Pakistan’s story stretches from ancient Gandhara Buddhist sites to Mughal grandeur and modern cityscapes. In a week, you can trace that arc—from Islamabad’s green hills and striking monuments to Lahore’s palaces, mosques, and hypnotic bazaars. This itinerary balances history, food, and neighborhood wanderings with smart logistics.

Expect soul-warming chai, fragrant karahi and nihari, and evenings that glow with calligraphy-tiled mosques and thrum with qawwali. You’ll browse living heritage in the Walled City and step among Taxila’s monastic ruins—a UNESCO World Heritage tapestry of trade routes and ideas. Pick curated tours for context, then follow your nose down alleyways for snacks you’ll talk about for years.

Practical notes: dress modestly at religious sites (shoulders/knees covered; headscarf for women in mosques). Friday congregational prayer can affect opening hours. ATMs are common; cash (PKR) speeds up small purchases. Ride-hailing apps are widely used; intercity travel is easy by flight, train, or highway. Always check current local advisories before day trips.

Islamabad

Islamabad is all symmetry and sunset vistas—broad boulevards framed by the Margalla Hills. The city pairs clean-lined modernism with cultural anchors like the Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument. Evenings drift toward lookouts like Daman-e-Koh and village-style eateries in Saidpur.

• Top sights: Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Museum, Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, Saidpur Village, Rawal Lake, hiking in Daman-e-Koh and Trail 5.
• Eat & drink: Chaaye Khana (parathas, omelets, Kashmiri chai), Burning Brownie (cakes, flat whites), Kabul Restaurant (Afghan kebabs, qabuli pulao), Savour Foods (pulao with shami kebab), 1969 (retro Pakistani classics in Shakarparian).
• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO and Hotels.com. Top picks: Serena Hotel Islamabad (resort vibe, pool, gardens), Islamabad Marriott Hotel (central, spa, indoor pool), Hotel One Super (good-value, F-6), Hotel De Papae (budget-friendly, Blue Area).
• Getting in & around: Fly into ISB using Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. In town, use taxis/ride-hailing; for trains elsewhere in Asia, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive in Islamabad, Sunset and Village Vibes

Afternoon: Land at ISB and check into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with coffee and a cardamom bun at Burning Brownie (F-7 Markaz), then stroll leafy Saidpur Village—mud-brick facades, galleries, and temple/mosque side-by-side reflecting the Potohar Plateau’s layered past.

Evening: Time your visit to Faisal Mosque for sunset when the marble glows and the Margalla ridgelines turn purple. Dinner at Kabul Restaurant: share chapli kebab, mantu dumplings, and qabuli pulao with raisins and carrots—hearty, aromatic, and beloved by locals.

Night: Wind down with a stroll at the Pakistan Monument viewpoint; the petals symbolize national unity and the city lights below make a gentle first-night panorama.

Day 2: Best of Islamabad City (Guided Tour)

See the capital through a local lens with this private, full-day city tour covering iconic landmarks, hidden corners, and nature viewpoints.

Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided)

Expect stops at Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Museum, Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, a boat ride or lakeside pause at Rawal Lake, and a village tea in Saidpur. Wrap with a hilltop lookout at Daman-e-Koh for citywide views. After the tour, dine at 1969—a nostalgic restaurant serving karahi, chicken handi, and kheer in a retro setting.

Day 3: Taxila UNESCO Day Trip

Step into the ancient world of Gandhara—monasteries, stupas, and sculptural art that influenced Buddhist traditions across Asia.

From Islamabad: Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour

You’ll explore Sirkap’s grid-plan city, the Dharmarajika stupa, and the exquisitely preserved Jaulian monastery with reliefs of Jataka tales. Return to Islamabad for dessert and tea at the Serena’s Rakaposhi Café & Patisserie—try apricot tart as a nod to northern flavors.

Lahore

Lahore is Pakistan’s cultural soul—Mughal marvels, Sufi shrines, and food streets that don’t sleep. The Walled City’s carved balconies and frescoed mosques make every corner feel like a film set, but it’s the aromas—nihari, paya, jalebi—that truly cast the spell.

