The Best Parks in Islamabad

Parks in Islamabad:
Lake View Park
Shakarparian National Park
Fatima Jinnah Park
Japanese Children’s Park
Rose & Jasmine Garden
Ayub National Park

While all your favorite indoor destinations in Islamabad might be closed to contain the rapidly spreading virus, people can still head out to explore the distinguished beauty of the capital city and stay active. It is no secret that the city is dotted with excellent nature parks boasting scenic views, exotic wildlife, and Instagram-worthy moments. In this blog, we’ve narrowed down the list to the best parks in Islamabad and its nearby vicinities. 

Let’s begin!

Natural Beauty in Islamabad – At a Glance

Islamabad – also deemed as Pakistan’s greenest city and one of the world’s beautiful capitals – is bustling with picnic points and family parks. 

The Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation and Capital Development Authority are responsible for the planning and maintenance of the Green Area of Islamabad. The capital which is divided into eight zones has an area of 85 square miles, devoted to only parks in Islamabad. This area is also called the Green Area. There are many places to visit in Islamabad, but the parks in the Green city stand out amongst the rest.

On a side note, Islamabad, along with being the greenest city in Pakistan, also has one of the biggest mosques of Pakistan i.e., Shah Faisal Mosque. 

List of Top Family Parks in Islamabad

The Green Capital of Pakistan comes with abundant spots where you can enjoy lovely picnics with your family, friends, and kids. The parks in Islamabad offer scenic views and beautiful landscapes while leaving some unforgettable footprints on your memories. 

We have compiled a list of the most popular parks in Islamabad, so that you don’t have to worry about where to spend your weekend:

  • Lake View Park
  • Shakarparian National Park
  • Fatima Jinnah Park
  • Japanese Children’s Park
  • Rose & Jasmine Garden
  • Ayub National Park, Rawalpindi 

Lake View Park 

Lake view park Islamabad
The magnificent view of the lake view park is one of its best features

Lake View Park – as the name suggests is located near Rawal Lake. 

Visitors can do unlimited activities at the park from taking walks along the river bank pondering over the famous skyline of the city to witnessing exotic birds near the bank and enjoying water-sports activities.  You can also make the most of your visit and plan a full-day picnic to the park with your kids, families, or friends – spread a gingham blanket, bring some samosas, and order a piping hot cup of chai from the cafes inside the park, the park will make you forget about everything. You can also take part in a couple of outdoor activities such as boating, horse-riding, and bird-watching at the biggest aviary of Pakistan. 

Speaking of which, Lake View Park also has the biggest aviary that Pakistan has to offer, home to a large number of birds. As  the park is enormous, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has provided the visitors with a passenger train ride and golf cart facilities.

In a nutshell, Lake View Park Islamabad has almost everything one looks for. It is one of the must-visit places in Islamabad. 

Visitor’s Days & Timings: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Location: Murree Road, Islamabad.

Ticket Price: PKR 20

Shakarparian National Park

Located near the Zero Point Interchange – in the midst of Islamabad’s most bustling metropolitan neighbourhood, Shakarparian includes special treats for history buffs. Deemed as one of the oldest tourist points in Islamabad, the park boasts a sprawling green sanctuary for individuals who want to escape the hustle and bustle of their busy lives. The remarkable Pakistan Monument, along with the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, is also situated inside the boundary of the park. Packed with beautiful trees, the terraced garden is situated at a height of 609 meters and offers the most spectacular scenes of the city, especially after the evening. 

You don’t have to go looking for refreshments outside the park, there are few cafes and restaurants built within the park.  The 1969 Café, Yogi Haus and breeze restaurant are located near the Pakistan Monument.

Furthermore, the park also has jogging tracks and walkways that are dotted with both tourists and people who like to stay fit.

The best part is that a small part of the park is reserved for dignitaries, who wish to plant a tree during their visit to Pakistan, as a sign of peace and prosperity. There is another part of the park, the Parade Area, which hosts the Pakistan Parade every 23rd March.

Visitor’s Days & Timings: Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

Location: Near Zero Point, Islamabad.

Ticket Price: N/A 

Fatima Jinnah Park

Fatima Jinnah Park
The park hosts a number of social activities every year

Fatima Jinnah Park is one of the most visited spots in the city. Located in F-9, it is named after Madr-e-Millat, Fatima Jinnah. It is one of the biggest recreational sports in the country.

Inaugurated in 1922 and designed by Michael Japero, the place is covered with trees and shrubbery, while a few marble structures are placed here and there, including the one at the entrance. The park is well-populated with jogging tracks, it means you can visit it on a regular basis for a morning jog or evening stroll. The park is secured with steel fences, so your children can play in the play area while you can observe the exotic wildlife in the parks. 

Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine sitting on the grass underneath the shadows of the Margalla Hills, sipping tea with your family and enjoying the weather. 

The park hosts a lot of sports competitions, musical festivals, and exhibitions. The park is often visited by students due to its location near Air University Islamabad.

Visitor’s Days & Timings: Tuesday to Sunday – 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM (the park is closed on Mondays)

Location: Jinnah Avenue, Sector F-9, Islamabad.

Ticket Price: N/A 

Japanese Children’s Park

Located in the foothills of the Margalla Hills, the park serves as a symbol of strong ties between Japan and Pakistan. As you’d expect, the park was inaugurated by the Japanese Government for the kids of Pakistan.

The park has a number of rides and swings for the kids, from monkey bars to treehouses, horse riding facilities and various other attractions just for the kids. The trees in the park depict a scene of one of the parks in Japan, as the trees are very similar to the ones found in Japan. While the kids are enjoying the rides, there are tracks for you to jog on. The area is big enough, so if you want to play cricket or football while your kids run around, the place is ideal for you.

There is also a refreshment area for some light snacking.

Timings: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Location: Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Saidpur

Ticket Price: PKR 30-50 

Rose & Jasmine Garden

Rose and Jasmine Park
The park hosts a magnificent collection of roses and jasmines

The name of the garden portrays the magnificent collection of Roses and Jasmine. 

The park spans over an area of 40 kanal, the garden has 200 types of roses and several types of Jasmine. The CDA and Islamabad Horticulture Society are responsible for the maintenance of the park, and manage a number of flowers and bird shows in the park.

The restaurants in the locality are Nirvana Café, Subway, Ravi restaurant and many more.

Timings: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Location: Garden Avenue, Aabpara.

Ticket Price: N/A

Ayub National Park, Rawalpindi

Ayub National Park which was initially called Topi Rakh Park, before it was changed to honour the country’s president General Ayub Khan. The park spreads across an area of 2300 acres making it one of the largest parks in Asia. The park hosts a number of facilities such as play areas, restaurants, theatres, aquariums, and a theme park. Even though the park isn’t located in Islamabad, it’s just an hour and a half drive from the city and a number of people choose to visit the park on long weekends. 

Timings: 09:00 AM – 11:59 PM 

Location:  Jhelum Road, Rawalpindi Pakistan

Ticket Price: N/A

Note: The park itself does not have an entry ticket, however if you’re planning on visiting the theme park, the tickets for adults is for PKR 50, while for children its PKR 30

These are the best family parks in Islamabad, however, if you wish to take a trip out of visiting a park, you should consider visiting the Ayub National Park in Rawalpindi.

If you are in Islamabad, these parks are a must visit. Share your experience with us at blog@jagahonline.com

Hold on! Parks and Farmhouses both are amazing places to visit. So you can also check out our other sources we have stock available of farm houses for sale in Islamabad.

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