Karachi is a sprawling port megacity, the financial engine of Pakistan and its most diverse. Landmarks include the marble mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the colonial buildings of the old commercial core, and Clifton Beach on the Arabian Sea.
The white marble mausoleum of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, set in a large formal garden with a ceremonial guard.
Frere Hall and its gardens, the Empress Market building, and the Victorian and Indo-Saracenic commercial buildings around I. I. Chundrigar Road and Saddar.
The seafront promenade and beach at Clifton, and the ornate Mohatta Palace nearby, now an art museum.
Several governments advise caution or against non-essential travel to parts of Pakistan; check your own country's advice for Karachi specifically. Arrange transport and, where recommended, a local guide, and be discreet with cameras near official buildings.
Distances are large and traffic is heavy. A hired car and driver, or ride-hailing, is the practical and safer way to tour.
The mausoleum and the colonial core in the morning, Clifton and Mohatta Palace later, with a seafood dinner at the harbour or Boat Basin.
Confirm current travel advice, avoid political demonstrations, and note that summer heat and humidity are intense.
Is Karachi safe for tourists?
Security has improved in recent years, but travel advice varies by country and can be cautious. Check your government's guidance and use arranged transport.
Do I need a visa for Pakistan?
Most visitors do. Pakistan operates an online visa system; apply well before travel.
What can I see in one day?
Mazar-e-Quaid, Frere Hall and the colonial core, then Mohatta Palace and the Clifton seafront.
When is the best time to visit?
The cooler months from November to February. Summers are extremely hot and humid.
Karachi was a small fishing settlement that the British developed into a major port from the 1840s. It served as Pakistan's first capital after independence in 1947 and absorbed huge numbers of migrants.
It is now the country's largest city by far, its main port and industrial hub, and the capital of Sindh province.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering any government and tourism body.
