The top 10 best destinations to explore in the Northern Areas of Pakistan in 2025 will assist you in organizing your trip effectively. Pakistan boasts numerous stunning landmarks where people can enjoy their vacations with family and friends. Additionally, it’s undeniable that the northern regions of Pakistan are rich in beautiful mountains, meadows, lakes, rivers, forests, and much more.
Each year, countless local and international tourists travel to the Northern Areas of Pakistan to appreciate the natural beauty. If you’re eager to visit these regions, read our blog all the way through. It offers detailed insights into the top 10 best places to visit in the Northern Areas of Pakistan in 2025. So, without wasting any more time, let’s dive in.
Here’s a list of cities in the northern areas of Pakistan for 2025:
Naran Kaghan is truly one of the finest locations in the northern areas of Pakistan situated in the upper Kaghan Valley within Mansehra, KPK. Therefore, if you’re looking forward to vacationing with family and friends, plan your visit between April and September. These months are optimal for experiencing all that Naran Kaghan has to offer.
Here are the top attractions in Naran Kaghan:
Hunza Valley, located in the mountains of Northern Pakistan, is undeniably one of the most picturesque tourist spots in the northern areas you can discover after Naran. The valley is renowned for presenting visitors with a rich history, culture, and vibrant customs.
Here are the top attractions in Hunza Valley:
The breathtaking Skardu serves as the central valley of Gilgit-Baltistan and is celebrated for its tranquility, beauty, and wilderness. Its majestic mountain peaks, forts, lakes, and resorts make it an ideal destination in the northern regions of Pakistan. If you’re planning a trip to Skardu for 2024-2025, explore the following points of interest:
Here are the top attractions in Skardu Valley:
Murree is yet another leading destination in the Northern Areas of Pakistan for 2025. It remains one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Pakistan. Nestled in the Galyat region of the Pir Panjal Range, within the Murree District of Punjab, Pakistan.
Murree is gaining widespread recognition due to its picturesque scenery, verdant hills, and refreshing climate, making it a popular hill station and tourist spot in the country. Known for its pine and oak forests, captivating landscapes, and colonial architecture, visiting this lovely tourist destination should be on your itinerary if you’re in Pakistan.
Here are the top attractions in Murree:
Naltar Valley is situated close to the city of Gilgit Baltistan. It is an essential stop for hikers, snowboarders, and nature enthusiasts. Naltar Valley is a prominent tourist destination in both the summer and winter months, offering a serene escape from city life. The highlight of this location is its excellent skiing facilities available for visitors. Its lush greenery and stunning lakes truly make it a paradise on Earth.
Here are the top attractions in Naltar Valley:
Kumrat Valley is situated in the Upper Dir Kohistan region, across from the Gabral Swat Kohistan area. It attracts significant attention for its stunning lake scenery, breathtaking mountains, lush forests, and various other natural wonders. All these characteristics make it an essential destination for travelers. Furthermore, the ideal time to visit is during the summer months of May, June, July, and September, when the weather is most pleasant.
Here are the top attractions in Kumrat Valley:
Chitral is nestled within the Hindukush mountain range. It ranks as one of the finest places to explore in the northern areas of Pakistan. If you’re pondering why Chitral is worth a visit, it’s famously referred to as the “Palace of the Fairies” due to its magnificent mountains, lush valleys, flowing rivers, and dense forests.
This revered tourist destination in Pakistan is also celebrated for its fruits, including peaches, apricots, damsons, apples, pomegranates, grapes, and pears.
Below are the premier sites to visit in Chitral:
Swat Valley is considered one of the most picturesque locations in Pakistan, thanks to its striking views, the scenic Swat River, and a variety of tourist attractions. Swat is among the most frequented valleys in the northern regions of Pakistan, lying alongside the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The valley’s unique charm lies in its mild weather, stunning lakes, towering mountains, springs, waterfalls, and much more.
In addition to the breathtaking sights, visitors can indulge in numerous activities, such as hiking, zip-lining, chairlift rides, trekking, skiing, ice skating, and sledding. So, consider yourself fortunate if you have the chance to experience this amazing destination at least once in your lifetime, as Swat is one of the top picks from the northern areas of Pakistan.
Here are the main attractions in Swat Valley:
Neelum Valley is famously known as the jewel of Kashmir. It is recognized for its hills, rivers, forests, and a wealth of fruits like apples, walnuts, and plums. Additionally, Neelum Valley stretches 144 km along the Neelum River and is one of the largest districts in Azad Kashmir.
Visitors can reach this valley via the Abbottabad, Gari-Habibullah road, and Murree, Kohala road. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to the northern areas of Pakistan, ensure Neelum Valley is on your itinerary.
Below are the top sites to explore in Neelum Valley:
Azad Jammu and Kashmir stands out as one of the premier tourist destinations in the northern areas of Pakistan. It is renowned for its breathtaking river valleys, mesmerizing lakes, charming villages, lofty mountains, and dense forests. It borders the Skardu and Astore Districts of Gilgit Baltistan to the northeast.
Additionally, attractions like Sharda Valley, Arang Kel, and Kutton Valley render this tourist spot incredibly beautiful in Azad Kashmir. The optimal seasons to visit are spring and summer. It’s important to note that foreign tourists require special permission to visit areas close to the Indian-administered Kashmir.
Here are the best attractions to visit in Azad Kashmir in 2025:
The northern regions of Pakistan are undeniably a treasure for the country’s population. Beyond being a prime tourism hub, these areas significantly contribute to Pakistan’s economy. Therefore, if you have a reasonable budget and desire to spend quality time with family, friends, or loved ones, remember to keep an eye on the top 10 best places to visit in Northern Areas of Pakistan in 2025.
Fairy Meadows, known locally as “Joot” and by German mountaineers as “Märchenwiese” (fairy tale meadows), is a grassland in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. Situated in the Diamer District, it sits at 3,300 meters (10,826 feet) above sea level and serves as a base camp for those climbing Nanga Parbat.
Fairy Meadows features grassy plains, alpine forests, and glacial streams from Nanga Parbat. It is where the Hindu Kash, Karakoram, and Himalayan mountain ranges meet. It provides views of Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest peak, also known as the “Killer Mountain.” Access involves a 15-kilometer jeep ride from Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway to Tattu village, followed by a 5-kilometer hike of three to four hours. The jeep track is considered the second deadliest road in the world.
Popular activities include hiking to Bayal Camp and Nanga Parbat Base Camp, camping, and rock climbing. The tourist season runs from April to September. Visitors can stay in cabins or campsites.
The area has pine forests with diverse bird and wildlife species. Plant life includes Pinus Wallichiana, Picea Smithiana, and Abies pindrow trees, brown bears, and musk deer.
