Abbottabad is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Pakistan. Serving as a gateway to the northern territory, Abbottabad is ideally located on the Silk Road. Historically Abbottabad has served as the administrative capital of the former NWFP.

With the presence of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Baluch Regiment, and Frontier Core, Abbottabad has always been a centre of military activities. Abbottabad has the highest literacy rates in the country with the largest number of schools per capita. Some of the well-known schools are Army Burn Hall, Abbottabad Public School and Pakistan International Public School.

Abbottabad: A great stop-over en route Northern Areas

Stopping in Abbottabad while planning a trip to Kaghan and Naran offers a great opportunity to enjoy the laid-back city of Abbottabad. Even walking through the narrow streets of old take takes you back in the era when traders from Central Asia would pass through this city on the way to China. The Old sections of the city are very well preserved and give an insight into earlier settlers in the area which comprise Hindu and Muslim communities. The Old vegetable Market and residential area near the civil courts are some of the oldest sections of the city and worthy exploring on foot.

With such a large presence of military personnel and school, Abbottabad has plenty of quality hotels, restaurants, and cafes. The latest development is along Mandian Chowk (Missile Chowk) along the main Manshera Road (Silk Road).

Abbottabad is the largest valley in terms of covered area in Northern Pakistan. The towns and cities, further north are relatively smaller and less densely populated. Therefore, Abottababad is a great place to stop and gear up for the next leg of your trip towards the Gilgit Baltistan Region.

Abbottabad City Area

Abbottabad city is an interesting area to stay in as you are very close to major administrative buildings, bazaars, and the central market. If you are keen to explore the old city and walk through the alleyways to have a feel for the history of the city it is best to rent a hotel in the city. Some of the well-known hotels include Hotel Serban and Hotel Zarbat.

Places to see in the city includes Lady Garden, Shimla Hill, Post Office, Main Cathedral and Chugian (Bara Market Area for shopping).

Mandian is located at the northern tip of the city and easily accessible from the city by driving down Manshera Road towards Manshera. Mandian Chowk has a number of quality hotels and restaurants. Some of the well-known hotels are De Manchi, Alif Laila Guesthouse, and Hotel One.

Travel to Abbottabad

Abbottabad lies on Silk Road (Manshera Road) and is connected to major cities of the country. Abbottabad is easily accessible from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Peshawar using local bus services. Contact local operators like Daewoo for bus timings.

Most services operate round the clock, however, the frequency of services is a lot lesser at night time. The nearest airport to Abbottabad is in Islamabad. The last stop for the train is Havelian. The train is not a suggested way to travel as the track is primarily used for freight trains.

It is advisable to drive in the daytime as some patches of the road are remote and no after hour services are available for a car breakdown or medical emergencies. There is plenty of small and mid-size restaurant available along the road.

Most buses stop at Haripur which is a major stop between Abbottabad and Islamabad. Haripur is famous for mandarins and local fruit. There is a number of plant nurseries along the main road selling local plants, shrubs, and trees. Emergency Contact Numbers