Not to miss

Defence Housing Authority Mosque (Masjid-i-Tuba)

Surely Pakistan's most eccentric mosque, the Defence Housing Authority Mosque is a truly odd structure that was built in the late 1960s. The low-slung mosque is contained under one vast dome with no supporting columns or vaults. With a diameter of 72m, the tentlike dome claims to be the world's largest. Constructed of white marble, it has thousands of mirror tiles in its thermally proofed interior, giving the impression of twinkling stars.

Visitors are welcome, although it's recommended to avoid prayer times and Fridays. Also known as the Defence Society Mosque, it's in DHA, about 1km southeast of the Cantonment Railway Station.

Empress Market

Saddar is a conglomeration of historic bazaars and tourist shops. The Empress Market (named after Queen Victoria, Empress of India) is dominated by a Gothic-Mughal-style clocktower and is one of central Karachi's main landmarks with scores of stalls inside and outside the labyrinthine, covered bazaar. A very interesting place for a leisurely wander.

National Museum of Pakistan

The display here includes a two-million-year-old Stone Age axe recovered from the Potwar Plateau and other artefacts from around Pakistan. There's an interesting Islamic section outlining the early Arab settlements of Debal and Mansura. The 'Freedom Movement' gallery has a collection of photos and newspaper articles relating to the Independence movement.