A modern planned city that is well-maintained and well-organised, Islamabad (Urdu: اسلام آباد) is Pakistan's clean, calm, and green capital. Founded in the 1960s, it attracts people from all over Pakistan, and hosts a large number of diplomats, politicians and government employees, making it one of the nation's most cosmopolitan and urbanized cities.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Although the majority of the population in Islamabad traditionally have been employees of the Federal Government, the wealth of the Musharraf years fuelled a boom in Islamabad and it has become 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.
If you want a paper city map (you'll love to have one, just to see the difference in map making), you can buy one in the bookstore in Centaurus Mall. Taxis in Islamabad are abundant and popular. They are generally safe, but you may be initially shocked by the lack of safety belts, or lack of habit of using them. Most characteristic taxi car is a small Suzuki Mehran (people say these don't break), without taxi signs. Taxi costs around Rs 200 (2025) per sector traveled, depending on your bargaining skills. Travel to and from airport is more expensive, you can bargain down to US$15. Prices will be higher at night, especially departing from places like Jinnah Super (F-7).
1 Lok Virsa Museum (Shakarparian Park, next to H7 & G8). Definitely worth a visit. Islamabad's premier museum featuring more than 25 large galleries in four blocks linked through passages depicting cultural linkages with Iran, Central Asia and China. There are large halls dedicated to architecture, musical heritage, textiles, romances, Sufi shrines and several other cultural themes. It has a large collection of embroidered costumes, jewellery, woodwork, metalwork, block printing, ivory and bone work on display. The Heritage Reference Library of Museum has a great collection of data on art, music, history and crafts of all regions of Pakistan.
The Margalla Hills are effectively foothills of the Himalayas – and are very easily accessible from Islamabad. However these are quite big, steep hills, and shouldn't be underestimated – if you are planning on a walk up to the top of the first ridge (i.e. where the shuttered Monal restaurant is) then sturdy footwear, a large water bottle, and a change of t-shirt are necessary (good chance you'll be drenched in sweat by the time you get to the top).
At first glance the visitor may feel that Islamabad offers little to excite the taste-buds, however beneath the surface there is a thriving restaurant scene. There are many typical dhabbas (small restaurants) which offer traditional food. Many of the better restaurants are away from the main markets of F6 and F7. Most do not serve alcohol, but some allow you to bring your own. Call ahead to ask. For ease of use restaurants are organised by sector: Table Talk, Khosar Market, ☏ +92 51 227-1927. lunch and dinner. Understated, home-cooked, well presented Asian and European food, in a small, cosy inside-outside restaurant with London Books (shop) next door.
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 Pakistanis 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.
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 licence 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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Islamabad typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 23 rainy days.
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