Murree Hills

Best Time to Visit Murree for Snow, Greenery or Quiet

The best time to visit Murree for snow, greenery or quiet: what each season is like, which months suit families, couples and walkers, and the weeks to avoid.

By Explore Pakistan · Published 25 September 2026 · 8 min read

Murree, Punjab & Islamabad
Photo: Usamashahid433 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The best time to visit Murree for pleasant weather is April to June and again from mid-September to November, with October the pick for clear air and thin crowds. For snow, go between late December and February, when January is usually the surest bet. July and August are the greenest months but also the wettest, with fog and landslides, and every summer weekend, Eid and 14 August bring traffic that can spoil any season.

Murree is close enough to Islamabad that most people could go any weekend, so the real question is which weekend. This guide gives a verdict for each season, matches them to the kind of trip you want, and sets out a crowd calendar so you can pick your dates around the rush.

At a glance
Best overallApril to June; mid-September to November
Clearest, quietestOctober and November
SnowMainly late December to February; varies a lot by year
WettestJuly and August
Summer daysAround 21 to 26 °C in May and June
Winter nightsAround −3 °C in January and February
BusiestSummer weekends, Eid, 14 August, the first snow weekend, New Year's Eve

Murree through the year

Murree sits at about 2,291 metres, so it is always 10 °C or more cooler than Islamabad. Averages from the town's long-term climate record give a feel for the year:

MonthAverage highAverage lowRain and snow
January8 °C−3 °C127 mm
February10 °C−3 °C145 mm
March13 °C1 °C177 mm
April19 °C8 °C133 mm
May22 °C15 °C92 mm
June26 °C17 °C142 mm
July23 °C17 °C418 mm
August21 °C16 °C336 mm
September21 °C13 °C162 mm
October19 °C9 °C70 mm
November15 °C4 °C33 mm
December11 °C1 °C70 mm

Two things stand out. July and August together bring more than a third of the year's rain. And October and November are both mild and dry, which is why the autumn is the season people who know Murree tend to choose.

Spring: March and April

Verdict: good for a quiet weekend, with warm clothes.

March is still late winter here. It is one of the wetter months, and snow can fall well into it, but the big crowds have gone. By April the days are mild, around 19 °C, the forest is waking up, and the weather swings between sunshine and cold showers.

It is a sensible time for couples and for anyone who wants Murree without the summer crush. It is not reliable for views, and the evenings are cold enough for a proper jacket.

Early summer: May and June

Verdict: the most comfortable weather, and the start of the rush.

This is Murree at its most pleasant: warm days in the low to mid 20s, cool nights, and long evenings on the Mall while the plains swelter. June is the warmest month, with average highs around 26 °C.

It is also when the crowds build. School summer holidays start in early summer, every weekend fills, and Eid al-Adha now falls in this part of the year: in 2027 it is expected in mid-May. Go midweek if you possibly can, and book any weekend well ahead.

Monsoon: July and August

Verdict: green and atmospheric, but wet, foggy and busy.

July is Murree's wettest month by far, with August close behind. Expect afternoon downpours, clouds rolling through the town, and days when you cannot see across the valley. The hills are at their greenest and the air is cool, which is why families still come in large numbers during the school holidays.

The practical problems are the roads. Fog makes the evening drive down slow and tiring, and heavy rain brings landslides on the smaller roads. 14 August is one of the busiest days of the whole year: in 2026 Section 144 was imposed from 10 to 16 August and only families were allowed onto the Mall and GPO Chowk.

If you go in the monsoon, pick a weekday, drive up early, and plan to be off the roads before dark.

Autumn: September to November

Verdict: the best-kept secret. Clear, dry and quiet.

Once the monsoon clears in September, Murree has its best weather of the year for anyone who likes to walk and look. October and November are the driest months, the air is at its clearest, and the views from Kashmir Point and Pindi Point are sharper than at any other time. The summer crowds have gone, and hotels are easier to find.

The catch is the cold. By November nights are near freezing, and the days are short. Bring layers and you will have the town, and the forest walks on the Galiyat ridge, largely to yourself midweek.

Winter: December to February

Verdict: for snow, with care. The busiest weekends of the year follow the first snowfall.

