Karachi, the mighty port on the Arabian Sea, blends centuries of Sindhi heritage with the restless energy of a 20-million-strong metropolis. Once a modest harbor town, it became the first capital of Pakistan and remains the country’s financial and creative engine—where art galleries meet fish markets, Sufi shrines, and neon-lit tea stalls.

Expect a city of contrasts: Gothic-Venetian Frere Hall near gritty Saddar bazaars; serene seaside sunsets at Clifton Beach against the ceaseless honk of minibuses; refined European-style dining in Zamzama next to sizzling kebab grills on Burns Road. Karachi’s nickname—“City of Lights”—comes alive at night when chai cafés hum, food streets smoke, and sea breezes cut the heat.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for mosques and mausoleums, and carry cash alongside cards. The best weather runs November–March; July–September brings monsoon downpours. Ride-hailing apps and hotel cars are the easiest way around; allow buffer time for traffic, and stay hydrated—Karachi days run hot most of the year.

Karachi

Karachi sweeps from mangrove-fringed creeks to dune-backed beaches, with history etched into every quarter. Colonial-era architecture rises in Saddar, while Clifton and DHA bring contemporary cafés, galleries, and shoreline dining at Do Darya. Out east lie sandstone necropolises and Mughal mosques that make for one of Sindh’s great day trips.

• Top sights: Mazar-e-Quaid (Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum), Frere Hall gardens, Empress Market, Merewether Clock Tower, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Museum, Pakistan Maritime Museum, Sea View/Clifton Beach, Manora Island Boardwalk.
• Food highlights: Burns Road for nihari, katakat, and rabri; BBQ Tonight for classic Pakistani grills; Kolachi at Do Darya for seafood and sunset; Student Biryani or Madni Biryani for Karachi’s signature dish.
• Local gems: Sunday book bazaar at Frere Hall; Zainab Market for ajrak, leather, and hand-embroidered textiles; Hanifia’s hunter beef buns; chai and paratha stalls at Boat Basin.

Where to stay (Hotels.com + VRBO):

• Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi — Business-class classic with multiple restaurants and a pool; central for city touring.
• Avari Towers Karachi — Upscale high-rise with city views and strong security; convenient for Saddar and Clifton.
• Mövenpick Hotel Karachi — International comforts and reliable service, good base for first-time visitors.
• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Karachi Airport Hotel — Best for late arrivals/early departures; resort-style pool and gardens.
• Hotel Crown Inn — Budget-friendly near Saddar’s heritage zone.
• Hotel Faran — Simple, good value, and handy if you’ll be exploring across town.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Karachi | VRBO – Karachi

Getting in (Flights): Fly into Jinnah International (KHI). From Gulf hubs (Dubai/Doha/Abu Dhabi), flights take ~2–3 hours; from Istanbul ~5.5–6 hours; from Southeast Asia ~5–7 hours with connections. Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Taxis and ride-hailing typically take 30–60 minutes to Clifton/DHA depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Sea Breeze, and Sunset Bites

Afternoon: Land in Karachi and check in. If you need a quick caffeine fix, head to Coffee Wagera (Clifton) for a local chain famous for strong espresso and community vibes. Stroll the gardens around Frere Hall to stretch your legs; on Sundays the open-air book bazaar is a bibliophile’s delight.

Evening: Make for Sea View/Clifton Beach for golden-hour waves and camel rides. For dinner with a sea breeze, choose Do Darya’s shoreline strip: Kolachi (signature grilled crab, prawn karahi, and chicken malai boti) or Sajjad (excellent mutton chops and karahi). Expect 25–40 minutes by car each way; average mains ~PKR 900–2,500.

Night: Nightcap chai at Boat Basin—thin, sweet doodh patti and hot parathas. Try an anday wala paratha (egg-stuffed) or cheese paratha from a street griddle; it’s the quintessential Karachi night snack.

Day 2: Karachi in a Day (Guided Highlights)

Cover the city’s essentials with a full-day guided tour that typically includes Mazar-e-Quaid (Jinnah’s mausoleum), Frere Hall, Empress Market, Saddar’s colonial streets, and either the PAF Museum or Maritime Museum. You’ll get context on architecture, independence history, and everyday life—plus a local’s navigation of traffic.

Full Day Private City Tour of Karachi (Viator)

Post-tour dinner: BBQ Tonight (Clifton/DHA border) for classic Pakistani grills—seekh kebab, beef behari boti, and haleem—on an airy rooftop. For dessert, swing by Delhi Rabri House on Burns Road for silky rabri topped with nuts.

