Peshawar Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Peshawar’s old city preserves centuries of history as a crossroads of cultures and trade.

• Qissa Khwani Bazaar — Walk the famous “Storytellers’ Bazaar”, lined with tea stalls, dried fruit sellers and traditional shops.
• Mahabat Khan Mosque — Admire the painted interiors and courtyard of this seventeenth-century Mughal-era mosque.
• Peshawar Museum — See one of the world’s finest collections of Gandharan Buddhist art in a colonial-era building.
• Sethi House — Visit this beautifully restored nineteenth-century merchant’s mansion with carved woodwork.
• Gor Khuttree — Explore this historic caravanserai complex with archaeological remains and a small museum.
• Bala Hisar Fort — View the imposing historic fort that rises above the old city.
• Local cuisine — Try chapli kebabs, Peshawari karahi and green tea (kahwa) in the city’s traditional eateries.

Peshawar has very hot summers, especially in May and June, and cool winters with chilly nights. A monsoon season brings some rain in July and August, while late winter and spring can also be wet.

The most comfortable months to visit are from October to March, when days are mild and sunny, making it pleasant to explore bazaars and historic sites on foot. Spring, in March, brings blossoming orchards to the surrounding valley. During Ramadan, opening hours change and many eateries only open after sunset.

Bacha Khan International Airport is located very close to the city, near the cantonment area, just a few kilometres from central Peshawar.

There is no rail link. Travellers usually rely on hotel transfers or drivers arranged by their host, which is the recommended option, as well as airport taxis and ride-hailing apps where available. The drive to most hotels is short, though security checkpoints may add time. Allow extra time for security screening when departing.

Most visitors stay in areas with established hotels and good security arrangements.

• Peshawar Cantonment and Saddar — Central and convenient, close to the airport and several well-known hotels.
• University Town — A leafy residential area with guesthouses, cafés and institutions.
• Hayatabad — A planned modern district with shopping and quieter streets.
• Near the old city — For travellers focused on bazaars and heritage sites, ideally visited with a local guide.

• Travel advice: Check your government’s latest travel advice for Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before booking and again before departure, and follow local guidance during your stay.
• Money: Peshawar is largely cash-based; carry rupees for bazaars, food and transport.
• Getting around: Use hotel-arranged drivers or trusted local contacts, and consider a knowledgeable guide for the old city.
• Dress: Dress conservatively; women should cover their hair and wear loose, long clothing, and men should avoid shorts.
• Etiquette: Pashtun hospitality is renowned; accept tea when offered, and always ask before photographing people.