Karachi the city of lights. It is one of the most prestigious cities in Pakistan. It is the largest city in Pakistan and the seventh-largest city in the world. Karachi had a special place in Pakistan’s history. It was also the first capital of Pakistan in 1948.
In this Karachi tourist guide I will mention why Karachi is the hottest tourist spot in Pakistan.
Karachi has dozens of tourist attractions including beaches, islands, museums, historical buildings, parks, etc. Karachi tourist guide is all about sharing the best attraction and facilities Karachi provides to its tourists.
I have divided this article into four major section
- Best places to visit in Karachi
- Transport in Karachi
- Things to do in Karachi
- Accommodation in Karachi
Without wasting anytime lets dive right in.
Best places to visit in Karachi
Here are the top 15 best places to visit in Karachi
- Sea view Beach
- Sandspit Beach
- Mubarak Beach
- Charna Island
- Quaid-e-Azam Tomb
- Shri Punchmukhi Mandir
- Frere Hall
- PAF Museum
- The Chaukhandi Tombs
- Pakistan Maritime Museum
- Paradise Point
- Do Darya Karachi
Sea view Beach
Whether you are visiting Karachi for the first time or not the sea view beach must be your first priority. The sea view beach is among the most beautiful and popular beaches in Pakistan.
It is located a short distance from Clifton beach although many people refer to Clifton beach as a sea view both are different. The sea view beach is located alongside Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue, DHA.
If you want to just relax and take some time to hear and see the natural beauty of the sea then Sea View beach is one of the options in Karachi.
I would strongly recommend you to visit the beach as early as possible around 6 a.m to 7 a.m. morning. At this time there will not be many people on the beach in their environment that will be clean and the best thing you will hear is the sound of the ocean.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying there are a lot of fun activities that you can do in sea view beach Karachi which include swimming, camel riding, horse riding, beach buggy, beach Sports, etc.
The sea view beach Karachi also has tons of facilities for the tourist including a sitting area, snack bars, street food vendors, public bathrooms, and parking space.
The government has done a lot to improve tourism in Karachi. There are parks along with Sea View Karachi which include Chunky monkey amusement, etc.
The sea view beach Karachi is a tourist place so you see dozens of national and international restaurants some of the McDonald’s, Shinwari nights, Al Habib restaurant charcoal grill, and BBQ, Sajjad restaurant is notable mention.
Sandspit Beach
The next best place to visit in Karachi in this Karachi tourist guide is none other than sand spit beach. Particularly known for its marine life the sandspit beach Karachi has a variety of marine life including crabs, Turtles are found here.
The sand spit beach is also the nesting ground of green olive ridley turtles. The nesting takes place in early winters and the wildlife department has taken radical steps for the safety of the Turtles.
If you’re visiting Sandspit beach then there are chances that you will get to see green Turtles. The beach is very quiet from October to March and this time is the best place to visit the sandpit beach. During the monsoons, the sandspit beach has a quite rough and harsh environment.
Before visiting the sent fit beach Karachi you must make sure that you book a hut before reaching the beach as it is among the famous tourist spots in Karachi and there is a very little chance of you booking a hut at the spot.
Mubarak Village
Mubarak Village is Pakistan’s largest and the oldest fishing village located 30 kilometers away from the main city and 2 hours drive from the main city. It has one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Karachi as it is a fishing spot so you can do fishing there.
Not only that there are tons of activities including water sports, boating, beaching, and scuba diving. That’s not all, private tour companies also offer paragliding in the area.
If you are visiting Mubarak Village for the first time then you will surely enjoy the environment. You see a lot of local people fishing there and some tourists enjoying the weather, scuba diving, and paragliding.
A village trip costs around 3,000 to 4,000 rupees per person which includes all the sites mentioned above including water sports and boating charges.
There are a lot of famous beaches near the Mubarak village which include Cape Monze, French beach, Hawke’s Bay beach, turtle beach.
