A Swat travel guide to the best places to visit in Swat Valley – Pakistan. Includes information on how to get to them as well as accommodation options.
Terrorism. Taliban. “Level 4 Advisory- Do not travel”. Ah, all the lovely things you’re likely to hear if you mention the words Swat Valley in the west. But are they accurate?
It is true that places in Swat had a dark past- its capital city Mingora was taken over by the Taliban in 2007, displacing and killing many residents.
But in the twelve years since, the gorgeous region has returned back to its former glory, and nowadays there are many amazing places to visit in Swat Valley!
What Western media won’t tell you is that prior to the events of the early- late 2000’s many places Swat Valley, especially Kalam, was a tourist mecca.
Domestic and foreigners alike descended on the picturesque mountain region every summer, and many would come back year after year.
Even once foreign tourism declined after 9/11, many places in Swat Valley (also known as Sawat Valley) remained a poppin’ destination for Pakistan’s city dwellers.
So while it’s only recently come back into conversations amongst gora backpackers, Swat Valley tourism is far from a new discovery.
Though we had to fend off some fear-mongering family members, what we saw and experienced ourselves was clear-and the opposite of fear, I might add: Swat Valley is home to the most hospitable people in Pakistan– if not the world.
And it being the Switzerland of Asia? We think the landscapes might be even better than its namesake.
In trying to help others experience the best of what this gem has to offer, here’s a guide to the best tourist places to visit and the coolest things to do in Swat Valley- one of the best places to visit in Pakistan.
The Best Places to Visit in Swat Valley
Here are some Swat attractions you shouldn’t miss while traveling in Pakistan.
But first… where is Swat Valley in Pakistan?
Are you wondering where is Swat Valley? Good question.
Swat Valley is located in the Malakand Division of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Swat/ Sawat Valley is in the northeastern part of the province, and is mostly home to Pashtuns though Kohistanis also call the valley home.
The largest city in Swat Valley is Mingora, which is about 4 hours away from Peshawar. Interesting fact: As far as historical places in Pakistan go, Swat Valley is pretty ancient- Buddhism flourished here in the 2nd Century.
12+ Amazing Places to Visit in Swat Valley
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1. Mingora
The only real city in Swat, Mingora is often just passed through or under-appreciated, under the guise that it’s nothing more than a congested cluster-mess, but if you want to visit Swat, you’re going to have to add Mingora to your Pakistan itinerary.
And while the center of it might be, there’s a whole other side to this Swat tourist place that’s definitely worth a visit.
Main tourist attractions usually include a visit to the White Palace or Buddhist ruins some kilometers off… but to visit Mingora is to see a lot just within its city limits! Here are some of the best places to visit in Mingora:
12+ Places to Visit in Mingora, Swat Valley
The best tourist attractions in Swat Valley, Pakistan.
Swat River
Just along the roadside, you’ll find the Swat River and many of its little tributaries poised alongside an open field. Somewhat of a “river beach,” if you will- the bank is absolutely perfect for relaxing, tanning and striking up some convos with friendly-albeit curious-locals.
Local men and buffalos swam and meandered about in the sun, and the occasional family settled around for a picnic.
Over the course of a week, the riverside was pretty empty during the day and filled up a bit more around sunset: but not with tourists, just Mingora residents.
Personally, I found this to be one of the best places to visit in Swat Valley.
Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to join a meal or snack- this is a land of royal hospitality after all!
Viewpoint hike
Near to the river, and most of the tourist-friendly hotels, you can find a road deviation that goes upwards towards a village. Your goal is the “Old Army Bunker”, but any spot close to that will do.
At the top, sweeping views of Mingora await! It took us about 35 minutes to walk/trudge to the top, so start early if you’re trying to catch the sunset (as you should).
Like most places to visit in Mingora that appear in this guide, you can be sure that no one else will be there- win!
Mingora City
Yes, the city may be dusty and filled to the brim with auto-rickshaws, but it’s worth a visit, unless you completely hate cities. Green Chowk is a good place to start your exploration.
Though a bit busy, the city is lively AND foodie-friendly. Early afternoon is a good time to swing by as traffic can get seriously slow post-normal working hours.
Read Next: How to trek to Rakaposhi Base Camp
Jahanabad Buddha
One of the more interesting places to visit in Swat Valley is the Jahanabad Buddha. The ancient carving is located about 15 km from Mingora and 5 km from Manglor Village.
