Islamabad — A capital beneath the hills.

The white tent-like shell and four minarets of Faisal Mosque against the Margalla Hills

Islamabad Capital Territory

A capital beneath the hills.

Photo: Marsmux / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The site for Islamabad was chosen in 1959, and the functions of the capital moved here in 1967. The city was planned from the outset, with green belts between its sectors and the Margalla Hills as its northern wall.

Margalla Hills National Park protects about 17,000 hectares of natural forest inside the capital territory. At its foot stands the Faisal Mosque, designed by Vedat Dalokay and completed in 1986, its concrete shell inspired by a desert tent.

Site chosen: 1959
Capital since: 1967
Margalla Hills NP: About 17,000 ha
Generally visited: October to April
Coordinates: 33.693° N, 73.064° EView on a map

Seasons are general guidance. Mountain roads and passes open and close with the weather; check locally before travelling.

Margalla Hills National ParkZain.3nov, CC BY-SA 4.0

What draws people here

Faisal Mosque
Margalla Hills trails
Pakistan Monument
Day trips to Taxila

Planning a visit

Getting there: Islamabad International Airport is the main gateway to the north, with onward flights to Gilgit, Skardu and Chitral. The M-2 motorway links Lahore in four to five hours and the M-1 links Peshawar in about two.
How long to allow: One to two days, plus a day for Taxila.
Good to know: No permits are needed in the city. Most northern trips start here, so keep a spare day either side of mountain flights.

General guidance, checked in September 2026. Visa rules, permits, flights and mountain roads change; confirm with official sources or a licensed operator before you book. We do not sell travel.

Sources

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