Beverages.

Habibi | Executive Center, I8 markaz ☎ +92 51 4448222 Opening Hours: Open until late Upscale Afghan style BBQ restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating - look for the big red sign

Hot Plate | Shop 8, City Arcade, I8 markaz ☎ +92 51 4862331 Opening Hours: lunch & dinner Mains Rs400-500 Notionally Italian - in pleasant dark wood surroundings. Certainly I8's nicest looking restaurant. Serves a range of salads, Pasta. Steaks and sea food. Worth making the trip to I8 for.

Pizzas Hut | Time Plaza, I8 markaz Opening Hours: lunch & dinner Mains Rs1000-2000

KFC| Time Plaza, I8 markaz ☎ +92 51 111 532 532 Opening Hours: lunch & dinner Mains Rs400-500 Notionally Italian - in pleasant dark wood surroundings. Certainly I8's nicest looking restaurant. Serves a range of salads, Pasta. Steaks and sea food. Worth making the trip to I8 for.

Haleem Ghar | I-8/1 Mughal Market ☎ +92 51 4432606 Low Range (Pakistani) Cuisine

Blue Area

Rahat - Tehzeeb Bakers, which was once called Rahat, in Blue Area, across from Wong Fu Chinese restaurant.

Red Onion Chain of Restaurants Blue Area, opposite the Saudi Pak Tower building stands one of the oldest restaurants in Islamabad. Established in 1991 with buy one, get one free Pizzas. Wide range of cuisines i.e. Mexican, Italian, Chinese, (Pakistani) & Continental. Prices are moderate, ambiance is modern & service is friendly
Lasania Restaurant, 66 West Junaid Plaza, Blue Area (Ph: 227-3200, 287-2200). This place is very nicely decorated and is also in a very nice location. They have a huge selection of BBQ, (Pakistani) and Chinese food items on the menu. Their food is not extremely spicy like most other places.
Cinnamon, Beverley Center, Blue Area, +92 51 2206988. One of Islamabad's best European restaurants, serving a range of continental Pasta. salads and Meat dishes, as well as a range of refreshing mocktails. The décor is absolutely superb, with black and white motifs and photographs, and the service and quality of food equally good. The perfect place to have a quiet albeit slightly expensive dinner.

The Cave - Awan Arcade, Blue Area near the eastern end of Jinnah Avenue, north (F6) side ☎ +92 51 2270595 Opening Hours: lunch & dinner Curious restaurant in a basement with a plasticy cave theme going on. Food is acceptable, with large portions of European (steakhouse) and (Pakistani) food. More curious than the restaurant itself is the fact that this place tops the Tripadvisor listings for Islamabad. Mains around Rs400-500.

Tehzeeb Bakers, F-6 Blue Area, Driving along the primary street in blue area, with Pizzas, bakery products, rich creamy milk ice creams etc. are available. A big range to choose from. Although it is a fairly big store and there are no eat-in arrangements. Right next to Tehzeeb Bakers is a place called Safilo, which offers a wide range of ice-creams, milkshakes and juices. They pride themselves in their cleanliness.
Subway is a franchise of the international Subway and has two branches, one in Blue Area, and the other one in F11-Markaz. It offers subs and salad.

Domino's Pizzas - Block H, Blue Area ☎ +92 51 111 366 466 - Take away, dine in and free home delivery.

Usmania Restaurant In Blue Area is also a famous place for traditional (Pakistani) cuisine.
Bolan Saltish Afghani and (Pakistani) restaurant, known for its Khadda Sajji.
Jahangir's, Masco Plaza, Blue Area is one of the most popular local restaurant chains. Its delicious local or 'desi' items and barbecue are a treat, garnering it lots of appreciation from food lovers. Known for their (Pakistani) and Indian specialties.

Bar-B-Q Tonight - Bar-B-Q Tonight - Shorab Palaza,Block 32, FazlL-e-haq Road Islamabad. on the G6 side of the Blue area, off A.K.M Fazl ul Haq road ☎ +92 51 8317131, +92 51 8317132 Opening Hours: noon-midnight Rs 300-700 per person Popular BBQ restaurant, with consistently good food and a varied menu of (Pakistani) favorites. Same owners as the branch in Karachi. Big rush on dinner timings. Free delivery available.

