Pakistan

Places in Pakistan

• Abbottabad

  Abbottabad is a hill station city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, popular as a summer escape from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. Founded as a British district headquarters in the 1850s, it was named after Major James Abbott and later became internationally notorious for the killing of Osama bin Laden.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$22

  Best months

  Apr–Oct

• Attock

  Attock is a historically significant district capital in Punjab, Pakistan, strategically positioned on the banks of the River Indus. The city serves as an important link between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, making it a useful stop for travelers moving between these regions.

  Atlas entry

• Ayubia National Park

  Ayubia National Park is a well-developed resort complex in the Galyat region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering temperate pine forests at 8,000 feet elevation. It serves as a popular picnic destination and cooler summer retreat compared to the plains below.

  Atlas entry

• Bagh

  Bagh is a quiet district headquarters in Azad Kashmir nestled at the confluence of two nullahs, Malwani and Mall. It serves as a gateway to lesser Himalayan scenery including hill stations, mountain peaks, and Panjal Mastan National Park.

  Atlas entry

• Bahawalnagar

  Bahawalnagar is a small city in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. It serves as a regional center with basic amenities for travelers passing through the area.

  Atlas entry

• Bahawalpur

  Bahawalpur was once the capital of the princely state of Bahawalpur, and its former rulers left behind an impressive legacy of ornate palaces and monuments. The city serves as the gateway to the Cholistan Desert and Derawar Fort, one of Pakistan's most striking historical structures.

  Atlas entry

• Chakwal

  Chakwal sits in Southern Punjab as a quiet counterpoint to Pakistan's busier cities. It earns the nickname 'Lake District' from roughly a dozen scenic lakes dotting the surrounding area, making it a natural draw for picnickers and day-trippers.

  Atlas entry

• Changa Manga

  Changa Manga is one of the oldest and largest artificial forest plantations in Pakistan, covering over 12,000 acres near Lahore. The park offers a unique blend of natural scenery, wildlife conservation, and nostalgic attractions including a vintage steam train and a vulture breeding center.

  Atlas entry

• Charsadda

  Charsadda offers a rare window into the ancient Gandharan civilization that flourished here from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. The ruins of Pushkalavati, the ancient capital, remain visible near the modern town, making it a significant destination for history enthusiasts and archaeology lovers.

  Atlas entry

• Chitral

  Chitral serves as the capital of Chitral District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, nestled in the Hindukush mountains. The town offers access to the unique Kalasha Valleys, home to the endangered Kalasha people with their distinct Animist traditions.

  Atlas entry

• Daska

  Daska is a medium-sized town in Northern Punjab situated between Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Sambrial. It offers a glimpse into traditional Punjabi small-town life with local markets, mosques, and modest historical sites.

  Atlas entry

• Dera Ghazi Khan

  Dera Ghazi Khan is a strategically located city in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, positioned at the junction of all four provinces of the country. The city serves as the capital of Dera Ghazi Khan district and gives its name to a division comprising four districts.

  Atlas entry

• Dinga

  Dinga is a small city of 51,000 people in District Gujrat Tehsil Khariyan, Northern Punjab. Formerly known as "Deen-gah" meaning a place of deen or centre of Islam, the city retains pre-partition era buildings and Hindu temples.

  Atlas entry

• Dudhu Chak

  Dudhu Chak is a historic border town in northeast Punjab, Pakistan, established about 500 years ago by farmers and Kashmir refugees. The town is famous for its proximity to Basanter Lake and beach, offering a glimpse into rural Punjabi life near the India-Pakistan border.

