Lahore Travel Itinerary and Best Things to Do

Best things to see in Lahore Pakistan

Lahore – A City With An Unparalleled Charm

Lahore, the capital city of Punjab province, lies in the heart of Pakistan. Situated on the banks of the majestic Ravi River and spread over 1772 square kilometers, Lahore is Pakistan’s second-largest city. This vibrant city is home to centuries-old architecture, a lively arts scene, tranquil parks, and delicious food. From the moment you step out of the airport and are greeted by the world’s friendliest immigration officers to the time you take your last breath in this beautiful city, it will not fail to amaze you. So, pack your bags and explore all that this amazing city has to offer!

Old-World Charm of Lahore

The city holds charisma with its old-world charm and has been a center for civilization since the Mughal Empire. The city is home to many splendid historical sites which are famous all over the world. The biggest attractions of Lahore are Badshahi Masjid, Lahore Fort and Wazir Khan Mosque, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Nur Jahan, and Shahdara Bagh. 

Visit the Royal Badshahi Mosque of Lahore

The Badshahi Masjid, one of the grandest structures in the world, was built by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 A.D. The mosque is known for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings. It was constructed from red sandstone that was brought from Rajasthan through trains. It has a massive golden dome and a large courtyard where thousands of people can offer prayer at a time. 

Historic Mosque of Lahore

The Wazir Khan Mosque is another striking example of Islamic architecture in Lahore. Named after Governor Wazir Khan, it was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. It is located next to the Tomb of Jahangir and has been described as a “miniature version of the Taj Mahal”, while others consider it similar to the Jama Masjid of Delhi. The mosque’s central dome rises from a square based layout and is surrounded by four smaller domes placed at the corners of the square that are visible from all around the city.

Take In the View at Walled City of Lahore

The picturesque Walled City is the cultural heart of Lahore and one of its most popular tourist attractions. The historic areas are filled with narrow lanes and ancient markets that are packed with shops selling everything from jewelry to spices to leather goods. You may find yourself lost among clouds of smoke from restaurants grilling meat over charcoal fires — a common practice in Lahore.

Explore Anarkali Market in Lahore

Anarkali market is a famous and historic shopping area in Lahore, capital of Pakistan. This market is situated near the Badshahi Mosque and it is one of the oldest markets in Lahore.

The name “Anarkali” is derived from the rich-colored silks and brocades that were once available here. It consists of many shops selling different kinds of goods. There are lots of street food stalls around that sell Pakistani cuisine like kabobs, biryani, and other snacks. 

Explore the remnants of the Mughal Empire at Lahore Fort

Lahore Fort is also called Lahore Kala Killa or Shahi Qila. It is located in the heart of the city of Lahore, Pakistan. This Fort was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1560 and is one of the most historic buildings in Lahore with a rich history. The 17th century architecture makes it even more beautiful.

The fort was built on a small hillock with a gradient slope of 18 feet. The building is enclosed by a thick wall that measures 10 feet thick at some places and 12 feet at others. The wall has four gateways that have been elaborately carved with motifs and geometric designs. In addition to these four gates, there are two more entrances to the fort that are now blocked due to renovation work being carried out inside the fort.

The Lahore Fort is divided into three main parts: Mubarak Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Moti Masjid.

Explore Sheesh Mahal – A Hidden Gem Of Lahore

The Sheesh Mahal is located near the southern gate, Shahi Hammam, which was completed in 1635 AD during the reign of Emperor Shah Jehan. The hammam is believed to have been used for royal baths. In more recent times it served as an officers’ club during the British Raj and now houses a museum.

Sheesh Mahal was built as a private palace for the royal family and was later added to the Lahore Fort. The lavish palace has almost 30 rooms with intricate mirror work and colorful glass chandeliers. The name “Palace of Mirror” comes from these unique decorations; their purpose was to dazzle visitors with reflections of light and color. The walls of the rooms are adorned with beautiful murals and paintings. The interiors of the palace are decorated with expensive marbles, semi precious stones and fine woods which make the palace look extremely elegant. 

The main architectural marvel of this building is an elephant staircase made with white marble. The magnificent structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal’s use and to provide her easy access to the royal apartments on the first floor. They are covered with glass windows on the sides so that you can enjoy the view of the beautiful garden while going up and down the stairs

Apart from these remarkable structures, Lahore is also known for its contemporary architecture. The Minar-e-Pakistan and Alama Iqbal’s Shrine are some examples of modern architecture that are worth visiting.

Lahore – A City Of Gardens

Lahore has been called the “city of gardens” and with good reason. Lahore is home to a large number of public parks and gardens scattered throughout the whole city. The most popular and well known garden in Lahore is the Shalimar Gardens which were built by Shah Jahan in 1641, who was the 5th emperor of the Mughal Empire. This beautiful garden covers an area of around 80 acres and it is divided into different sections like Wazir Khan’s Mausoleum, Moti Masjid, Sheesh Mahal, Naulakha pavilion, Khazana Building and much more. 

The Shalimar Garden has now been turned into a public park which can be visited by everyone without any restrictions. The beauty and fragrance which greet you everywhere here are the result of centuries of devotion to the art of gardening by this city’s successive rulers. You must also visit Bagh-e- Jinnah and the stunning Lawrence garden, which represent the modern charm of  Lahore.

Have A Glimpse Of Ancient Artifacts At Lahore Museum

Conveniently located on Mall Road, the Lahore Museum is just a few minutes away from the famous Clock Tower. If you pay the small entry fee (around Rs. 50 to Rs. 250), you can go inside and enjoy some of the most impressive exhibits in Pakistan. As you walk across the grass lawn and enter the main building, you realize that there is much more to it than meets the eye. 

The Lahore Museum is a treasure house of archeology, an art gallery and a natural history museum all rolled into one. It is probably the only museum in Pakistan where visitors can be stunned by the splendor of ancient Egyptian artifacts alongside Pakistani coins, paintings by great masters and stuffed animals.

Take a stroll on Gulberg and Mall Road

Talking about modern-day charm, Gulberg is another attraction in Lahore that includes beautiful markets and parks. Gulberg is also known as ‘The Park City’ because there are many parks in this area, including Bagh-e-Jinnah, Gulberg Park, and Liberty Market. The most famous market in Gulberg is Liberty Market which has luxurious clothes shops, bakeries, restaurants, bookshops, pharmacies, and banks all under one roof. Nearby, there is a glitzy Xinhua mall with an immersive food court. 

The main thoroughfare is The Mall Road, lined with shops and markets selling everything from spices to rugs. This area is home to many fine restaurants serving a range of local specialties as well as international cuisine. To enjoy scrumptious cuisine, you can visit Bundu khan, Pak tea house, Salt n’ pepper, and Hot n’ spicy. You can also indulge yourself in delicious ice cream at Chaman.

After spending some time in this city, you will notice that Lahoris are simple folk who are down to earth and carefree. They have a great sense of humor and love to live life to the fullest. This fast-paced life makes sure that there is always something going on here. 

Why you should absolutely visit Lahore Pakistan

The city of Lahore is not only a history-rich place that will capture your imagination and take you back to the days of Mughal glory, but it also has its own unique beauty that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.  It’s an ancient treasure trove waiting for people like you and me to explore. So, let’s go see what we can find!