Diplomatic Enclave

Kanpai | Street 4, Diplomatic enclave near Standard Chartered Bank set meals from Rs. 1,000 Expensive but not bad Japanese restaurant, and one of the few restaurants in the Diplomatic enclave outside of an Embassy and hence open-to-all. Serves a range of Bento boxes, tempura, noodles, sushi and sashimi, and in all fairness the food is fairly authentic (the owner/manager is Japanese). Can bring your own drinks also.

Cordon Rouge | Embassy Road, Diplomatic Enclave Opening Hours: Lunch & dinner Something of a diplomatic enclave institution. Cordon Rouge serves up authentic French cuisine in softly lit surroundings. A bit pricey but decent food. Extensive list.

Saidpur Village / Margalla hills

Des Pardes - In Saidpur village off the Margella Road ☎ +92-51-2825151 Opening Hours: lunch & dinner Mains Rs.400 A great choice for top notch (Pakistani) food - evenings are best when Saidpur is illuminated with subtle floodlighting, and you can relax on the terrace and admire the architecture. Can be very busy on weekends so reserving a table is recommended - the parking can be chaotic also.

Polo Lounge - Saidpur village ☎ +92 51 282-1677 mains Rs.700+ Decent fine dining restaurant, with a long established sister restaurant in Lahore. European menu, excellent Steaks, professional chef, drinks available. The upstairs terrace is wonderful, if a bit chilly in winter. Reservations recommended.

Monal - Pir Sohawa Road to Pir Sohawa starts from 7th Avenue at junction of F6 and F7 ☎ +92-51-7165915 - Set at an altitude of 3900 ft on Margalla Hills, Monal offers a spectacular view of the city. It is the largest restaurant in Pakistan in terms of seating capacity

Chicken Shack - in Pir Sohawa about 5 km past Monal a simple BBQ place with great views to the north and south. Mains about Rs300.

Rawal Lake

Kinara | Jinnah Road, Bani Gala 33.69443115, 73.13398245 On the southern bank of Rawal Lake. From Rawal Chowk take Park Road, after 2km turn left following signs for Bani Gala, follow this road for about 1km. - A lovely setting on the southern banks of Rawal Lake, and offering great sunset views over the water. Its all outdoor and set in a garden, with a few gazebos to shade you from the sun. Food is BBQ & standard (Pakistani), and good value also. You may want to bring a map if its your first visit as its a little tricky to find.

Red Onion Near the dam on the southern end of the lake. Standard food but a nice setting on the lakeside, with views across the water to Islamabad.
Lake View Park Restaurant is the only place to eat on the northern part of the lake. Which is a shame as the place is over 1 km from the waters edge and the food is overpriced for what you get.

Drinking alcohol in public is nominally banned although most of the top end hotels have their own bars, as do some of the larger embassies if you befriend a diplomat. The windowless basement sports bar in the Marriott is probably the most frequented of the hotel bars.

Most (Pakistani)s though would find it extremely rude and offensive if you show or drink alcohol in public. Night Life is exists, but it's not easy to find. There are no open 'night clubs' in the city - however periodic special events are organised in various venues about once every two months - spread by word-of-mouth. Less excitingly some of the embassy clubs in the diplomatic enclave have 'dance parties' and the like but these tend to be exclusively expatriate and rather low brow.

Non-Muslim visitors can obtain from the local police a so-called 'non-Muslim declaration'. This permit gives you the right to legally buy a limited amount of soft drinks like bottles of or soft drinks. For instance, Pakistan's small Christian minority is by law allowed to consume alcohol.

Try local brands like Murree Brewery, in addition to that there are other brands such as Budweiser and Bavaria with non-alcoholic soft drinks. There is a small off-license around the side of the Marriot hotel (next to the dry cleaners) - you'll need a 'non-Muslim declaration' (or maybe just a foreign passport if you turn on the charm) to be able to buy anything.