  Atlas entry

• Faisalabad

  Faisalabad is an industrial textile city with an unusual British-era clock-tower grid and huge cloth markets. Its bazaars, lassi stalls, museum, and wildlife park offer an offbeat view of Punjab beyond the main tourist circuit.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$19

  Best months

  Oct–Mar

• Gilgit

  Gilgit is a Karakoram Highway crossroads and a practical base for northern valleys, trekking, and mountaineering. Cherry blossoms, suspension-bridge views, jeep excursions, and fresh mountain produce add reasons to pause in town.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$26

  Best months

  Mar–Oct

• Gujar Khan

  Gujar Khan is a city of approximately 75,000 residents in Rawalpindi District of Punjab, Pakistan. It benefits from natural petroleum and gas resources.

  Atlas entry

• Gujranwala

  Gujranwala offers a raw, authentic Pakistani urban experience away from typical tourist routes. The city stakes its claim as the 'City of Wrestlers' (Phelwana da shehur), having produced legendary grapplers like Rahim Bux Phelwan Sultani wala who earned the title 'Rustum Hind' after twice wrestling the Great Gama.

  Atlas entry

• Gujrat

  Gujrat is a major industrial city in Northern Punjab, Pakistan, positioned between two famous rivers: the Jhelum to the northwest and the Chenab to the east and southeast. The district covers an area of 3,192 km² and includes historic villages and towns such as Jalalpur Jattan, Chakdina, Karnana, Kunjah, Sehna, and Lalamusa.

  Atlas entry

• Gwadar

  Gwadar is a remote Pakistani coastal town on the Arabian Sea at the southern end of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. As of 2025, it continues to lack basic infrastructure like sufficient electricity and drinking water, but offers dramatic coastal scenery including desert beaches, rugged mountains, and the developing Gwadar Port.

  Atlas entry

• Hangu

  Hangu is a district town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, formerly known as North-West Frontier Province. It sits about 30 km from Kohat and 60 km from Peshawar.

  Atlas entry

• Havelian

  Havelian offers travelers a glimpse into Hazara culture and traditions at the foothills of the Himalayas. The town literally means "The Mansions," named for the ancient residential buildings and caravan-serais that once hosted Silk Road travelers.

  Atlas entry

• Hyderabad

  Hyderabad is Sindh's second-largest city and a historic capital that retains royal Kalhora and Talpur-era monuments amid a sprawling modern urban fabric. The city was once called the 'Paris of India' for its streets allegedly washed daily with clean Indus water; today it serves as a transit hub between rural and urban Sindh, offering crumbling fortresses, tiled royal tombs, and the miles-long Shahi Bazaar—less polished than Karachi but richer in living market culture.

  Atlas entry

• Islamabad

  Islamabad is a planned, green capital with tree-lined sectors, modern infrastructure, and a relaxed atmosphere. Use it as a calm base for Margalla Hills walks, northern-valley trips, museums, shopping, and onward connections.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$25

  Best months

  Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov

• Islamgarh

  Islamgarh serves primarily as a transit town in Azad Kashmir, located near the Line of Control separating Pakistani-administered Kashmir from Indian-administered territory. It is close to the village of Chak Haryam and provides access to the rural landscapes of this disputed region.

  Atlas entry

• Jacobabad

  Jacobabad serves primarily as a transit stop on the railway line between Karachi and Quetta. The city is notable for being one of the hottest inhabited places on Earth, with documented wet-bulb temperatures exceeding 35°C where human bodies cannot cool themselves.

  Atlas entry

• Jhang

  Jhang is a mid-sized Punjabi city of over 390,000 inhabitants on the east side of the Chenab River. It serves as a cultural and religious center, famous for its Sufi shrines including the Shrine of Sultan Bahoo, a 17th-century Muslim saint whose tomb draws pilgrims and tourists alike.

  Atlas entry

• Jhelum

  Jhelum is a mid-sized Punjabi city serving as a convenient transit hub on GT Road between Islamabad and Lahore. The city is notable for its 16th-century Rohtas Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and several historic Sufi shrines scattered around the district.