It is one of the largest Buddha statues in all of Central/South Asia and survived a 2007 attack by the Taliban.
The site is marked by name on Google Maps and can be reached by taxi from Mingora if you don’t have your own vehicle.
How to get to Mingora, Swat Valley
Daewoo buses can easily be booked from Lahore, Islamabad or Peshawar. From Peshawar, it’s also possible to catch a local minivan (with AC) for 300 rupees per person.
Expect the ride to Mingora take at least 4 hours. You’ll be dropped off a bit far from the actual attractions and main area of Mingora, so you’ll have to take rickshaw to get to where the action (and your hotel) is. Expect to pay 150 rupees as a foreigner.
Where to stay in Mingora, Swat Valley
Green River Hotel or Hotel Rose Palace are your best bets. Both are comfortable, accept foreigners, and are close to all the goods of the city. A double room with an attached bathroom (and good wifi) will cost 1500-2000 rupees.
2. Marghazar White Palace
As far as places to visit in Swat Valley go, there certainly isn’t anything like the White Palace. Built in 1940 by the first King of Swat, the white-colored palace is located in the small town of Marghazar, about 13 km from Saidu Sharif.
The historical residence is surrounded by greenery, and contains 24 rooms along with a royal suite. The palace is also less than an hour’s drive from Mingora.
3. Kalam Valley
My first impressions of Kalam went a little something like this: flashing, lights advertised the 20th-something hotel we’d seen yet.
Hoards of families dawning expensive clothing stood in lines at ice cream machines- the contents of which just a bit suspicious.
Souvenir shops begged to be stopped at, all selling identical crafts and toys. Obnoxious, massively large vehicles barreled down the narrow road, stuffed with tourists both coming and leaving.
This was the Kalam I had heard about – the jewel of Swat?
While the main road and tourist town of Kalam proved to be a neon nightmare, it only takes a few kilometers of driving (or walking) to find yourself in the real Kalam- and it’s every bit as incredible as the ravers had made it out to be.
Forget about the trashed Mahodand Lake and the cheesy Mall Road- here’s what you should really see in Kalam- one of the best places to visit in Swat Valley.
Places to Visit in Kalam Valley
Bafar
A 20-minute ride into the Ushu Forest, a ways past the public park rife with tourists, will bring you to a village that’s the complete antithesis of Kalam town- AKA an offbeat traveler’s dream and one of the best things to do in Swat.
We didn’t plan to go to Bafar- though it’s known amongst the valley, it’s not even listed on maps.me! It was simply where we ended up after telling a taxi driver we wanted to visit a “real” village.
Bafar is one of the most isolated villages in Kalam Valley, though it’s still relatively easy to reach by road. The people here are farmers, and rarely- if ever- see tourists, especially foreign ones.
The unadulterated hamlet provided trash-free views of the icy-blue Swat River and the green hills that surround it.
There’s not much to “do” in Bafar- but a whole lot to appreciate. This is the kind of place you sit and relax for a while, and enjoy chai on the likely chance you’re invited in for some.
How to get to Bafar
The easiest way to visit is by taxi, which can be hailed from the main bazaar in Kalam town. A taxi driver will charge around 2000 rupees for a ~5-hour return trip.
Alternatively, it would take about 2 hours to get there on foot from Kalam- I’d recommend starting early if this is your plan. Bafar is marked only on Google Maps, so download an offline map before heading out.
Kandol Lake
During my visit, I took a trip to Kandol Lake- though that’s not the lake I think you should check out. In the past, Kandol was only accessible by a moderate 2-hour hike from a place known as Laddu Valley.
This kept tourist numbers relatively low as, from experience, the steep hike is no joke.
Unfortunately, in August 2019, a jeep track leading all the way to the lake was completed.
Though this is a positive for those genuinely incapable of hiking, it also means that tourists and trash will increase ten-fold- essentially making Kandol nothing more than another Mahodand, one of the busiest places to visit in Swat Valley.
99% of other tourists we saw at the lake had come up by jeep, and while we still opted to go by foot, it no longer felt like a trek with jeeps coming up behind us.