Charna Island
Do you know which island in Karachi is the most beautiful and ideal diving spot on? Charna Island. Surrounded by Coral Gardens and equipped with exotic married life? It is Pakistan’s second-largest island and is heaven for water sports enthusiasts.
Charna Island is especially known for snorkeling and Scuba diving. As the sea is calm from November till April thousands of people practice snorkeling in these months.
Chana Island is in Habitat Island and can be accessed from Mubarak village. If you want to do snorkeling near the Chennai Island then you will be given and oxygen tank and as soon as you will enter the Blue Water you will see yourself surrounded by dolphins, stingrays, Cuttlefish, parrotfish, angelfish, Turtles, red snapper, and hundreds of different species living in the ocean.
You will feel yourself as you are in a different world but the beauty of Charna Island cannot be compared to any other island in Pakistan. The water is pure, clean, and hygienic.
It’s one in a lifetime opportunity, you will not ever see and feel anything anywhere like diving in Charna Island.
Quaid-e-Azam Tomb
The Tomb of Quaid-e-Azam also known as Mazar-e-Quaid Is the symbol of Karachi. The tomb is the final resting place of great leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah the founder of Pakistan.
The mausoleum Is located in 53 hector Park. It was designed in 1960 and completed in 1971 it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Karachi. The complex also contains the tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s sister Fatima Jinnah, as well as Liakat Ali Khan, Noorul Ameen, and the first eight Prime Ministers of Pakistan.
Mazar-e-Quaid Is located alongside the northern edge of the colonial-era core at the end of Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road. It is surrounded by a large Garden in the dense central city area.
The Tomb has significant importance in the heart of Pakistanis. Every day hundreds of people visit the tomb and pray for the father of the nation Mohammed Ali Jinnah and his companions.
Official and military ceremonies also take place special occasion including 23rd march which is Pakistan’s day, the 14th August Independence Day of Pakistan, the 11th September anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s death, 25 December Muhammad Ali Jinnah birthday. Many political and military officers visit that home on this special occasion.
If you are visiting Karachi during these dates then I would strongly recommend you visit Mazar-e-Quaid to see the ceremonies taking place.
Shri Panchmukhi Mandir
Shri Panchmukhi Mandir Is a 1500-year-old Mandir and it is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Pakistan. The Shri Panchmukhi Mandir holds a special significance for Hindus as it is the only Mandir in the world that has a statue of Hanuman which is not man-made.
It is also said that the Shri Panchmukhi Mandir Is 17 lacs years old and was built in Treta Yug.
According to Hindu tradition, it is believed that Lord Rama visited this Temple while in exile. According to the priests, if someone walks around 11 or 21 times, all his wishes will come true.
The blue and white 8 feet statue was found centuries ago where the temple stands now. It bears all 5 aspects of Hanuman: Narasimha, Adivaraha, Hayagriva, Hanuman, and Garuda.
Shri Panchmukhi Mandir Is among the most visited places in Karachi not only for Hindus but also from tourists all across the world. They want to see the statue of Hanuman and the temple which is more than 1500 years old.
Frere Hall
Frere Hall is an exhibition space in a library in Karachi constructed in 1865. Frere Hall was originally intended to serve as Karachi Town Hall. It is located in central Karachi’s colonial-era Saddar town and lies adjacent to the Sindh club.
The hall is named after Sir Henry Bartle Frere who served as commissioner of Sindh and responsible for promoting economic development of the 19th century in Karachi.
Frere Hall is an illustration of the architectural development and concept of the British Empire; the design is inspired by the town halls built in England in the 1860s.
The lieutenant colonel Wilson was given the task of construction of the Frere Hall. The extensive use of yellow Karachi limestone, red and grey sandstones made the look of Frere Hall even more astonishing.
The hall is encircled by lawns originally known as Queen’s lawn and Kings lawn. Later this name was changed to Bagh-e-Jinnah after independence in 1947.
If you love history and especially get to know the history of the subcontinent then Frere hall is among the top buildings built by the British Empire in the subcontinent. The building is not so huge but the design and location make it reflect the era of the previous century.
