The best places to visit in Pakistan in spring are Hunza and Skardu for blossom from late March to April, Lahore and Islamabad for mild weather and gardens in February and March, and the lower valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, where the security picture needs a careful look before you go. The high valleys, Naran, Deosai and Fairy Meadows, are still recovering from winter and open later than most people expect.
Spring in Pakistan is short and uneven. The plains warm up quickly, the mountains open in stages, and a trip planned for the wrong fortnight can mean bare trees or a closed road. This guide gives a shortlist with the practical reason for each pick, then lists what to leave for summer.
| Place | Best spring window | Why go | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunza | Late March to mid-April (Karimabad peak about the start of April) | Apricot and cherry blossom under snow peaks | Cold nights, bloom timing shifts each year |
| Skardu | Late March to mid-April | Blossom in the villages around the town | Flights weather-dependent; Deosai shut |
| Lahore | February to March | Warm days, Jashn-e-Baharan events | Gets hot by April |
| Islamabad and Margalla | March to April | Green hills, walking, mild days | Showers, pollen |
| Naran and Kaghan | Late April onwards, partly | Roads reopening | Lake and upper valley open late |
| Swat, Chitral, Kalash | Spring bloom and festivals | Blossom, Chilam Joshi in May | UK advice against travel; see below |
Hunza: blossom under the peaks
Spring is when Hunza is at its most photographed. Lower villages flower first, around the second week of March. Central Hunza, including Karimabad and Altit, typically peaks from late March into the first week or two of April. Upper Hunza (Gulmit, Passu) blooms later, often through mid to late April. Sources put the whole season roughly between mid-March and late April.
Timing matters, and it cannot be promised. A cold spell delays the bloom, and a warm one shortens it. Aim for the last week of March to the second week of April and stay at least three nights so that one grey day does not ruin the trip. Nights are still cold, and it is worth confirming that your hotel is open and heated before you book.
The Karakoram Highway itself is a factor. Flying to Gilgit avoids the stretch between Mansehra and Chilas that the UK advises against travelling on; overland, the route through that stretch is the concern, not Hunza. Foreign-passport holders should check their own advice. See our Hunza blossom season guide and best time to visit Hunza.
Skardu: blossom without the Hunza crowds
Skardu's apricot and cherry trees flower from late March to about mid-April, and the villages around Skardu and in the Shigar and Chounda areas are good places to walk through them. It is quieter than Hunza, and the light on the snow-covered mountains is very clear in April.
The caveat is what is closed. Deosai National Park is snowed in until summer; in 2026 the road cleared around mid-June. The road from the plains is also affected by snow and landslides, so most spring visitors fly, and flights from Islamabad are often delayed. Our Skardu in spring guide gives the details.
Lahore and Islamabad: the easy spring
If you want spring without altitude, the two big cities are at their best from about mid-February to late March. Lahore's days are warm and dry, the gardens are green, and the Punjab government's Jashn-e-Baharan (spring festival) events in parks such as the Race Course, fall in this period. Basant and spring festival dates change every year (early February in 2026, by one report), so check the announcements.
By April Lahore is already hot, so do the Walled City and Fort early in the day. Islamabad is better placed in late spring: the Margalla trails are green in March and April, and the city is cool enough for a full day out. Expect rain in some weeks. Our Jashn-e-Baharan guide covers the Lahore events in more detail.
Naran and Kaghan: open later than you think
Many families look at Naran in April. In 2026 the Kaghan Highway reopened as far as Naran on 20 April after about five months closed by glaciers and landslides, and Lake Saif-ul-Malook was still blocked by snow at that point. Babusar Top opened on 27 May 2026, for daylight travel only.
So plan Naran for May at the earliest, and treat any date as a guide, since it moves each year with the snow. If your dates fall in April, use a cheaper backup plan. See best time to visit Naran.
Places to be careful about
Three spring favourites carry real caveats.
Swat. Spring blossom and cool valleys make Swat popular with Pakistani families. The UK government advises against all travel to Swat, and on 2 August 2026 a suicide bomber attacked a police station in Kabal, killing 17. Pakistani visitors still go, but check local news and police advice before setting out, and overseas visitors should note that their government's advice can void travel insurance. See is Swat safe for tourists.
Chitral and the Kalash valleys. The Chilam Joshi spring festival is held on 13 to 16 May each year. The UK advises against all travel to the Kalash valleys and along the road from Mardan to Chitral, and foreigners also need special permission and pay a local fee to enter. Check current advice and do not rely on this page.
Neelum valley and Azad Kashmir. Neelum is beautiful in spring, but the UK advises against travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which includes most of the valley. AJK also had serious unrest from June 2026, with long phone and internet shutdowns and an official request that tourists stay away in June. Check the situation on the day you plan to travel.
Which spring trip suits you?
- Blossom and photography: Hunza or Skardu, in the last week of March and first half of April.
- A short break from the plains: Islamabad and the Margalla Hills, or Lahore in February and March.
- Families with young children: Lahore and Islamabad, or Murree and the Galiyat once the snow has gone.
- Solo or flexible travellers: Skardu, with spare days for flights.
If you are still deciding on the month, our when to go guide puts spring next to the other seasons, and our nine-day Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour shows how a full Karakoram trip is put together for the summer season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Pakistan in spring?
March for Lahore and Islamabad, and late March to mid-April for blossom in Hunza and Skardu. May is the first sensible month for Naran and Kaghan.
When is the cherry blossom season in Hunza?
Usually from mid-March to late April, peaking in Karimabad and Altit from late March to early April. The timing shifts with the weather each year.
Is Naran open in spring?
Partly. In 2026 the road reopened to Naran on 20 April, with Lake Saif-ul-Malook still blocked by snow at that point. Babusar Top opened on 27 May.
Is Deosai open in spring?
No. Deosai is normally snowed in until about June and closes again in autumn.
Is Lahore too hot in spring?
February and March are pleasant. From April daytime temperatures rise quickly, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning.
Is Swat safe to visit in spring?
The UK advises against travel to Swat, and there was a deadly attack there on 2 August 2026. Check local news and police advice before you go.
