Islamabad is one of the most well-maintained and naturally gifted cities in Pakistan. The city is filled with multiple fun places for entertainment, food, sightseeing, etc.
If you are visiting the city and want to know about things to do in Islamabad, here is our list to help you out about best activities in Islamabad.
List of Things to Do in Islamabad
Below are the top 15 things to do in Islamabad. Our list includes popular activities and venues.
- Hiking at Margalla Hills
- Boating at Lake View Park
- Sightseeing and Long Walks
- Visit Museums, an Old Mandir, or a Cave
- Pray at the Beautiful Faisal Mosque
- Bowling, Swimming, and Horse Riding
- Enjoy Bike Rides
- Shopping
- Watching a Movie or a Play
- Dining at the best places
- Street food in Melody Food Park
- Roam around Rawalpindi
- Sunset at Pakistan Monument
- Chai at Quetta Tea n Teas
- Leisure Arena
Now let’s explore each activity one by one.
1. Hiking at Margalla Hills
Hiking trails are one of the best places to visit in Islamabad. There are 8 trails in total, and each is different based on how adventurous you might be.
Trails 5 and 3 are the most popular ones, where Trail 5 is the easiest one and ideal for families.
Popular Trails:
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8 Hiking Trails in Islamabad – Location and Nearby Spots
2. Boating at Lake View Park & Enjoying the Waterfall
Enjoy boating at the beautiful Rawal Lake, or hike up to the Bruti top at Maraglla Hills, which is one of the major Islamabad attractions.
You can choose to boat alone in the cycle boat, try jet skiing, or book a boat for the whole family. Below are the locations for both venues.
3. Sightseeing and Long Walks
Sightseeing is one of the best things to do in Islamabad, and daman-e-Koh is a great option as it offers views of the entire city.
Lake View Park is another great option for long walks. At the park, you can grab some “Anday wala burger” and relax at the sight of the calm lake.
You can visit the Rose & Jasmine Garden to watch the beautiful flower exhibition every spring.
You can also take long walks in the breathtaking f9 park (the park covers the whole f9 sector) or visit the Japanese park with kids and enjoy rides.
Popular Places:
People Also Read:
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4. Visiting Museums, an Old Mandir, or a Cave
Want to go back in time? Visit the Golra Railway Museum and see the old railway station turned tourist attraction.
You can also visit the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, near the Pakistan Monument, to see historic relics of Pakistan’s past.
The Pakistan Monument near the Museum offers a stunning view of the city, and the structure of the place, with carvings of Jinnah and other national heroes, brings back patriotic feelings.
Lastly, the Shah Allah Ditta Caves is a must-visit if you love to explore unexplored places, along with the Mandir at Saidpur village, dating back to the time of partition.
Popular Places:
- Shah Allah Ditta Caves
- Mandir near Des Pardes – Saidpur Village
- Lok Virsa Museum
- Pakistan Monument
- Pakistan Museum of Natural History
- Golra Railway Museum
5. Praying at the Beautiful Faisal Mosque
The 3rd largest mosque in the world, the Faisal Mosque is a spectacle of beauty and serenity. This place gives you so much peace, and praying at the venue is a whole vibe altogether.
It is certainly the best place to visit in Islamabad.
Multiple religious lectures take place here, and there is a trail nearby (trail 6), which you can explore as well.
6. Bowling, Swimming, and Horse Riding!
When you visit Islamabad, you can enjoy bowling or take a dive at a clean and well-maintained swimming pool in Islamabad.
Another thing you can consider is riding a horse or a camel at Lake View Park.
Popular Places:
- Megazone – Bowling & Swimming
- Round2 – Bowling
- Lake View Park – Horse and Camel Ride
People Also Read:
List of Best Swimming Pools in Islamabad (2023)
7. Bike Ride – EzBike and F1 Tracks
Ride electric bikes that require no license, or take your whole family to the F1 Tracks at Lake View Park and ride bikes with kids and adults. The F1 tracks have a designated area, so they are safe for kids.
Ezbike can be booked through the Ezbike app (Ezbike is limited to certain sectors).
8. Shopping
You don’t want to leave Islamabad without shopping, right? Consider going to Centaurus, which has 4 floors with multiple brands, restaurants, a cinema, and a kid’s play area with Rides (Fun City).
You can also visit the Safa Gold Mall if a huge crowd terrifies you (it’s much smaller than Centaurus).
The Giga Mall is another great venue for shopping, eating, and movie time!
Popular Places:
9. Watching a Movie or a Play
Watch a movie to relax after a hard day, or visit PNCA to watch a play with live actors delivering great performances.
The PNCA hosts multiple plays throughout the year. Check out PNCA on Facebook to see available plays.
Popular Entertainment Places in Islamabad:
People Also Read:
Cinemas in Islamabad To Visit For The Best Movie Experience
10. Dining at the Best Places
Islamabad speaks class, and there are multiple restaurants that you can visit to enjoy fine dining at its best.
Visit Monal at Margalla Hills to enjoy great food paired with spectacular hill views. Monal is one of the best places to visit in Islamabad for couples, as it’s peaceful, relaxing, and family oriented. Even at night, it’s quite crowded.
Go to TKR if you want to enjoy rich greenery and rich Pakhtun food.
Or, visit small cafes like Dino Cafe near Margala Hills, Quetta Tea in F7 and I-8, or Karak in DHA (you will find small dhabas everywhere in the city).
Popular Places:
People Also Read:
10 Best Restaurants in Islamabad | Must-Visit in 2023
11. Street Food in Melody Food Park
Although there are fewer choices of street food in Islamabad, if you wanna enjoy it with your friends and family, head to Melody Food Park G6 Markaz. It serves a variety of street food items, such as fresh juices, fried samosas, pulao topped with kebabs, and much more to satisfy your food cravings. Melody Food Park is a place in Islamabad where you satisfy your hunger without bursting the wallet.
12. Roam Around Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi is famous as a twin city of Islamabad, is a bit older, more crowded, and less clean. It contains ancient constructions, holy sites, and interesting exterior walls that attract the visitors. So if you wanna roam around Rawalpindi, travel on the metro bus from Islamabad to Rawalpindi, by reducing the hassle of traffic. Start from one station and then get around where your heart desires.
13. Sunset at Pakistan Monument
Pakistan monument is situated at Shakarparian Hills Islamabad, represents unity and nationalism. The monument’s basic design contains four big petals and three small petals, symbolizing the Pakistani people’s unity and their cultures. A number of visitors come to the monument daily to enjoy an amazing view across Shakarparian Park. Experience the magnificent sunset at Pakistan Monument when the lights sparkle for the night.
14. Chai at Quetta Tea n Teas
Quetta Tea n Teas is Islamabad’s go to place for genuine tea. It is located in F10 Markaz, and provides 24/7 service. This dhaba is famous for its best chai, the location which becomes vibrant at night. Quetta tea is a classic site to enjoy the tea and filled stuffed parathas at affordable rates in Islamabad.
15. Leisure Arena
Leisure Arena is among the best visiting places in Islamabad. It provides a variety of indoor activities in Islamabad and outdoor activites in Islamabad, such as Gym, Bowling, Snooker, Kids Play Area, Fast Food Court, Regional food, shopping, and much more. Head to a leisure club with your friends and family if you wanna enjoy sports and entertainment activities.
The Beautiful Islamabad Awaits You!
So that was our list of 10 things to do in Islamabad. Do try these activities and let us know in the comments which one is your favorite.
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