Abbottabad is the beautiful city of the Hazara region of east Khyber Pakhtunkhwa located 50 km Northeast of Islamabad. The city has gifted with several lovely locations by nature. The National Highway Authority opened from Islamabad to Abbottabad in November 2019 to enjoy the beautiful places to visit in Abbottabad. The city considers the fourth largest city in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and marks the 40th largest city in Pakistan.
The best time to visit Abbottabad is from March to November due to the bearable climate and is rainy in July and August. Due to the busiest months in June, May and April, you can visit this city peacefully from August to November. The city has known for surrounding mountains and beautiful picnic spots where you can enjoy the calming atmosphere of stunning nature. The distance from Islamabad to Abbottabad via Hazara Motorway is 1 hour 58 minutes with a distance of 133.9km. You can travel by taxi that costs around 5500 to 6500 PKR. For renting a car, the price is much cheaper than a taxi which costs around 1175 to 1697 PKR.
With the greater popularity of locals and tourists visiting Abbottabad, you can visit various places for a great holiday season and enjoy visiting different seasons. One has options to book a hotel room and explore the physical and historical sites in the northeast region.
To plan a pleasant and peaceful trip, here are the,
Top 12 Places to Visit in Abbottabad.
1. Thandiani Top – Lovely Landscape
Thandiani is the highest mountain in the city where it has a height of 2,700 meters (9000 feet) above sea level. Thandiani lies on the northeast side of Abbottabad from the foothills of the Himalayas and is a hill station in the Galyat area. Abbottabad is 37.5 kilometres away from Thandiani. It takes around 1 hour to reach there. The place means very cold as the mountain has cold temperatures all year round.
In winters, the mountain covered in a thick blanket of snow, which makes a great hiking adventure on the mountain. Thandiani surrounds by lovely lush green trees with heavy forests that make it attractive to visit for a peaceful trip. It is therefore an incredibly quiet, lovely, romantic, and soothing place to enjoy the panoramic view. Because of its green and lovely landscape, this site has a considerable amount of beauty that makes it the top places to visit in Abbottabad.
One can also see the Pir Panjal Mountains of Kashmir on a trip to Thandiani. Near the northwest side of Thandiani, you can see snowy ranges of Swat and Chitral and on the northeast side are the mountains of Kohistan and Kaghan. You can visit Thandiani in winter and summer and enjoy the lovely peak of the mountain! Be sure not to miss Thandiani!
2. Shimla Peak – Snowy Peaks
Shimla Peak got its name from the Hindko language Shamla or Shumla, which means turban’s crest. The place is also known as Shimla Hill or Shimla Pahari. The hill locates in the west of Abbottabad and is a part of the Sherwan range. The range of Sherwan in Abbottabad shapes like a turban’s crest and that was how the place has its name. It marks Abbottabad tourist places where you can enjoy the dramatic view of the beautiful city at its peak.
Shimla Peak has an elevation of 4757 feet above sea level and is quite steep which needs care and attention to plan for trekking. There are numerous pine trees in this area, which makes Shimla Peak more beautiful to visit. If you are an adventurer, this region is perfect for hiking. Summer is the best time to visit the Shimla peaks due to the pleasant weather. The cold weather, snowy peaks, and peaceful environment make this place more attractive in winters. If you like to visit in winters, you need care and safety as it covers thick snow and requires double thermal clothing to save from frostbites.
The distance is 10km away from Abbottabad and one can use a jeep or trek from upper Pine View Road. To plan for hiking and visit the beautiful hills, you will not take your eyes off the wide landscape of Shimla Peak! You can also photograph this exotic place for a memorable trip! This makes one of the best places to visit in Abbottabad.
3. Harnoi Lake – Amusement Park
Harnoi is a small town, which locates 11km east of Abbottabad on Nathia Gali Road. It marks one of Abbottabad famous places. With the short route from Abbottabad, it takes 15 minutes to drive on the Nathia Gali Road where you can stop by and enjoy the flowing river. With the popular tourist attractions, many locals and tourists visit the lake all year round. Harnoi Lake is encircled by high mountains covered with trees, small huts and houses that make the place attractive to visit. Nearby the stream, there is cold water called Nadi Dhorr where you can touch and feel the cold temperature in the river.
