Islamabad Travel Guide: Capital of Contrasts

✈️ Arrival Essentials Airport: Islamabad International (ISB) - 20km to downtown 🚕 Taxi: ~1,500 PKR | 🏨 Hotel shuttle (pre-book!) 🌟 Must-See Attractions 1️⃣ Faisal Mosque 🕌 Iconic white marble masterpiece (world’s 6th largest mosque) 🌟 Night tip: Friday light shows! 2️⃣ Margalla Hills ⛰️ Hiking trails with monkey encounters 🐒 + city panoramas 3️⃣ Islamabad Zoo 🦧 Star resident: Pakistani elephants & snow leopards 4️⃣ Shah Faisal Mosque 🛕 Saudi-funded architectural hybrid (modern + traditional) 🍢 Foodie Adventures Street eats: 🍢 Seekh kebabs (spicy minced meat skewers) 🍛 Biryani (saffron-infused rice with hidden boiled eggs) ☕ Doodh patti chai (milky tea with cardamom) Quirky find: "Nihari" (slow-cooked beef stew) at Monal Restaurant (reopened!) 🛍️ Shopping Hotspots Centaurus Mall 💎: Luxury brands + indoor ice rink Sunday Bazaar 🛒: Handmade carpets & silver jewelry (haggle hard!) Jinnah Super Market 📚: English books + smuggled chocolates 🏨 Sleep in Style Marriott Hotel 🏆: Bunker-like security (landmark since 1980s) 💰 Splurge: Rooftop pool with mosque views Budget pick: Backpackers Inn (1,500 PKR/dorm) #Islamabad #Faisal Mosque#Pakistan#trip diary#travel guide#Pakistan guide#Pakistan travel