Categories: Lifestyle

15 Best Things to do in Islamabad in 2024

Islamabad, the astonishingly beautiful capital of Pakistan is one of the best places to visit in Pakistan. The tiny yet modern city is packed with loads of fun-filled activity spots, and adventure clubs. In short, there are a billion fun things to do in Islamabad. 

invest with imarat

Islamabad’s emerging city centre

Learn More

If you are in search of a place that is offering a huge array of recreational activities, that too at an affordable price, Islamabad and its most beautiful hill stations should be on your list for you.

If you are planning a visit to the city, you need this article because it is packed with a list of places that will surely make your day.

Things to do in Islamabad in 2023

If you are wondering what to do in Islamabad, consider visiting the following places.

  1. Megazone
  2. Round2
  3. JFC bowling alley
  4. Leisure Arena
  5. Swimming Pools
  6. Hiking at Margalla Trail 3
  7. Rose and Jasmine Garden
  8. Lake View Park
  9. Sightseeing at Daman-e-Koh
  10. Pakistan Monument
  11. Sightseeing at Pir Sohawa
  12. Roadside cafes
  13. Sightseeing at Shah Allah Ditta Caves
  14. Shopping
  15. Boating
  16. Bowling

1. Megazone

Megazone is probably one of the oldest bowling alleys in town. Apart from the bowling alley, the place also has an indoor pool and laser tag games.

2. Round2

Located near PWD, Round2 is a perfect place to spend some time with your friends and family. Apart from Round2, the place is known for its snack bar and ice creams.

3. JFC Bowling Alley

JFC is one of the most famous family clubs in Islamabad. Apart from a wide variety of recreational activities and a cinema, the club offers a bowling alley.

4. Leisure Arena

If you are interested in sports and leisure activities, go to a leisure club. Grab a snack and bowl like a pro with your friends

5. Swimming Pools

Another way to spend a great day at the capital is to take a dip in one of the luxury swimming pools in Islamabad. There are many luxurious pools where you can spend a peaceful afternoon with your friends and family. Get to know the cost of building a swimming pool in Pakistan.

  • Leisure Swimming Pool
  • Gun & Country Club
  • Islamabad Club
  • Serena Hotel
  • Ramada Hotel
  • Islamabad Marriott
  • Megazone
  • Jacaranda Family Club

Islamabad has the best fast food places and desi restaurants. If you are someone who likes to shop there are top shopping malls in Islamabad.

Trekking

Islamabad is perfect for trekking, all thanks to its majestic mountains and beautiful trails. There are hiking tracks in Islamabad that you must visit to explore this incredible city. Get to know plot files for sale in Islamabad.

6. Margalla Trail 3

If you want to spend a day in nature, that too without any distraction, plan your trekking at the Margalla Hills today. Margalla Trail 3 is one of the most famous trekking sites known for its lush green paths and natural beauty. If you are an adventurer or traveler who wants to explore different areas of Pakistan, you should give majestic deserts of Pakistan a visit.

Adventure Clubs

Many adventure clubs offer recreational activities to the public at affordable prices. Some of the most popular recreational activities among the tourists and locals are:

  1. Hiking
  2. Camping
  3. Mountaineering
  4. Cycling
  5. Rock Climbing
  6. Running
  7. Sailing
  8. Skydiving

If you are fond of haunted stories, you might want to explore these haunted places in Islamabad.

Picnic Spots

Islamabad is known among the masses because of its scenic views and aesthetic picnic spots. 

7. Rose and Jasmine Garden

Rose and Jasmine Garden is a small but exceptionally beautiful park located near the sports complex. It is famous for its diverse variety of flowers and herbs and also one of the best places to visit in Islamabad. The park is managed by CDA. The park hosts regular flower exhibitions for the public where different people come and showcase their flower arrangements.

8. Lake View Park

Lake View Park is one of the most liked picnic spots and best Islamabad places to visit. Located at the edge of the popular Rawal Lake,  the park is known for its vast recreational activity area. Rawal Dam, a tourist spot, is one of the most famous dams in Pakistan is located in Islamabad. Get to know famous rivers of Pakistan.

The park also has dedicated BBQ spaces where you can throw a BBQ for your friends and family.

If you have kids, this place is ideal for you because the park has a huge number of swings and other recreational activities for kids. Other amenities of the park include:

  • Sitting pagoda
  • Ibex club, rock climbing gym
  • Motorsports ranch
  • Fancy aviary
  • Festival arena
  • Passenger road train
  • Paintball battlefield
  • Boating arena on Saturday
  • Fishing area
  • horse riding mobs
  • Swimming pool

Get to know gyms in Islamabad if you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

These are some of the best things to do in Islamabad. Apart from this park, there are some other parks in the capital as well that are equally well such as:

  1. Shakarparian Park.
  2. Japanese Children’s Park.
  3. Fatima Jinnah Park.

Sightseeing

If you are fond of serenity and a peaceful environment, you should definitely check out the sightseeing spots in Islamabad. 

Worried about staying in the capital? Don’t worry because there are many hotels in Islamabad and guesthouses in Islamabad

Some of the most famous sightseeing spots in the capital include the following spots.

9. Daman-e-Koh

Daman-e-Koh is one of the most well-known spots in Islamabad. It is a viewing point and a hilltop garden nestled between the Margalla hills. It is around 2400ft above sea level and around 500ft from the main city of Islamabad. 

You can view the whole city from this spot. There are many amazing hotels and eateries at Daman-e-Koh where you can sit and munch on yummy desi cuisine.

