Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is Pakistan's northwestern province, a mountainous region bordering Afghanistan that holds Peshawar, one of South Asia's oldest living cities, the Gandhara Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi, and the Himalayan, Karakoram and Hindu Kush valleys of Swat, Kaghan, Chitral and Dir. Travel conditions vary sharply by district, and official advisories advise against all or most travel to much of the province.
Accommodation overview
- Budget
- PKR 5,000-12,000/night ($18-43) for basic hotels in Peshawar's old city, Kaghan and Kalam
- Mid-range
- PKR 8,000-25,000/night ($29-90) for business and family hotels in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Naran and Kalam
- Luxury
- PKR 25,000-70,000/night ($90-253) for Pearl Continental Peshawar, Peshawar Serena and Swat Serena
- Where to stay
- Peshawar Cantonment for city access and security; Abbottabad or Nathia Gali for the Galyat hills; Naran for Kaghan; Kalam for upper Swat subject to current FCDO advice
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Fort Continental Hotel
A budget-to-mid hotel on Grand Trunk Road at Firdos Chowk, close to the old city and Qissa Khwani Bazaar.
Check rates on Booking.comParadise Inn Nathia Gali
A simple hotel in Nathia Gali near the main bazaar.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel River View Naran
A riverside budget hotel in Naran on the Kunhar River.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Al Makkah Palace Kaghan
A budget hotel in Kaghan village, the lower-valley stop between Balakot and Naran.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Dean's Hotel
A colonial-era hotel in the cantonment, built as low-rise cottages around lawns; a heritage stay popular with long-staying visitors.
Check rates on Booking.comGreens Hotel Peshawar
A mid-range business hotel on Saddar Road in the cantonment, within reach of Saddar's shops, banks and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comShelton's Rezidor
A family-oriented hotel on University Road with two restaurants and banquet halls, convenient for the University of Peshawar and the Tehkal dining strip.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel One Abbottabad
A Hotel One chain property in Abbottabad, the main gateway city to Nathia Gali, Thandiani and the Kaghan Valley.
Check rates on Booking.comBlue Pine Retreat Nathia Gali
A pine-surrounded hill retreat in the Galyat hill station of Nathia Gali, used as a base for forest walks and the Mushkpuri trek.
Check rates on Booking.comMount Feast Hotel Naran
A hotel on the Naran main road in the Kaghan Valley, a common base for trips to Saif-ul-Malook Lake and Lalazar.
Check rates on Booking.comJovial Gold Hotel Naran
A mid-range hotel in Naran bazaar used by domestic family groups during the summer season.
Check rates on Booking.comImperial Hotel Naran
A mid-range hotel on the Naran main road, close to jeep stands for Saif-ul-Malook Lake.
Check rates on Booking.comCecil Hotel Naran
A hotel on the Naran road, convenient for the bazaar and jeep stands.
Check rates on Booking.comPine Park Glade Resort Shogran
A resort in the pine meadows of Shogran, the starting point of the jeep track to Siri and Paye meadows.
Check rates on Booking.comSpruce Resort Shogran
A guest resort in Shogran in the upper Kaghan Valley near the Siri Paye jeep track.
Check rates on Booking.comSwat Continental Hotel Mingora
A mid-range hotel in Mingora, Swat's main commercial city.
Check rates on Booking.comGawalmandi Serenity Hotel Kalam
A river-facing hotel in Kalam, the upper Swat hub for Mahodand Lake and Ushu Forest.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Pearl Regency Kalam
A mid-range hotel in Kalam on the Swat River.
Check rates on Booking.comHindukush Heights Hotel Chitral
A hotel on a ridge above Chitral town with views of the Chitral River valley and Tirich Mir; the UK FCDO advises against all travel north of the N45 road.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
Pearl Continental Hotel Peshawar
Peshawar's flagship international-chain five-star hotel on Khyber Road in the cantonment, near Peshawar Golf Club, with multiple restaurants, a pool and banqueting facilities.
Check rates on Booking.comPeshawar Serena Hotel
A Serena Hotels property on Khyber Road built in a Pashtun-Mughal architectural idiom, set in gardens near the Bala Hisar fort and a short drive from Qissa Khwani Bazaar.
Check rates on Booking.comSwat Serena Hotel
A Serena property at Saidu Sharif near Mingora, set in landscaped grounds; the UK FCDO advises against all travel to Swat, so current advice must be checked.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Pearl Continental Hotel Peshawar
Peshawar's flagship international-chain five-star hotel on Khyber Road in the cantonment, near Peshawar Golf Club, with multiple restaurants, a pool and banqueting facilities.
Check rates on Booking.comPeshawar Serena Hotel
A Serena Hotels property on Khyber Road built in a Pashtun-Mughal architectural idiom, set in gardens near the Bala Hisar fort and a short drive from Qissa Khwani Bazaar.
Check rates on Booking.comDean's Hotel
A colonial-era hotel in the cantonment, built as low-rise cottages around lawns; a heritage stay popular with long-staying visitors.
Check rates on Booking.comGreens Hotel Peshawar
A mid-range business hotel on Saddar Road in the cantonment, within reach of Saddar's shops, banks and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comShelton's Rezidor
A family-oriented hotel on University Road with two restaurants and banquet halls, convenient for the University of Peshawar and the Tehkal dining strip.
Check rates on Booking.comFort Continental Hotel
A budget-to-mid hotel on Grand Trunk Road at Firdos Chowk, close to the old city and Qissa Khwani Bazaar.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Rates are indicative at 1 USD = 277 PKR and swing sharply: Naran, Shogran and Kalam peak from May to August and around Eid holidays, when rooms need booking weeks ahead
Many Naran, Shogran and Kalam hotels close or reduce service from November to April; confirm the property is open before travelling
Peshawar's chain hotels run their own security screening; confirm airport and city transfers with the hotel in advance
Check UK FCDO and other government advice before booking in Swat, Chitral, Malakand, Shangla, Swabi, Mardan or Nowshera
Landslides can close the Balakot-Naran road, so keep flexible cancellation terms for Kaghan stays
Foreign nationals may need to register with local police and should use hotels licensed to host foreigners in Peshawar
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.