  Atlas entry

• Karachi

  Karachi is a sprawling, multilingual port city where colonial architecture, coastline activities, and lively street food meet. Saddar, Boat Basin, Burns Road, and the city's markets offer a broad introduction to urban Sindh.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$32

  Best months

  Nov–Mar

• Karimabad

  Karimabad is Hunza Valley's historic center, combining Karakoram views, restored forts, accessible hikes, and a compact hotel-and-market zone. Walks toward Baltit and Altit, local food, and the KKH make it a rewarding mountain stop.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$27

  Best months

  May–Oct

• Kasur

  Kasur sits adjacent to the India-Pakistan border at Ganda Singh Wala, drawing tourists for the daily Flags lowering ceremony. The city is also known for its association with Lord Rama's son Kush in ancient legend, and houses the revered shrine of Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah.

  Atlas entry

• Khairpur

  Khairpur is the capital of Khairpur District in Northern Sindh, Pakistan. The city served as the seat of the Talpur dynasty, whose monarchs built Faiz Mahal in 1798 as their principal court.

  Atlas entry

• Khurrianwala

  Khurrianwala is Pakistan's second largest industrial town, serving as an economic hub near Faisalabad. The town offers authentic Punjabi experiences with textile shopping, local sweets, and access to nearby attractions including Asia's largest artificial waterfall.

  Atlas entry

• Kirthar National Park

  Kirthar National Park offers rugged wilderness, sandstone fortifications, and chances to see Sindh ibex, urials, chinkara, and birds. Plan around a 4x4, a mandatory guide, limited facilities, and the park's hot, dry conditions.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$43

  Best months

  Oct–Jan

• Lahore

  Lahore is Pakistan's cultural capital, where Mughal-era monuments, colonial-gothic architecture, and the Walled City create a dense history-focused stay. Food streets, rickshaws, and rooftop dining make the old town especially rewarding to explore.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$20

  Best months

  Oct–Apr

• Larkana

  Larkana serves as the administrative headquarters of Larkana District in Northern Sindh. The city is largely known throughout Pakistan for its association with the prominent Bhutto political family.

  Atlas entry

• Mandi Bahauddin

  Mandi Bahauddin sits at the crossroads between Eastern and Western Punjab, forming a central part of Chaj Doab. The city serves as a gateway for travelers interested in Pakistan's Mughal and colonial history, with the nearby Chillianwala battlefield and Phalia (where Alexander the Great fought Rajah Porus) within reach.

  Atlas entry

• Mardan

  Mardan is the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after Peshawar, known throughout the region for its exceptionally hospitable Pashtun people. The city holds significant archaeological importance, particularly the Buddhist stupas of Takht-i-Bahi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 1st century CE.

  Atlas entry

• Mingora

  Mingora was once a major tourist destination praised by Queen Elizabeth II as the "Switzerland of the former Empire." Today, the city serves as the main urban hub of Swat Valley, offering access to Buddhist archaeological sites and Gandharan heritage despite its precarious location in a volatile area of Pakistan.

  Atlas entry

• Mirpur

  Mirpur is known as "Little England" due to its large diaspora community originating from this city in the UK. The modern planned city features grand bungalows and wide roads funded by expatriate remittances, offering a uniquely affluent atmosphere unlike typical Pakistani cities.

  Atlas entry

• Mirpur Khas

  Mirpur Khas, meaning 'land of most royal Mirs', is an ancient city in Southern Sindh with roots dating to 4th-century Buddhist settlements. While not a typical tourist destination, it offers unique historical sites including the Chitorri graveyard of Talpur Mirs and the Kahu Jo Darro Buddhist archaeological site.

  Atlas entry

• Mithi

  Mithi is the capital of Tharparkar district in the only fertile desert in the world, a vast arid region of sand dunes covered with thorny bushes and ridges reaching up to 46 meters high. The town serves as a gateway for exploring the unique Thar Desert landscape and traditional Sindhi culture.

