Holiday in Islamabad

About Islamabad

Islamabad, Pakistan's planned capital, was built in the 1960s at the foot of the Margalla Hills and is the green, orderly counterpart to the chaotic neighbor Rawalpindi. The city on the edge of the Himalayan foothills offers an unexpected combination of modern urban planning, Islamic architecture, and spectacular nature right at its doorstep. The Faisal Mosque, designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, is an architectural masterpiece: eight stories, not a classic dome structure, but a tent-like design reminiscent of the surrounding mountains — one of the largest mosques in the world and Islamabad's landmark. The Margalla Hills, a forested mountain range right on the city's outskirts, offer hiking trails with views over the entire city. Trail 5 leads through pine forests to viewpoints, and wild leopards actually live in these hills. Daman-e-Koh, a viewpoint halfway up, offers panoramic views and is spectacular at sunset. Rawalpindi (Pindi), the sister city, is the historical counterpart: Raja Bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars in South Asia, offers a labyrinth of spices, textiles, and street food. From Islamabad, the Karakoram Highway is accessible — the highest paved international road in the world.