Best Time to Visit Islamabad

Winter and early spring: cool days, some rain

From November to January, Islamabad is at its easiest. Days are mild and dry, and the evenings are cool enough for a jacket. October and November have the clearest skies of the year, and December is the driest month, with only two rainy days. January nights are the coldest, so you'll want something warm when you eat out in Saidpur Village or sit at a café on the Monal terrace.

February and March are wetter than you might expect. They get the most rain outside the monsoon, so pack a compact umbrella for the Faisal Mosque courtyard. The upside is green hills and fresh air. Margalla Hills trails such as Trail 3 and Trail 5 are pleasant in March, though the paths can be muddy after rain.

Summer and the monsoon: skip it if you can

May and June are hot and dry, and June is the hottest month. Afternoons are fierce, so stick to museums, malls and long lunches. Then July and August bring the monsoon. July is the wettest month, with rain on 21 days, and August isn't far behind. It's humid and sticky, and downpours can flood roads. The hills do look lush, but views are often lost in cloud.

If you must come in summer, head north to cooler spots like Murree or the Galyat hill towns. Both are a drive away. Locals do exactly this, so expect heavy traffic on weekends.

Best months for each trip

Come in October or November for hiking and sightseeing. You get long sunny days and little rain. April is the best choice if you like warmth and green hills. It's hot by late afternoon, but it's comfortable for Pakistan Monument and Lok Virsa Museum visits. Mid-September is a fair option, as the rains fade and the sun returns.

Islamabad doesn't have a tourist crush like some cities. The busiest times follow Pakistani holidays. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha fill hotels and roads, and the dates move each year, so check before you book. Pakistan Day on 23 March brings a military parade, which is a good one if you like ceremony. Flights and rooms are generally easiest to find in the hot, wet months, but that's when the weather is hardest on you.