 If you are looking for things to do in Islamabad at night, try having a trip to the amazing eateries located near Daman-e-Koh. These are ideal places to visit in Islamabad at night, all thanks to their aesthetically pleasing ambiance and peaceful vibes.

 

10. Pakistan Monument

Pakistan’s monument is a symbol of nationalism and brotherhood. It is located at the Shakarparian Hills, Islamabad. The monument is considered to be an epitome of beauty and patriotism. It is a tribute for people who made Pakistan possible. 

Spread across 6.9 acres, the monument is the perfect blend of Mughal architecture and modern art. 

The main structure of the monument consists of big petals, each having a specific meaning. 

The four large petals represent our four national cultures: Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi, and the Pakhtun culture; whereas the other three smaller petals represent: the Minorities, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

Every day, many people come and visit the monument. If you want to experience patriotism and unity at its best, visit the monument.

11. Pir Sohawa

There are many fun places in Islamabad that you may visit with your loved ones. One of them is Pir Sohawa. 

Pir Sohawa is a tourist resort located 17 km from the Margalla Hills. The place is perfect for people who want to experience the natural beauty of Islamabad. There are a lot of eateries present at the spot where you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea. Interestingly, this is the highest tourist spot of the capital and sometimes, it receives a few inches of snowfall during winter.

If you like to watch movies there are many cinemas in Islamabad.

12. Roadside Cafes

Islamabad is known for its natural and scenic views. The lush green areas and peaceful ambiance make Islamabad one of its kind. Apart from natural beauty, Islamabad is also known for its chic and modern roadside cafes.

If you are fond of good coffee and a tranquil environment, you should visit the roadside cafes in Islamabad.

Some of the best places to sip some coffee are:

  • Mocca
  • Crema
  • English tea house
  • Burning brownie
  • Kitab cafe
  • Chaaye khana

And the list goes on. 

13. Shah Allah Ditta Caves

If you have a knack for historical places, you must visit Shah Allah Ditta Caves. The caves are said to be 700 years old. It is a centuries-old village and a union council located at the foothills of the Margalla Hills in the Islamabad Capital Territory.

Next to the caves is the location where Alexander arrived and was received by Raja Ambi, King of Taxila. The road next to the caves that lead to the main top of the mountain, Shah Allah Ditta road, is said to be built on the exact path followed by Pashtun emperor Sher Shah Suri during his visit.

The caves house several eateries and cafes where you can spend quality time with your friends and families. 

14. Shopping

If you are a shopaholic then Islamabad is shopping heaven for you, there is no doubt about it. There are several renowned malls in Islamabad including Centaurus Mall, Safa Gold Mall, and Giga Mall. These malls are perfect spots for shopping because they house all the latest and well known local and international brands. 

If you are interested in taking a stroll in the local markets, then gear up because Islamabad is loaded with local markets and bazaars. Every Markaz has a small market where you can find all kinds of things ranging from apparel to groceries to shoes and the list goes on. Also, the Sunday markets of Islamabad are an absolute delight. You can easily find some really interesting things with high quality and low prices in these markets. Interestingly, Islamabad even hosts a regular farmer’s market on weekends. 

15. Boating

Islamabad is an ideal location for recreational activities. People come here for hiking, sightseeing, bowling, etc. One of the most common and well-liked recreational activities in Islamabad is boating. If you want to experience nature and serenity at the same time, head to Rawal Dam in Islamabad for boating. Trust us, you will not regret it.

If you want to spend some quality time with your friends and family, consider boating. Spend the evening boating at Rawal Lake and top it off with a BBQ.

Bowling

If you are up for some bowling, then head to the capital as it is equipped with some of the best bowling alleys in the country. If you want to unwind after a tiresome day and just want to enjoy with your friends and family, consider bowling. There are many bowling alleys in town.

So, these are some of the best places to visit in Islamabad. They should be on your list of places to go to Islamabad. Get to know best universities in Islamabad.

If you want to travel outside your country, you will be needing your passport. Get to know passport offices in Islamabad.

If you are in Lahore get to know the best places to visit in Lahore, things to do in Lahore. If in Karachi read places to visit in Karachi.

What is your favorite place in Islamabad? Comment down below and let us know. Get to know visa-free countries for Pakistan.

We would love to hear from you. 

 

Narmeen Taimoor

Meet Narmeen, an SEO Analyst at Graana.com who knows all the tricks of the trade of SEO content. Her conversational and approachable writing style makes even the most complex topics easy to understand. When she's not typing away at her keyboard, Narmeen can be found reading, painting, or cooking.

Recent Posts

Shingrai Waterfall: Your Ultimate Adventure Destination

Swat, famously known as the "Switzerland of Pakistan," is a land of mesmerizing beauty. It is…

1 day ago

Top 5 Reasons Why Millennials Are Investing in Real Estate

Millennials, often referred to as the “financially cautious generation,” are reshaping the investment landscape. Known…

2 days ago

IMARAT Group’s First Restaurant, Graanic Launches Organic Dining Experience at Mall of IMARAT

Graanic, Pakistan's premier organic food brand, has officially launched its new restaurant at Mall of…

2 days ago

Madyan Swat: The Ultimate Travel Guide

If you’re looking for a destination that combines breathtaking views, a peaceful ambiance, and unforgettable…

2 days ago

Real Estate Wealth Management: Trends and Insights for 2025

The real estate sector in Pakistan is undergoing significant transformations, and wealth management strategies are…

3 days ago

Federal Government’s Rental Rate Increase Hits Commercial Properties Nationwide

December 19, 2024— In a significant move, the federal government has announced an increase in…

3 days ago