It is not only beautiful from the outside but also from the inside. The inner roof is fully finished with calligraphy.
PAF Museum
Pakistan Air Force museum is especially for those who love it. Pakistan Air Force contains all modern weapon and war systems used by the Pakistan Air Force till now. The Museum contains weapons and all major fighter aircraft that have been used in the Pakistan Air Force in all the majors including 1965 and planes of Indian Air Force.
The Museum was established in 1990 as a remote part of the base and had expanded significantly from 1999 to 2004.
Pakistan Air Force museum Karachi has dozens of aircraft including f-104 starfighter Meraj, F6 Mustak, helicopters, etc, and all the defense equipment used in the Pakistan Air Force. The museum also has a gallery that includes rare relics like the Viking Quaid-e-Azam aircraft and Indian Jnat aircraft which was forced to land at Pasroor in the 1965 war and many more.
The museum also has an Archies Gallery which provides information about different aspects of the Pakistan Air Force there are four sub-galleries. One shows different fighter aircraft models of the world. Two galleries are dedicated to Heroes of 1965 and 1971. As there are two more galleries one shows the achievements of the Air force through real photographs and one shows the achievements of different squadrons.
The Pakistan Air Force museum also provides institutional and organizational visits. They also have canteen corners and a fun land for the children and also a newly installed entertainment simulator for the visitors.
PAF museum timing
| Day | Timing |
| Monday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 9: 00 PM |
| Friday | 3:00 PM – 9: 00 PM |
| Saturday – Sunday | 9:00 AM – 9: 00 PM |
PAF Entry Fees
| Age | Admission Fees |
| Adults | 60 Rupees |
| Children (3 – 12 Years) | 40 Rupees |
| Students with ID card | 40 Rupees |
| Defense Personnel and Families | 40 Rupees |
| Children under 3 Years | Free |
| Senior Citizen above 60 Years | Free |
| Handicapped and Special Citizens | Free |
PAF Parking Fee
| Vehicle | Parking Fees |
| Car / Jeep / Van | 50 Rupees |
| Motorcycle / Scooter | 30 Rupees |
| Bus / Cooster | 200 Rupees |
The Chaukhandi Tombs
The Chaukhandi Tombs is an early Islamic cemetery located 29 Km east of Karachi. It’s not an ordinary graveyard but The Chaukhandi Tombs are known for their sandstone carvings. The tombs are said to be the graveyard of The Jokhio Tribe although many Bloch tribes have also been buried there. The tombs were built during the Mughal rule in the late 15th to 18th century.
Every tomb has a three portion structural design and what makes them different from other graveyards. The carving on these stones is so detailed and close to perfect. The Tombs that were built 500 years ago are still in very good condition and you can still and feel the carvings on them. The carving is solid, beautiful, and reminds the carving capability of our ancestors.
That’s not it, every Tomb has a name written on it of the person who was buried whether female or male. The carving is different for males and females. For males Daggers and swords were carved on the tomb and for females necklaces and jewelry which they used to wear carved on their tombs.
The Chaukhandi Tombs has made it to a list in Karachi tourist guide because when you visit any City you must know the historical background and importance of the city. These toms reflect the previous civilizations that used to live in the City and how much they had the knowledge of carving and architectural capability.
Pakistan Maritime Museum
Pakistan Maritime Museum is a Pakistan Navy museum and Park near Pakistan Navy society karsaz Karachi. Spread over 18 acres of land the museum main buildings cover an area of 50,000 square feet and 15 acres of land Pakistan Maritime museum consists of three floors which are 6 galleries, library archives, and history site vintage, equipment, paintings, and mirror depicting Maritime heritage and Pakistan.
The museum also has an open area that is designed for entertainment and relaxation and amusement through public interaction. There is also a lake inside that enhances the beauty of the museum.
