Top 5 Destinations to Visit in Pakistan in 2026

The City of Saints

Multan is one of Pakistan's oldest cities. It's been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest living cities in South Asia.

Most tourists skip Multan. It's not on the typical Pakistan itinerary. It's hot, dusty, and doesn't have the dramatic mountain scenery that draws people to the north or the historical weight of Lahore.

But if you want to see a side of Pakistan that hasn't been packaged for tourism, Multan is worth 2-3 days.

Why Visit Multan

Sufi shrines: Multan is called the "City of Saints" because it has more Sufi shrines than almost anywhere else in Pakistan. These aren't tourist attractions. They're active religious sites where people come to pray, meditate, and seek blessings.

The most famous:

• Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya - A massive complex with blue-tiled domes, built in the 13th century
• Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam - One of the most beautiful examples of pre-Mughal architecture in Pakistan, octagonal structure with intricate tile work
• Shrine of Shamsuddin Sabzwari - Smaller but equally significant

Visiting these shrines, especially during Thursday evening qawwali sessions, gives you a window into Sufi mysticism that you won't find in guidebooks.

Handicrafts: Multan is famous for blue pottery, hand-woven textiles, and camel-skin lamps. The bazaars around the old city are full of craftsmen still using traditional methods.

You can watch artisans hand-paint pottery, weave silk on ancient looms, and create intricate embroidery. And unlike tourist markets, prices are reasonable because locals actually buy this stuff.

Old City: The old walled city of Multan is chaotic, crowded, and completely un-touristy. Narrow streets packed with rickshaws, street vendors selling everything from mangoes to motorcycle parts, and centuries-old buildings crumbling beautifully.

It's overwhelming at first. But spending a morning walking through the old city, getting lost, and stopping for tea at random shops is one of the best ways to experience actual Pakistani urban life.

What to Eat

Multan is in Punjab, so the food is similar to Lahore but with a few local specialties:

• Sohan halwa - A sweet made with semolina, ghee, sugar, and nuts. Multan's version is famous across Pakistan.
• Multani kebabs - Spicier than Lahore-style kebabs, cooked over coals
• Sajji - Whole lamb or chicken marinated and roasted, a specialty of southern Punjab

When to Go

October-March. Multan is brutally hot in summer (45°C+ in June-July). Winter is pleasant (15-25°C).

Getting There

Fly from Islamabad or Lahore (1 hour, $30-60). Or take a train from Lahore (5-6 hours, $5-15).

Once you're there, make sure you have a Pakistan eSIM from Globie so you can navigate the old city and call rides without hunting for SIM cards.

Image of Multan, Pakistan

4. Karachi

Pakistan's chaotic megacity

Karachi is Pakistan's largest city. 20+ million people. The economic capital. The port city. The most diverse, most chaotic, most overwhelming city in the country.

It's not beautiful. It's not easy. But it's real.

Why Visit Karachi

The food scene: Karachi has the best food in Pakistan. Not just Pakistani food—everything. Chinese, Middle Eastern, Afghan, Iranian, Western, fusion. The restaurant scene rivals any major city.

But the real draw is street food:

• Burns Road - Legendary street food strip. Nihari (slow-cooked meat stew), biryani, kebabs, sweets. Every shop has been there for decades.
• Boat Basin - Outdoor food court with dozens of stalls. Bun kebabs, chaat, fresh fruit juice.
• BBQ Tonight - Not street food, but an institution. All-you-can-eat Pakistani BBQ for $10-15.

You could spend a week in Karachi just eating and you'd barely scratch the surface.

Clifton Beach & Sea View: Not the prettiest beaches, but on weekends, thousands of families come out. There's camel rides, street performers, food vendors, and a chaotic energy you won't find anywhere else.

It's not about the beach itself. It's about the spectacle.

Mohatta Palace & Frere Hall: Karachi has some beautiful colonial-era architecture. Mohatta Palace is a pink sandstone palace built in the 1920s, now a museum. Frere Hall is a Victorian-era building with gorgeous gardens.

Diversity: Karachi is Pakistan's most diverse city. Sindhis, Punjabis, Pashtuns, Baloch, Muhajirs (Urdu-speaking migrants from India), plus Afghan refugees, Iranians, and expats. Every neighborhood has a different vibe.

The Reality

Karachi is huge, hot, polluted, and difficult to navigate. Traffic is insane. Public transport is limited. You'll spend a lot of time in cars.