The weather at Harnoi Lake is pleasant throughout the year where it marks a calming place to enjoy the sound of the flowing water. The place has small teashops, restaurants, and resorts are available to eat, rent a room and enjoy the stay. There is an amusement park for children with swings such as Ferris wheel, Roller Coaster, boats and many more to enjoy the park while roaming around the lake. There are many beautiful hiking spots to enjoy hiking along the river. In summers, the place is very crowded due to the pleasant weather. You can visit this place at any season! To go for a refreshing place and peace of mind, Harnoi Lake will give you tranquillity! Be sure not to miss the calming lake!
4. Lady Garden Public Park for Kids
Lady Garden Public Park is one of the oldest tourists’ attractions in Abbottabad where it marks the finest place for kids and women to visit. The park locates opposite St. Luke’s Church and it was open only for European or White women and families before the partition. Now, it is open to the public and you can take your friends, families and children to sit, relax and enjoy the peaceful park. There are multiple swings, slides and snacks for your kids to enjoy the fresh air and walk on the track.
Interestingly, the plants and trees of the park have imported from England. Outside the park, you will find a giant stone called James Abbott poem for Abbottabad where the city was named after him. James Abbott was an English Army officer in the Bengal Army and an administrator in British India. The park is a stunning place for walking and photography and marks Abbottabad picnic points. To go for a place where you want to sit and relax, you will relax and enjoy the oldest attraction at the Lady Garden Public Park! Be sure not to miss James Abbott giant stone!
5. Ilyasi Mosque – Spiritual Place
Ilyasi Mosque is Nawan Shehr village’s most magnificent beauty where it marks the most recognized historical places in Abbottabad. Due to its beauty and spirituality, this White Facade mosque is the main attraction of travellers. It has recognized as Abbottabad’s oldest and biggest mosque.
It was constructed in 1932 across a water stream that still flows under it. There is a small pond located at the front of the masjid that adds the beauty of Islamic architecture. The mosque is particularly renowned for its magnificent construction, and it occupies an area of five canals.
The mosque has a calming white colour and a great aura that makes you want to visit the interior and the aesthetic of the masjid. The locals claim that the water stream in the mosque has healing powers that were used in ancient times. A fresh of cold water flows behind the mountain that provides fresh water all year long for a spiritual feeling that adds to the beauty of the historical site. It takes 15 minutes to drive from the city and marks the famous Abbottabad places to visit. To visit a historical place in Abbottabad, you will enjoy the magnificent Ilyasi Mosque!
6. Dahamtore Village – Lovely Place
Dahamtore Village marks one of the largest villages in Abbottabad and is a gateway to many of Pakistan’s lovely sites. It situates 6 kilometres to the east of Abbottabad and at an altitude of 1,110 meters. According to the locals, the village considers heaven on earth. The village is famous for the presence of Saian Mola Patt Qalandar Zyarat. Most locals in the village celebrate Urs Mubarak of Hazarat Data Ganj Bakhsh every year in February.
The village was known as the primary business centre during British rule where the locals loved to play football as a pastime. This marks one of the most famous sports where it considers Abbottabad beautiful places due to the wide accessibility to Murree, Nathia Gali, Dunga Bali, Ayubia National Park and other picnic spots. To visit the wide gateway to other picnic spots, be sure not to forget to explore Dahamtore Village!
7. St. Luke’s Church – Historical Sight
St. Luke Church was founded in 1864 in Abbottabad under the Anglican Church. The church is dedicated to St. Luke who was one of the four evangelists, the four authors of canonical Gospels. It is one of the well-known British and Indian settlements in the city. The church established when the British ruled the region.
The Fathers of the Early Church attributed to his authorship for the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. This makes Luke the author of more than a quarter of the New Testament text. The Old Christian Ceremony at Abbottabad used to connect to the church that was founded in 1853.
Inside the church, there are old tombs and memorials in the cemetery. The church consists of heavy stones that portray the power and dominance the British had at that time in which this church is now the dominance of the Peshawar Diocese of the Church of Pakistan. To head over to a religious place in Abbottabad, you will enjoy the beauty and the unfolding story about St. Luke Church! You will enjoy the knowledge and the history behind it!
8. Old Lockhart House – Historical Place
Old Lockhart House is one of the oldest historical places in the city where it marks the iconic places to visit in Abbottabad. The house was constructed in the 1880s and was built in Abbottabad by General Sir William Lockhart. The Old Lockhard House locates near FG Boys Public High School in Pine View Road. A magnificent structure depicts the colonial history and William Lockhart visited this place because of beauty and glory.