Snow in Murree usually comes with western weather systems between late December and February, and sometimes into March. How much falls varies enormously. The winter of 2024–25 was so dry that the authorities ended the snowfall emergency season on 28 February, while in late January 2026 Murree had its heaviest snowfall in 20 years, up to five feet in places.

Winter days hover around 8 to 10 °C and nights fall below freezing. When snow is forecast, tens of thousands of cars head up from the plains, and the police now close the roads to tourists once Murree is full. Our Murree snowfall guide covers the snow months, the forecast signs and the safety rules in detail.

Which season suits you?

  • Families with young children: May and June, or September and early October. Warm enough for the Mall, the viewpoints and the chairlift, without monsoon fog on the drive.
  • Couples: October and November for quiet and clear views, or a midweek snow trip in January if you are prepared for the cold.
  • Snow seekers: January, then February. Watch the forecast, go midweek after the first rush, and book a hotel before you set off.
  • Walkers: late September to November, when the forest paths are dry and the views reach furthest.
  • Older parents: May, June or early autumn. Avoid winter, when icy slopes make even short walks risky, and the monsoon, when the roads are slow.
  • Photographers: October and November for clear air; winter for snow scenes; the monsoon for cloud and mist, if you accept the rain.
  • Budget travellers: weekdays in spring and autumn, when rooms are cheapest and easiest to bargain for. Our guide to Murree trip costs shows how much prices rise at peak times.

A crowd calendar

The season matters less than the day. These are the dates when Murree is at its fullest:

  1. Every summer weekend, from May to August, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
  2. Eid holidays. In 2027 Eid al-Fitr is expected around the second week of March and Eid al-Adha in mid-May, and both bring days of heavy traffic.
  3. 14 August, with the week around it.
  4. School holidays, in the summer and the winter break at the end of December.
  5. New Year's Eve, when the police run special traffic arrangements.
  6. The first weekend after snowfall, the single most crowded time of the year and the most dangerous on the roads.

The quietest times are weekdays from mid-September to November, weekdays in April, and the weeks after the snow season ends.

Months to avoid

No month is a bad choice in itself, but some combinations are:

  • A summer Saturday with a late start, when the drive up can take three hours or more and parking is gone by midday.
  • Eid and 14 August, unless you enjoy crowds and have a booked hotel with parking.
  • A snow weekend without a hotel booking. In January 2026 tourists were for a time allowed in only with a confirmed booking.
  • Monsoon evenings on the road, when fog and landslides make the drive down slow and risky.

Is Murree worth visiting in every season?

Murree is a year-round destination, and that is its strength: it is close, easy and always cooler than the plains. The choice is really between three different trips. Early summer and autumn give you comfortable walking weather. The monsoon gives you mist and green hills with more rain than you might like. Winter gives you snow and the biggest crowds and risks of the year.

If you only go once, go midweek in October. If you want snow, go in January with a booked room and a flexible date. For the wider picture across the north, from blossom in Hunza to autumn in Skardu, see our guide to the seasons, and if Murree is one stop on a longer trip, tell us your dates and we will plan around the crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Which month is best for Murree?

October is the best all-round month: dry, clear, mild by day and quiet. May and June are the most comfortable for families but much busier, especially at weekends.

When does it snow in Murree?

Usually between late December and February, sometimes into March, with January the most reliable month. Amounts vary widely: the 2024–25 winter was almost snowless, while late January 2026 brought the heaviest snow in 20 years.

Is Murree good to visit in July?

It is green and cool, but July is the wettest month, with fog, heavy showers and landslides on the roads. Go on a weekday, travel early and avoid driving after dark.

When is Murree least crowded?

Weekdays from mid-September to November and weekdays in April. Avoid summer weekends, Eid, 14 August, New Year's Eve and the first weekend after snowfall.

How cold is Murree in winter?

Average January days are around 8 °C and nights around −3 °C, colder during snowstorms. Pack a warm coat, gloves, a hat and waterproof shoes.

Is Murree hot in summer?

No. Average highs are in the low to mid 20s in May, June and July, far cooler than Islamabad or Lahore. Nights are cool enough for a light jacket.

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