507mHistoricalCulturalScenic

Islamabad

About

Pakistan's planned capital city, laid out in a grid of numbered sectors at the foot of the forested Margalla Hills. A city of wide tree-lined boulevards, foreign embassies, landmark mosques, and the Shakarparian rose gardens — the most liveable and green city in Pakistan, and the principal gateway to the north.

History

Islamabad was purpose-built as Pakistan's capital following independence, to replace Karachi which was deemed too distant from the country's strategic heartland. Greek urban planner Konstantinos Doxiadis designed the master plan in 1960 on a grid system of alphabetically labelled sectors. The federal government moved here progressively through the 1960s, with Islamabad officially becoming the capital in 1966. The city grew around the ruins of the Mughal-era Saidpur Village and the ancient Margalla fort, traces of which still survive in the hills above the modern city.

Nearby Places

Viewpoints, food, and stops nearby (approximate distances).

Market3.0 km
Centaurus Mall & F-7 Jinnah Super
The capital's main commercial zones — F-7 Jinnah Super for street-level cafes and boutiques; Centaurus for upscale retail and dining.
Park4.0 km
Shakarparian Park
Hilltop rose garden and recreational park with the Pakistan Monument, a zoo, and views toward the Margalla Hills.
Landmark4.0 km
Pakistan Monument
Four-petalled stainless steel monument on Shakarparian Hill commemorating the nation's founding, with a museum and panoramic views over Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Landmark5.0 km
Faisal Mosque
The world's fourth-largest mosque, with a dramatic tent-shaped main hall designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay. Set against the Margalla Hills with capacity for 300,000 worshippers.
Landmark5.0 km
Lok Virsa Museum
National heritage museum with one of the finest collections of Pakistani folk art, textiles, musical instruments, and tribal crafts.
Landmark8.0 km
Saidpur Village
A restored Mughal-era village within the capital, converted into an arts and crafts village with galleries, restaurants, and a small Hindu temple.
Park8.0 km
Margalla Hills National Park
A 17,386-hectare national park of forested ridges above the city, laced with hiking trails including the popular Trail 3 and Trail 5. Home to leopards, jackals, and over 250 bird species.
Park9.0 km
Trail 3 (Margalla)
The most popular hiking trail in the Margalla Hills — a 5 km loop through dense oak forest with a viewpoint over Islamabad.
Viewpoint10.0 km
Daman-e-Koh
Garden viewpoint in the Margalla Hills above Faisal Mosque, offering the classic panoramic view over the entire capital.
Viewpoint12.0 km
Rawal Lake
The city's main reservoir, surrounded by a forest reserve — popular for boating, jogging trails, and birdwatching.