Security has improved massively over the past decade, but Karachi still has areas you shouldn't go. Stick to the main areas (Clifton, DHA, Saddar, Boat Basin) and you'll be fine.

What to Eat

Everything. But prioritize:

• Nihari - Slow-cooked beef or mutton stew, eaten for breakfast with naan
• Biryani - Karachi-style biryani is different from Lahore or Hyderabadi versions, spicier and more aromatic
• Bun kebab - Pakistan's answer to a burger, spiced patty in a bun with chutney and onions
• Haleem - Thick stew of wheat, lentils, and meat, slow-cooked for hours

When to Go

November-February. Karachi is hot and humid most of the year. Winter is the only comfortable time.

Getting There

Karachi has Pakistan's busiest airport (Jinnah International). Direct flights from most major cities in the region.

Image of Karachi, Pakistan

3. Skardu & Hunza Valley

The reason people come to Pakistan

If you've seen photos of Pakistan that made you want to visit, they were probably from Skardu or Hunza Valley.

Snow-capped peaks. Turquoise lakes. Ancient forts perched on cliffs. Terraced fields. Traditional stone villages.

This is what Pakistan looks like when people say "Pakistan is beautiful."

Why Visit

The mountains: Pakistan has five of the world's fourteen 8,000+ meter peaks. K2 (the second-highest mountain in the world) is in Pakistan. The Karakoram Range runs through northern Pakistan, and Skardu and Hunza are the gateways to it.

Even if you're not a serious mountaineer, the scenery is staggering.

Skardu:

• Shangrila Resort (Lower Kachura Lake) - A resort built around a lake surrounded by mountains. It's touristy, but the setting is stunning.
• Upper Kachura Lake - Less developed, more peaceful, incredible reflections of mountains in crystal-clear water
• Shigar Fort - A 400-year-old fort converted into a heritage hotel, beautifully restored
• Deosai National Park - A high-altitude plateau (4,000m elevation) with wildflowers, marmots, and occasionally brown bears. Known as the "Land of Giants."

Hunza Valley:

• Karimabad - The main town, with views of Rakaposhi (7,788m peak) from almost everywhere
• Baltit Fort & Altit Fort - Ancient forts that were seats of the Hunza princely state, now museums
• Attabad Lake - Formed in 2010 after a massive landslide blocked the Hunza River. Bright turquoise water surrounded by mountains.
• Passu Cones - Dramatic, jagged peaks that look like they're from another planet
• Khunjerab Pass - The highest paved international border crossing in the world (4,693m), connects Pakistan to China

The culture: The people of Gilgit-Baltistan (the region that includes Skardu and Hunza) are ethnically and culturally different from the rest of Pakistan. Many are Ismaili Muslims (followers of the Aga Khan), and the culture is more relaxed than in other parts of Pakistan.

Women don't wear burqas. People are incredibly hospitable. The vibe is more similar to Central Asia than to the rest of Pakistan.

Practical Reality

Getting to Skardu and Hunza requires either:

• Flying to Skardu (from Islamabad, 1 hour, $100-150) - Weather-dependent, flights cancel often due to clouds
• Driving the Karakoram Highway (from Islamabad to Hunza, 18-20 hours, or to Skardu, 24+ hours) - One of the most scenic drives in the world, but long and exhausting

The infrastructure is basic. Hotels range from budget guesthouses to decent mid-range places. Don't expect luxury.

Weather matters. Summer (June-September) is the best time. Winter is brutally cold and many roads are closed.

What to Eat

Northern Pakistan has its own cuisine:

• Chapshuro - Meat-filled flatbread, a Hunza specialty
• Harissa - A porridge-like dish made with wheat and meat, slow-cooked overnight
• Apricots - Hunza is famous for apricots. Dried apricots, apricot oil, fresh apricots in season.
• Apricot kernel soup - Made from crushed apricot kernels, unique to the region

When to Go

June-September for Hunza. July-September for Skardu. Roads can be closed earlier in the season due to snow.

Getting There

Fly or drive from Islamabad. The drive is an adventure in itself—the Karakoram Highway is one of the highest paved roads in the world and passes through incredible scenery.

Image of Skardu, Pakistan

2. Islamabad

Pakistan's planned capital

Islamabad is nothing like the rest of Pakistan.

