Murree: the hill station the British built to escape the heat

A short history

The British established Murree in 1851 as a sanatorium for troops, with the permanent town following in 1853. The Mall — still the main street — was laid out the same year, and was closed to Pakistanis until 1947.

Holy Trinity Church was consecrated in May 1857. From 1873 to 1875 Murree served as the summer headquarters of Punjab, before the administration moved to Shimla.

The town has kept a good deal of its colonial fabric, which is part of what people come for, alongside about 1,590 mm of annual snowfall and a view toward the Kashmir peaks.

Places worth your time

The Mall

The spine of the town, and the reason half the visitors come. Victorian frontages, and busy from late morning.

Kashmir Point and Pindi Point

Two viewpoints at either end, looking toward the Kashmir mountains and back down toward the plains.

Patriata

A chairlift and gondola up above the town, and a better view than anything in Murree itself.

Nathia Gali and the Galyat

North of Murree, higher, forested, and markedly quieter. If Murree is too much, this is the answer.

Holy Trinity Church

Consecrated in 1857 and still standing on the Mall.

Before you go

Snow from late December through February, with the heaviest usually in late February. Summer weekends are extremely busy. About two hours from Islamabad.