In soft drinks, all the usual western brands are available but better to try local limca cola which makes "pop" sound when opened. you can also try Pakola; Pakistan’s premier soft drink brand which is available in different flavors like Ice cream soda, Lychee, Orange, Raspberry, Apple sidra, Vino, Double cola, Bubble up etc. A 'fresh lime 7-up' is a better alternative for people who don't like standard soft drinks.

In other drinks try strawberry milk shakes and dhamaka soda (dhamaka means bang - the bang that happens when one opens the bottle) from Jinnah super market.

Gelato Affairs - Gelato Affairs | F-6 (Main Kohsar Market) ☎ +92 51 2610919
Mocca Coffee - Shop #1, Kohsar Market, F-6/3 Main Kohsar Market - The classic expat coffee shop - typically expensive with exclusive decor, display and sale of world-renowned contemporary Nordic design, such as Georg Jensen, Arne Jacobsen, Stelton, Eva-trio and Rosendahl.

Jia's Deli | Beverly Centre ☎ +92 51 2814110 - This café has a certain cosy charm. The low ceiling has photographs of their regular clients on display, and a few bright abstract oil paintings to brighten up its plain wooden walls. Bread is home made, and came in four varieties. Coffee is of extremely good quality, served with Chocolates that appear to be hand-made: salted caramel, walnut and tiramisù, mocha java cake flavours all works real well. The service is spot on, with even minor details such as the topping up of bread faultless. There is an array of desserts and some great cakes.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

Budget lodging in Islamabad is fairly lacklustre and of questionable cleanliness. There are many guesthouses around the city that make a nice alternative to a hotel.

Key Bridge Marriott - Watergate scandal location - The Key Bridge Marriott is the company's longest operating hotel.

The Boys Hostel (TBH), G-8 (campus), F-10 (Campus) & G-10 (Campus). ☎ 2102352, 2256705, 2224012
Hotel Blue Sky, Sitara Market, G-7 Markaz. Double rooms from Rs300, with cable TV from Rs. 400.
Hotel Friends Inn, Aabpara Market, G-6 Markaz. Double rooms from Rs1000, single room from Rs. 600
Hotel Meraj Next to National Bank of Pakistan, G-9 Markaz, Karachi Company. ☎ +92 (0)51 2282587, 2255056-7 Double rooms from Rs. 1600
Caravan Park Opposite Aabpara Market and a little distance away from the Shakarparian Hills. This place is open and accessible only for Foreign Muslims, making it exclusive and safe. Adequate facilities are provided to make visitors to the area comfortable and at home. Rs50 per person, Rs100 per vehicle (bicycles free). Popular with overlanders.
Sohawa Heights Hotel, Pir Sohawa Up in the Margalla Hills about 5 km past the Monal restaurant. An alternative to staying in Islamabad proper is to stay up in the hills overlooking the city. Rooms are en suite, have satellite TV, and great views over the city (from the roof terrace) and view to the north over the picturesque valley behind from your bedroom. Only really an option if you have your own transport, as its a 30 minutes drive from town up the hill. There is a popular restaurant (The Khokha) and some shops / restaurants nearby. Rs. 1,200 per room.

Cape Grace (New) Guest House - H 8, Justice Abdul Rasheed Road, F-6/1 ☎ +92 300 5252232 Starting from 2,500PKR per day 3-star range GuestHouse with 5MB Wi@Fiberoptic, air conditioning & heating, powerbackup.

Chez Soi | 6 Kohsar Road, F-7/3 Nearby to Jinnah Super Market ☎ +92 51 265-1451 Starting around Rs4000/night. Same owner as Upper Deck restaurant. Chez Soi has been hosting the diplomatic community exclusively since 1993.