But don’t worry- there’s still a cool and authentic way to check out one of Swat Valley Kalam’s fab alpine lakes! Here’s what’s up:
Spinkhor Lake
Spinkhor Lake is very similar to Kandol, but still remains a trekking-only sight, something we wish we had known about during our time in Kalam.
As far as Swat attractions go, Spinkhor is one of the least visited since it’s only accessible by trek.
Spinkhor can only be reached after a 2-hour hike from Laddu Valley- the same spot where the Kandol route begins.
How to reach Spinkhor Lake / Kandol Lake
Budget: If you want to reach the lake by public transport, you MUST start early. First, you’ll need to take a shared taxi from the Kalam bazaar to Utror – a small town about 1 hour away from Kalam.
Shared cars only leave when full, and may take several hours to fill up, making this method a bit challenging. Expect to pay around 250-300 rupees/per person.
From Utror, you will THEN need to find a taxi to take you to the end of the Laddu Valley jeep track (the start of the hike) or hitchhike on your own. In high season (May-August) many cars ply this route.
To get back to Kalam, it would be best to find a ride going straight there. It’s extremely unlikely that you’d be able to find shared transport from Utror in late afternoon.
Out of budget: A private car to the start of the trek will cost approximately 4000 rupees for the day. Even with secured transport, plan to leave Kalam no later than 10:00 AM.
Boyun Village- “Green Top”
Perched atop a winding, steep paved road sits a village out of a fairytale. Picture this: Fields after fields of ripened corn, potatoes and peas, set amongst flat-topped village homes, and traversed by dusty dirt paths.
The village itself spans as far as the eye can see, and sits atop a mountain that hosts a sprawling, sweeping view of Kalam Valley.
ALL the livestock meander about its open fields and within the constraints of individual yards. Young boys run around in groups, stopping to play a bit before abruptly finding their next bit of fun.
We were met with curious- but far from unfriendly- stares and asalam aleikums, invites for chai- and even a bit a lot of charas.
If you want to experience a real, beautiful Pakistani village-that you can easily reach for free- this is one of the best tourist places to visit in Swat Valley.
Boyun, or Green Top, has started to see some tourists, but most come up in their cars, snap some pictures at the viewpoint, and head on back down. What do I recommend? Explore and have some local interaction.
The people of Boyun, like everywhere in Swat, are overflowing with hospitality and were quite welcoming to us.
It’s chill to just walk around the entire village- or try to that is, Boyun is BIG! We enjoyed our first visit so much that we came back the next day, where we met even more people than the day before.
How to get to Boyun
By car, a ride up to Boyun will cost you at least 1500 rupees, unless you were able to find a shared vehicle which would be unlikely in the morning.
The 2-mile walk/ hike to Boyun is worth the pain- and seemed like it would be easy to hitchhike if you were committed to it. We were easily able to get a ride back down to Kalam when we left around sunset.
There are no hotels/guesthouses/homestays in Boyun, but it’s just about guaranteed that you’ll be invited to stay the night if you befriend some locals.
Ushu Forest
The Ushu Forest is within walking distance of Kalam’s main road and is filled with thousands upon thousands of Deodar trees. The beautiful, well preserved forest leads towards villages such as Bafar.
The forest also has somewhat of a picnic area that overlooks the beautiful valley below. The forest is easily accessible from Kalam, and can even be reached on foot. If you’re looking for it on a map, note that Google lists it as “Plain Forest Kalam.”
Where to stay in Kalam
There are LOADS of hotels to choose from in Kalam town, but I unequivocally recommend Hotel Heaven Rose. It has a beautiful garden and more importantly- an extremely hospitable owner! Expect to pay 1500-2000 rupees per night here.
4. Jarogo Waterfall
The mesmerizing Jarogo Waterfall is some 53 km from Mingora and boasts the title of Pakistan’s highest waterfall.
At 120 meters, the fall is one of the most unique places to visit in Swat Valley, and thanks to its remote location, doesn’t see as many tourists as other sites.
Jarogo was named after an esteemed Hindu woman called Jarogai who used to live in the area dozens of years ago. To reach the waterfall, you’ll have to embark on a short (but steep!) hike of about 2 hours from the end of the main road.
Adventurous travelers can even bring camping gear, as there’s a lush meadow above the falls that’s ideal for a night or two in nature.
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Shimshal Valley
5. Shahi Bagh
Perhaps one of Swat Valley’s most stunning places, Shahi Bagh is difficult to reach but worth every second of the journey.
