Book flights to Karachi

The most popular tourist attractions are to be found in and around South Karachi. Mohatta Palace Museum is the perfect place to escape the city centre for a while, and learn about Pakistan's artistic heritage. Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum and Museum is where you will find the white marble tomb of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. For a taste of art and architecture, you should visit Frere Hall to see the artist Sadequain’s exceptional ceiling mural. Alternatively, seek out the many colonial-era buildings throughout Karachi’s old Saddar area.

Local families and visitors enjoying the city's hot summer weather, stroll along Port Grand’s promenade. This waterfront is home to bazaars, shops, a cinema and restaurants, it is easy to spend an afternoon by the harbour. Take a boat ride across the river, or simply bring a picnic and enjoy the views.

No trip to Karachi is complete without a visit to Clifton Beach. Here you can sip hot chai from a hawker stand, or take a horse or camel ride to get a different perspective of the city.

Travel to Karachi and you will find that daily life is fast-paced. If you are in search of a more relaxing time, head outside the city to visit Sandspit Beach, Paradise Point or Hawksbay Beach, where you can indulge in pastimes such as diving, yachting and fishing. Alternatively, you can charter a private boat and head for Manora Island, which comes with its own lighthouse, and perfect spots for picnics.

Karachi's spa industry is booming, and the city's five-star hotels offer massages and other pampering treatments. During the hot summer months, why not cool off with a visit to one of the many water parks, or take a trip to see green turtles at Sandspit or Hawksbay?

Eating out in Karachi is affordable, but the city is also home to many fine-dining restaurants, located in malls or five-star hotels. For a taste of authentic Karachi cuisine, head to the food street on Burns Road, where you will find flavourful haleem, biryani, botis, tikka, sajji and nihari. Khadda Market is the place for street food – its paratha rolls with cheese, chicken or beef are delicious.

Start the day Karachi style, with a traditional breakfast at one of the restaurants at Boat Basin in Clifton. Enjoy anda paratha (egg with fried flatbread) or halwa puri (puri bread with spicy chickpea masala and sweet semolina), two local specialities.

Karachi is Pakistan's shopping capital, and you will find malls, bazaars and markets everywhere. There are plenty of bargains to be found, whether you are browsing through the wares of an independent trader or hunting down branded merchandise in a high-end store. For designer boutiques, Zamzama Mall is the place to be, while Dolmen Mall is a popular choice for high-end retail.

You will find that clothing and leather goods are a Pakistani speciality. Mobile phones and computer accessories are also affordable, and gold here is duty-free. A trip to Zebunissa Market's gold souqs is a great way to spend an afternoon. Alternatively, head to Bohri Bazar or the Hyderi district, for an authentic Karachi shopping experience. You can haggle for the best prices at most shops and markets, but not in the malls.