Pakistani Hotel Named on the World’s Greatest Places of 2026 List

Hunza Serena Hotel in Gilgit-Baltistan has been featured in TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places of 2026” list, highlighting the region’s growing appeal as an international travel destination.

According to the magazine, Gilgit-Baltistan is home to five of the world’s 14 peaks that rise above 8,000 meters but has historically remained relatively low profile despite its dramatic landscape. TIME noted that the region is rapidly emerging as one of Asia’s most exciting adventure destinations, with international visits rising by 121 percent in 2024.

The report states that the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development opened the Hunza Serena Hotel in the same year. The 82-room property overlooks the Hunza Valley and offers views of Rakaposhi Mountain, whose glaciers rise above the surrounding landscape.

TIME described the area around the hotel as featuring historic sites such as the Altit and Baltit forts along with terraced orchards of apple and apricot trees.

The magazine said the hotel is attracting a new group of international travelers to northern Pakistan, including visitors arriving through luxury tour operators.

According to the feature, tourists spend their time trekking in the Karakoram Mountains before returning to rooms designed with traditional elements such as inlaid woodwork, kilim carpets, and Gabbeh wall art that reflect Hunza’s history as a trading hub along the Silk Route.