Pakistan is a land of stunning contrasts, from the towering peaks of the Karakoram and Himalayas to the vibrant Mughal heritage of Lahore and the bustling metropolis of Karachi. Experience world-class trekking, ancient Silk Road history, and some of the most hospitable people on Earth.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Pashmina Shawl
Hand-woven luxury wool shawls from Kashmir and northern Pakistan, featuring intricate embroidery or block prints. Among the finest textiles in the world.
Price: $15-80
Where: Anarkali Bazaar Lahore, Liberty Market, Saddar Karachi
Truck Art Items
Colorful hand-painted wooden items, frames, and household goods inspired by Pakistan's iconic truck art tradition. Bold patterns in vivid primary colors.
Price: $5-40
Where: Lok Virsa Craft Market Islamabad, Karachi Cantonment
Blue Pottery of Multan
Distinctive cobalt-blue glazed ceramics with geometric and floral motifs, a centuries-old craft unique to Multan. Tiles, vases, and decorative plates.
Price: $8-50
Where: Multan Crafts Centre, Lok Virsa Museum shop Islamabad
Hunza Lapis Lazuli
Semi-precious lapis lazuli and carnelian jewelry crafted in the traditional Gilgiti style. Rings, pendants, and necklaces sourced from Afghan and local mines.
Price: $10-150
Where: Karimabad bazaar Hunza, F-7 Markaz Islamabad
Chapli Sandals
Handmade leather sandals from Peshawar with distinctive stitching and embossed patterns, worn across the Pashtun belt. Durable and comfortable for travel.
Price: $10-30
Where: Qissa Khawani Bazaar Peshawar, Anarkali Lahore
Phulkari Embroidered Fabric
Traditional Punjabi needlework with dense floral patterns in vibrant silk thread on cotton. Used for dupattas, cushion covers, and table runners.
Price: $12-60
Where: Anarkali Bazaar Lahore, Packages Mall Lahore
Chitrali Carved Walnut Items
Intricate hand-carved walnut wood boxes, frames, and figurines from the Chitral region featuring geometric Islamic motifs and local motifs.
Price: $15-100
Where: Chitral town bazaar, Lok Virsa craft stalls
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Anarkali Bazaar
Lahore's oldest and most vibrant market dating to Mughal times. Labyrinthine alleyways overflow with fabric, spices, jewelry, traditional clothing, and street food. One of South Asia's great bazaar experiences.
Where: McLeod Road, Lahore Old City
Hours: 9AM-9PM daily
Gawalmandi Antique Bazaar
Fascinating market for antiques, old coins, vintage Mughal artifacts, brass items, and curios. Requires patience and bargaining knowledge to uncover genuine finds among the fakes.
Where: Gawalmandi, Lahore
Hours: 10AM-8PM, closed Sunday
Saddar Bazaar
Karachi's central market district with clothing, electronics, books, and household goods across dozens of specialized lanes. Empress Market at the center is a Victorian-era landmark.
Where: Saddar, Karachi
Hours: 9AM-9PM daily
Sunday Bazaar Karachi
Weekly flea markets across Karachi selling second-hand goods, vintage items, plants, clothes, and street food at very low prices. Popular with students and bargain hunters.
Where: Multiple locations, Karachi
Hours: Sundays 7AM-2PM
Lok Virsa Craft Market
Government-run authentic crafts market next to the Lok Virsa Folk Heritage Museum. All items are sourced directly from provincial artisans, ensuring genuine quality and fair pricing.
Where: Shakarparian Hills, Islamabad
Hours: 10AM-6PM Tue-Sun
Karkhano Market
Massive wholesale market near the Afghanistan border dealing in imported goods, electronics, fabrics, and handicrafts. Known for Afghan carpets and contraband goods at very low prices.
Where: Hayatabad, Peshawar
Hours: 9AM-8PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Liberty Market
Lahore's most popular shopping street combining local boutiques, fabric shops, shoe stores, and eateries. Bustling day and night with a mix of traditional and contemporary Pakistani fashion.
Best for: local fashion, fabric, shoes, accessories
Gulberg Main Boulevard
Lahore's most fashionable shopping street lined with designer boutiques, international chains, and upscale restaurants. Home to Pakistani designer labels and lifestyle stores.
Best for: designer brands, international fashion, lifestyle
Saddar Bazaar
Karachi's central Victorian-era commercial heart anchored by the red-brick Empress Market. Dozens of specialized lanes for electronics, books, clothes, shoes, and general goods.
Best for: general shopping, bargains, antiques
Jinnah Super Market
Islamabad's most popular upscale shopping area in F-7 with international restaurants, boutiques, electronics, and book stores. Expat-friendly with ATMs and international brands.
Best for: international brands, restaurants, electronics
Qissa Khawani Bazaar
Peshawar's legendary 'Bazaar of Storytellers' where traders from Central Asia, Afghanistan, and the Silk Road have gathered for centuries. Carpets, dried fruits, metalwork, and traditional Pashtun crafts.
Best for: Afghan carpets, antiques, dried fruits, traditional Pashtun items
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Packages Mall
Lahore's premier shopping mall with over 200 stores including international brands like H&M, Zara, and Mango alongside Pakistani designers. Modern food court and multiplex cinema.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Emporium Mall
Pakistan's largest climate-controlled mall in Lahore spanning 3 million square feet. Features an ice rink, indoor theme park, hundreds of shops, and extensive dining with international and local chains.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Centaurus Mall
Islamabad's landmark mixed-use development combining a luxury hotel, offices, and a modern mall with international brands, a multiplex, and dining terraces overlooking the capital.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Dolmen Mall Clifton
Karachi's most popular upscale mall near Clifton Beach with international and local brands, food court, and cinema. Beacon of air-conditioned relief and family entertainment in the city.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected at traditional bazaars, antique shops, and craft markets but NOT at fixed-price malls or branded stores
Start by offering 50-60% of the initial asking price and work toward a mutually acceptable middle
Showing genuine interest but then beginning to walk away often triggers the seller's best final offer
Buying multiple items gives you more leverage to negotiate a bundle discount
Learn a few Urdu or Punjabi phrases — sellers often give better prices to those who engage in the local language
Morning is the best time to bargain — sellers prefer an early first sale as a good omen and are more flexible
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques over 100 years old cannot be exported without government permit; export of some gemstones requires documentation
Tax Refund: No VAT refund scheme for tourists currently in Pakistan
Duty Free: Up to $500 worth of goods per person; alcohol prohibited for Pakistani passport holders
Shipping: International shipping available through Pakistan Post, DHL, and FedEx from major cities; fragile crafts require professional packaging