Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business Karachi is Pakistan's largest city and busiest port, a bustling seaside metropolis with colonial era landmarks, crowded bazaars, breezy beaches and some of the best street food in South Asia.
Mazar-e-Quaid
Frere Hall
Mohatta Palace Museum
Empress Market
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Karachi is the economic heart of Pakistan and a city of many communities, which shows in its food, architecture and markets. Grand buildings from the colonial era stand beside modern towers, the Arabian Sea breeze cools the evenings, and the city never seems to sleep.
The white marble mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, is the city's most important monument. Its gardens are peaceful, and the changing of the guard is a moving ceremony.
Mazar-e-Quaid is the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Photo: Shahid1024, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
This Venetian Gothic hall from the 1860s is surrounded by lawns and holds a famous ceiling mural by the artist Sadequain. A weekend book market often sets up outside.
Frere Hall is a Venetian Gothic landmark from the 1860s. Photo: Aliubair, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Built of pink and yellow stone in Clifton, the Mohatta Palace is now a museum with exhibitions on art and heritage.
The Mohatta Palace is now a museum. Photo: Aareez Asif, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Victorian clock tower of Empress Market rises over Saddar, where stalls sell spices, dried fruit and everyday goods.
Empress Market rises over the busy streets of Saddar. Photo: Siddiqi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Families come to the Maritime Museum to climb aboard a submarine, see ships and aircraft and stroll the large park.
The Maritime Museum has ships, aircraft and a submarine. Photo: Adnanrail, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Clifton Beach is where Karachi comes to relax, with camel rides, snack stalls and sea breezes in the evening. Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents.
Clifton Beach is a favourite evening spot. Photo: Humayun Hasan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Seafood restaurants along Do Darya look straight out over the water, and Port Grand near the harbour is a food and leisure strip that comes alive at night.
Boats from Keamari cross the harbour to Manora, a quiet peninsula with a lighthouse and beach.
Burns Road is the city's most famous food street, known for nihari, haleem, kebabs and sweets that draw crowds late into the night.
Burns Road is the most famous food street in Karachi. Photo: Fizzah Farooqui, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Zainab Market is the place for handicrafts, embroidered fabrics and leather goods, while the lanes of Saddar are packed with shops of every kind.
Popular dishes to try in Karachi
Masjid-e-Tooba in DHA is famous for its huge single dome and white marble, one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Tooba Mosque is known for its huge single dome. Photo: Bilalhassan88, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The shrine of the Sufi saint Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Clifton is one of the most visited in the city, especially on Thursday evenings.
Karachi is a food lover's city. Karachi biryani is spicy, fragrant and served with raita, nihari is slow cooked beef stew eaten with fresh naan, and haleem is a rich mix of meat, lentils and grains. Do not miss a bun kabab from a street stall, seekh kebabs on Burns Road and a cup of strong doodh patti chai.
Clifton and DHA are the most comfortable areas for visitors, close to the seafront, restaurants and shopping malls. Saddar is central and close to historic sights and markets, with a range of hotels.
Where to stay in Karachi
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Adventure trails & children’s play areas in a vast outdoor park with tree-shaded lawns & duck ponds.
The cool season from November to February is the most pleasant, with sunny days and mild nights. Summers are hot and humid, and the monsoon from July to September can bring heavy rain and flooding.
Jinnah International Airport has domestic and international flights, and trains connect Karachi with Lahore and other major cities. Ride hailing apps are the easiest way to get around, the Green Line bus rapid transit runs through the centre, and rickshaws are handy for short trips.
Visit Mazar-e-Quaid, Frere Hall and the Mohatta Palace, then spend the evening eating on Burns Road.
Explore Empress Market and Zainab Market, see Tooba Mosque and watch the sunset at Clifton Beach before a seafood dinner at Do Darya.
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