  Atlas entry

• Mohenjo-daro

  Mohenjo-daro preserves one of the earliest cities in the world, with the Great Bath, drainage systems, and a museum of Indus Valley artefacts. Expect a large pedestrian archaeological complex in hot, dry rural Sindh, so water, shade, and comfortable shoes matter.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$30

  Best months

  Oct–Mar

• Multan

  Multan blends centuries-old Sufi shrines with busy bazaars, blue pottery, intricate tilework, and a strong mango culture. The old city's sacred sites pair naturally with Hussain Agahi shopping and local sweets.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$16

  Best months

  Oct–Mar

• Murree

  Murree is a high Himalayan hill station with colonial-era roots, evergreen forests, cool air, and views toward snowy Kashmir peaks. It works as a mountain base for walks, nearby resorts, cable-car outings, and winter snowfall.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$29

  Best months

  May–Sep

• Muzaffarabad

  Muzaffarabad sits where the Jhelum and Neelum rivers meet, with a riverside setting, historic forts, and access to mountain valleys. Road travel is scenic but winding, while Pir Chinasi, Patikka, and Dhani Waterfall make strong day outings.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$21

  Best months

  Mar–Nov

• Nagarparkar

  Nagarparkar is Pakistan's farthest southeastern town in Sindh, sitting near the Indian border at the foot of the Karoonjhar Hills. The town is renowned for its collection of ancient Jain temples, some of the oldest in Pakistan, reflecting the area's once-significant Jain population.

  Atlas entry

• Nankana Sahib

  Nankana Sahib is the holiest city in Sikhism, built around the exact spot where Guru Nanak, the faith's founder, was born in 1469. Pilgrims come from across India and the diaspora to bow at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, take a dip in the sarovar (sacred pool), and eat free community langar.

  Atlas entry

• Naran

  Naran is a popular tourist resort in the Kaghan Valley, famous for its pleasant weather and as the gateway to Gilgit Hunza via Babusar Pass. The town sits near the stunning Saif-ul-Malook Lake and offers excellent trekking opportunities in the surrounding alpine landscape.

  Atlas entry

• Nawabshah

  Nawabshah is a major city of 280,000 people (2017) in Northern Sindh, Pakistan. It is home to the Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, making it an educational hub for the region.

  Atlas entry

• Pakpattan

  Pakpattan is a city of 177,000 people in Punjab, Pakistan, and the seat of Pakistan's Chisti order of Sufism. It is a major pilgrimage destination centered on the shrine of Fariduddin Ganjshakar, the renowned Punjabi poet and Sufi saint commonly referred to as Baba Farid.

  Atlas entry

• Passu

  Passu is a small mountain village on the Karakoram Highway in the Gojal region of Gilgit-Baltistan. Although it has fewer accommodation options than neighboring villages, it offers striking views of Tupopdan mountain (also called Passu Cones or Passu Cathedral) and access to hiking trails.

  Atlas entry

• Peshawar

  Peshawar combines an ancient city history with an Afghan-influenced frontier atmosphere, bazaars, museums, and Mughal-era landmarks. Chapli kebab, Peshawari shoes, and Qissa Khwani Bazaar give the visit a distinctive local character.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$18

  Best months

  Nov–Mar

• Pishin

  Pishin is a small valley town in Balochistan, approximately 50 km from Quetta, known for its extensive fruit orchards that thrive thanks to the traditional Karez irrigation system. The area attracts visitors seeking natural beauty away from Pakistan's more crowded tourist destinations.

  Atlas entry

• Quetta

  Quetta serves as the essential transit point for travelers on the overland route from Istanbul to New Delhi who wish to avoid Afghanistan. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountains—Chiltan, Zarghun, and Koh-e-Murdar—creating a natural fort setting.

  Atlas entry

• Rabwah

  Rabwah (officially Chenab Nagar) is a small city in Punjab's Chiniot district with a population of 70,000, where over 97% of residents belong to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Established in 1948 after partition, it served as the community's headquarters until 1983 and remains a significant pilgrimage site for followers.

