Karachi is the city of lights that does not sleep and the list of places to visit in Karachi is as huge as Karachi itself. It is a very famous and diversified city in the world. It is the largest city in Pakistan and the seventh-largest city in the world. Karachi is the only city in Pakistan that consists of several districts while other cities are part of one district. The city lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea, west of the Indus River delta.
Breezy evenings, busy roads, beautiful Malls, delicious food, and lively people make this city unique from other cities of Pakistan. The city is full of life that has something for everyone. It is home to millions of people, from every region, culture, language, and belief. The ever-bustling city where everyone lives a fast-paced life. There are so many colours in this city every colour attracts you. It offers visitors excellent treats in cuisine, art, fashion, music, shopping, and sports, etc. Karachi is considered as one of the world’s top ten cheapest cities.
This city is Pakistan’s financial hub contributing almost 60 % of GDP, 62 percent of sales tax revenue and, 70 percent of income tax revenue. There are two largest ports, the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim. Many companies’ headquarters are also placed here. The population of Karachi is approximately 25 million and is spread over 3,527 km². Karachi is also facing many challenges and problems like any large city of this scale in the world. The city has always been a great attraction to tourists for a variety of activities and tourist spots.
Top 10 places to visit in Karachi
Karachi is so big and it is so difficult for someone to choose which place to add or drop in the list of places to visit in Karachi. Below are our carefully chosen top 10 places to visit in Karachi that you are going to remember for the rest of your life.
Quaid’s Mausoleum
Quaid’s mausoleum is the iconic symbol of Karachi and one of the famous tourist sites in the city. The Mausoleum is the final resting place of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam (which means “Great Leader” in Urdu) Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is also known as Mazar-e-Quaid, Jinnah Mausoleum, or the National Mausoleum. This masterpiece is famous for its design located in the heart of the city near Gulshan-E-Iqbal. The architecture is both simple and striking, white marble structure attracts you even from afar. The architect Yahya Merchant designed this marvel and was completed in 1970.
It is surrounded by a beautiful large park, trees, and wonderful fountains. The mausoleum also holds the tombs of 5 other prominent leaders including, “Liaqat Ali Khan”, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and his wife, the great woman leader Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, Quaid`s sister Māder-e Millat (“Mother of the Nation”) Miss Fatima Jinnah, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar and Mr. Noorul Ameen. It’s a very calm and peaceful place to visit.
Frere Hall
Frere Hall is among the few remainder constructions in Karachi that attract everyone. It’s dating back to the time when Pakistan was a part of the Indian British colony. It was originally planned to serve as Karachi’s town hall during British rule and now the building serves as an art gallery and library. The hall is located in central Karachi’s colonial-era Saddar Town. The construction was completed in 1865 in the Venetian Gothic architecture style and British styles, designed by Henry Saint Clair Wilkins.
The lush green gardens around the building are amazing. The hall was built in honour of Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, who is known for contributing a lot to the economic development in Sindh and is also remembered for making Sindhi the official language in the province. It’s one of the most popular places to visit in Karachi because of its historical significance.
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The National Museum of Pakistan
The National Museum of Pakistan is a great place to see, close to Karachi’s Art Council. It was established in 1951 in Frere Hall replacing the obsolete Victoria Museum and continued to be there till July 1970. The basic reason for establishing the National Museum was to preserve and exhibit the cultural history and heritage of Pakistan.
The Museum consist of 11 galleries containing artefacts, calligraphy, Islamic art, remains of the Indus Valley Civilization, paintings, more than 58,000 old coins, and many rare manuscripts of the Quran.
Clifton beach
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of a visit to Karachi is a see view tour. Clifton beach is the main attraction of Karachi city. There are numerous interesting activities like horse and camel riding, dirt-bike, buggy rides, and snake shows, extra which keep the see view always crowded.
Clifton beach is the place where everyone feels very relaxed and enjoys the cool breeze. Throughout the week the beach bustles with thousands of people. There is a lot of eating places and a small Park which makes your trip more memorable. Karachi tour is incomplete without beach sighting, a perfect gateway from the fast-paced life.
Mohatta Palace
Mohatta Palace is an incredible building standing proudly in the posh seaside locale of Clifton. Clifton used to be the preferred destination among the wealthiest families for residence. Mohatta Palace was built in 1927 by Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta who was a businessman and built this fascinating building for his beloved wife.
