It makes a hell lot of a difference if you are writing about a place as its dweller or a visitor. Because when you are living at some place, sometimes you can actually recommend the best time for visiting. Remember I suggested going to old Lahore at dusk? But if you have been to some place for a short span of time, then your recommendations are usually influenced by what you had liked or not. This blog is about the Top 5 things to do in Karachi – the city of lights.

I love Karachi. I have visited this city many times nows since 2007 – and every time I have fallen for it. It is the New York/New Delhi of Pakistan. Huge roads, beach, sky scrappers, extremely expensive land, half of the population living in the apartments, cheap market (yes, Karachi is a heaven for shopping as compared to other metropolis) and a very fast life – something which is non-existent everywhere else.

My sentiments for Karachi are also partial because of the fact that my sister lives over there. So I find it my second home as both my sister and brother-in-law treat me like their kid. Upon waking up, I’m usually told that my brother-in-law just left Rabri Milk for me or he would pick a special biryani plate from places still unknown to me. For these delicacies, I still have no clue what places to highlight here. So minus all the luxuries I get from their home, I’m going to write about the TOP 5 things to do in Karachi!

This city changed my perspective about Pakistan in many ways. Before visiting it, I thought that for all the water sports (such as Scuba diving, Snorkeling or Jet Skiing), you have to go to Dubai or Thailand but my friends – we have all sorts of water sports here and at a much cheaper rate when compared to other countries !

1. Snorkeling at Churna Island: Back in 2012, my husband got a six-month work assignment at Karachi and we both decided to meet each other after a gap of say, four-to-five weeks, because I was still working in Lahore. Before coming to him, he would always ask his colleagues around about the eateries, or activities to do. So that’s when I was paying him a visit – he had planned a snorkeling trip with our old college fellows (yes we went to the same business school :-)). The trip was organized by Divers Reef Karachi and it was very nicely done.

They picked us up at 6’0 clock from a designated place and took us to Mubarak village where they offered us yummy breakfast of Parathas and Omelette with chai. Then they took us to the beach where boats were waiting to take us to the middle of the sea. These boats were very traditional and usually used for fishing by the local fishermen. Hence, nothing fancy about them. It was, I guess, a thirty minute boat ride, before we reached Churna Island. It was very beautiful. We were supplied with the snorkeling kit, given a quick session, and then we were good to go.

It was a great experience. The spot they had picked carried a lot of sea life so we enjoyed a lot. We were served lunch at the boat and given some more time for snorkeling. Following the same route, we were dropped off at the point at 7pm I guess. So it was a full day activity. Back then, we paid PKR 3,500/- which is quite minimal given everything was part of the package. The organizing staff was very cordial and I would give 8 on 10 for this activity in Karachi.

Btw, the same group offers Scuba diving and other activities as well. Everything is pre-arranged so you don’t need to do anything except for bringing bathing suits. That’s it!

2. Must-Visit Eateries! I always pay a visit to the following eateries whenever I go to Karachi. Cafe Koel and Kolachi! I love the ambiance, setting and the food at these two places. Kolachi and rest of the twenty other restaurants are situated across the coastline and at night, when they throw light into the sea – I see the fish dancing. I usually order local food from Kolachi because they cook it the best.

Image Source: DHA Today – http://bit.ly/2FT15nN

Cafe Koel has an ambiance which I would surely like to copy if I’ll ever open my restaurant. They have their eatery setting in a veranda which is surrounded by an art gallery. Since I always go there at dinner time, and the gallery is usually closed but the paintings that we see while being in that beautiful veranda are always a treat to the eyes. I like their food as well.

Image Source: Trip Advisor – http://bit.ly/2I22EAz

Now these two places are my must-go but there are a couple of others I have visited once and would recommend you as well because they were good too. One is Xanders and the other one is Okra. Bread Pudding from Butlers Cafe at Zamzama was to die for but for some unknown and odd reason, they have discontinued making it. Otherwise, for sweet craving, I used to go there for sure!

3. Tomb of Quaid-e-Azam: I visited this during my first trip to Karachi i.e. in 2007. I loved the garden walk, majestic tomb and the museum where they are keeping all the memoirs of our Quaid. I think we all must pay a visit there at least once !

4. Port Grand: It’s a lovely walk where all the restaurants are beautifully lined up. Happened to have visited thrice I guess – beautiful experience altogether!

Image Source: Chefling Tales – http://bit.ly/2xP5QKJ

5. Zainab Market: This place is almost behind I.I Chundrigarh Road where all the banks and main offices are. I go to this place every time I happen to be in Karachi. I have no idea but I love this market. I buy all my PJs and Ts from here. Here bargaining is fun and variety is huge. They also sell traditional stuff and winter shawls but I tend to replenish my PJs from here. This is a very reasonable market for clothes and bags.

Karachi has few markets which are very cheap and offer a great variety of different stuff. One of those market is Bolton. I bought a lot of home decor from there and loved every bit of my shopping. Then for beaching, I would recommend going to Hawk’s Bay. My sister lives right across the beach and hence, going to the city beach is not an attraction honestly because it is not well-kept. To enjoy the clean coastline, one must visit Hawk’s bay which is less crowded with people and is nice too!

I am not a Mall person and hence, I have not put Dolmen Mall, as the must visit place. As soon as I enter the mall, I get tired :/ Plus all the brands which are sold there are in Lahore too, so I feel no kick to drag myself. But for the first timers, just to tick the box, please also visit Dolmen. It is indeed beautifully made but since, may be, I have gone there so many times that it has, sort of, lost its appeal to me.

I think it is also important to mention the hotels where one can stay in case none of your relatives/friends live here. My opinion might be biased as my sample set comprises of just two hotels but I have happened to like Marriott way more than Avari Tower. The tower always feel congested and everything seems on top of each other. Marriott is huge and gives me a lot of breathing space!

All in all, not just for visiting, but if you ask me my third preferred place to live in Pakistan – that would surely be Karachi <3

Till then, ta ta !