The stunning meadow is located about 3.5 hours from Kalam, and is closest to the village of Gabral. From Gabral, this magical place is only 9 km via a perilous 4×4 track.
Perhaps the best place in Swat for camping, the peace and serenity of Shahi Bagh is certainly hard to beat.
Trekkers can also take their trip up a few notches by setting out on an adventure to two nearby sites.
The Gen Shang Banda is about an hour’s trek from Shahi Bagh, while the much farther Mushroom Lake would take experienced trekkers approximately 12-13 hours to reach.
To head to the latter, utilizing the knowledge of a local guide from Utror or Gabral is highly recommended.
6. Bahrain
Another town that highlights the beauty of Swat is Bahrain, a small hill-station 36 km before Kalam. Like most places in Swat, Bahrain is most enjoyable from May-October when the weather is pleasant and trekking opportunities plentiful.
The town has numerous riverside hotels, and features the confluence of the Daral and Swat rivers, making it an ideal place to stop for some chai or food before heading further towards Kalam.
While Bahrain itself is quite busy, it’s surrounded by numerous lush, peaceful villages like Kedam. It’s well known that all of Swat Valley is a paradise for trekkers and the Bahrain Valley is no exception. Shetan Goot Lake is one such (infrequently visited) option.
It takes about 13 hours of trekking north from Kedam Village to reach, and though certainly not for beginners, the views along the way are truly out of this world. Kedam is approximately 7km from Bahrain, and has a few tourist amenities.
7. Mahodand Lake
Undoubtedly the most popular destination in the region, no list of the best places to visit in Swat would be complete without mentioning Mahodand Lake.
The uber-touristed lake sits at an altitude of 9,400 feet and is stunning with bright green meadows and some of the bluest water you’ll ever see.
Out of all of Swat’s aquatic alpine beauties, Mahodand is the easiest to reach, making it accessible for travelers of all ages.
The lake takes about 2 hours to get to from Kalam and most cars will be able to make the journey. If you didn’t come with your own vehicle, expect to pay 2000-5000 rupees for a taxi.
Due to its overwhelming popularity, definitely try to visit on weekends and avoid public holidays if you want to stay away from crowds!
8. Madyan
Madyan is the perfect place to visit in Swat for if you’re looking for peace and serenity sans the crowds. The small hill station is 55 km from Mingora and 45 km from Kalam, making it an ideal half-way stop.
The village showcases the stunning beauty of the Swat River and is also known for its delicious trout fish. Check out any of the local restaurants for a taste during the season (May-October!)
9. Malam Jabba
Love winter? If so, then Malam Jabba is the Swat tourist place for you! It’s known for its popular ski resort, though you can also visit in the summer to enjoy green pastures from above while riding on the lift, or by taking a ride on the thrilling zip line.
Malam Jabba is approximately 45 km from Mingora and has numerous hotels for tourists to choose from. Keep in mind that Malam Jabba is one of the most popular destinations in all of Swat, so avoid visiting in peak season to experience nature at it’s best!
10. Gabin Jabba
Another magical Swat destination is Gabin Jabba, which literally means “Honey Marshes” in Pashto. The fairytale-esque meadow is over 8,000 feet above sea level and is the perfect place to camp in pure, untouched nature.
Lalkoo is the nearest village to Gabin Jabba, and the destination itself sits at just about 60 km from Mingora.
But you don’t need to be a die-hard camper to enjoy Gabin Jabba’s beauty though- “glamping” pods have been built there to facilitate all types of tourists. The best time to visit is May-September when the weather is at its absolute best.
11. Kooh/Andrab Lake
This unexplored alpine lake is a Swat destination that truly cannot be missed, especially for trekking lovers.
Located in Anakar Valley, Kooh Lake (also known as Andrab Lake) is tough to reach, but so so worth the lengthy route.
Despite being long, the trek itself is not that steep or difficult and takes about 7-8 hours to reach.
The trail will take you through fields of wild horses and scatterings of icy-blue rivers and streams.
Unlike some of the other places to visit in Swat, Kooh Lake doesn’t have any facilities, meaning you’ll need to bring your own tent and sleeping bag along.
But even if you only consider yourself a novice hiker, make this your challenge: it’s undoubtedly one of the most stunning places in the entire Swat region!
