Over the years, Pakistan's South Asian country has been undermined by its perceptions of terrorism, political instability, corruption and lack of progress in human rights. However, the tide may ultimately be heading towards the northern part of the country.
In fact, the BBC, CNN and the Financial Times all cite the region as one of their must-see destinations for 2025. It boasts stunning mountain scenery, diverse cultures and exciting adventure opportunities. The two cities also stand out as important destinations to explore.
The northern region of Pakistan is home to majestic mountains, including the Himalayas, Karakolam and Hindu Kush ranges, and the longest glacier outside the planet's polar regions, including the Batura Glacier.
Explore crystal clear lakes like Saif-ul-Maluk and Attabad, explore lush valleys like Swat and Neelum, perfect for picnics and relaxing walks. You can also engage in mountain climbing, rafting and paraglising rugged terrain for a slightly faster pace.
For a little more city, head to one of these, or if you're lucky enough, to an impressive Pakistani city. Islamabad, the country's capital, is home to over 1.1 million people and has only existed since the 1960s. Islamabad was actually designed by Greek architect Constantines Apostrow Doxiadis. They divide the area into eight zones, with specific zones for residential, educational, industrial and diplomatic purposes.
Islamabad is also known for its parks and forests, such as Margara Hills National Park and Shakalparian. The city has several landmarks, including Faisal Mosque, the fifth largest country's flagship in the world. It is rated as one of the safest cities in Pakistan, and has an expensive surveillance system with around 2,000 active CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, Lahore is actually Pakistan's second largest city, home to over 14 million people. It is the largest city in Punjab and one of Pakistan's main industrial, education and economic hubs.
Unlike Islamabad, Lahore has been around since ancient times and has lived for around 2,000 years. This means that it boasts several incredible ancient places, including the Krishna Temple and the famous Hindu temples of Valmiki Mandir. The fort and adjacent Shalimar Gardens have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
Where to avoid it in Pakistan?
Pakistan has some great sights, but there are still some of the best areas to avoid for the time being. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travel within 10 miles of the Pakistan-Afghan border and to several regions of Kybar Pak Thongkwa Province, including Peshawar, including Bajaur, Derais Mile Khan and Peshawar city.
The FCDO advises travel to all Balochistan provinces except the coast in southern Balochistan, and within ten miles of control – a military control line (not a legally recognized international boundary) separating the Indian and Pakistan-controlled parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
On March 11, a passenger train was hijacked between Quetta and Peshawar in Balochistan. The FCDO continues to advise against travel to all Balochistan provinces except Balochistan's southern coast and the use of trains within Pakistan.
Finally, the FCDO advises everything except essential travel to all areas of Sindh province north of the city of Nawabshah.