It's clean. It's organized. It's green. It has wide streets, planned neighborhoods, and functional infrastructure. It feels more like a suburb than a South Asian capital.

People either love it (because it's calm and livable) or hate it (because it's boring and sterile). There's no in-between.

Why Visit Islamabad

Faisal Mosque: One of the largest mosques in the world, designed by a Turkish architect in the 1980s. It's built into the foothills of the Margalla Hills and looks like a giant tent.

The architecture is striking—modern, geometric, very different from traditional Mughal mosques. Worth visiting even if you're not into religious sites.

Margalla Hills: A range of hills on the edge of Islamabad with hiking trails. The most popular is Trail 3, which takes you to Monal Restaurant (a restaurant built into the hillside with panoramic views of the city).

The hike is moderate, takes 1-2 hours, and gives you a break from the city. On weekends, it's packed with locals.

Daman-e-Koh: A viewpoint in the Margalla Hills overlooking Islamabad. Great for sunset.

Pakistan Monument & Museum: A modern monument representing Pakistan's four provinces and three territories. The museum inside has exhibits on Pakistan's history and culture.

Lok Virsa Museum: A museum dedicated to Pakistani folk heritage. If you want to understand Pakistan's regional diversity—textiles, music, crafts, traditions—this is the place.

Food scene: Islamabad has good restaurants, especially in the F-6 and F-7 sectors (Kohsar Market, Jinnah Super). You'll find Pakistani food, Chinese, Thai, Turkish, Italian, burgers, coffee shops.

It's not as deep as Karachi or Lahore, but it's solid.

The Vibe

Islamabad is where diplomats, expats, and wealthy Pakistanis live. It's safe, quiet, and a bit sterile. If you're coming from Lahore or Karachi, it feels almost too calm.

But it's a good base for exploring northern Pakistan (Murree, Nathia Gali, and the road to Hunza all start here).

What to Eat

Islamabad's food scene is more about restaurants than street food, but don't miss:

• Monal Restaurant - Overpriced but the views are worth it
• Savour Foods - A local chain famous for pulao (rice) and chicken
• Street 1 Cafe - Burgers and casual food, popular with younger crowds
• Kabul Restaurant - Afghan food, kebabs and rice

When to Go

March-May or October-November. Summer is hot (35-40°C). Winter can be cold (5-15°C).

Getting There

Islamabad International Airport is Pakistan's main international hub. The city is well-connected to Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar by road and air.

Image of Islamabad, Pakistan

1. Lahore

The heart of Pakistan

Lahore is Pakistan's cultural capital. It's the city of poets, artists, food, and history. If you only visit one city in Pakistan, make it Lahore.

Karachi is bigger. Islamabad is the political capital. But Lahore is where Pakistan's soul lives.

Why Lahore is #1

Mughal architecture: Lahore was a major city of the Mughal Empire (16th-19th centuries), and the architecture from that era is stunning.

• Badshahi Mosque - One of the largest mosques in the world, built in 1673 by Emperor Aurangzeb. Red sandstone, massive courtyard, three white marble domes. Walking into the courtyard when it's empty at sunrise is one of the best experiences in Pakistan.
• Lahore Fort - A massive fort complex next to the Badshahi Mosque. Highlights include the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors—a room covered in tiny mirrors and colored glass), the Naulakha Pavilion (white marble pavilion), and the Alamgiri Gate.
• Shalimar Gardens - A Mughal garden built in 1641, with terraced lawns, fountains, and pavilions. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Wazir Khan Mosque - In the old city, built in the 1630s. Covered floor-to-ceiling in intricate tile work. Less famous than Badshahi Mosque but arguably more beautiful.

The Old City (Walled City): Lahore's old city is a maze of narrow streets, bazaars, food stalls, and crumbling havelis (traditional mansions).

Key areas:

• Anarkali Bazaar - One of the oldest markets in South Asia, sells everything from clothes to electronics to street food
• Food Street (Gawalmandi) - A street lined with restaurants serving traditional Lahori food. Gets packed at night.
• Shahi Hammam - A restored Mughal-era bathhouse, beautiful tile work
• Delhi Gate & Lohari Gate - Entrances to the old city, surrounded by street food and markets

Walking through the old city is chaotic, overwhelming, and incredible. You'll see traditional crafts being made, taste food you've never heard of, and get lost a dozen times. That's the point.

