How to Choose Where to Go in Pakistan
Pakistan is a big country with very different regions, so the best places depend on your season, your interests and the current official advice. The cities and heritage sites of Punjab and the capital area are the easiest first trip. The mountains of the north are the famous photos, but they need more planning. Read the safety section of the Pakistan travel guide and your own government’s advice before you decide.
Cities
- Lahore: The cultural heart of Pakistan. Spend two or three days in the Walled City, the Badshahi Mosque (completed in 1673), Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens. Eat at Food Street in the evening. Go between October and March.
- Islamabad: A green, calm capital. The Faisal Mosque, the Margalla Hills trails and the old village of Saidpur fit into a day or two. It is also the base for Taxila and the Karakoram Highway.
- Multan: The city of shrines and blue tilework in southern Punjab. The shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya and the old bazaars are the highlights. Try the local sweets, especially sohan halwa.
- Karachi: A huge, busy port city with beaches, markets and some of the country’s best food. Allow two days if it fits your route.
Heritage and History
- Taxila: A UNESCO World Heritage site with Buddhist monasteries and a good museum, about an hour from Islamabad. It is an easy day trip.
- Rohtas Fort: A huge 16th-century fort near Jhelum that sits neatly on the road between Islamabad and Lahore.
- Mohenjo-daro: The ruins of an Indus Valley city in Sindh, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is remote, so check the current security situation and plan transport carefully.
- Makli Necropolis and Thatta: A vast historic cemetery with tombs in Sindh, usually visited as a trip from Karachi. Ask a local operator about road conditions and safety.
Mountains and Valleys
The north is where Pakistan’s famous scenery is, including five of the world’s fourteen 8,000-metre peaks. Conditions and advice change quickly. A UK warning for Gilgit-Baltistan was issued in March 2026 and lifted in April 2026, so check the latest advisories and your insurance before you plan. Always use a licensed local operator, and leave spare days for weather delays.
- Hunza Valley: Karimabad, Baltit Fort, Attabad Lake and the Passu area, with the Passu Cones above the water. Autumn colours in October and spring blossom in April are the highlights.
- Skardu: The gateway to the Baltoro region and K2. Nearby you can visit lakes around Upper Kachura, the forts at Shigar and Khaplu, and the high plateau of Deosai in summer.
- Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat: A trek with views of the world’s ninth-highest mountain, best from late spring to early autumn and only with a local guide.
The Best Places by Trip Type
- First trip, easy logistics: Islamabad, Taxila, Rohtas Fort and Lahore.
- Culture and food: Lahore, Multan and Karachi.
- History lovers: Taxila, Rohtas Fort, Lahore Fort and Mohenjo-daro.
- Scenery and trekking: Hunza, Skardu and Fairy Meadows, with a licensed operator and current advice.
How Long to Spend in Each Place
- Islamabad and Taxila: two to three days.
- Lahore: two to three days.
- Multan: one to two days.
- Karachi: two days.
- Hunza or Skardu: at least four to five days, plus spare days for weather.
Next Steps
Turn this list into a plan with our Pakistan itineraries, check the best time to visit Pakistan and sort out your visa. For somewhere to sleep, see where to stay in Pakistan.