Karachi
South Asia · Pakistan
Did you know?
- Biryani is the city's most popular dish.
- Saddar's colonial district contains more than 600 protected British-period buildings.
- Boating at Kemari harbour is priced by the hour.
See also
Kirthar National Park
Pakistan25.59°N 67.56°E
Overview
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.
Languages: English, Urdu
Why go?
Karachi is a multi-ethnic, multilingual, multicultural and multi-religious city, the capital of Sindh province since the 1970s. It is Pakistan's wealthiest and most important financial and industrial centre, handling most of the country's overseas trade. Despite its troubled reputation, it is the nerve centre of the economy and one of the world's least expensive cities to live in.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Karachi has a mild arid climate with two main seasons. The best time to visit is from November to March when winter temperatures are mild. Summers are hot and humid from April to October, with monsoon rains in July and August. Temperatures range from 30-44°C in summer, and the lowest recorded is 0°C.
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Getting in
Jinnah International Airport (KHI) receives domestic and international flights. The city has two main railway stations: Cantonment and City. Buses and minibuses connect Karachi to other Pakistani cities. A taxi from the airport to Saddar costs around Rs 500–1000.
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Getting around
Getting around Karachi is not difficult and transportation is inexpensive. Public transport is poor and traffic congestion is severe during peak hours (08:00-10:00 and 17:30-19:00). Auto-rickshaws and taxis are common, though rickshaw rides can be adventurous.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to see
There is a lot to see in Karachi, especially in the downtown district of Saddar, which features colonial architecture. The city has over 600 protected buildings from the British period, though many are not well preserved. Key sights include the Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum, Mohatta Palace, and Empress Market.
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Activities
Karachi offers a wide scope of activities, particularly along the coastline. Boating at Kemari harbour costs Rs 500-3,000 per hour. Other activities include visiting amusement parks like Sindbad, cinemas, and water parks. The city also has a tour bus service for Rs 2,000.
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Food and drink
Karachi has a large number of restaurants serving diverse cuisines. Street food is a highlight, with areas like Boat Basin and Burns Road offering local specialties. Biryani is the most popular dish. A meal can cost as little as Rs 500. Alcohol is available at licensed wine shops, but drinking in public is banned. Coffee shops and juice parlours are plentiful in Defence and Clifton.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Karachi has a glut of hotels. Budget options in Saddar start from Rs 1,500 per night. Mid-range hotels like Sarawan Hotel cost Rs 3,000-4,500. Splurge hotels include Avari Towers, Marriott, and Pearl Continental. Budget hotels may lack generators and may not accept women traveling alone.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
The area code for Karachi is 21. Cell phone coverage is excellent. Cybercafes charge around Rs 50 per hour. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, malls, and some cafes, but generally difficult to find.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Day trips and onward destinations include Kirthar National Park, Mohenjo-daro, Thatta (Makli Necropolis and Jamia Masjid), Hyderabad, and Mothparja.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Angus
A very cosy cafe with nice interior. A good place to hang out. Food is excellent and offering gourmet coffee, desserts, grill as well steak.
Recorded price: Rs 800-1,000
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Aqua Lounge
18-C, 1st Floor, 5th Zamzama Commercial Street, Phase V, Defence. An upscale premier restaurant serving almost all kind of quality sea food as well steaks. Popular among elites and very busy. Cost per person is around Rs 2,000.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
BBQ Tonight
Main Bilawal Roundabout, Clifton. One of Karachi's most popular and splurge restaurants. Spread over four stories of seating, including partly covered rooftop seating, the restaurant is almost always completely packed, but the turnover is high, so reservations aren't required. It now serves lunch. The rooftop is good. Per person will cost at around Rs 900.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Boat Basin
A mile-long gastronomic delight strip of open-air eateries and restaurants. Boat Basin is where almost all of Karachi's late-partying citizens wind up, as food is often available here until five or six in the morning, and some restaurants serves 24 hours a day. Due to open air dining option available, the place becomes the most popular hangout place in the city. Like Burns Road, this bustling street offers a huge variety of local food, drinks and desserts. Boat Basin truly comes alive at night. Local style breakfast (such as halwa puri and anda paratha) is served at Boat-Basin as early as 06:00. At most of the eateries Rs 500 per person will be more than sufficient. If you're not the experimenting type then there's always the International fast food options apart from the authentic and traditional food.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- drink
Agha Juice House
A chain serving fresh fruit juices from all seasonal fruits and some good shakes. There are no more branches but some fake have made them at: Opp Amber Auditorium Bahadurabad, Main Rashid Minhas Road, Gushan Iqbal and Khadda Market Defence.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Arena
A modern and family friendly gaming arcade offering 16 lanes computerised bowling alley, virtual bowling for those who don't want to handle the traditional heavier bowling balls, mini golf, pool tables, 29 different arcade games, coin-operated kiddy rides for children, ice skating rink which is first of its kind in Pakistan, virtual reality simulator, paint ball, rock climbing, and a gymnasium. There's a nice buffet restaurant "Rangoli" which serve continental & Mughlai dishes and a cafe styled restaurant "Cafe Mist" and "Mocktail Bar" located inside the Arena.
Recorded price: Entrance fee is Rs 500 per person which is redeemable
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Boating at Kemari
Hire a boat for a 15-20 min ride to Manora Island or tour Karachi harbour.
Recorded price: Rs 500-3,000 per hour
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- drink
Butlers Chocolate Café
The Irish chocolatier has an upmarket and elegant cafe offering chocolates and gifts.
Recorded price: Rs 800-1,000
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Area code 21; good cell coverage; cybercafes Rs 50/hr; Wi-Fi limited.
Culture
Dress modestly, especially in religious sites. Alcohol only available in licensed shops. Nightlife is limited to private clubs and hotel bars.
Food
Street food is excellent and cheap; biryani and nihari are local specialties.
Health
Drink bottled water. Be prepared for power cuts; budget hotels may lack generators. Carry mosquito repellent during monsoons.
Local transport
Auto-rickshaws and taxis are cheap but chaotic; always negotiate upfront. Minibuses are the cheapest but can be cramped.
Money
Karachi is inexpensive for expatriates; budget hotels from Rs 1,500, meals from Rs 500.
Safety
Be cautious in crowded areas like Saddar; risk of pickpocketing. Avoid carrying valuables.
Transport
Public transport is poor; auto-rickshaws and taxis are common. Traffic jams at peak hours.
Visa context
Visa rules depend on passport; check current entry rules before booking.