Day 3: Old Karachi Walk, Museums, and Burns Road

Morning: Traditional breakfast at Tooso (Bahadurabad): halwa puri, chana, and aloo ki bhujia. Alternatively, go savory with Sabri Nihari (Saddar) for slow-cooked beef nihari—finished with a squeeze of lime and julienned ginger, it’s a Karachi icon.

Afternoon: Do a heritage amble through Saddar: Empress Market’s arches and spice stalls; Merewether Clock Tower; St. Patrick’s Cathedral. If you’re into aviation, the PAF Museum on Shahrah-e-Faisal showcases historic aircraft under open skies; the Pakistan Maritime Museum (Karsaz) features a decommissioned submarine you can step inside. Aim for 20–40 minutes between stops by car.

Evening: Dive into Karachi’s most famous food street with a guided tasting. Expect katakat (sizzling offal on a griddle), fry kebab, nihari, bun kebab, and sweet endings like rabri and kulfi. Come hungry and bring an adventurous palate.

Street Food Tour of Karachi (Viator)

Day 4: Manora Island and Seaside Karachi

Morning: Head to Keamari and take a boat (approx. 20 minutes; ~PKR 300–500 per person) to Manora Island. Wander the boardwalk, small lighthouse area, and rejuvenated beachfront. Vendors sell fish pakoras and chai; keep small bills handy and pack sunscreen.

Afternoon: Return via boat and enjoy lunch at Biryani of the Seas (prawn biryani, fried pomfret) or Student Biryani (Saddar original—spicy chicken biryani that fueled generations). Later, shop at Zainab Market for ajrak shawls, brass, leather, and embroidered kurtas—bargain with a smile.

Evening: Contemporary Karachi dinner: Okra (Zamzama) for Mediterranean-leaning plates—grilled prawns, lamb with couscous, and silky hummus—or Café Flo (French-inspired, Clifton) for steak frites and classic desserts. Cap the night with gelato at Bella Vita.

Day 5: UNESCO Day Trip to Thatta (Makli Necropolis & Shah Jahan Mosque)

Spend a full day exploring Sindh’s hauntingly beautiful funerary and Mughal sites east of Karachi. The Chaukhandi Tombs feature intricately carved sandstone cenotaphs; the vast Makli Necropolis (UNESCO) spreads across hills with mausoleums from multiple dynasties; and the 17th-century Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta wows with tilework and perfect acoustics. It’s a history lover’s dream and one of Pakistan’s most photogenic excursions. Drive times: 1–2 hours each way depending on stops.

Full Day Karachi to Thatta UNESCO Sites Tour (Viator)

Dinner back in town: Hanifia (multiple branches) for Karachi’s cult-favorite hunter beef bun—slow-cured beef, mustard, and soft bun—or head to Kolachi if you missed it on Day 1.

Day 6: Markets, Crafts, and Contemporary Culture

Morning: Art and coffee. Start at Clifton’s cafés—Xander’s does excellent shakshuka, avocado toast, and flat whites. Then browse boutiques for block prints and homeware along Zamzama/Clifton (indie designers carry modern takes on Sindhi motifs).

Afternoon: Deep-dive shopping: Zainab Market (if you want more textiles and leather), then Bohri Bazaar for household goods, snacks, and old-school Karachi charm. Expect labyrinthine lanes; keep valuables close and hydrate often.

Evening: Waterfront night out at Port Grand—a promenade of eateries and live-music pop-ups set against lit-up harbor scenes—or return to Do Darya. For a refined alternative, try Test Kitchen by Okra for seasonal small plates and superb desserts.

Day 7: Aviation to Ajrak—Farewell Karachi

Morning: If you skipped earlier, choose one museum: PAF Museum (open-air aircraft park, usually from late morning) or the Pakistan Maritime Museum (lakeside grounds, naval history, and a submarine exhibit). Check opening days—some museums close Mondays.

Afternoon: A final feast: Madni Biryani (Jamshed Road area) for a fiery, fragrant finale, or BBQ Tonight if grills are calling. Pick up last-minute souvenirs—ajrak shawls and hand-embroidered cushion covers pack flat and timelessly represent Sindh.

Evening (departure): Aim for the airport 3–3.5 hours before an international flight to buffer for traffic and security. Compare rides and flight changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; airport hotels like the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Karachi Airport Hotel are handy for red-eyes.

Optional add-ons (another day or swaps):

• Karachi Sightseeing Private City Tour (Viator) — If you want a different city-route emphasis.
• French Beach or Turtle Beach (seasonal turtle nesting; coordinate with conservation guides) for a wilder shoreline day.

Where you sleep: anchor yourself in Clifton/DHA for easy beach access and modern dining, or in Saddar to dive deep into history. With a week in Karachi, you’ll taste its famed street food, trace the city’s rise through mausoleums and markets, and let Arabian Sea sunsets bookend your days.