Multan

Multan has an arid climate with very hot summers and mild winters, experiencing some of Pakistan's most extreme weather. The highest recorded temperature reaches approximately 54°C (129°F) while winters can drop to -1°C. Average rainfall is only 127 mm annually, with dust storms common throughout the year. The best time to visit is October through March when temperatures range from 12°C to 28°C, making outdoor sightseeing and shrine visits comfortable.

Multan International Airport (MUX) serves the city with domestic flights and some international connections. The Multan Cantonment railway station and Multan City railway station connect Multan to major Pakistani cities including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad via the Pakistan Railways network. Overland buses and coaches arrive at Dera Adda, the main bus terminal in the city.

Within the old city, most attractions including the fort ruins, shrines, and city gates are walkable. Rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are widely available for longer distances across the city. Minibuses connect Dera Adda to outlying areas like Muzzaffargarh for river trips, costing around Rs30.

Budget accommodation for foreign tourists is limited in Multan, with Hotel Multan Continental on Nishtar Road being one of the few options accepting international visitors at approximately Rs8,500 per night as of February 2026. Budget inns and guest houses cluster in Altaf Town on Tariq Road. Mid-range options include Fiesta Inn Hotel & Resorts (double from Rs5,575) and The First Hotel (single from Rs5,000, double from Rs6,000 with breakfast). The Ramada Multan on Abdali Road offers 3-star comfort from Rs16,000 for doubles, while Sindabad Hotel on Old Bahawalpur Road provides rooms at US$60-90 per person with air conditioning, minibar, and cable TV.

Multan earns its nickname as Pakistan's mango capital during summer when the city produces the juiciest mangoes in the world, including varieties like Sindhri, Anwar Ratol, Langra, Chonsa, and Dousairi. The signature sweet is Multani Sohan Halwa (sometimes called Habshi Halwa), made with sugar, pure ghee, flour, and garnished with nuts and pistachios—best enjoyed fresh at Qadeerabad. Street stalls serve regional kebabs, naan breads, and various chicken preparations. For meals, try Tasty Restaurant at Dera Adda for karahi, or Khan Restaurant (Taj Hotel) at Nawan Shehr Chowk for authentic mutton dishes. International chains including Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway, and McDonald's operate in the Cantonment and Gulgasht areas. Local drinks include falsa cola (red currant cola), Goli Wali Bottle (soft drink with a marble), Dahi Ballay (sour curd with mixed vegetables), and Gol Gappay—best found near cinemas in Nawan Shehr. Alcohol is sold at Ramada and Sindbad Hotel to non-Muslims only.

The Ruins of Multan Fort stand in the city center near Shah Rukn-e-Alam's mausoleum, with the massive ancient complex having witnessed empires rise and fall before its walls. The Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam (1251-1335) draws thousands of pilgrims from across Pakistan to this Sufi saint's domed tomb. The Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) is the landmark of the old city, built during colonial times with its surrounding square recently renovated. Cricket enthusiasts can attend matches at Multan Cricket Stadium, a traditional venue for test matches and one-day internationals from September to February, where local hero Inzamam-ul-Haq's games draw sellout crowds. Visit the Sufi saint shrines ranging from 400 to 1,000 years old, including Shah Bahaudin Zikarya, Shah Yusuf Gardez, and Bibi Pak Daman within the old city walls.

Multan has three main shopping districts: Saddar Bazaar, Hussain Agahi, and Gulgasht. Hussain Agahi is a congested market famous for local textiles, electronics, spices, carpets, handicrafts, pottery, and Multani halwa—bargaining is essential as nearly all vendors sell similar items. Multan is famous for its blue tiles used in bathroom and building decoration, and Multani pottery is prized throughout Pakistan as decorative items, especially vases. Quality tailors offer custom tunic-trouser combinations at fair prices. Multani jewelry, particularly the distinctive Multani Har, is well-known nationwide, with goldsmith shops concentrated at Hassan Arcade on Nusrat Road. Multani mitti (clay) is used as a mud mask, and traditional Multani shoes are worn during weddings and festivals near Ghanta Ghar. For Western-style shopping, Multan Mart in the I11 area offers a large supermarket experience. Major brand shopping is available at Chenone Tower on Abdali Road and Pace on Bosan Road, with big sales typically in February-March.

Multan is generally safe for travelers, though standard precautions apply regarding petty theft and scams in crowded markets. Dust storms are common and can affect air quality and visibility. During summer, heat exhaustion and dehydration are serious risks—stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours. Female travelers should dress conservatively, covering arms and legs, particularly when visiting shrines and older city areas.

Major Pakistani mobile networks provide coverage in Multan. International roaming is available but expensive; purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival is recommended for budget travelers. WiFi is commonly available at hotels and restaurants in uptown areas like Gulgasht and the Cantonment, though connectivity may be limited in the old city.

Bahawalpur, approximately 200 km (3 hours drive) from Multan, offers palaces, a library, museum, zoo, and historical gates plus access to Lal Sohanra National Park and the Cholistan Desert. The massive Derawar Fort, a square-shaped fortress with 40 cylindrical bastions standing 30 meters high, rises from the desert 200 km south. Uch Shariff, 175 km from Multan, is another City of Saints with shrines to Hazrat Bahawal Haleem, Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh Bukhari, and others, though many structures are in depleted condition following flood damage. Head Punjnad, 130 km on KLP Road, marks where Punjab's five rivers unite to form the Punjnad River. The Harappa Ruins near Sahiwal showcase ancient Indus Valley civilization heritage.

From Multan, Bahawalpur makes an excellent overnight or weekend trip for its regal architecture and desert adventures. Uch Shariff offers a quieter, more spiritual experience with fewer tourists than Multan's shrines. For hill station escapes, Fort Munro in the Dera Ghazi Khan district rises to 2,100 meters elevation in the Sulaiman Mountains, providing relief from Multan's summer heat via Highway N-70. The Harappa Ruins near Sahiwal connect to Pakistan's ancient civilization past.