Continental House - 94-A Nazimuddin Road, F-8/4 Near Centaurus ☎ +92 51 2256670 starting around Rs 3,000/night
Continental Inn - 94-B Nazimuddin Road, F-8/4 Opposite Centaurus and Blue Area ☎ +92 51 2854093-94 +92 (51) 2256-INN(466) Starting around Pak Rs 3,000/night
Crown Plaza - 99-E Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area near Citibank and Zero-poin ☎ +92 51 227-7890 around Rs9000/night 4-star range hotel (not related to the Crowne Plaza chain)

Envoy Continental Hotel - 111-F Fazal-e-Haq Road, Blue Area near Clinc Chowk ☎ +92 51 227391-7 around Rs3,500/night 3-star range hotel, nice rooftop restaurant, internet center and phone center.

Paramid International Guest House - paramid2@ House # 248, Street # 31,G-8/2 ☎ +92-300-8525521 Starting around Rs. 1800-2800/night 3-star range guesthouse with WiFi, air conditioner and heated rooms.

Rooms Islamabad - Street 50, Rohtas Road, G-9/1 ☎ +92 (364) 4912278 Starting from 2,000PKR per day 4-star range Guest House with in-room LCD TVs, satellite channels, powerbackup, and WiFi, available to let on daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Sabipak Travelers Home Hotel & Guest Houses Network Pakistan - Dreams Hospitality - House No. 21, Street No. 38, Sector F-6/1 ☎ +92 300-5192413 around PKR 2200/night Affordable rooms.

The Riviera - House 5, F-8/1 ☎ +92 51 2816157 A corporate-only premium service guest house and business centre in the heart of the city.

Serena Hotel - Khayaban-e-Suhrawardy, F-6 ☎ +92 51 111-133133 - This 5-star hotel is the nicest in the city, with great restaurants and a gym. Rooms and suites $300-700. Presidential suite $2000.

Number Three - 3 College Road ☎ +92 51 2822070 - F-7/3. -71. A boutique hotel in a posh residential area, with private terraces and stunning views of the Margalla Hills.

Number Three Lush - ☎ +92 51 2651070 - House 27-A, Street 18, F-7/2. – 72. A boutique hotel in a posh residential area, with a restaurant and business center.

Marriott Hotel - ☎ +92 51 111-223344 - Agha Khan Road, Shalimar 5. Once one of the superior Muslim friendly lodgings in the city, it was ravaged by a truck bomb in September 2008. Rebuilt in just 3 months, it's once again open for business. But now the security is improved.

Embassy Lodge | Club Road close to Rawal Lake - A comfortable and safe place with good service.

Centaurus hotel and convention centre7 star hotel with convention centre,mega mall and many other amenities.
Grand Hyatt tower and apartmentsat constitution avenue, it is another luxury in the capital with luxury apartments and a shopping mall and a five star hotel.
Intercontinental hotel,five star hotel of international standards.
Le Meridien hotel,another luxurious hotel under construction.
Jumeirah hotel,7 star hotel in capital.
Sheraton hotel and country club,Bahria town,a luxurious hotel.
Pearl continental hotel,in the neighbourhood Rawalpindi.

Stay Safe

The police have set up numerous checkpoints on roads to sensitive buildings and on the roads entering the city. These are usually harmless and they'll wave you through, but to access Constitution Avenue (including the Serena hotel) the police will want to look in the boot of your car.

While travelling in city, you should keep your national identity card, passport, or driving license with you to prove your identity.

Crime-wise Islamabad is safe. Men can walk pretty much anywhere in the city day or night with little to fear. Lone women will attract male attention, particularly in areas of the city not often frequented by westerners. The Red Mosque in G6 and immediate surrounds aren't recommended given the history attached to this area.

Emergencies

The Police emergency number is 15. There are various Police stations in the city with staff available 24/7.

112 from any GSM mobile handset should theoretically forward to the local emergency number, too.

Medical Issues in Islamabad

Bottled water is a good idea. Although water in Islamabad is generally clean, it is mainly sourced from mountain water and tube wells and may contain minerals your system is not used to. It may also not be stored and carried in the cleanest of ways.

Most local residents do not drink tap water but instead draw water from government-installed filtration plants. Tap water is normally boiled and it is strongly suggested that you carry bottled water and request it at all food places. If you are unsure about the hygiene of a particular place, try to avoid ice in all your drinks.

