If you’re looking for a city that isn’t just surrounded by luscious greenery but is also a route to many historical and ancient sites, then Islamabad is the perfect fit for you. Whether you want to go for a trail, go shopping, or dine at a fancy or themed restaurant, Islamabad has it all. 

Let’s explore such sites which can be covered in a day trip from Islamabad.

Rohtas Fort

The first destination on our list is Rohtas Fort, also known as Qila Rohtas. Rohtas Fort is considered one of the largest forts in the Sub-continent and it is recognized as an exceptional example of Muslim military architecture in Central and South Asia located. This UNESCO world heritage is located 114 km away from Islamabad.

The fort is built over a hill, overlooking a canyon “Parnal Khas” and has long and massive walls whose structure is built in sandstone laid in lime mortar mixed with brick, with some portions built using burnt brick. 

The most beautiful part of the fort is the Royal Mosque, located near Kabuli gate. The ‘Shahi Mosque’ has a prayer chamber and a small courtyard with stairs directly leading to the top of the Kabuli gate, those were built to be ever ready in case of attack. The outer wall of the mosque has beautiful round designs in which Islamic verses are written in Naqsh script. 

The stellar masonry work, considered the best masonry work of the Sur Empire, on the fort’s gates is a sight to watch. Sohail gate, which is the entrance gate, is embellished with floral motifs. There is a small village inside the fort, which was re-occupied by the Durrani and Sikh rulers. This historic fort is a treat for individuals with a knack for history.

Katas Raj

The Katas Raj is a complex located in the Potohar plateaus, almost 155 km away from the city of Islamabad. This 3rd-century complex has various Hindu temples connected by walkways and it is the second oldest holiest site in Hinduism, attracting flocks of pilgrims every year. 

The site is dedicated to Hindu God, Shiva. The name ‘Katas’ is driven from the Sanskrit word ‘Katasha’ meaning ‘Tearful Eyes’. As the name goes it has a pool, which according to folklore, was created by a teardrop of the Hindu God Shiva when he wept over the death of his wife Sati. 

Tradition says that this complex was also home to the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata, who lived here during exile. This complex has seven temples, said to be inspired by Kashmiri Temples, from the 7th century. Across the primary temple complex, is a smaller Shiva temple with a newer building but a very old Shiva Lingam.

Havelis from different periods surround the complex, the oldest being Hanuman Haveli. A 17th-century Sikh period haveli of Hari Sing Nalwa and a British era’s haveli, which has been converted into a police station, is also present there. This historic site is ideal not just for getting familiar with history, but also a great spiritual place for Hindus. 

Khewra Salt Mines

Ever wonder where all the Himalayan salt comes from? Welcome to the world's second largest salt mine at Khewra. The mine is about an half hour drive from Katas Raj and makes a nice addition to your trip.

A train takes you inside the salt mines, where there are numerous pools of brine water, a circular path takes you around the various spots.

There is a functioning mosque built with salt bricks and a replica of the Minar e Pakistan, the famous monument of Lahore.

The area around the entrace to the mine is filled with shops selling all kinds of wares made with pink Himalayan salt from the mine.

Taxila 

Also known as the city of cute stones, Taxila is regarded as one of the most important archeological sites on the globe with 18 locations being world heritage sites. It is located  32 km away from Islamabad.

Legend says that Taxila was founded by the brother's son of the legendry hero Rama and that the Mahabharata was first narrated at Taxila. The east side of the site had a residential area, and the west side seems to have had a ceremonial function. Currently, this site is called Bhir. 

Taxila’s World Heritage sites go back in history to a neolithic cave from 3,360 BCE to 500CE. It was part of the Persian, Greek, Bactrian and the Gupta empires until finally the city was devastated by the white Huns. Historically the city was a place of learning with one of the first university in the world.

The main ruins of Taxila include four major cities, each belonging to a distinct time period, at three different sites. Hathial where pottery and other material from 2,000 BCE to 600 BCE were discovered. Bhir Mound represents the second city of Taxila from 800-525 BC. The ruins of Sirkap date to the 2nd century BCE, when Taxila was part of the Bactria. The most recent settlement is that of Sirsukh, which was built by rulers of the Kushan empire starting 80 CE.

The remains at Sirkap are the most interesting to visit, you can see the grid-plan characteristic of Greek cities. Most prominent in the city is the double headed eagle stupa, representing a fusion of Greek and Indian influences.

Taxila is known for its collection of Buddhist religious monuments, including the Dharmarajika stupa, the Jaulian monastery, and the Mohra Muradu monastery 

Dharmarajika Stupa was built in 2nd century to house small bone fragments of the Buddha.

Mohra Muradu Monastery is also from the 2nd century Kushan period.

Taxila was rediscovered by Sir Alexander Cunningham and the Taxila Museum has a collection of historical artifacts accumulated during excavation. These artifacts mostly comprise Gandhara art from the 1st to 7th centuries, including 4000 objects created by stone, stucco, terracotta, silver, gold, iron, and semiprecious stones.

Panja Sahib

Panja Sahib is a Gurdwara (Sikh temple) located close to Taxila and can be added to your visit to Taxila. This pilgrimage site is visited by Sikhs and Hindus twice every year. Since the word “Panja” means hand in Punjabi, the temple's name comes from a handprint on a rock, believed to belong to Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh Religion.

According to legend, a holy man threw a part of a mountain towards Nankana Sahib from the hilltop. Guru stopped the hurled rock from his hand, leaving an imprint on it. Fresh, clean spring water gushes out from behind the rock and spills into a large pool, which houses hundreds of fish today.

There is a hand imprinted rock inside the building and a glorious Gurdwara built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh next to the pool. The architecture of the gurdwara is inspired by Mughal architecture, interior decorated with mirror work. All these aspects make the Panja Sahib an ideal place for both religious and sightseeing purposes.

Takht-i-Bhai

Takht-i-Bhai is a 1st-century Buddhist monastery and an archaeological site, listed among the UNESCO world heritage sites since 1980. It is located at a 500 ft small hill which is almost 158 km from Islamabad. 

Takht-i-Bhai is considered the most imposing remnant of Buddhism in Gandhara. It has inscriptions of the Indo-Parthian King. A complex with four main areas: a stupa court, monastic chamber, temple complex, and tantric monastic complex. The buildings are constructed from local stones, mortared with lime and mud. 

There is also a viewpoint located further up the mountain which allows you to view the ruins from an aerial point of view. This site was once the heart of the Gandhara civilization, but now it is an attraction for tourists, historians, archaeologists, and Buddhists across the world.

Nathia-gali

The last site, and also the best one, is a tourist favorite: the famous Nathia-gali. It is a hill station and resort town located at the center of the Galiyat range. It is 86 km away from Islamabad. 

The lush green meadows, deep forests of oak and pine, and scenic views are what Nathiagali is famous and loved for. It also has many buildings from the British rule, the most famous one being St. Matthew’s church, which is entirely made of wood and resides at the edge of the mountain, from where one can see a nice panoramic view of the beautiful Kashmir. The Governor House of Nathiagali is a magnificent mansion, also from the British era. 

Visitors love basking in nature while enjoying the heavenly view and peaceful silence of this hill station. However, the silence in the vicinity is interrupted by the chirping sounds of the birds which are nothing less than music for one’s ears. It is the perfect getaway place to escape the heat and for peace and quite.