Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province Punjab and it is the second-largest city after Karachi as well as the 18th largest city in Pakistan. Not only that Lahore is the largest city and historical Cultural center of the Punjab region with hundreds of historical places, museums, and architecture built in the era of the Mughal Empire.
If you are from Pakistan then you know Lahore and if you are from another country then in this Lahore tourist guide I will mention each and every aspect of Lahore from transport, activities, attraction, and accommodation.
This detailed article will cover each and every aspect of Lahore so you can travel Lahore without any restriction and difficulty.
It’s famous saying about Lahore is” Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya.. O Janmya Hi Nai”.
Lahore is among the most known and among the best and most populated cities of Pakistan Lahore has a long history it has seen an era of Ghaznavids, the Delhi sultanate, the Mughal Empire, the Sikh Empire and the British Empire.
Not only this Lahore also some of the best and one of the oldest universities in Pakistan including Government College University and UET Lahore is notable.
I have divided this article into four major section
- Best places to visit in Lahore
- Transport facilities in Lahore
- Things to do in Lahore
- Accommodation in Lahore.
Before wasting any time lets dive right in the Lahore tourist guide. Use the table of content for easier navigation.
Best places to visit in Lahore:
Lahore history starts from Hindus then it was captured by Ghaznivadis then it was captured by Mughal Empire. In their rule from the 16th to earlier 18th century then came Sikh rule and then Lahore was in the era of the British Empire.
In this era Lahore went through major architectural development there are many buildings and mosques that reflect the history of Lahore from Badshshi Mosque to Lahore Fort to Lahore museum.
Lahore has a special place in the history of not only Pakistan but also of the subcontinent.
Here are the top 15 best places to visit in Lahore
- Badshahi mosque
- Lahore Fort
- Wagah Border
- Army museum
- Masjid Wazir Khan
- Minar e Pakistan
- Lahore museum
- Shalimar Bagh
- Lahore zoo Safari
- Sozo water park
- Jahangir tomb
- Grand Jamia mosque
- Fortress
- Food street Lahore
- Anarkali Bazaar
Badshahi mosque:
When I think of Lahore the first thing that comes to my mind is Badshahi mosque and praying inside the mosque is one of the best things I have done in Lahore.
Badshahi Mosque is considered to be the Lahore Most iconic landmark it was built in Mughal Era by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1673. The Mask is located west of Lahore Fort along with the walled city of Lahore.
Along with the Badshahi mosque there are a lot of historical architectures surrounding the mosque. Lahore Fort is one of them.
The Badshahi Mosque is not just a Mosque but is a symbol of historical development of the Mughal Era.
You can not only pray in Badshahi Mosque but the mosque also has an a small Museum inside where manuscripts of the Quran centuries ago are reserved, belongings of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and historical equipment used by Islamic rulers also there.
If you are visiting Lahore for the first time then I would recommend you visit Badshahi Mosque first. It is one of the most astonishing and beautiful mosques you’ll see in your life.
Lahore Fort:
Lahore Fort is opposite to the Badshahi mosque it is spread over 20 hectares. Lahore fort was built in 1566 during the reign of Emperor Akbar. With later development in the Shahjahan period and more development was done in the reign of Aurangzeb Alamgir.
Lahore fort was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1981 due to its reflection of Mughal architectural knowledge.
The Fort is spread over 20 hectares and it’s not just a single building but there are many major structures inside Lahore Fort some of them include the Naulakha pavilion, picture wall, Sheesh Mahal, summer palace, khilwat khana, Kala Burj, Lal Burj, Moti Masjid, diwan e khaas and many more.
There are three gates to enter Lahore Fort Akbari gate, Alamgiri Gate Burj Gate.
Lahore fort timings:
Lahore Fort timings are from 8:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. every day and are open 7 days a week
Wagah Border:
Next place i want to mention in Lahore tourist guide is Wagah Border. It is the best place in Lahore if you want to get as close to India as much as you can. Not only this but our border is also known for its Prade.
Most of the time both countries India and Pakistan do the parade at the same time and whenever this happens the whole environment changes suddenly.
Wagah border connects Lahore and Amritsar off India. If this is your first time visiting Lahore then there are a lot of security checks taken.
