Islamabad is a well-planned city, with sectors dividing the residential areas into small communities. Each of these sectors generally has a small commercial area known as its Markaz, where people can shop for basic necessities. However, with time, a few Markaz have gained more popularity than others. These are pretty much the only famous markets in Islamabad.
These popular shopping hubs offer everything from locally made handicrafts to wooden furniture, depending on which market you’re heading to.
List of Famous Markets in Islamabad
- Super Market – Sector F-6
- Aabpara Market – Sector G-6
- Karachi Company – Sector G-9
- Jinnah Super Market – Sector F-7
- Sunday Market – Sectors G-11, H-9, and G-6
Let’s discuss these Islamabadi markets in detail now.
Super Market – Sector F-6
Sector F-6 is home to many embassies in Islamabad, and is, therefore, a popular hub of tourists and foreigners. The Markaz here is officially called the Super Market, not to be confused with Jinnah Super Market, which is located in a different sector altogether. Sector F-6 is one of the oldest in the capital, dating back to the 1970s when the capital was first moved from Karachi to Islamabad.
The market here is not just well established, but also, due to foreign footfall, is home to a range of branded stores and eateries as well. Along with restaurants such as Nando’s, American Steak House, and The Smokey Cauldron, there are designer outlets including Khaadi, Bonanza, and Emporio Armani, among others. Many banks also have their branches here. It is the perfect place to shop for clothes, shoes, jewellery, and much more.
Aabpara Marlet – Sector G-6
One of the oldest and most famous markets in Islamabad and a popular shopping hub for Islamabadis, you can find clothes, shoes, consumer goods, kitchen essentials, dry fruits, sporting goods and a lot more at Aabpara Market. The market is located in Sector G-6, next to Khayaban-e-Suhrwardy.
The area was initially dedicated to housing government servants and their families, back in the 1960s, and the name of the market was kept in honour of the first child born in the area after people settled in this sector. While you can shop for branded items here, the market is more tilted towards the middle-income class and is quite similar to the many street markets we find in Lahore and Karachi.
Karachi Company – Sector G-9
A one-stop shop among Islamabadi markets, Karachi Company is one of the busiest and largest shopping districts in the capital. Also known as G-9 Markaz, it was given its present name after a construction company from Karachi opened its doors in 1978 in G-9/2.
Banks, wholesale goods stores, auto workshops, clothing stores, shoe stores, jewellers, and opticians mingle here with bakeries, food stalls, and cafes to create a shopping hub that caters to all your needs. Being among the oldest sectors to have been established in Islamabad, it is also quite famous and the go-to spot for fruits, vegetables, and other groceries for many locals.
Jinnah Super Market – Sector F-7
Located in the heart of Islamabad, Sector F-7’s Markaz is commonly known as Jinnah Super Market, after the Founder of Pakistan. Similar to the Super Market in Sector F-6, Jinnah Super Market caters to high-end consumers and foreigners in the capital; giving them a chance to shop to their heart’s content in branded stores that are a far cry from the average street markets.
Being a little on the expensive end, you can find handicrafts, electronics, books, flowers, antiques, clothes, perfumes, cosmetics, as well as jewellery at Jinnah Super Market. Burn Out Restaurant and Café, Jessie’s, Roaster’s, and Ox and Grill Steakhouse are some significant eateries here serving mouth-watering food. Branded stores in F-7’s Markaz include Junaid Jamshed, Hush Puppies, Generation, Nishat Linen, Amir Adnan, Levis, and Adidas, among others. Islamabad’s Safa Gold Mall is also located here.
Sunday Market – Sectors G-11, H-9, and G-6
If you’re looking for hawkers’ galore, then head straight towards one of the many Sunday Markets or Itwar Bazars in Islamabad. Sector G-6, Sector H-9, and Sector G-11 are just a few of the many that host this weekly market where new as well as used goods are sold. While some of these markets are only held on Sundays, other markets also have a weekly rotation of Tuesdays or Fridays.
From pre-loved clothes to second-hand books, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry to kitchen accessories and wooden furniture; there is very little that you cannot find at one of these bargaining havens in Islamabad. Keep your bargaining game on point, and you’re sure to find yourself a good deal at these hawker markets.
These are some of the most famous markets in Islamabad. While prices are fixed at many stores, haggling and bargaining remain a common practice throughout street markets in the country, and some clever tips can help you haggle like a pro for the best bargains. Happy Shopping!
Keep following Zameen Blog for more lifestyle posts and email us at blog@zameen.com to share your thoughts or concerns with us.
