Abbottabad
Introduction
Abbottabad is the capital of the Hazara Division in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and also serves as the headquarters of its namesake tehsil and district. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 1,256 metres, it lies about 120 kilometres north of the Islamabad–Rawalpindi area and 150 kilometres east of Peshawar.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to know that Abbottabad began as a British district headquarters and military base in the 1850s, named for its founder, Major James Abbott. That colonial origin still shapes the town's character, so expect a place whose layout and landmarks reflect its administrative and garrison past rather than a purpose-built tourist resort. The town once mattered greatly as a transport hub, a stop on the main route north toward Gilgit and China. The completion of the Karakoram Highway has somewhat diminished that role, so if you are travelling onward to the northern regions, plan your route with the newer highway in mind rather than assuming Abbottabad remains the primary staging point it once was.Getting there
Abbottabad is reached by road, most easily from Rawalpindi or Islamabad, a drive of under three hours. The Daewoo bus service runs more than three services daily for a fare under Rs. 500 per passenger. From Nathia Gali the drive takes about an hour, roughly 34 km dropping steeply through valleys to the river bed.
There is no railway service to Abbottabad; trains terminate in Havelian, about 30 minutes south of the city. The city works as a junction for onward travel: to Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan in the Karakoram Range; to Swat, Swati Kohistan, Dir and Chitral in the Hindu Kush; to Naran, Saif-ul-Muluk, Shogran and Babusar Pass in the Himalayan Range; and to the Neelum, Lipa and Jhelum valleys of Azad Kashmir.
Getting around
Abbottabad has no railway station, metro or tram network, so plan your trip around road transport. The nearest railhead is at Havelian, south of the city; if you want to arrive or depart by train, you would travel to Havelian and cover the rest of the journey by road. Buses are the main way visitors reach Abbottabad from elsewhere in Pakistan. From Rawalpindi or Islamabad the journey by road takes under three hours, and the Daewoo service runs several departures daily at a modest fare — a straightforward option if you want a fixed, comfortable service rather than arranging a private car. Abbottabad also works as a transit hub: from here you can connect onward to Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan in the Karakoram; to Swat, Swati Kohistan, Dir and Chitral in the Hindu Kush; to Naran, Saif-ul-Muluk, Shogran and Babusar Pass in the Himalayas; and to the Neelum, Lipa and Jhelum valleys of Azad Kashmir. If your trip takes in several of these places, Abbottabad is a sensible spot to break the journey and change vehicles.
Within the city and for shorter trips nearby, taxis and private cars are the flexible choice, especially with luggage or a specific address to reach. Agree on the fare or confirm the metered price before setting off, and expect ride-hailing availability to be best in the central urban area. The central parts are walkable, and walking is a reasonable way to cover local distances and visit the bazaar area, but remember the elevation — the air is thinner than on the plains and the terrain is hilly, so allow more time and effort than you would for the same distance at lower altitude. For anything beyond the centre, or the steep approaches to surrounding viewpoints and hill areas, a vehicle is more practical. Abbottabad has no commercial airport of its own, so most visitors fly into the Islamabad–Rawalpindi area and continue by road, either on a scheduled coach such as the Daewoo service or by a taxi or private car arranged in advance; a private car gives the most flexibility if you are carrying a lot of luggage or heading on to the hill stations.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Abbottabad ranges from guest houses to a resort and spa, with several options clustered along Mansehra Road. Hotel One sits on Mansehra Road near Mirpur Police station, while Devgru Resort & Spa offers a more resort-style stay. Guest houses make up much of the accommodation: Jan's Continental Guest House, Pine Inn Guest House, Shelton Inn Guest House, Snow Land Guest House and Alaf Laila Guest House, the last in Kaghan Colony opposite Usmania restaurant. You can also consider the Sarban Hotel and the Pearl Continental Motel.Food & drink
For local eating, the pakoras and fish served around Ilyasi Masjid draw crowds who come specifically to enjoy them. Kebab in Qalandarabad is another option worth seeking out, and you can find pulaw at the establishments opposite AMC.What to see and do
For a hill station, the surrounding peaks are the main draw: Mukeshpuri and Miranjani are the highest, and both reward those willing to trek or hike up. Thandiani lies a short drive away, while Harno is a tourist area with open water and a swinging bridge nearby. In town, climb the stairs of Nawansheher Bazaar, visit the Ilysi Mosque on Shimla Pahari hill, and explore the areas of Takaya, Dodheyal and Dhamtoor. History-minded travellers can stop at St. Luke's Church, an Anglican church dedicated to Saint Luke, and the Old Christian Cemetery, known locally as Gora Qabristan, where dozens of graves of notable colonial figures date back to the mid-nineteenth century. Lady Garden Park offers a green place to relax. Beyond sightseeing, the area lends itself to trekking, hiking, camping, photography, golf and picnics. Abbottabad is also a leading learning seat, home to some of Pakistan's best educational institutions, which gives the town a lively student character alongside its hill-station calm.When to go
Abbottabad has a humid subtropical climate, and rain falls year-round, so it is worth packing for wet weather whenever you visit. January is the coldest month on average, bringing chilly conditions and the lowest temperatures of the year. June is the hottest month, a warm stretch that arrives just before the monsoon rains begin.
If you want to avoid the heaviest rain, plan around July and August, when the summer monsoon sets in and brings frequent, substantial downpours. Those two months see the most rainfall of the year, while the rest of the calendar still sees rain spread across the seasons.
Three days in Abbottabad
Day one: Arrive in Abbottabad, the city in Hazara Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, that sits at a junction of routes from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Before the British period the settlement was known as Saif, and it was Major James Abbott who gave the town its present name. Use the day to get your bearings in the town itself, then look ahead to the mountain roads that leave from here towards Gilgit and China along the Karakoram Highway.
Day two: Take the Daewoo or another service out to the surrounding hill country. From Nathia Gali and Havelian you can continue towards Hunza, Skardu, Indus Kohistan and the Karakoram Range, or head the other way into Swat, Swati Kohistan, Dir and Chitral in the Hindu Kush. Shorter trips reach Naran, Shogran and Babusar Pass, with the Himalayan Range, Neelum, Lipa, the Jhelum and Azad Kashmir lying beyond.
Day three: Return to Abbottabad and spend your last hours in the bazaar before leaving. The town works well as a base for the routes you have just travelled, and the roads back to Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar make the onward journey straightforward.