24 Must-Visit Attractions in Karachi, Pakistan

If you love all things sea, then Churna Island, which is only a two-hour drive away from central Karachi, is a must-visit. Here is where you can swim, snorkel and scuba dive around the island’s reef and gaze at a multitude of sea creatures, from fish to snakes and turtles that inhabit its warm waters.

Art, architecture and culture come to play at this 20th-century palace built by a Hindu Prince in 1925. Used today as an art gallery and museum, there are always thought-provoking exhibitions happening at this grand building surrounded by trees and Renaissance-style statues. The Rajasthani-style design of this structure is a sight to behold.

Sea View may be crowded, but it also has lit up buggy rides that you can zoom around in on the shore. There are also many horses to befriend and ride, and if you are into some slow-paced fun, then there is the good old Mr. Camel who will bobble you through the crowds. There are also many street food outlets to nurse your tummy once the shenanigans are over.

Sufism, brought to the limelight by Rumi, has a strong presence in Pakistan as well. There are many Sufi shrines that one can visit in Karachi to get a sneak peek into their mystical worlds. Many a night, there will be singing, playing the Dhol and dancing called Dhamal, and when it’s the death anniversary of a Sufi poet, there are often Qawali performances that take place to celebrate the saint. If your curiosity is stronger than your desire to stay away from overly crowded areas, then you will be good. Otherwise, it’s best that you pay your respects on an ordinary afternoon instead of the anniversary of a saint’s birth or death.

Being the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam’s personal history and life wholly meshed with the history of the country itself. Visit this museum to embark on that quest or to admire the colonial building and the peaceful gardens around it.

Not only are winters a great time to visit Karachi because of its mild cold weather, but also because it’s the time when you can spot turtles at Turtle Beach. This beach is home to green sea turtles that come out to lay their eggs in the sands. It’s also a good picnic spot.

Dating back to 1865, the Frere Hall building recalls the time when Pakistan was a part of the Indian British colony. Surrounded by lush green gardens, today, the building serves as a library and an art gallery. Designed by Henry Saint Clair Wilkins, Frere Hall is located in the Saddar district, which is also home to many other picturesque colonial architecture.

If you like aircrafts and all things aeronautic, then the Pakistan Air Force Museum is a must-visit. It is home to many aircrafts, like planes and jets and radars and weaponry that have been used by the Pakistan Air Force throughout the years, especially during the 1965 war with India. Nearby, there are World War 1 and 2 scale models and some modern planes on the display as well. There are also food options in the main park and many places to relax in the gardens.

History buffs will go gaga upon visiting this ancient graveyard and UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses tombs of the ancestors of a local tribe. The intricate make of these graves is its most attention-grabbing feature with carvings and designs typical of its region, Sindh. The origins of this necropolis are estimated to range between the 15th and 18th century.

The pure white marble facade of the museum is not a sight to miss when in Karachi. The Mausoleum is a resting place for the country’s founder, or in Urdu Quaid, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Its minimalist dome over a cube design was inspired by the Samanid Mausoleum in Uzbekistan.

The prehistoric city of Bhambore dates back to the 1st century BC and was constructed during the Scytho-Parthian era. Later, from 8th to the 13th century, it was controlled by Muslims before being abandoned to date. The ruins and one of the earliest known mosques in the world, dating back to 727 AD, can still be found here.

This museum holds the most diverse range of art, from paintings to relics, sculptures and models that depict all the facets of Pakistani culture. This museum consists of 11 galleries that showcase artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization up to modern times. It also boasts a large collection of coins and many rare manuscripts of the Quran.

Also known locally as Gol, or round mosque, due to its large domed roof, Tooba Mosque is one of the city’s major attraction. The white marble dome is 236 feet in diameter and is balanced on a low surrounding wall with no centre pillars to support it. The mosque can hold a congregation of up to 5,000 people.

The Empress Market is a colourful but chaotic market that sells everything and anything. It’s a cool attraction to visit early in the morning to avoid rush hour. All imaginable groceries, live animals and pets, textiles, stationery and many other things can be bought in the foyers and interiors of this colonial-era structure. The building is named after the then Empress of India, Queen Victoria.

This navel museum is among the city’s best attractions as it gives visitors a chance to see a real submarine, along with several aircrafts and different artillery of the yesteryears that were used by the Pakistan Navy. There is also a six-gallery indoor museum that educates visitors through murals, relief sculptures and dioramas.

Being among the few upscale open-air food establishments by the sea, Port Grand is a great place to try different cuisines that are offered by many of its restaurants and parlours, all the while viewing the sun as it sets into the ocean.

Set on 130 acres of land, this park is the largest in the city and is visited by over 10 million people each year. There is also a turtle pond and a rose garden found within its gates.

Do Darya is a local food lover’s paradise, built right along the seashore. There are numerous restaurants and cafes here to choose from, serving all types of fare.

For a quick getaway from the city centre, head to this golf course and sports club to try your hand at shooting or give horseback riding a go. Other facilities include cricket, squash, tennis, snooker and swimming.

Other than being a spectacular colonial-era building, the Hindu Gymkhana is a sporty social club. It also hosts NAPA, or the National Academy of Performing Arts, an art school that also showcases plays for wider audiences. Check it out, whether it’s for a cup of tea in a vintage atmosphere or to attend a mesmerizing drama performance.

Cape Monze, or Mount, as it’s locally called, is a beach near Karachi surrounded by a hill where people can climb and get a great view of the horizon and the dark blue sea. It’s also home to endangered species like dolphins, whales and turtles.

There are plenty of not-to-miss activities to engage in at the Defense Authority Marina Club, including sailing, boat riding and dining. The club also has a sweet view of the sea and mangroves with birds like seagulls and herons flying by.

From handmade mirror-work crafts and stone jewelry to traditional embellished fabric, you’ll have plenty of pretty souvenirs and style statement pieces to choose from in Karachi’s oldest variety market at Zaibunissa Street. It’s a treasure trove full of everything ethnic in the country, from Sindhi Ajrak to Kashmiri Pashima and everything else in between.

French Beach is a favorite among locals because of its unique location and private admission. If you have a friend or a friend of a friend, you need not worry because Karachiites are hospitable old bums who will adopt you as their own and make sure that you have all the folly that you possibly can. Also, alcohol on these private sands is not discouraged, unlike in all other public places in Pakistan due to it being illegal.