Lahore Museum: The largest museum in Pakistan, with artifacts dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BCE), Gandhara Buddhist sculptures, Mughal miniatures, and colonial-era exhibits.

If you care about history, this is essential.

Liberty Market & Gulberg: Modern Lahore. Shopping, cafes, restaurants. Liberty Market is where you buy clothes, shoes, and accessories. Gulberg has restaurants and coffee shops.

It's not historical, but it's where you see modern Pakistani urban life.

Data Darbar: The shrine of Ali Hujwiri, an 11th-century Sufi saint. One of the most important shrines in Pakistan. Thousands of people visit daily. Thursday evenings have qawwali (Sufi devotional music) sessions.

The Vibe

Lahore is loud, chaotic, friendly, and proud. Lahoris love their city and will tell you it's the best city in the world (and they might be right).

The food culture is obsessive. People will argue for hours about which restaurant makes the best nihari or where to get the best kulfi.

The city is safe for tourists. You'll see families out late at night, street vendors everywhere, and a general sense that life happens on the streets.

What to Eat (Detailed)

Lahore's food scene deserves its own section:

Breakfast:

• Halwa puri - Fried bread (puri) with semolina halwa and chickpea curry. Go to Phajja Siri Paye or any local spot.
• Nihari - At Waris Nihari or Nisar Charsi Tikka

Lunch/Dinner:

• Butt Karahi - Famous for karahi (meat cooked in a wok with tomatoes and spices)
• Bundu Khan - Chain restaurant, reliable for kebabs and karahi
• Lakshmi Chowk - Street food area, best at night
• Anarkali Food Street - Inside the bazaar

Desserts:

• Kulfi at Chaman Ice Cream - Traditional ice cream
• Gulab jamun - Fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup
• Jalebi - Deep-fried spirals soaked in syrup, eaten hot

When to Go

October-March. Lahore is extremely hot in summer (40-45°C in June-July). Winter is pleasant (10-25°C) and the best time to explore.

Getting There

Fly into Allama Iqbal International Airport. Lahore is well-connected to Islamabad (1-hour flight or 4-hour drive), Karachi (2-hour flight), and most international destinations in the Middle East and Asia.

Once you land, make sure you have a Pakistan eSIM from Globie already installed so you can call Uber, navigate the old city, and find the best food spots without getting lost.

Image of Lahore, Pakistan

Practical Information

Visa

Most Western countries (US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada) can get an e-visa online before traveling. It costs $60-100 depending on your nationality and is valid for 30-90 days.

Apply at least 2 weeks before your trip.

Safety

Money

Pakistan uses the Pakistani Rupee (PKR). As of 2026, $1 USD = ~280 PKR.

Bring USD or EUR and exchange at official exchange offices. ATMs exist in major cities but can be unreliable.

Pakistan is a cash economy. Credit cards work in major hotels and restaurants, but most places only take cash.

Getting Around

Flights: Domestic flights connect major cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Skardu). Book with PIA, Airblue, or SereneAir.

Trains: Pakistan has a decent rail network. The journey from Lahore to Karachi takes 18+ hours but is an experience.

Road: Hire a car with a driver for longer trips. Driving yourself is possible but not recommended—traffic is chaotic.

Within cities: Uber and Careem (regional ride-hailing app) work in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi.

Connectivity

Get a Pakistan eSIM from Globie before you arrive. You'll need data to navigate, book rides, translate Urdu, and find restaurants. Don't waste time hunting for SIM cards at the airport.

What to Pack

• Modest clothing: Pakistan is conservative. Long pants and long sleeves for both men and women. Women should bring a scarf for visiting mosques and religious sites.
• Comfortable walking shoes: You'll be on your feet a lot, especially in old cities.
• Sunscreen and hat: The sun is intense.
• Stomach medicine: Pakistani food is incredible but can be hard on Western stomachs. Bring Imodium just in case.

Final Thoughts

Pakistan is not an easy country to travel. The infrastructure is inconsistent. The bureaucracy is frustrating. The heat can be oppressive. The food will wreck your stomach at least once.

But it's worth it.

The Mughal architecture rivals anything in India. The mountains are more dramatic than the Alps. The food is as good as anywhere in South Asia. And the hospitality is genuine—people will invite you to their homes, share meals, and go out of their way to help.

Pakistan is what travel used to be before everything got sanitized and optimized for Instagram.

If you want adventure, Pakistan delivers.

If you want comfort, go somewhere else.