Hello my fellow Caravelers! I am Nisar Ullah, and I am originally from the northwest region of Pakistan. For study purposes, I had to move to the capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad. For this reason, in this post, I want to share with you 5 recommended destinations to visit if you come to this city. This city is famous for its parks and forests and is home to most of the important buildings in the country, including the Parliament and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It was my first time in Islamabad, but I had my friends with me. After settling in the hostel, we started to explore the city’s famous travel destinations one by one. Here are my top 5 travel destinations in Islamabad, Pakistan for local and especially foreign visitors.
1. Pakistan Monument
The first destination that we visited was the Pakistan Monument. This petal-shaped monument looks quite intriguing and is built at an elevated spot, visible from the surrounding areas of the city. It’s a very picturesque and scenic spot, with a panoramic view of Islamabad. We felt like we were on a high mountain overlooking a civilization from afar.
The Pakistan Monument isn't just a solitary structure but an area representing the sacrifices and unity of the Pakistani people. It has four large and three smaller petal structures with various art and poetry, including engravings of the founding fathers. The four large petals represent the four major cultures: Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, and Pashtun. Similarly, the three small petal structures highlight the minorities, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. Collectively, they protect the crescent and star of the Pakistani flag.
Apart from this structure, the monument has a museum along with a reference library. It features wax statues of the country’s founding fathers like Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and important events leading to the emergence of Pakistan as an independent state.
The Pakistan Monument is an easily accessible travel destination. It can be visited at any time of the day, but if you like sunsets, the afternoon might be the perfect time for you. Spend the afternoon, take some awesome pictures, and appreciate the natural beauty as well as the man-made gigantic structure.
2. Faisal Mosque
Our second travel destination was Faisal Mosque. Faisal Mosque is one of the most famous landmarks in Pakistan. It was a gift from King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who provided the financial funds. A Turkish architect designed the structure, which was completed in 1986 and named Faisal Masjid/Mosque.
Before this visit, I had only seen Faisal Mosque in pictures and videos. It was my first time actually visiting it. I was surprised by the scale of the building and its towering minarets. Due to its height, Faisal Mosque is visible from most of the surrounding areas. The minarets seem to grow taller as you approach the site.
Its design draws inspiration from a typical Bedouin tent but is much more modern in style. It has four minarets, each 260 feet (79 meters) tall, surrounding the inner hall and courtyards. Moreover, it has garden areas where visitors can sit or walk. The mausoleum of the late president, Zia-ul-Haq, is also within the mosque’s grounds. In the background are the mighty Margalla Hills, which make the view stunning.
Overall, Faisal Mosque is an interesting travel destination highlighting the collaboration between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Even though it’s a mosque, it’s more like a tourist spot. Most visitors enjoy the site, record memories, and eat. The inner hall is open only at specific times and days for prayers.
3. Daman-e-Koh
Daman-e-Koh, which means 'the hem of the mountain’ or ‘foothills’, was our next travel destination. This tourist spot is 500 feet above Islamabad. It’s a hilltop garden with beautiful walkways and views.
When we reached Daman-e-Koh, we were surprised to see monkeys enjoying the place and hanging out with baby monkeys in the trees. Luckily, they were not aggressive, and we even took photos of them. There were multiple temporary stalls along the walkways selling soft drinks, ice cream, and souvenirs.
However, we were interested in the main attraction: the spot from where you can see the city’s layout laid out like a plate. The panoramic view is simply unbelievable. In the lush greenery and extensive road network of Islamabad, the Faisal Mosque presents itself like a diamond from above.
Overall, it’s an amazing isolated getaway place to enjoy nature and relax.
4. Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 Park)
Fatima Jinnah Park, commonly known as F-9 Park, was our fourth travel destination in Islamabad. The park is named after the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.
This park covers the entire F-9 sector, which is around 750 acres. Due to its large area, it has five entrance gates at different points. We entered the park through different gates, and I couldn't find my friends for about half an hour.
Most of the park’s area is composed of greenery with a network of jogging tracks. Wherever you look, there’s grass and trees exuding serenity and freshness. As we explored the park, we saw many man-made artistic pieces.
Furthermore, there’s a well-known white building structure, usually known as Baradari, and many visitors take photos of this building. We tried to explore the Art Gallery, but unfortunately, it was closed. Another interesting structure we saw was the Three Domes at an elevated spot.
Moreover, there’s a family-only area where kids can enjoy various activities. There’s also a fitness area as well as spaces for playing cricket, football, and other outdoor games. The CDA (Capital Development Authority) has many plans for this space’s future since it has a lot of potential.
To conclude, F-9 Park is an all-in-one place. You can jog, shoot your wedding photos, play outdoor games, go to the gym, explore various art pieces and buildings, eat, or just sit and enjoy nature.
5. Trail 5
We saved this travel destination for the weekend since it required some preparation beforehand and some rest afterward. Trail 5 is a 6 km hiking trail in the Margalla Hills of Islamabad. The trail starts from the Margalla Hills National Park Visitor Center. Hikers usually drive here and park their vehicles.
No one is allowed to bring anything with plastic, such as chips, snacks, or other food items wrapped in plastic, except for water bottles. You can empty the snacks into a backpack or your pockets and proceed to the trail.
The trail provides a warm-up, and then the real test begins. The terrain is rugged at times but well-maintained. You won’t be the only one breathing heavily because it’s a popular and busy trail. You just need to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring some snacks and water to keep you energized and hydrated along the way.
Moreover, we came across a spring or two along the way. We cooled off a little and then took on the challenge again. They might dry out in certain months, like April and July. After a 2-hour hike, we got our reward. Looking down from there was an instant payoff. The cool breeze massaged our skin while we sat there enjoying the amazing views, making new friends, and eating the few snacks we had left.
How about The Food?
Being the capital city with people from all over the country, Islamabad offers a blend of tastes. You can find Karachi biryani, Lahori nihari, and Peshawari kebab in Islamabad. It also has local fast-food joints serving anday wala burger (egg burger), shawarma, and gol gappay. Centers like I-8 Markaz, F-7 Markaz, F-10 Markaz, and dedicated food streets are famous for having the best food, including chicken/mutton/beef karahi, Quetta tea, and parathas.
So, this was my list of the top 5 travel destinations in Islamabad in no particular order. Everywhere we visited, we saw natural beauty and human brilliance blended, creating worth-visiting spectacles. I liked all of these travel destinations equally, as they’re beautiful in different ways. The Pakistan Monument and Faisal Mosque make you appreciate human brilliance, Daman-e-Koh is a natural spectacle, and Trail 5 challenges your mental and physical determination. Similarly, F-9 Park entertains you on a slow, cloudy day where you can sit and read a book for hours. I highly recommend everyone explore Islamabad, especially these 5 travel destinations.
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