Things to Do in Multan

Multan stands as one of Pakistan's most ancient cities, earning its reputation as the 'City of Saints' through centuries of Sufi tradition and spiritual significance. The bustling streets reveal layers of history at every turn - from the stunning blue-tiled shrines that dot the landscape to the remnants of medieval fortifications that once protected this strategic crossroads along the Silk Road. What strikes you most about Multan is how seamlessly it blends its mystical heritage with the energy of a modern commercial hub, where traditional handicraft workshops operate alongside contemporary businesses, and the call to prayer mingles with the sounds of busy bazaars. The city's character is perhaps best understood through its devotion to Sufi saints and the remarkable architecture that honors them. You'll find yourself drawn into a world where spirituality feels tangible - whether you're wandering through the atmospheric courtyards of ancient shrines or watching pilgrims from across the subcontinent come to pay their respects. That said, Multan offers much more than religious sites; its vibrant craft traditions, particularly in pottery and textiles, give you genuine insight into skills passed down through generations.

Multan's food scene reflects its position as a crossroads of cultures, with Punjabi staples getting interesting twists from Sindhi and Balochi influences. You'll find excellent traditional restaurants around the shrine areas, where pilgrims have created demand for good, honest food - try the karahi and sajji, which tend to be particularly well-prepared here. Street food thrives in the bazaar areas, with vendors offering everything from fresh fruit chaat to traditional sweets like sohan halwa, which actually originated in this region. For more upscale dining, the newer areas of the city offer restaurants serving both local and international cuisine, though honestly, you'd be missing out if you didn't spend most of your eating time sampling the traditional offerings.

The ideal months for visiting Multan fall between November and March, when temperatures become much more manageable and the intense summer heat subsides to comfortable levels. Winter days are genuinely pleasant, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 20s Celsius, though nights can get surprisingly cool. Spring (March-April) offers beautiful weather but tends to be brief before the heat builds up again. Summer months (May-September) see temperatures that can exceed 45°C, making outdoor exploration quite challenging, though this is also when the city feels most authentically itself - locals adapt their rhythms to the heat, and you get a real sense of how people have lived here for centuries.