12. Badogai Pass
While this isn’t exactly inside Swat Valley, it’s absolutely STUNNING and shouldn’t be missed. Forget going back to visit Mingora- this should be THE route you take next.
This pass is on the way to Thall, which sits just outside of Swat Valley, and should be on your itinerary if you plan to head north to Chitral or Gilgit.
To reach Thall, you’ll once again have to take a shared jeep to Utror- expect to pay 250-300 rupees.
From Utror, a shared jeep for Thall leaves daily around 9:00AM- making its way over this epic pass. The ride takes about 4-5 hours depending, and costs 600 rupees per person.
Our shared jeep driver was kind enough to take a decent break at the top to soak in and photograph the amazing AF views.
Unlike many other natural places to visit in Swat, absolutely no one else was here besides a few shepherds- and trash was very limited. YASS!
Read next: Guide to an adventurous roadtrip in Hunza Valley
Map of Places to Visit in Swat Valley
Clearly there are some EPIC places to visit in Swat Valley. This region quickly became my favorite in all of Pakistan, and this list is just SOME of what it has to offer. Do you have any favorites that I left out? Let me know in the comments!
Samantha is the founder of Intentional Detours. Originally from the USA, she’s been backpacking the world since 2017, and is passionate about slow, adventure travel that puts local communities first. She has visited 19 countries and has been living in the Karakoram Mountains of Asia’s Hunza Valley since 2021. She’s super passionate about helping people get off the beaten path anywhere (on a budget of course), and her travel writing has been published in the likes of BBC Travel, CNBC, Business Insider, and more.
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What beautiful pictures, and it seems like friendly local people
It looks so beautiful and welcoming. Such a shame that the media is still saying it’s dangerous.. The landscapes are stunning!
What a wonderful post! Pakistan looks so beautiful and an amazing place to visit. It’s nice to hear a positive impression of Pakistan and celebrate all there is to see there! 😁
This looks like an amazing trip! I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to travel to Pakistan but I really enjoyed reading about your experience in the Swat Valley.
Swat is such a beautiful place
Indeed!It was a glowing highlight of my time in Pakistan for sure
Thanks for sharing such a great blog, Glad to see this such a wonderful blog. Also tell me how to subscribe your webpage as I don’t miss any other blog from you.
Thank you so much I really appreciate it! If you’d like to subscribe there’s a blue arrow at bottom of the screen where you can enter your email address :) Let me know if it’s not showing up!
I’m looking at going from Kalam to Fairy Meadows. I’m curious why you listed it as a path to Badogai Pass on your way to Gilgit. It looks like it’s the opposite direction. Curious if you had some other idea on how to connect these two.
Also, I loved the article. While I won’t be able to make it to Pakistan for quite sometime, I’m putting together an itinerary and your guide has certainly contributed to that. Thanks so much!!
Thanks so much Eric! I’m really happy to hear this was useful for you. During my trip, the Badogai Pass was one step in getting to Gilgit via the Chitral side. After crossing the pass (heading from the Swat side to the Dir side) you will find yourself in a small town called Thall/Thal that I definitely recommend visiting, as it’s beautiful and very conservative, but very interesting. From Thall, I then took a shared car to Dir city, and from Dir changed cars to get to Chitral. From Thall to Chitral took about 6-7 hours including several breaks. After Chitral, I went to Mastuj (about 2-3 hours from CHitral) which is the gateway to the Yarkhun and Broghil Valleys. After exploring a bit of Yarkhun, I crossed the Shandur Pass (which divides KPK and GB) to then reach Phander, which is located in the Ghizer District of Gilgit. So while it is definitely NOT the straightforward way to get to Gilgit, it was so nice to be able to see so much of KPK on the way, all of which was beautiful. The Shandur Pass and the Ghizer District are both amazing as well I would highly, highly recommend visiting both. Going this way also eliminates the very painful and arduous 18 hour-long ride that goes from Islamabad-Gilgit City, a route which doesn’t have nearly as many places you can stop and enjoy along the way. From Phander or anywhere else in Ghizer Valley, you can easily move towards Gilgit city and from Gilgit City, anywhere else in GB. I hope this answered your question- thanks for pointing this out as I’ll be sure to update the post to make that recommendation more straight forward. :)