In this article, you are going to know about some of the best places in Islamabad. The most popular and visited places in Islamabad are given below, and once you get a chance to come to Islamabad you should definitely visit these places. These are known to be marvelous because of their location, temperature, and beauty. Before that, let’s fresh our mind with something about Islamabad.
Table of Contents
Islamabad —The Capital
Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, where most of the decisions of the country are taken by the Federal government. It is the most beautiful city in Pakistan and has been recognized as the second most beautiful capital in the world. Islamabad was built in the era of General Ayub Khan in 1960’s. He was the president of Pakistan at that time. He was also the Army Chief of Pakistan.
Before Islamabad, Karachi was the first capital of Pakistan. Islamabad before its reshaping was mainly a forest, no one lives there, except for a few people who were born there and had spent all their life in those forests.
Nowadays, Islamabad is a modern city with world-class architecture based structure. Quality roads and better navigations to make it easy to know and travel Islamabad easily. Islamabad has a modern naming structure than any other city in Pakistan. The artificial beauty of Islamabad in combination with natural beauty makes it the best place not only in Pakistan but also in the whole world.
It has a green, environment-friendly design and structure. Islamabad has everything from high hills to low landscapes, the lush mountains surround, shops of all types —including the international shops and brands. With traditional culture, tourists get amazed and know about the culture of Pakistan.
10 beautiful places in Islamabad
The 10 most beautiful places in Islamabad are; Daman-e-Koh, Lok Virsa Museum, Lake View Park, Faisal Masjid (Mosque), Shakarparian National Park, Margalla Hills, Fatima Jinnah Park, the Monal Restaurant, Saidpur valley, Shahdara village, and Trail 5. More detailed info about these places and landmarks are given below.
Daman-e-Koh
It is a place of greenery and it is a garden on the top of a hill. It is situated in north Islamabad. It is also the route to the higher Pir Sohawa. Daman-e-Koh is made up of two Persian words meaning ‘’foot hills’’. This name is given due to its location of presence in the hills. It is almost 2400ft above sea level and nearly 500 ft. above the Islamabad city.
The road to Pir Sohawa passes from Daman-e-Koh. Pir Sohawa is 3600ft above sea level. It is a forested area, monkeys are very common to appear in the winter season. From Daman-e-Koh the whole of Islamabad can be viewed, the view becomes more amazing at night when the glowing lights lit up the whole city. It is a special gift of Allah to the people of Islamabad and other nearby cities as well.
Tourists are also attracted by Daman-e-Koh from all over the country and abroad.
Lok Virsa
Lok Virsa is a traditional Heritage Museum. It was built in 1974 as a culture promoting the museum. In 2002 it became one of the most popular places in Islamabad. It is located in Shakarparian hills. It can accommodate up to 4000 people. New buildings are made to adjust more people. This museum is about history and cultures in Pakistan. It promotes the cultures of different people living is Pakistan.
Every year an Event is settled up to promotes different cultures from all over Pakistan, people from all the provinces including Azad Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan also come here and promote and celebrate their cultures and history. It is an interesting event to watch.
Lake View Park
Lake View Park is also known as Rawal Lake Park. It is situated near Rawal Lake. CDA administers this park because it is located in Islamabad. It has Pakistan’s biggest birdcage. It has different pints of amazement. Mostly some animals are found in Pakistan.
You can also view the Rawal Lake and also travel some distance by boats. It also includes other amazement and refreshment places such as Rock climbing gym, Fancy aviary, Fishing area, passenger road train, etc.
Faisal Masjid
Faisal Masjid is the biggest Mosque in Pakistan. It has the largest capacity for prayers at the same time by many peoples than any other Mosque in Pakistan (Namaz). It was built by Saudi King Shah Faisal. This mosque was completed in 20 years, the construction started in the late ’60s and was fully completed in 1986.
By the time of completion, this mosque was the world’s largest mosque. It represents Islamic architecture. Faisal Mosque is surrounded by beautiful green Margalla hills of Islamabad. Many people come here every day to spend some time of their day here in the park of this mosque.
Shahdara Valley
A village situated in the Margalla Hills of Islamabad. It represents the agricultural importance of Pakistan. It is near the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. It is nearly 10 km away from the Residence of the President of Pakistan, Awan-e-Sadr. The main purpose of visiting this place is that this is the green Margalla foothills, by walking through this village you may get some of the incredible and stunning views of sunshine, and also you would enjoy the fresh greenery of this village.
Trail 5 and 3
Islamabad has numerous trails for hikers. Islamabad is surrounded by lush green hills from two sides which makes it the best place for hiking. Many hikers from all over Pakistan came here in summer and they enjoy the taste of hiking in these trails situated in the hills surrounding Islamabad. Tourists from the world also go hiking on these trails.
Islamabad has a total number of eight trails with consecutive numbers (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) given to each as their names except for the two trails named Saidpur trail and Bari Imam trail. Trail #3 and trail #6 are also trendy and beautiful, but trail #5 is different from all other trails. It is 5 km long and the most important thing is that the first 1.8 km distance is straight without any steep heights. If you have any problems with steep heights or any other issue then you can consider taking the first 1.8 km.
Saidpur Village
In the Margalla hills, alongside the road to Damn-e-Koh just outside Islamabad is Saidpur Village. It is a historic place because of the presence of a Hindus Temple called ‘’Rama Mandir’’. For the people who love ‘History’ this place is especially for them. This village has such an old look but this look’s beautiful.
Shakarparian National Park
This park was created in the 1960s (in the beginning). It is located alongside the Pakistan monument and museum. It is an amusement park. Every day hundreds of thousands of people come here to enjoy their life in Islamabad by spending their time here. Every year, on March 23rd Pakistan Parade day, is celebrated here in this Park. The national anthem and national unity are the main consent of this Parade.
Margalla Hills National Park
It is the 3rd largest park in the world. It covers an area of a total of 43,000 acres. It comprises Shakarparian National Park, Lake View Park, and also the Saucy, green, and beautiful Margalla hills. It has the highest peak of 1600 m in it.
Margalla hills included in, we can also count in Damn-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa. It is a park of tremendous diversity. With different species of trees, birds and many other animals and things make it the perfect Park in the world
Fatima Jinnah Park
Designed by Michael Japero in 1992. Other names of this park are Capital Park or F-9 Park. F-9 is given because this park is a fully completed sector (it covers the whole f-9 sector). It covers an area of 750 acres. It almost equals the New York Central Park. It was named Fatima Jinnah Park after, the young sister of Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah.
Monal Restaurant
Just above Damn-e-Koh is ‘Monal’ the largest eating out place in Islamabad. It is very expensive than any other restaurant in Islamabad and also the most famous eating out place as well. This because of the quality of food as well as the taste of the food. The services they provide are just awesome. Their hard works made them the most popular and successful.
One fact that Monal is named after a bird that has extraordinary capabilities and to be honest this name is perfect according to the services and food they provide. Besides this, what makes Monal Popular is the Location. Monal is surrounded by green Margalla hills. This scenic view will blow your mind just visit once.
