Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is a large cultural region and an attractive destination for some relaxation. The building of the city started in 1960 in the middle of an absolute desert. It took just several decades to turn a lifeless steppe into a modern megalopolis. A famous Greek architect worked over the creation of the city. Islamabad was thoroughly planned and so it doesn’t look like the majority of Middle East towns with their narrow labyrinth-like streets. Pakistan has seen thousands of years of human civilization, which is evident in the ancient Mughal period art you can see in its museums as well as some of the deeply rooted traditions of the rich Pakistani culture. Many visitors may be surprised then by the quiet yet modern city they find when they enter Islamabad which offers a unique mix of ancient and contemporary.

Airports in Islamabad

Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB)

This airport is also known as Islamabad International Airport. This airport mainly services the Islamabad, Rawalpindi and surrounding Pottohar region. It is built 20km outside the twin cities near the Kashmir Highway and Motorway Interchange. There are no direct flights from Manila to Islamabad however Thai Airways offer flights from Manila to Islamabad with one transit in Bangkok. The journey will take approximately 12 to 24 hours, depending on the transit time. Tickets will also vary from PHP 31,000 to PHP 33,000 one way.

How to Get Cheap Flights to Islamabad?

Traveloka is a travel search engine that makes it easy for travellers to find the cheapest flights to Islamabad. All you need to do is key in the information in the search box, and the application will recommend the best trip according to your budget. It compares flight prices across some trusted airlines to help you to get the best possible deal. Use Traveloka’s price alert feature to be notified of flights in your desired price range to get the best flight price to Islamabad.

When is the Best Time to Fly to Islamabad?

The best time to go to Islamabad is from September to October as the weather becomes much cooler around the city, especially at night when the weather is most comfortable. The months of September and October are also good times if you are planning to go to the north and do some hiking as the weather is mostly calm and the colors of the autumn are in full swing.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in Islamabad?

Saidpur Village - This unique village is beautifully placed on the slopes of the breathtaking Margalla Hills. Saidpur Village has footprints of various civilizations, including Gandhara, Greek, Buddhist, Mughal, Ashoka and the colonial periods. After its renovation in 2008, the centuries-old village now serves as a favorite recreational spot for both local and foreign visitors offering them glimpses of multicultural heritage flourishing under the Margalla Hills. Saidpur village is a great place to experience authentic village life in a 21st-century timeline. Visitors are invited to roam around the village and view ancient artwork as well as enjoy watching residents playing sitars. Travelers will truly enjoy basking in the village's traditional and straightforward lifestyle.

Pakistan Monument - The blooming flower-shaped Pakistan monument is located in the Shakarparian Hills and is spread over a total area of 2.8 hectares. It is signifying the four provinces and three territories of Pakistan. The four main petals of the monument signify the four provinces which are Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa whereas the three smaller petals represent the three territories which are Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Designed by the architect Arif Masoud, the inner walls of the petals are decorated with murals. The central platform is the shape of a five-pointed star which is surrounded by a body of water. A metallic crescent surrounding the star is inscribed with sayings of the prophet Muhammad and poetry of Allama Iqbal.

Faisal Mosque - There is no other landmark that has the honour to be the iconic symbol of Islamabad than Faisal Mosque. Completed in 1986, Faisal Mosque (also known as Shah Faisal Masjid) is one of the largest mosques in the world, located at the foot of Margalla Hills. A Turkish architect, Vedat Dalokay designs the exceptionally huge and unique mosque of Islamabad. The architecture of the mosque is remarkable and is a unique addition to Islamic architecture, fusing contemporary designs with a more traditional look of an Arab Bedouin’s tent, with its large triangular prayer hall and four minarets. Unlike traditional mosques’ design, it lacks a dome and the minarets borrow their design from Turkish tradition, making them thin and pencil like. The Faisal Mosque can accommodate 10,000 worshipers in its main prayer hall.