Grand Heights Hotel

Getting to Murree

Islamabad International Airport is the nearest airport, about 66 km in a straight line from the centre of Murree at the Mall. Arrivals usually continue by road from the airport, and the drive climbs from the plains onto the ridge. The Mall is the spine of the town: a narrow road lined with shops, food stalls and small hotels, so traffic on the final stretch can be slow in busy periods.

Around Murree

Murree is a hill station in Punjab at an altitude of 2,291 m. It grew as a summer retreat in the 19th century and still follows the ridge above the Kashmir Road. The Mall runs through the centre with shops and food stalls, while side lanes drop steeply into pine and oak woods and lead to viewpoints, wooded slopes and older stone buildings from the colonial period. The air is cooler than Islamabad at any time of year.

Around Murree, several places make easy additions to a stay. Nathia Gali suits a day out for its bazaar, a walk on the ridge and a short forest path. Abbottabad is a working town rather than a resort. Rawalakot is a small hill town in Azad Kashmir at about 1,600 m, set among pine-covered slopes and fruit orchards. Saidpur is an old village at the foot of the Margalla Hills, now a quiet stop for gardens, old lanes and short walks, and the Margalla Hills rise directly north of Islamabad as a wooded ridge of trails, viewpoints and wildlife on the city's edge.

Murree through the year

The most settled months for walking and views are April to June and September to October, with May, June and October the best of them. March, April, September and November are good. January, February, July, August and December are possible months, when conditions can be less predictable.

Summer days in Murree are mild and nights cool, while winter brings cold rain and sometimes snow. Mornings are clear, afternoons often cloud over, and the monsoon from July to August can bring heavy rain and mist, with landslides possible on the approach roads. Spring and autumn are the most settled seasons for walking and views.

Places to stay in Murree: what to expect

Hotels in Murree form a large group, mostly simple to mid-range with a few upscale options. Almost all list car parking and most list a 24-hour front desk, which helps families arriving by car and travellers reaching town late. Many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast and a shuttle service, some list a restaurant, family rooms, a kitchen, room service, a garden and air conditioning, and a few list heating. This kind of stay suits visitors who want a front desk and meals on hand in the cooler months.

Guest houses in Murree are also a large group, mostly simple to mid-range with a few upscale options. Almost all list car parking and most list a 24-hour front desk, while many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast and a shuttle service. Some list a restaurant, family rooms, heating, a kitchen, room service and a garden, and a few list a swimming pool and air conditioning. Families and drivers often find the mix of parking, breakfast and family rooms practical for a hill-station stay.

Serviced apartments in Murree make up a large group with a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list car parking and most list a kitchen, which suits longer stays and families who prefer to cook. Many list free Wi-Fi, family rooms and a garden, some list a 24-hour front desk, room service and air conditioning, and a few list breakfast, heating and a shuttle service. They tend to suit travellers who want more space and their own cooking arrangements.

Resorts and lodges in Murree are a large group, mostly simple to mid-range with a few upscale options. Almost all list car parking, most list a 24-hour front desk, and many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, family rooms, a kitchen, a shuttle service and a garden. Some list a restaurant, heating and room service, and a few list a swimming pool, a fitness room and air conditioning. They suit families and groups who want meals, grounds and space for children on site.

Staying in Murree: questions