Should you bargain or not? Most major shops have fixed prices but in traditional bazaars a certain degree of bargaining is allowed. You can find pashmina shawls, carpets, green tea and embroidered linen at Indus Crafts. Many book shops offer an amazing variety of English language books. The supermarkets will be the main venue of your shopping expeditions since Islamabad has eschewed the mega mall concept.
Below we have given you some hints on how to get the best deals and learn about the best places to shop in Islamabad. If you get hungry during your shopping spree, stop for some finger food or relax in one of the Islamabad Restaurants along the city's shopping streets. For more general information, take a look at our Pakistan Shopping Guide.
Islamabad Shopping Guide
Named after the founder of Pakistan, the Jinnah Super Market is famous for its book, fabric and garment shops. While the Jinnah Super Market is rightly the best known shopping area, other places that offer a good bargain are the Super Market and the Blue Area business district.
Shopper's Pick
- Classy fashion garments: Jinnah Super Market, F-7
- Bargainers' delight: Super Market, F-6
- Everyday needs: Rana Market, F-7/2
- Imported goods: Kohsar Market, F-6/3
The following are the main markets of Islamabad:
Jinnah Super Market, F-7
Fashionable, classy and priced accordingly, the Jinnah Super Market is where the rich shop (the sister city Rawalpindi serves the middle class and blue-collar workers). Here you find many fashion stores, including those selling designer brands. Prominent among them are Chen One (garments and household items), Amer Adnan, Junaid Jamshed's (branded traditional Pakistani dresses for men) and Maria B's boutique (ladies' dresses). International labels available in the market include Levis and GQ.
Super Market, F-6
This is where you must bargain. One of the older and larger shopping venues of Islamabad, F-6 is utilitarian and you can find many a bargain here. Choose carefully after you have beaten down the price.
Rate List
Shopkeepers are required to display price lists of daily use items and can be fined for overcharging.
Ayub Market, F-8
Located in an area that houses the law courts and administrative offices of the police top brass, F-8's main market, known as Ayub Market, has not done as well as others. However, there have been some signs of revival recently.
Rana Market, F-7/2
Here the focus is on everyday needs, both material and services. The relatively small Rana Market takes care of your basic needs. You'll find general, electrical and hardware stores, a dry cleaner, a shop for fruits and vegetables and even a pre-owned furniture store here. Paul Dixon is a barber who has made a name for himself here! Tea time is special because of the samosas and freshly fried jalebis that are available along with the staple tea.
Kohsar Market, F-6/3
Old-world charm and a large selection of imported goods - primarily food items - make this small market special. It is one of the oldest in Islamabad and the clientele is largely the diplomatic community as well as the well-off elite of the city. Well-maintained and clean shops, courteous shop assistants, and away from the madding crowd - the feel is distinctively old world.
Festive Fare
Festival seasons offer a variety of unique stuff and are a great time to buy traditional items like handicrafts, bangles etc at bargains.