  Atlas entry

• Rahimyar Khan

  Rahim Yar Khan claims to be one of the few cities still at its pioneering stage, with a history spanning 5,000 years through names like Aror, Alor, City of Pattan, Phul Wada, and Noshehra. The city offers very good civic facilities for a Punjab district headquarters, with good educational institutions including Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Khawja Fareed Engineering University.

  Atlas entry

• Rawalakot

  Rawalakot is the capital of Poonch District in Azad Kashmir, sitting in a saucer-shaped valley at 1,615 metres (5,300 ft) elevation. Known as the Pearl Valley, it offers lush green mountains, dense pine forests, and access to attractions like Banjosa Lake, hot springs, and mountain viewpoints.

  Atlas entry

• Rawalpindi

  Rawalpindi is a gritty, bustling counterpoint to Islamabad, built around everyday markets, street food, and colonial influence. Raja Bazaar and nearby archaeological or park outings suit travelers who want a less curated urban experience.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$20

  Best months

  Mar–May, Sep–Nov

• Sahiwal

  Sahiwal is a major regional city with nearly 390,000 inhabitants, situated between the Sutlej and Ravi rivers in Northern Punjab. While the city itself has a few interesting sights, its primary draw for travelers is as the main transport hub for visiting the famous archaeological site of Harappa, one of the main centers of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation dating back to 3000-5000 BC.

  Atlas entry

• Sambrial

  Sambrial is a Tehsil (administrative subdivision) in Northern Punjab, notable primarily for its central location between Sialkot, Gujrat, and Gujranwala. The city gained significance with the establishment of Sialkot DryPort Trust in 1985, Asia's first International DryPort.

  Atlas entry

• Samundri

  Samundri is a small Punjabi trading city 45 km from Faisalabad, serving as a major grain, whole corn, and sugar market for the surrounding agricultural region. The city is distinctive for its custom truck painting business and colorful bazaar culture centered around the clock tower.

  Atlas entry

• Sangla Hill

  Sangla Hill is a small town in Nankana Sahib District of Punjab Province, Pakistan. It offers a local experience with a hill park, Clock Tower, and traditional Punjabi street food including gol gappe, dahi bhale, and lassi.

  Atlas entry

• Sargodha

  Sargodha is Punjab's top orange-exporting city, producing the famous kinnow mandarins that are sent abroad. The city is nicknamed the "California of Pakistan" for its agricultural richness and citrus production.

  Atlas entry

• Sehwan

  Sehwan Sharif is one of the oldest towns in Sindh and Pakistan's most significant Sufi pilgrimage centers. The town revolves around the beautiful shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 13th-century mystic poet and saint who preached religious tolerance between Muslims and Hindus.

  Atlas entry

• Shakargarh

  Shakargarh is a minor border town in Pakistan's Punjab province, serving as a crossing point between Pakistan and India. It has limited tourist infrastructure but offers proximity to the Pak-Indo border and a few local sites.

  Atlas entry

• Sheikhupura

  Sheikhupura is an industrial city in Punjab, Pakistan, famous for rice production with a Nestlé Pakistan facility located here. The city offers Mughal-era heritage sites and serves as a base for visiting nearby Nankana Sahib.

  Atlas entry

• Shikarpur, Sindh

  Shikarpur is a small city and capital of Shikarpur District in Sindh province, Pakistan. It sits about 29 km west of the right bank of the Indus River, with a railway station located 37 km northwest of Sukkur.

  Atlas entry

• Sialkot

  Sialkot is one of Pakistan's oldest cities, established around 3,000 BCE and re-founded by Raja Sálbán in 200 CE. The city is a global manufacturing powerhouse, producing surgical goods, sports equipment, leather garments, and musical instruments that generate over a billion US dollars annually in exports.

  Atlas entry

• Skardu

  Skardu sits at 2,438 m in the heart of Pakistan's Karakoram mountains, serving as the gateway to K2 and the world's most dramatic alpine scenery. The town blends Tibetan-influenced Balti culture with access to glacial lakes, ancient forts, and trekking routes.

