Field guides / Islamabad Capital Territory / Islamabad / Pakistan Museum of Natural History
Field guide · Heritage
Islamabad
Islamabad District · Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Pakistan Museum of Natural History
Islamabad's natural history museum, with 1.6 million specimens, fossils, gems and a whale skeleton.
The Pakistan Museum of Natural History, founded in 1976, covers the country's ecology, geology and palaeontology. Its collection held about 1.6 million specimens in 2024. It is open every day except Friday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Why go
- ✦About 1.6 million specimens
- ✦A whale skeleton in the Tethys gallery
- ✦Fossils and an Australopithecus skull
- ✦Gemstones rough and polished
About
The galleries run from wildlife shown in its habitats to gemstones, rough and cut, and fossils, with an Australopithecus skull in the palaeontology gallery. The Tethys gallery, on the oceans, rocks, soils and minerals of Pakistan, has a whale skeleton and a special section on the Salt Range. The museum is also a research centre, run by the Pakistan Science Foundation, and works closely with Lok Virsa.
How to Reach
In Shakarparian, Islamabad, near Lok Virsa.
Responsible Travel
Follow museum photography and bag policies and allow staff to guide access to sensitive collections.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, Year-round; open daily except Friday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Getting there, In Shakarparian, Islamabad, near Lok Virsa.
Allow, One to two hours.
What to Do
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Pakistan Museum of Natural History, within 5 km.
