Flight Destinations
Flights to Islamabad
Places in Pakistan
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The capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad, is situated in the north of the country. It was built during the 1960s so that it could replace the original capital Karachi. As a planned city, Islamabad is full of green spaces and has a great deal of beautiful architecture.
Flights to Islamabad
The Benazir Bhutto International Airport (airport code: ISB), formerly the Islamabad International Airport, is located outside the city centre and handles all international flights to Islamabad. From the UK there are both direct and indirect flights available to Islamabad, depending on the airline. Since British Airways suspended its flights to Islamabad, Pakistan International Airlines is the only carrier to fly direct from London. Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, BMI, and Lufthansa all offer one stop flights to Islamabad travelling a variety of routes.Islamabad Tourist Attractions
Islamabad has an excellent selection of tourist attractions, from open spaces to beautiful architecture. This is the tenth most populated city in Pakistan so although there are still over 1.7 million people here it is less crowded than some of the country’s other popular cities.Faisal Mosque
One of the most impressive buildings in Islamabad is Faisal Mosque. This is the largest mosque in the country and was once the largest in the world (now the sixth largest in the world). The mosque is actually named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia who supported and financed the project which cost $US 120 million. Visitors are usually quite welcome but remember that this is a working mosque so respect the usual traditions and don’t expect to be allowed to enter during prayer times unless you are a Muslim yourself.
Margalla Hills National Park
Islamabad sits at the foothills of the Margalla Hills, which in turn is at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. The Margalla Hills make a popular retreat from city life, and attractions do not only include the national park. Daman-e-Koh is a popular viewpoint area from which you can get spectacular views over Islamabad. It’s set in the hills where you can also enjoy a café and restauarant. The entrance to the zoo (see below) is nearby.
Higher up the hills is Pir Sohawa. This rural location is great if you want to go walking in the hills, admiring the views over the city and beyond. Within the national park itself there are also some great hiking trails and it is renowned for its birdlife and wild animals.
Parks and Zoos in Islamabad
Islamabad Zoo is home to over 300 animals and has more than 200 different bird species. You’ll also find some larger animals here such as lions and tigers.
As Islamabad is a planned city plenty of green space was left for its residents and visitors to enjoy. There are many parks in the city such as the Japanese Park, popular with children and families, and Lake View Park which offers a lake with boating and fishing.
Islamabad Museums
Islamabad also has plenty of culture to offer. Find out more about the country and the city in the Islamabad Museum, and the Pakistan Museum of Natural History. Lok Virsa Museum is highly recommended.