Without further ado, here are the 20 most beautiful places in Pakistan (in no particular order), a country that quickly and fiercely stole my heart.
- Swat
- Hunza
- Yarkhun
- Phander Lake
- Broghil Valley
- Lahore
- Hingol National Park
- Kalash Valleys
- Deosai Plains National Park
- Gorakh Hiils
- Shamshal
- Shah Jahan Masjid Thatta
- Fairy Meadows
- Chapursan Valley
- Kunjirap Daban
- Rakaposhi base camp
- Margala Hills
- Rohtas Fort
- Naltar Valley
- Katpana Deser
Swat
Although it has had a difficult past, the future and present of Swat Valley are bright. This breathtaking valley is located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. It’s like something out of a fairytale.
Imagine bright green fields, forests, picturesque villages, rivers with shades of blue so bright and clear you would not believe they were real!
The town of Kalam is the heart of Swat Valley’s beauty. It serves as a base from which to explore the valley. These are three places that you must see in Swat Valley
Boyun Village
Boyun, also known by Green Top, can be reached from Kalam via a short drive, or a manageable uphill hike. You’ll see the most beautiful view of the valley from the top of the mountain when you reach the summit. Boyun is a short day trip from Kalam.
Kandol and Spindhor Lakes
These lakes are located 2 hours from Kalam. Today, Kandol Lake can be reached via a jeep track, which is more commercialized. Spindhor is only accessible by a 2-hour hike. Both are considered to be among the most beautiful spots in Pakistan, regardless of which route you take.
Ushu Forest
The forest is filled with deodar trees, and it is an amazing place to wander around. You can continue on the road to the forest and several villages are located along the Kalam River.
Hunza
If you have ever read about Pakistan, you are almost certain to have heard the name Hunza. Hunza is a vast district that is made up of many valleys and villages. Don’t be misled by the name “valley”. Here are some of the most stunning sights in Hunza, a part of the ancient Silk Road.
Passu Cones
The Passu Cathedral, a natural masterpiece of art, is one of the most well-known scenes in Pakistan. Although it is not permitted to stay overnight in Passu Village, you can still see the cones from further away starting at Gulmit. The Karakoram Highway is about an hour drive from Gilgit City and offers the most famous view of the Cathedral.
Attabad Lake
It’s a lake that looks unreal even though it’s right in front. Attabad was created in tragedy after a huge landslide took place in 2010. The Hunza River flow was stopped, and Attabad was formed. It is one of the most picturesque places in Pakistan because of its bright-blue, turquoise waters.
Eagle’s Nest
Do you want to witness one of the most spectacular sunsets in Hunza Valley’s history? Go to Eagle’s Nest at the golden hour. Although the name Eagle’s Nest is derived from a nearby restaurant/hotel, you can still drive up to the viewpoint.
Yarkhun Valley
Despite being a relatively unknown and undiscovered tourist spot, I thought Yarkhun Valley was one of the most beautiful places I saw in Pakistan. Yarkhun is located in the Upper Chitral region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and impresses with its majestic mountain ranges, unspoiled villages, and stunning landscapes.
If you don’t own a vehicle, it will take some effort to reach the valley. It stretches for miles past Mastuj. The ride is easy if you have one, but be prepared for dirt roads.
If you are going all the way to Yarkhun, the side valley of Gazin will be well worth the effort. You can see the Thoi Pass mountains, which connects Upper Chitral to Yasin Valley in Gilgit Baltistan.
Phander Lake
Phander Lake is located in Phander Village. It seems almost too good to true. The lake is teal and sits amongst the light-green trees, as if it were a landscape painting.
Although it is stunningly beautiful, Phander Lake does not attract as many tourists as Attabad Lake.
I did not meet any tourists during the four days I was in Phander, relaxing on the lakeside. The Lake Inn is only a short distance away. It costs 1,000 rupees per day.
Broghil Valley
Broghil Valley is located in the north, close to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor. It was previously only accessible by horseback or trek. The once-hidden location can now be reached via a treacherous jeep trail, but only a few people visit it during the few months when it isn’t frozen under snow heaps.
It is currently unclear whether foreigners can visit Broghil. (If you insist, check with the Chitral Deputy Commissioner’s office before you make the trek up. Pakistanis, please see this beauty. You will find a variety of high-altitude lakes and yaks in the valley, as well as sprawling green pastures set against a majestic mountain backdrop rising above 13,000 feet.
Lahore
Although Lahore is a metropolis, its rich collection of historical sites makes it one the most beautiful places in Pakistan. Lahore was once the capital of Mughals. Many of their works are still preserved.
There are many places you can visit in Lahore.
The city’s most prominent monuments are the Badshahi Mosque and the Wazir Khan Mosque. You will find the cultural capital of Pakistan with dozens upon dozens more beautifully preserved tombs, vibrant shrines, and Havelis-on-Havelis.
National Park of Hingol
Although technically it is in Pakistan, Hingol National Park looks more like a Martian world! The park is over 6,000-square-kilometres and contains incredibly unique rock formations, vast canyons, numerous animal species, and even a mud volcano.
A portion of the National Park extends along the coast, adding to the park’s other benefits. Although it is quite outlandish in appearance, Hingol can be found only 3.5 hours away from Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.
Pakistanis should not have any problems entering the park. However, foreigners have had mixed experiences. Locals were allowed to stay overnight or for a weekend, but others were limited to a day. Access to public transportation to the park is not possible so you will need to have your own transport.
Kalash Valleys
The Kalash valleys are made up of Bumboret and Rumbur and Birir and they are home to the Kalash, an ethnic and religious minority in Pakistan. They have their own culture, beliefs and language. They live in some of the most stunning places in Pakistan, not only for their beauty but also because of the Kalash themselves.
It is especially beautiful in the valley of Rumbur. There are miles of dusty roads and mountains that run alongside the Kalash River. Kalash people live in wooden homes on the hills. The Kalash women are known for their brightly colored traditional headwear and dress that is different from any other in Pakistan.
It’s only 2.5 hours away from Chitral City that it is possible to reach one of these valleys. You can spend a full day trekking into Rumbur if you decide to go. Sheikhandeh is the last settlement in Rumbur. It was once a village of Nuristani whose residents migrated to Pakistan just a few hundred year ago.
National Park Deosai Plains
Deosai is sometimes called the roof of the universe. It kinda is. The massive plateau, which is 4,117m (13 497 feet) high, is accessible only during summer.
Visitors who make the trek to this stunning spot will be greeted by lush emerald green meadows, snowcapped peaks, and sparkling blue lakes. Deosai is home to the Himalayan Brown Bear. They can be spotted camping.