There are 3 major hospitals in Islamabad: the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (commonly called PIMS) next to G-8 Markaz, Shifa International Hospital in H-8/1 and the Poly Clinic in sector G-6.

Also and there are various private hospitals in every sector in Islamabad providing extensive health care with different price ranges. Ali Medical Centre in F-8 Markaz is one of them.

The Blue Area and Super Market (Friday to 6) both have the two most trustworthy pharmacies: Shaheen Chemists and D. Watson. Both these stores are reliable and will be able to offer sound advice for minor ailments. They also carry a wide variety of European and American foods, albeit at a high price. They may even have a doctor at the facility, should a quick suggestion be required.

Local Customs in Islamabad

Although Islamabad may look relatively modern, superficially hinting at a Western lifestyle and there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind given the cultural values of Pakistan's society:

People are very friendly and indeed very good hosts. Many of Islamabad's citizens are well-educated and speak English very well, working for the government and in the private sector. Be gracious in accepting invitations to people's houses for lunch, tea or dinner: it will reflect well on you if you verbally ensure that you are causing them no inconvenience.
Generally, women do not shake hands with men, though this varies greatly by social class, social setting, age and personal upbringing. A good rule of thumb for both men and women: do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex unless they extend their hands first (in which case it would be rude of you not to shake hands). The best way to greet someone is to nod and say "Assalam-u-alaikum": smiling always helps!
Don't consume alcohol in public.
It's a good idea to avoid taking photographs of military establishments, police stations and anyone in uniform (army officers wear khaki, naval officers wear white, and the Islamabad police wear navy blue trousers with a light blue shirt). If in doubt, permission can be requested from the officers concerned.
Islamabad is relatively safe, compared to other (Pakistani) cities, or indeed most other capital cities: violent crime is very rare, but use precautions as you would in any other city.

Telecommunications in Islamabad

+923215374880 for tourism information and places to goin twin cities (Islamabad / Rawalpindi) The area code for Islamabad is 51. To dial from within Pakistan, dial 051-nnn-nnnn

Cope in Islamabad

Embassies & Consulates in Islamabad

China - chinaemb@ No.1, Zhou-Enlai Avenue, Diplomatic Enclave(Extension) ☎ +92 51 8496156

Finland - 11, Street 90, G-6-3, G-6 ☎ +92 51 282-8426

Germany - Ramna 5, Diplomatic Enclave/PO Box 1027 ☎ +92-51 227 9441 (visa) or +92-51 2279 430-35 (emergencies) +92-51 2279 436 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 08:00-13:00 & 13:30-15:00; Friday 08:00-13:30* Greece - 33A, School Road, F-6/2, 44000 ☎ +92 51 282-5186, +92 303 519 3105 (Emergencies) +92-51 282 5161

India | info2@ G-5, Diplomatic Enclave ☎ +92 51 2833283, +92 2833251-53 +92 51 2833290, +92 51 2833286, +92 51 2833254

Indonesia | Diplomatic Enclave I Street 5, Ramna G-5/4 ☎ +92 51 282-5186, +92 303 283-2017, +92 303 283-2023, +92 303 283-2019, +92 303 283-2020, +92 303 288-0067, +92 303 288-0068 +92 51 283-1010, +92 51 283-2013

Iran - Plats. NO. 222-238 Street no.2 G 5/1 Diplomatic enclave ☎ +92 51 8318901-4

United States | Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5 ☎ +92 51-201-4000 +92 51-2338071

Newspapers

English Local Newspaper The Dawn, The News, The Express Tribune, The Nation and The Daily Times are national newspapers in English supplemented with local news sections.

Business Recorder is the only newspaper providing national and international business news. However, newspapers like the International Herald Tribune, Financial Times, Khaleej Times, Gulf News, London's Sunday Times, etc, are also available. These Arabian newspapers usually arrive in Islamabad a day after publishing.

All newspapers (international, national and local) are available at book stores in leading hotels like Serena & Marriott. They can also be purchased from leading book stores such as London Book House (Kohsar Market in sector F-6/3), Saeed Book Bank (Jinnah Super Market in sector F-7), and Mr. Books (Super Market in sector F-6).

