Travel to Islamabad with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Islamabad with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad, is propped against the Margala Hills, the foothills of the Himalayas in northern Punjab. Technically it is not part of Punjab, but forms its own capital authority. The city boasts wide, tree-lined streets, with plenty of stately mansions, graceful public buildings and well organised bazaars. Surprisingly, there are few crowds, virtually no traffic jams and little visible poverty.

Getting There

You can fly into Islamabad from destinations in Europe and Asia, or via domestic flights. Train travel is decent, but no routes are offered into the mountains. Buses travel here from all across the country, but dangerous mountain roads make the journeys long and difficult. Vans, wagons, pick-ups and jeeps are also popular forms of road transport in-country.

Key Attractions

There are a few sights worth visiting in Islamabad, including the Secretariat Blocks, which serve as the administrative and policy planning centre of Pakistan. Aiwan-e-Sadar is the official residence of the Head of State and is spread over a few adjacent hills. The Supreme Court building is also quite impressive, and the equally interesting Parliament House sits five storeys high. Shah Faisal Mosque was largely financed by donations from Saudi Arabia and is the largest mosque in the world, capable of holding 15,000 people inside and another 85,000 in the courtyard.

Out and About

The Daman-e-Koh Viewpoint, suspended halfway up the Margalla Hills, gives the best view south over Islamabad. It’s a 45-minute walk up from the northern end of 7th avenue, and the park offers picnic areas, paths, gardens and terraces. Also offering great photo opportunities is Shakarparian Park, situated on a low hill between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The East Viewpoint here overlooks Islamabad and has a charming sunken garden; while the West Viewpoint overlooks Rawalpindi.

Farther afield, you can visit the capital of Punjab, Lahore. Located 250kms from Islamabad, this is the nation’s cultural, educational and artistic centre – and the most visited city in the country.

Leisure Options

The area’s lakes are great for relaxation. Rawal Lake is a massive artificial reservoir and the area around it features flowering trees and gardens, picnic spots, and secluded paths. Alternatively, Simly Lake provides recreation facilities for boating, sailing and water skiing. Another delight is the Rose and Jasmine Garden, which hosts annual flower and rose shows in spring.

Safety

Tourists are always more susceptible when in an unfamiliar environment. Additionally, language differences can contribute to missed travel arrangements and other problems. Pakistan is not considered too safe for travellers and we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you or your family.

Weather in Islamabad

Summers are hot throughout the country with temperatures ranging from 32C - 48C and it is not much cooler at night. Trade winds to provide some relief during the hot and humid summers. Islamabad does have a distinct winter season and morning frosts are frequent.

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