• Top sights: Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila), Sheesh Mahal, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Museum, Anarkali & Delhi Gate bazaars, and the Wagah Border ceremony.
• Eat & drink: Phajja Siri Paye (dawn delicacy near Taxali Gate), Butt Karahi (sizzling tomato-based mutton/chicken karahi), Haveli and Cooco’s Den (dinners with Badshahi views), Capri (Liberty Market breakfast), Khalifa Bakers (nan khatai cookies).
• Where to stay: Browse VRBO Lahore and Hotels.com Lahore. Standouts: The Nishat Hotel (Johar Town; indoor pool), The Nishat Hotel, Gulberg (central, chic), Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore (classic five-star), Hotel One Gulberg (value, walkable).
• Islamabad → Lahore travel: Depart after breakfast. Flight ~1 hr, $40–$90 via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; train 3.5–5 hrs, ~$8–$25 (services like Green Line); private car on M-2 motorway 4–4.5 hrs, ~$80–$120; intercity bus 4.5 hrs, ~$10–$15.

Day 4: Transfer to Lahore, Museums and Food Street

Morning: Travel to Lahore. If flying, aim for a mid-morning departure; if driving/train, leave by 8:00 to arrive for lunch. Check in and refresh at your hotel in Gulberg or near the Old City.

Afternoon: Visit the Lahore Museum (Gandharan sculptures, Sikh empire artifacts) and wander Anarkali Bazaar—tailors, khussas (embroidered shoes), and spice shops perfuming the lanes.

Evening: Dine on Fort Road Food Street with jaw-dropping views of Badshahi Mosque. Haveli does smoky seekh kebabs and boneless handi; Cooco’s Den adds artist’s-house ambience with rooftop romance. Finish with kulfi falooda from a street vendor.

Day 5: Lahore Icons (Private Full-Day Tour)

Cover the city’s heavy hitters in one expertly narrated sweep—ideal for understanding Lahore’s layers from Mughal to Sikh to British.

Private Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour

Typical stops include Lahore Fort’s Sheesh Mahal, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan’s tile-wrapped masterpiece, and Shalimar Gardens’ terraced fountains. Many guides can add the Wagah Border flag ceremony (late afternoon) on request. For dinner, book Andaaz near the Fort—refined takes on chicken tikka and daal with a rooftop panorama.

Day 6: Walled City Morning, Market Finds, Night Food Tour

Morning: Breakfast at Capri (Liberty Market)—halwa puri with chickpea chana and potato bhaji. Then explore the Walled City on foot from Delhi Gate: the restored Shahi Hammam, Gali Surjan Singh’s havelis, and the calligraphy-draped courtyard of Wazir Khan Mosque. Consider a colorful rickshaw loop if you want to rest your feet.

Afternoon: Shop Liberty Market for fabrics and shawls, then café-hop on MM Alam Road: Mocca Coffee for pour-overs, Sweet Affairs for desserts. Pick up nan khatai tins at Khalifa Bakers—a beloved edible souvenir.

Evening: Dive into Lahore’s legendary flavors with a guided night food crawl.

Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience

Typical bites include bun kebab, seekh rolls, pathooray, and hot jalebi. Your guide helps navigate what’s fresh and safe, while sharing stories of old eateries and recipe lineages.

Day 7: Morning Gardens and Souvenirs, Departure

Morning: If you didn’t fit it in on Day 5, visit Shalimar Gardens early for birdsong and lotus ponds. Alternatively, stroll the quieter courtyards around Badshahi Mosque for serene photos.

Afternoon: Brunch on Amritsari hareesa (slow-cooked wheat and meat) or a milder chicken karahi at Butt Karahi. Pick up last gifts—ajrak prints, miniature paintings—then transfer to the airport for your onward flight via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If returning to Islamabad, trains take 3.5–5 hours and private cars about 4–4.5 hours on the M-2.

Optional Add-ons from Islamabad (if extending)

• Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad
• Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad

Where to sleep (quick picks):

• Islamabad: Serena Hotel Islamabad | Islamabad Marriott Hotel | Hotel One Super | Hotel De Papae
• Lahore: The Nishat Hotel | The Nishat Hotel, Gulberg | Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore | Hotel One Gulberg

Transport booking: For international and domestic flights use Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For trains in Asia, browse Trip.com Trains.

This 7-day Pakistan itinerary stitches together Islamabad’s serenity with Lahore’s exuberance: hill views, UNESCO ruins, Mughal jewels, and nightly feasts. With smart travel times and locally loved bites woven in, you’ll leave with a deeper sense of Pakistan’s culture—and a list of dishes you’ll crave long after you’re home.