  Atlas entry

• Sost

  Sost is a small frontier town in Upper Hunza, Pakistan, and the last settlement before the Chinese border. It serves as a busy transit point with a dry port and immigration office, giving the town a purposeful, bustling energy as goods and travelers cross between Pakistan and China via the Karakoram Highway.

  Atlas entry

• Sukkur

  Sukkur lies on the west bank of the Indus River and is the third largest city of Sindh. The city is nicknamed Darya Dino, meaning 'gift of river', as without the Indus the city would be a desert.

  Atlas entry

• Taxila

  Taxila is a UNESCO archaeological landscape spanning 2,500 years of history. Its ancient Buddhist center and Greek-influenced Gandharan art give the ruins a distinctive cultural character.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$27

  Best months

  Oct–Mar

• Thari

  Thari (also known as Thari Mirwah) is a city in the Khairpur district of Northern Sindh, Pakistan, with a population of approximately 352,000 as of 2017. The city sits along the N-5 National Highway and Mehran Highway, making it a potential stop for road travelers between Karachi and interior Sindh.

  Atlas entry

• Thatta

  Thatta is a small historical town in Sindh, Pakistan, famous for two major UNESCO-calibre sites: the vast necropolis of Makli Hill with up to 125,000 elaborately decorated tombs spanning the 14th-18th centuries, and the 17th-century Shah Jahan Mosque built by the Mughal emperor who later constructed the Taj Mahal. The town offers a glimpse into Sindh's golden age when it was capital of three dynasties and a centre of learning, arts and commerce.

  Atlas entry

• Toba Tek Singh

  Toba Tek Singh is a small Punjabi city primarily known as a railway junction connecting Faisalabad with smaller surrounding towns. Most travelers pass through en route to nearby destinations like Pir Mahal, Gojra, or Kamalia rather than lingering.

  Atlas entry

• Umerkot

  Umerkot is a small historical town in southeastern Sindh best known for its well-preserved fort dating to the 11th-13th century. The town holds special significance as the birthplace of Akbar the Great, the third Mughal emperor who ruled India for nearly 50 years.

  Atlas entry

• Vehari

  Vehari is a working agricultural city of 145,000 people in Southern Punjab, known for cotton processing factories, cottonseed oil plants, and seasonal mango and guava harvests. It lacks conventional tourist attractions but serves as a practical stop on the southern alternate route between Multan and Lahore, lying roughly 20-30 miles east of the main northern route.

  Atlas entry

• Wagah

  Wagah is the only open land crossing between India and Pakistan, drawing visitors for its daily flag raising and lowering ceremony. The beating retreat ceremony features tall members of the Indian Border Security Force and Pakistani Rangers marching in synchronized pomp, creating a patriotic atmosphere that draws crowds from both nations.

  Atlas entry

• Wah Cantt

  Wah Cantonment is a military city in Punjab province, Pakistan, adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Taxila. The area holds historical significance dating to the Mughal era, with Emperor Jehangir naming the settlement after his exclamation of 'Wah' (wow) at the scenic beauty.

  Atlas entry

• Wazirabad

  Wazirabad is a historic Punjabi city of roughly 300,000 people (2017) that calls itself the "City of Cutlery" for its famous knife and cutlery production. Located about 30 km from Gujranwala City, it offers a glimpse into Mughal-era Punjab with sites like the 1636 CE Musamman Burj and the 1542 CE Dak Chowki.

  Atlas entry

• Ziarat

  Ziarat is a tranquil mountain resort situated 133 km from Quetta amid one of the largest and oldest juniper forests in the world, with some trees estimated at 5,000 years old. The town derives its name from the Pashto word for "shrine," referring to the tomb of local saint Kharwari Baba, which draws regular pilgrimages.

  Atlas entry