Marghazar lies 12 km southwest of Saidu Sharif on a side road that climbs gently through fruit orchards and pine slopes. The main draw is the White Palace, the summer residence of the Wali of Swat, perched on a hillside with views down the valley. The palace operates as a small hotel and museum and you can pay a modest fee to wander the gardens and main rooms.
The hill town around it is cooler than Mingora and full of weekend day-trippers. Bring a picnic and walk in the pine woods above the palace, or stop at one of the roadside cafes for chai. The road continues up to the small hill station of Spinkamar.