Islamabad Things to Do Tips by fashionapple Top 5 Page for this destination

National Heritage Museum

National Heritage Museum was inaugurated on 14th August 2004. This is the first state museum in the country displaying and portraying the living cultural traditions and lifestyles of the people not only from the mainstream but also from the remotest regions. The museum has 25 galleries and four blocks with a covered area of 60,000 sq ft. featuring exhibit halls, making it the largest museum of the country.

The museum displays handicrafts, metal work, jewelry, traditional embroidered costumes, woodwork, block printing, mirror work, marble items, mosaic tiles and a lot more. Heritage Library, which is an integral part of the museum, has great collection of books and data on architecture, history, heritage, music, crafts, culture and arts of Pakistan. Audio and videocassettes of folk, classical and instrumental music are also sold at Lok Virsa's Sales Center.

This museum gives a good understanding of Pakistan and life of her people. Museum timings are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm daily except Friday. I would strongly recommend you go there and get an understanding of life and culture of Pakistan.

Address: Lok Virsa, near Shakarparian, Islamabad

Phone: +92 51 9201651, 9203983

Margalla Festival

Basant festival is celebrated in Lahore and rest of Punjab to welcome spring in February. Its main attraction is kite flying. Islamabad is rated as boring city in terms of social activities. With the passage of time scenario is changing rapidly. Now Margalla Festival is arranged every year in March- April to welcome Spring season. Fatima Jinnah Park in F-9 is the venue of this festival in which people of twin cities participate very actively.

Kite flying, concerts, flower exhibitions, darmas, stage shows and lot of other activities are held to celebrate spring. Many multinational and private companies find it an attractive opportunity to promote themself so they put up stalls and offer free kites with promotinal material to guests.Special food stalls and traditional dancing parties are also there and add true colors to celebrations.

Address: Fatima Jinnah park, Sector F-9, Islamabad

Saudi Park Tower Saudi Pak Tower Review

Saudi Park Tower is one of beautiful buildings of city hosting officers of multinational companies. It is true picture of Islamic Architecture. Its possible to take photograph of building from outside but not from inside because of tight security.

Address: Saudi Pak Tower , Blue Area, Islamabad

Rose and Jasmine Garden Rose and Jasmine Garden Review

This 20,360 sq. meters garden has 250 different varieties of roses as well as a dozen types of Jasmines. Its very popular spot among residents to relax. Springs and Autumn flower shows are arranged here by Horticultural Society of Pakistan in association with Capital Development Authority every year. There is also the Tourist Camping Site near this park.

Address: Rose & Jasmine Garden, Islamabad

Directions: Follow the road that goes from Aabpara to Sports Complex and Rose and Jasmine Garden.

Simly Lake Dams Review

Simly Dam is major water source for residents of Islamabad. It is also a popular picnic spot. spot because of its scenic location. Its some 30 Km from Islamabad near Bhara Kahu town. Dam was completed in 1983 and its lake is spread over an area of 28,750 acre. Water sports facilities are provided by Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan.

Address: Simly Dam, Near Barah Kahu, Islamabad

Directions: Clearance barriers have veen installed at number of places. Road is in very bad condition. Turn left from main Barah Kahu town for Simly Dam.

Margalla hills Margalla Hills Review

Residents of twin cities visit Margalla hills frequently in summer in order to get rid of hot weather. One can go there to relax, walk, hike, drive or for camping, picnic or cycling. Views of twin cities, murree and rawal lake are refreshing from the hills. Spots like Daman-e-Koh and Peer Sohawa have been developed to provide better facilities to visitors.

Covered Market Covered Market Review

Covered market in sector G -6/3 specializes all kind of vegetables and groceries. Most of the foreigners living in Islamabad prefer to buy vegetables and fruits from there because of their freshness and variety So you can also try this different market for quality fruits and vegetables of your choice at reasonable prices.

Address: Covered Market, Sector G-6/3, Islamabad

Peer Sohawa Margalla Hills Review

Peer Sohawa is one of my favorite place in Islamabad. Its at much higher altitude of Margalla Hills and receive snowfall in winter. Weather is also much cool and area is peaceful. In summers, the weather is really nice so you can get rid of hot weather of twin cities and relax at Peer Sohawa. The views are breath taking and you can see muree hills, twin cities, rawal lake and surrounding areas.

Your car should be in good condition as the road is very steep. If you don't have own car, they book transport for you which takes you there and brings back. Its not easy to get transport back from Peer Sohawa. You can also enjoy delicious BBQ at "The Khokha" which is always crowded because of its delicious food. "Sohawa Heights" is another good place to eat.

Directions: Take this very steep road up after crossing Daman-e-Koh and after half an hour or so, you would be in Peer Sohawa.

Quaid-i-Azam University Quaid-i-Azam University Review

This uni was founded in 1965 as a national institution for higher education and research. In 1976 it was renamed as Quaid-i-Azam University. The uinversity offers Masters and Ph.D programs in various subjects. It is one of Pakistan's best International standard universities. It is recongnized in world as well as in Pakistan for its quality education and high academic standards.

The university is located on beautiful Margalla hills in a quite and peaceful corner of Islamabad. From Islamabad and Rawalpindi shuttle service run after every hour for students and employees. You should visit this university because of its beautiful surroundings, margalla hills and thick forests, beautiful streams and hiking tracks.

The university is located on higher altitude as compared to Islamabad so its weather is also a bit different from twin cities. You can expect rain or hail storms any time. Every year during winters, Margalla's peak located on back of Main library gets snow fall adding more chill in the air. In Monsoon seasons, views are lovely and romatic when clouds float around you. You can see love birds roaming around in "Lovers Garden" located in front of Administrative Sciences department.

For food, you must visit "Majeed Ka Khookha". It offers really mouth watering food and even non-students come here to enjoy delicious food offered by Majeed. University offers many social events like Basant, Spring festival, Abrar-ul-Haq's annual concert, fun fairs and much more. Students and residents of twin cities participate in these events alike.

Address: Sector G-3, Near Bari Imam, Islamabad

Phone: +92 51 2827259, 2827538, 2821397

Rawal Lake Rawal Lake Review

Rawal lake is another nice picnic spot. It is a large artificial water reservoir and main water sourcefor residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Many people visit Rawal Lake, sit there are relax. Sun set at Rawal lake looks beautiful. The area round the lake has been planted with flowering trees. Many picnic spots have also been designed. There is a restaurant operated by PTDC that offers snacks. The lake covers an area of 8.8 sq.km. Sailing, boating and fishing facilities are available. The highest point in the garden gives lovely view of lake, margalla n murree hills and twin cities.

Address: Rawal Dam, Opp. Islamabad Club