The best parks in Islamabad depend on what you want to do. Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9) is the one for walking and running, Lake View Park is for picnics by the water, the Rose and Jasmine Garden is for spring flowers, and Shakarparian is for open ground and views near the Pakistan Monument. Islamabad was planned with green belts and hills built in, so most of these are free or cost very little.
This guide compares them by purpose rather than ranking them, so you can pick one for the day you have in mind. Where sources disagree on fees or hours, we say so instead of printing a number.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Walking and jogging | Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9), about 750 acres |
| Picnic and lake | Lake View Park, Rawal Lake |
| Flowers | Rose and Jasmine Garden, best in spring |
| Views and open ground | Shakarparian |
| Small children | Japanese Park |
| Hillside air | Daman-e-Koh, Margalla Hills |
| Best time | Early morning or late afternoon; spring and autumn are gentlest |
Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9): for exercise
The city's largest public park covers about 750 acres (304 hectares) in Sector F-9 and was inaugurated in 1992. It has jogging and walking tracks, ponds, lawns, sports grounds and children's play areas, and four main gates. Entry is free, and the Capital Development Authority manages it.
Opening hours are reported differently by different sources, so check at the gate. It is at its best early in the morning, when it is used by runners and walkers, and it gets crowded at weekends. It is large enough that you should decide beforehand which gate you will use and where you will meet your group. Practical tip: park near the gate you plan to leave from. See our guide to F-9 Park for gates, tracks and food.
Lake View Park: for a picnic by the water
On the edge of Rawal Lake near Malpur village, off Murree Road, Lake View Park is run by the CDA. Its facilities include picnic areas, boating, a horse-riding area, a playground, and a large walk-in bird aviary, which was inaugurated in 2013 and is described as the third largest of its kind in the world.
The park's own site gave entry as Rs20 per person in 2026 (under-twos free), with the park open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Boating, the aviary, go-karting and horse riding are paid extras. Bring cash. Go in the late afternoon for the light on the lake, and on a weekday if you can, because weekends fill up. Our pages on Lake View Park and Rawal Lake cover the water and the grounds in more detail.
Rose and Jasmine Garden: for flowers
Set in the Shakarparian area, this garden was established in 1948 as the Government Rose Garden and later renamed. It has around 250 kinds of rose and many jasmine varieties, plus a walking track, picnic areas and a small cafeteria.
Go in spring. The annual spring flower show is held here, and the 44th was in April 2025, so late March to April is when the garden is at its best. In summer and winter it is pleasant but much less colourful. Our page on the Rose and Jasmine Garden covers timings and the seasons.
Shakarparian: for open ground and a view
Shakarparian is a hill and national park near Zero Point, created in the early 1960s. The Pakistan Monument and its museum stand here, along with a parade ground used for the Pakistan Day parade on 23 March. Entry to the park itself is free, and tree planting with local pine species is under way.
It suits a slow afternoon: walk the paths, see the monument, and finish at the museum or garden nearby. It is not a place for shade in the middle of a summer day. Our guides to Shakarparian and the Pakistan Monument explain what is where.
Japanese Park: for small children
Japanese Park, also called the Japanese Children's Park, is a small community park with swings, slides and simple rides. Sources give different entry fees, from a token amount up to about Rs30, and rides cost extra, so keep small notes with you. It is best for children under about ten. Our page on Japanese Park has more detail.
Daman-e-Koh and the Margalla foothills: for cooler air
Daman-e-Koh is a viewpoint on the Margalla Hills, reachable by road without a hike, with a wide view over the city. It is a good choice for summer evenings, when the hillside air is usually cooler than the sectors below. The hills are a national park, so keep to marked areas and take your rubbish with you. See our guide to Daman-e-Koh.
Which park should you choose?
- Morning run or walk: F-9 Park.
- Family picnic with rides: Lake View Park.
- Photographs and spring colour: the Rose and Jasmine Garden in April.
- First-time visitors with a short day: Shakarparian, together with the Pakistan Monument.
- Toddlers: Japanese Park.
- Escaping the heat: Daman-e-Koh in the evening.
For a wider list of things to do, see our guide to places to visit in Islamabad, or our experiences page.
Practical tips
- Weekdays are quieter. Weekends and holidays draw big crowds to every park.
- Cash matters. Gates and ride operators mostly take cash.
- Check hours before you set out. Timings shown online differ between sources and change with the season.
- Dress for the sun. From May to September, go early or late. Shade is limited on open lawns.
- Keep to the rules in the hills. Margalla Hills National Park has leopards and other wildlife, so do not feed animals or wander off paths.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest park in Islamabad?
Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9) is the largest, at about 750 acres.
Are parks in Islamabad free?
F-9 Park is free to enter. Lake View Park charged Rs20 per person in 2026 by its own site's listing, and rides are extra. Other fees vary by source, so carry small notes.
When do the roses bloom at the Rose and Jasmine Garden?
Spring is best. The garden's annual flower show has been held in April, for example the 44th in April 2025.
Which park is best for children?
Lake View Park has the most for children, including boating, an aviary and rides. Japanese Park is better for younger ones.
Which park is best for jogging in Islamabad?
Fatima Jinnah Park, which has long jogging and walking tracks and is busiest at dawn.