News & References Islamabad

Travel Next

Islamabad is well situated for day trips and weekend trips to nearby cities and attractions.

Day trips

Rawalpindi
Taxila, an ancient Buddhist and Hindu site with strong Greek influence from Alexander the Great's time. Worth a visit and a picnic. Should you be interested further in the subject, guided tours can be arranged for sites around the museum.
Murree & the Galis, One hour scenic journey through beautiful mountains to the hill resort of Murree which is a nice place to visit especially during the summer. A small place has a weather entirely different to that of Islamabad and much similar to most cities of Northern Europe. However the town is suffering under the sheer number of visitors and the small number of colonial buildings have been swamped by a plethora of affordable hotels - and consequently many visitors feel the town does not live up to its guidebook hype. Chairlifts of Murree and Patriata, Kashmir point are attractions for tourists. A two kilometer "Mall" is the center of gravity of Murree where all the shops and hotels are located. If you want to escape the crowds head further north towards Nathia Gali where there are several small towns with easy access to the mountains. The roads to Murree are very winding and busy - and not fun to drive in the dark. Driving through Murree is also not much fun.
Simly Dam It is about 30 km east of Islamabad (look for the route on Google maps). A very picturesque lake spread over an area of 28,750 acres. There is not much there, some walking trails to the side of the lake (not feasible to do a full circuit) and there is a guesthouse / lodge / cafe place on the dam itself. This isn't a place many Islamabad dwellers visit, and can be eerily quiet - best not to visit alone.
Rawat Fort and the Mankiala Stupa to the south of Rawalpindi can fill an afternoon
Khan Pur Lake a 1 hour drive north-west of the city.
Kallar Kahar lake is 2 hours down the motorway - can go boating on the lake and visit some pleasant nearby shrines.
Ketas Temples and the Khewra Salt mines makes for a pleasant day trip - the Salt Mines are good to visit in the summer as a place to escape the punishing heat of the salt range. The road between Ketas and Khewra is also spectacular.
Malot temple in the Salt Range makes for an off-the-beaten-track destination about a 2 hour drive from Islamabad down the motorway. Coordinates are 32.684537° North 72.799391° E. You need to drive through the Lafarge cement factory to get there - the vista is as spectacular as the temple - and a nice spot for a picnic.
Chiniot is an oft-overlooked gem just off the motorway near Faisalabad (about a 3-hour drive). Interesting old town and a centre for wooden furniture manufacture (hence a great place to go if you are furnishing a house). The Umar Hayat Palace is quite amazing also.
Rohtas Fort 2 hour drive south of Islamabad off the GT road - enormous old fort that makes for a great day trip from Islamabad. Leave the old water well until last.
Peshawar can be visited in a long day trip - about 2.5 hours on the motorway - visit the museum, have lunch and then go for a guided wander around the old town before heading back to Islamabad. May not be safe for Westerners.

Weekend trips

Lahore makes a great weekend destination - although you'll need more than 2 days to see everything. Gets very hot in the summer however so this makes a good winter weekend break.
Combine a trip to Chiniot and Faisalabad spending a day in each. Staying in Kallar Kahar (a lake halfway to Chiniot) on the Friday night is also a possibility.
Perhaps a bit ambitious for a weekend but you can visit India through the Wagah border. Usually, visiting Delhi should take you half a day by car, however you will need a visa. On the way, it is advisable to see the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and many other inspiring sights.
Trips to the northern mountains are feasible if flying - PIA flies to Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu - flights can be unreliable with cancellations for poor weather / not enough passengers common. This makes a weekend trip a bit of a gamble in case your flight is cancelled and you get stuck up north. Also in a weekend there isn't enough time to get in much walking. An alternative is to drive to the Kaghan Valley which is a 6 hour drive from Islamabad and can be done in a weekend (e.g. leaving Friday lunchtime and overnighting in Abbottabad) - but better to plan 3 or more nights if you can. Beware of landslides however if it has been raining - these can easily get you stranded for a week or more - best to save Kaghan for the dry season.
Angoori
Rawalakot

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