Karachi
Pakistan · Country profile
Karachi is the enormous, chaotic, exhilarating metropolis of the coast of Pakistan, the economic heart of the country and one of the great ports of the Indian Ocean world. Founded in the eighteenth century on the fishing waters and the mangroves of the delta, it has swelled into a sprawling megacity of nearly forty million people across the wider conurbation, a boiling blend of the cultures of the whole subcontinent. The colonial centre, the grand mausoleum of the founder of the nation, the beaches of the coast and the vast markets of the city share the stage with the film industry, the financial district and the extraordinary street food of the evenings. Hot, loud, crowded and profoundly alive, Karachi rewards the traveller who embraces its energy.
About Karachi
Karachi is a city in Pakistan. The city's documented population is around 20,700,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) and Urdu and English are spoken; the dialling code is +92. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Jinnah International Airport.
The Port Capital of the Coast and the Mausoleum of the Quaid
Karachi is best taken in neighbourhoods, from the colonial grid of the Saddar with its cafés and its antique stores to the seafront promenades of the Clifton and the driving markets of the interior. The mausoleum of the Quaid, the national museum and the colonial-era buildings of the port anchor the historic route, while the beaches of the Clifton, the amusement strip of the Seaview and the islands of the harbour give the city its soft edges. Traffic is the great fact of the daily life, and the evenings bring the busy food streets of the Burns Road. It is loud, intense and endlessly varied, the true beating heart of the nation of Pakistan.
The Torrid Summers, the Monsoon Nights and the Sea Breezes
The city runs hot through the torrid summer and stays warm and humid for much of the year, with the monsoon rains of the late summer and the glorious mild relief of the winter months. The rupee is the currency, Urdu the language of the streets, with English common in the commercial districts. The historic centre, the mausoleum and the seafront make the core circuit, and the city rewards those who travel with the local transport and the advice of the residents. Light, loose clothing, a diligent eye on the luggage and the patience for the famous traffic complete the practical preparation.
The Burns Road Food, the Beaches of the Clifton and the Ferry of the Harbour
The enormous mausoleum of the Quaid, the white marble tomb of the father of the nation, is the essential tribute of any stay, while the colonial-era buildings of the port and the Empress Market of the Saddar preserve the grand Victorian face of the city. The beach road of the Clifton and the amusement piers of the Seaview give the leisure of the coast, and the ferryboats of the harbour reach the islands of the port and the mangroves of the delta. The biryani, the kebabs and the ice creams of the old streets, together with the handicraft markets of the city, complete the immense, chaotic, unforgettable flood of the daily life of Karachi.
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- Country
- Pakistan
- Population
- 20,700,000
- Coordinates
- 24.9065, 67.1608
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
- Languages
- Urdu, English
- Calling code
- +92
- Country code
- PK
Getting to Karachi
Airports we list for Karachi:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Pakistan
Other cities we cover in Pakistan:
Frequently asked questions
Is Karachi the capital of Pakistan?
No — the capital of Pakistan is Islamabad.
What currency do I need in Karachi?
The local currency is the Pakistani Rupee (PKR). Languages spoken in Pakistan include Urdu and English.
What is the dialling code for Pakistan?
The international dialling code for Pakistan is +92.
Which airport should I fly into for Karachi?
Jinnah International Airport (KHI) is the airport we list for Karachi.
How far is Karachi from the nearest airport?
Karachi is about 1,107 km from Islamabad International Airport.
Flying out of Karachi? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.