Sir William Lockhart was a British soldier who ruled in the North West frontier for many years and retired after becoming Commander in Chief of the British Indian Army. He was very fond of Abbottabad where he and his family decided to build a house. They have built another cottage nearby to houseguests. Sadly this nearby cottage was ruined which today is known for Kipling House because John Lockwood Kipling, father of Rudyard Kipling used to come and stay. He was a great friend of Lockhart.
After the partition, the Lockhart House and Kipling House became part of the Federal Government School in Abbottabad, which has shut down due to bad conditions. To visit the oldest historical place in Abbottabad, you will awe the structure and the unravelling story behind the Old Lockhart House!
9. Jalal Baba Auditorium Complex
Jalal Baba Auditorium Complex is a public auditorium that has named after Muhammad Jalal-Ud-Din Jalal Baba. He was a respected leader of the All India Muslim League and served as the minister in Abbottabad at the time of partition. It marks Abbottabad visiting places that leave history behind it. The auditorium constructed in 1993 and it covers an area of 8.75 acres. Jalal Baba Auditorium Complex locates in Allama Iqbal Road adjacent to the Public Library.
The auditorium comprises a huge hall that accommodates 700 people and is utilized for many public events, meetings, gatherings, concerts, exhibitions and many more. To add to this, the complex consists of performers’ waiting rooms, VIP rooms and houses a National Book Foundation Centre, Abbasin Arts Council and Abbottabad Development Authority offices. To visit a complex that hosts different events, be sure you visit Jalal Baba Auditorium Complex!
10. Sajikot Waterfall – Beautiful View
Sajikot Waterfall is the most recognized physical feature in Abbottabad where you can stop by the cliff and enjoy the spectacular view of the waterfall. The waterfall locates in the Havelian Tehsil of Abbottabad. The waterfall marks one of the most beautiful places to visit in Abbottabad due to its natural beauty. Sajikot waterfall is 47 kilometres from Abbottabad and 28 kilometres from Havelian.
A narrow road allows people to drive their cars up to the top to stop by and enjoy the waterfall. This is the most magnificent and worth seeing waterfall compared to other waterfalls in the city. To enjoy Abbottabad beautiful places, you must not miss a chance to visit this amazing waterfall! Be sure you take pictures of the exotic physical feature!
11. Kala Pani
If you are unable to visit Thandiani due to various reasons, you can enjoy visiting the nearby Kala Pani. Kala Pani is a village in Abbottabad that locates is near Thandiani. Kala Pani locates only 15 kilometres from Abbottabad, which takes almost 50 minutes to reach that place. Kala Pani has an altitude of 5784 feet (1762 meters) above sea level and the distance is 12 kilometres from Thandiani and takes 35 minutes to reach from Thandiani to Kala Pani.
With the greater tourists’ attractions, many locals visit the Kala Pani in summer due to pleasant weather and close in winters due to heavy snowfall, which makes it dangerous to travel. Between Thandiani Mountain and Mera Rehmat Khan Mountain, you can see the clean fountain water that surrounds the Kala Pani which natives use for drinking. This flows into the Harnoi River, which makes Abbottabad visiting places. To explore nature in-depth, be sure not to miss the Kala Pani!
12. Mushkpuri Top
Mushkpuri Top is the second tallest peak in the area of the Galyat Region after Miranjani. It is located right above Dunga Gali and Nathia Gali near Ayubia National Park. The mountain has an elevation of 9200 feet (2800 meters) above sea level and is 39 kilometres away from Abbottabad. It takes 3 hours to get to the peak for great trekking activity. Mushkpuri Top comprises two paths where you can trek through Dunga Gali or Nathia Gali.
The area covers dense subalpine conifer forests that leave you a relaxed and breathtaking view of the lush green mountain. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you will see five main areas that are Circle Bakote, Jhelum River, Bagh District of Azad Kashmir, Murree and Murree Tehsil. This is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy hiking and capture the spectacular view for a great memory. To pan for hiking and photography, you will not complete your vacation without visiting Mushkpuri Top!
Wrap Up
Abbottabad has known for countless nature and other physical attraction that makes you want to visit and enjoy the breathtaking locations of the city. With the wide recognition in east Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, locals and tourists visit the city to enjoy the natural beauty and awe of the historical site about Abbottabad. These places to visit in Abbottabad are something not to miss! Once you visit these places, you will enjoy the relaxing and calming atmosphere where you cannot finish your vacation!
