Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Saidpur is a historic settlement that has been restored in order to look like as it was centuries ago. It is on the perimeter of the city, close to F6 sector. With many safe restaurants offering local kitchen, it is a must. - Oct 2023
House parties, barbecues, CLO trips. - Jun 2022
Not much you can do unless you take advantage of the Community Liaison Office (CLO) sponsored trips. - Feb 2019
Gilgit-Baltistan and the northern areas are probably on the top of every American's wish list for when/if security restrictions ease. Those who are able to should definitely go. - Sep 2016
Sadly, there are few cultural activities available in Islamabad except for the occasional music concert; look for the Kuch Khaas center and its Lime Tree cafe, as well as occasional PNCA or embassy events. There are no cinemas, theaters, or operas in the city proper. But if you go to Rawalpindi or Bahria Town, you'll find modern cinema complexes. Popular weekend activities include climbing/hiking in the Margalla hills, exploring inside the city itself, or taking day trips to the Murree resort, the Taxila ruins/museum, and the Khanpur lake. The wonderfully beautiful Kaghan valley is about 5-6 hours north, and Lahore can also be visited on weekends (5 hours driving or a 1-hour flight). - Sep 2015
When we're allowed, it's great to hike the Margalla Hills. It's rarely allowed. - Apr 2014
Shopping for carpets, jewelry, furniture, and clothes. Going to restaurants in the city. Visiting Nathiagali and Murree. Going to Taxila. - Feb 2014
Shopping, hiking, sports, cultural sites (at least 5 are OK by security standards: Taxila, Rohtas, Khewra, etc.), trekking, parties. Take long weekends in Thailand (5h-plane) or Dubai (3h-plane but bland to my taste). Yet, most Americans work frantically here, I've never seen this in any other Embassy (iT's my 4th). - Dec 2013
Parties, hiking, sports, cultural sites, trekking. But most Americans seems to work, work, work. - Mar 2012
Drink beer with friends (if you can find the beer and a private place to drink it). Play board games. Go to embassy/UN/NGO parties. - Aug 2011
Carpet shopping, hiking Margalla Hills, day trips to the Salt Mines, various shrines in the area. - May 2011
There are multiple hikes in the Margalla Hills, which you can do before work or on the weekends. There is also rock-climbing there. Murree and Nathiagali are about 90/120 minutes outside of Islamabad and provide some amazing hiking. The expat community has various sports available during the week (soccer, ultimate, etc.).There are museums--not world class, but interesting. There are art galleries. Horsebackriding is available around Rawal Lake. Said Pur Village is a fun little place to visit with art galleries and restaurants. - Jan 2010
Walking in the Margalla Hills, trips to the Salt Range, the UNESCO Heritgate site at Taxila, the hill stations of Nathiangali, Thandiani, shopping in 'Pindi. Cultural activities through the Asian Studies Group, great bookshops and restaurants. Rawal Lake. - Oct 2009
Nearby Taxila is worth visiting, as is the hill station Murree in the nearby Margalla Hills. Excellent hiking in the Margalla Hills is also available. However, restrictions have recently been placed on the movement of foreigners outside of Islamabad without the permission/protection of the Ministry of Foreign affairs, which introduces additional restrictions in terms of activities that can be carried out. - Oct 2008