Pakistan Maritime Museum has seven galleries which are as follows
The maritime history gallery contains artifacts from Indus Valley Civilization, paintings reflect the conquest of Muhammad bin Qasim and ancient maps of the subcontinent.
Pakistan Navy gallery shows the Heritage and history of the Pakistan Navy. Contains models of Naval ships and submarines, also has a small gallery that contains the research Station of Pakistan on Antarctica named Jinnah Antarctic station.
Former Chief of Pakistan Navy gallery this portion contains the personal belongings, uniforms, and photographs of former Chiefs of Pakistan Navy.
Karachi Harbour Gallery This gallery of charts, graphs, and maps related to Karachi Harbour Side Effects the changes made to the Harbour over time and also paintings which show the history of Manora used to look.
The aquarium gallery is all about life in the ocean. It contains different fish species and 12 other smaller aquariums containing hundreds of species.
The Science gallery shows all the scientific development and discoveries done by the Pakistan Navy. Instruments and devices used in the submarines, aircraft, and different equipment used by Pakistan Navy throughout history.
Open-air museum: if you have enjoyed the indoor galleries then extn is open air museum. It contains different ships including the PNS Mujahid minesweeper ship, PNS Hanger historic submarine, etc. The open air museum also has a replica of manora lighthouse, Atlantic aircraft, vintage guns, torpedoes, and saluting guns. The museum also has a coffin career of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liyakat Ali Khan.
Paradise Point
Paradise point is one of the hottest tourist spots in Karachi. It is a beach in Karachi with the sandstone rock promontory with a natural arch. You can also find a lot of activities at the paradise point including Horses and camel rides, parks, restaurants, and swimming guides. It can easily be accessed through Hawkes Bay Road for Mubarak goth Road.
The best thing about the paradise point is the sandstone rock. You can easily climb up the rock and get the beautiful view of the Arabian Sea. Not only does this rock is of not much height and many people dive from this rock.
If you have the guts then you should try it. Diving from the paradise point is one of the best things that you can do on the site.
Do Darya
Do Darya Karachi is a beach side dining option and chain of restaurants. It is one of the most popular food streets in Karachi. It is surrounded by sea from two sides and thus named Do Darya which in Persian means “two seas”.
There are a lot of good restaurants at Do Darya and some of them are
- Sajjad restaurant
- Kolachi restaurant
- Al Habib restaurant
- Charcoal bbq and grill.
Do Darya Is one of the best places to visit in Karachi and also the best place to spend quality time and enjoy a good meal.
Most restaurants at Do Darya open after 6 p.m. so that you can enjoy the calm environment of the sea.
Transport in Karachi
Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and also known as Mini Pakistan. Consists of narrow streets, wide roads, and expensive expressways. There are dozens of modes of transportation in Karachi including local and private. Sindh government has also introduced a bus rapid transit (BRT) system which is currently in the developing phase and in the few years like Metro in Lahore it will be one of the best and affordable Modes of transport in Karachi
Public Transport in Karachi
Public transport in Karachi as follows
- Minibusses & Coaches
- Buses
- Taxis, Rickshaws & App-Based Ride-Sharing Services
Minibuses & Coaches
Mini buses and coaches account for the largest public transport mode in Karachi. It is estimated that more than 5,000 Minibuses and coaches operate within Karachi. The fare of mini buses in Karachi can be as low as 15 rupees per head.
There are a lot of different places on different routes so if you are traveling in Karachi then you must know which bus follows the route.
Here is the list of mini buses and coaches and their routes.
| Buses | Routes |
| D10 | Korangi 100 Quarters to Taiser Town |
| F16 | Mianwali Colony to Machine Tool Factory |
| S2 | Korangi 100 Quarters to Ayub Goth |
| W18 | From Surjani Town to Fish Harbour |
| X8 | From Ittehad Town to Qayyumabad |
| X10 | From Mohajir Camp to DHA Phase 8 |
| W22 | Nai Abadi to Korangi No. 2 1/2 |
| F11 | From Gul Ahmed Textile Mills to Mustafabad Colony |
| G25 | From Ittehad Town to Rasheedabad |
| Gulistan Coach | From Pehlwan Goth to Qayyumabad |
| Safari Coach | From Maroora Goth to Mianwali Colony |
| Data Coach | From KDA Site Office to Abdul Shah Ghazi Mazar |
| Super Hasan Zai Coach | From Sohrab Goth to KD |
Buses
Mini buses and coaches only for short distance travel but for long distance privately owned businesses are used. The fares can range from 15 to 30 rupees.