It was built very beautifully in a Mughal revival style with a combination of locally available yellow Gizri stone and the striking pink Jodhpur stone. Designed by Agha Ahmed Hussain and it covers an area of 18,500 sq. ft.
It was the final residence of Fatima Jinnah and now the palace is used as a museum and art gallery. The building truly exhibits Karachi’s historic view.
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Charna Island
Charna Island is a small uninhabited island located near Mubarak Goth Kiamari Town. It is 6 km away from Mubarak Goth and 2 hours from Karachi. Mubarak Goth is the second-largest fishermen locality in Karachi. The island is a massive piece of rock without a shore in the middle of the sea attracts many tourists.
It is a popular place for adventure activities like Scuba diving, Cliff diving, Jet skiing, snorkelling, and underwater photography. Charna is approximately 1.2 km (0.75 mi) long and 0.5 km (0.31 mi) wide and is also used as a shooting range by the Pakistan Navy.
The complete scenery is incredible while you are sailing in the boat to reach your destination. You can see varied marine life, beautiful shades of water, enjoy the sun shining and heavy cool breeze. There are a lot of caves at Charna Island; the experienced crew takes you deep into each cave that is hidden from naked eyes.
The best time to go to Charna Island is November to April because the weather cools down and the sea is calm with the absence of high tides. It’s an ideal spot to relax your mind and heal your soul with happiness. Capturing every moment and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of nature that’s waiting for you.
The Chaukhandi Tombs
The Chaukhandi tombs which are commonly known as Chaukhandi graveyards are spreads over an area of two square miles. The tombs are located at a distance of 30 km in the east on N-5 National Highway near Landhi Town, Karachi. Nobody knows exactly when they were built, historian says that the tombs are built between the 15th and 18th centuries.
This incredible sight is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains graveyards of the local Jokhio tribe and Saloch warriors who come in the area and are made either as single graves or as groups of up to eight graves that are raised on a common platform.
The more intricate graves are constructed in the typical architecture of native Sindhi style with buff-coloured sandstone. The tombs are distinguished for their elegant sandstone carvings, the male graves show a shield, sword, arrow, and women’s graves symbolize ornaments such as bracelets, rings, and anklets, etc. It’s the most attention-grabbing sight in Sindh that attracts many tourists’ especially archaeologists.
Tooba Masjid
Tooba Masjid is also known as Tooba Mosque or Gol Masjid, located in Phase 02 of DHA, Karachi. The distinctive design of the Mosque takes attention to the tourist. The mosque’s beauty is very graceful, architected by Dr. Babar Hamid Chauhan. It was built in 1969 in Defense Housing Society Karachi and is often claimed to be the largest single-dome mosque in the world.
The mosque is the 18th largest in the world, with a central prayer hall that can hold a gathering of up to 5,000 people. The other interesting thing about the mosque is that if one speaks at one end of the dome, it can be heard at the other end. The mosque gives peace and serenity and is a perfect place for relieving your stress.
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Empress Market
Empress Market is a well-known marketplace located in Saddar Town and one of the oldest markets in Karachi. The market attracts everyone for its vibrant ambience and cheap prices. It reflects one of the few historical spots of the city and one of the most popular and busy places for shopping in Karachi.
It was named to commemorate Queen Victoria, Empress of India, and was built between 1884 and 1889. This colourful market sells everything and anything such as imaginable groceries, household items, textiles; plastic jewellery, stationery, pets, and a lot of many other things for your choice and you want to buy. The building is a beautiful piece of an architect, don’t miss to visiting this.
Port Grand
Last but not least Port grand is the best entertainment hub in Karachi. This nightspot in Karachi offers food outlets, wonderful attractions for kids and adults, hangout spots, cultural and coastal recreational activities, shopping, Shipyard Views, and much more.
The sight is a beautiful addition in the city of lights located along the waterfront on Napier Mole Bridge, a site that connects the Karachi Port Trust to Keamari. It’s a one-kilometer bridge that has been transformed into an entertainment complex. Your tour is incomplete without seeing this incredible place. Also, visit Gorakh Hill Station another wonderful place to visit in Sindh Pakistan.
