Port Guide | Pakistan | Worth a Wander

Karachi

August C. W. | Editor

Published on 2025-11-16

So you've stepped off your floating apartment complex and landed smack dab in Karachi-Pakistan's sprawling, frenetic mega-city, a place where tradition and chaos swirl together as harmoniously as traffic lanes are ignored. Welcome to the largest and liveliest city in Pakistan, a buzzing hive of 20 million souls, each armed with warmth, good humor, and strong opinions on cricket. Here, Victorian-era colonial buildings cheekily coexist with shiny skyscrapers and street-side stalls serving sizzling kebabs that could happily end your relationship with fine dining forever. As you venture ashore-for a modestly attired stroll (think sleeves, scarves, and sensible pants rather than your favorite beach shorts)-consider easing your way into Karachi life with a poke around Clifton Beach, a place where camel rides and cotton candy combine to showcase Pakistan's lighter side. Or dive straight into the historic chaos of Empress Market, built by the British to commemorate Queen Victoria-who, as far as history knows, never even set a foot here-proving that Karachi's charm lies as much in its contradictions as in its spice markets.