Privately Owned Buses
here are the most popular bus routes in Karachi.
| Buses | Routes |
| 1L | From Raees Amrohi Colony to Sharifabad |
| 19D | From Faqeer Colony to Kharkar Chowrangi |
| 20 | From Saeedabad Nai Abadi Sector 8 to Clifton |
| 2K | From North Nazimabad to Keamari |
| 4L | From Maymar Complex to Tower |
| 4K | From Kali Market to Tower |
| 11C | From Azam Basti to Safoora Got |
Peoples Bus Service
People’s bus service is a step taken by the government of Sindh to improve the Transportation system in Karachi. The service has more than 50 active bases with fully air conditioned and seating capacity of 30 people. The people’s bus service Operates from Quaidabad to Tower and range from 20 to 40 rupees
CNG Green Bus Service
CNG green bus service started with the collaboration of Federal and district government Karachi in the 2000s but after a few years, the project was abandoned due to a lack of funding issues. In 2014 the CM of Sindh Murad Ali Shah revived the best service to some extent.
The bus service has a fleet of 30 buses running between Pakistan Steel township and Tower. The fare ranges from 30 to 40 rupees.
Taxi and Rickshaws
Taxis and Rickshaws are the most used modes of transportation in Karachi. You will find them everywhere from shopping malls to hospitals. If you want good comfort in private transport in Karachi then a taxi and rickshaw are other best options. The fares are low and due to the small size of the rickshaw, it can travel deep inside the city.
Upcoming Transportation Projects in Karachi
The Federal and Singh government working together on Mega transportation projects in Karachi and one of them is a green line BRT system.
Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System
It is a mega project in Karachi and after its completion, it will search thousands of people on a daily basis. The Green Line Bus rapid transit system is a 35 km long bus route having one terminal in Surjani town and one near Karachi city station.
After its completion, it will serve as Karachi’s first metro bus system.
Things to do in Karachi
Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan with dozens of tourist attractions. There are hundreds of things that you can do well in Karachi from visiting historical places to Gardens to parks.
Here is the list of best things you can do in Karachi
- Visit Mumtaz Begum, 40 years old half woman and half Fox.
- Visit the ship breaking yard, the third-largest in the world.
- Visit Asia largest cross
- Spend quality time in superspace
- Experience live snowfall, ice slides, bumper cars and Merry Snow round in Winterland Karachi
- Visit Safari Park Karachi for various fun activities. Spread over an area of 148 acres. Among the best amusement parks in Pakistan.
Accommodation in Karachi
Karachi is one of the hottest tourist spots in Pakistan. You don’t need to worry about the accommodation in Karachi. The city has all kinds of hotels from 5 Star to local apartments and houses for rent.
Best 5-star hotel in Karachi
- Avari Tower Karachi
- Swisstel Cottage
- Ramada by Wyndham Karachi Creek
- Mövenpick Hotel Karachi
- Karachi Marriott Hotel
- Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi
Best cheap hotels in Karachi
- Eden Farm House
- Jilani Guest House
- Starview Guest House Bath Island
- Starview Guest House 26th Street
- Hotel Crown Inn
- Cosy Beach Vista Guest House
Conclusion
Now I’d like to hear from you.
Which is the best place you enjoyed in Karachi?
Let me know by leaving a comment below, right now.
Don’t forget to rate this post, it will help me a lot to make the content better.
If you also want to explore Lahore. Make sure to read the Lahore tourist guide first.