Approximately there is 1 kilometer Road equipped with Rangers and different security measures to make sure that the safety of civilians cannot be compromised.
Wagah border timings:
Usually, in summer the plate starts at 5 p.m. and in winters it starts around 4 p.m. The ceremony lasts for around 45 to 50 minutes. These 45 minutes are full of joy, slogans and the environment is so pleasant that I can’t explain it in words.
Army museum:
There is no place like a Museum to get to know about the History culture and heritage of a country or a city.
As soon as you enter the army Museum Lahore the first thing you will see is the Indian captured tanks from the war of 1965 and 1971. When you enter the main building of the army Museum you will see slabs on both sides on which names of Shuhada-e-Pakistan are engraved from 1947 till to date.
Then there are names of the chief of army staff of Pakistan army from 1947 till today, Portraits of Quaid-e-Azam, Lord Mountbatten, Fatima Jinnah, lady Mountbatten, Liakat Ali Khan, and many prominent leaders are also in the army Museum Lahore.
There is also a gallery that portraits Indian interference in East Pakistan and how they helped Bangladesh became a separate country in 1971.
Not only this but Army Museum Lahore also have structures portraying historical event that took place in subcontinent and wars fought by Muslim Armies.
There are also galleries that portrait the efforts of the army in Siachen and in the war with India of 1965 and 1971. There are also drawings of separation between India and Pakistan in 1947.
If you love history and the Pakistan army then you will love Army Museum Lahore. There are so many things and structures that the museum consists of which will increase your knowledge and get to know more about Islamic history and the history of Pakistan.
Army museum timings:
Army museum is open for the public from Wednesday to Sunday. Tuesday is the off day.
The timings are from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Masjid Wazir Khan:
If you want to know more about Islamic, Mughal history and the architectural development made in the Mughal Era then Masjid Wazir Khan must be your top priority while visiting Lahore.
Masjid Wazir Khan construction started in 1634 and was completed in 1641 it is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
The mosque is located in the walled city of the Lahore along the southern side of Royal Road. It is on the west side of Delhi Gate where Shahi Hamam is located.
It is among the list of most marvelous structural designs in the reign of Mughal emperor Shahjahan. The mosque is not only painted with the abstract design but there are also verses of the holy Quran written inside and outside the mosque in Urdu we known this as Kashi-Kari.
The Masjid Wazir Khan decoration is done inspired by Persian style. There is a lot of calligraphy in masjid Wazir Khan including verses of Quran etc
Minar e Pakistan:
Minar-e-Pakistan is a symbol of Lahore and how a Pakistani can forget this place who played an important role in the independence of Pakistan. It is the place where all India Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution on 23 March 1940 and the tower was built between 1960 and 1980 to on the place.
Minar-e-Pakistan Tower is approximately 62 meters tall and reflects the Mughal Islamic and modern architectural design. It is among the most popular tourist destinations of Lahore and also it is the national tower of Pakistan.
Minar e Pakistan closing time:
Minar-e-Pakistan is open from morning till midnight.
Lahore museum:
One of the oldest Museums in Pakistan. Lahore Museum was founded in 1965 and opened in 1894 during the British period. It is one of Pakistan’s most visited and famous museums and also one of the major museums in South Asia.
The Museum is particularly known for its vast collection of Buddhist art from ancient Indo Greek and Gandhara kingdoms. The museum also contains the Mughal Empire empire and collection of the British Empire in the subcontinent.
As soon as you walk into the interesting gallery these are used collections of a painting portraying the evolution of mankind. The main attraction of the Lahore Museum is the fasting Buddha. The statue in the museum portraits thin Gautam Buddha while he practiced fasting.
The Lahore Museum not only has rich Buddhist art sculptures and paintings but also has collection from Hindu, Islamic, and British Empire.
One of the oldest objects in the museum dates back to 500,000 Years From the Prehistoric era. There is a vast collection of objects donated by British archaeologists which of course was discovered in the subcontinent including weights, pottery, and jewelry of ancient civilizations living in the subcontinent.
The Lahore museum also has a wide variety of coins on display. It has more than 40,000 coins from all over Southern Asia and some are said to be from the sixth century.
Another important part of the Lahore Museum is the collection of ancient and modern weaponry, stamp collection full of Islamic art and calligraphy and gallery of miniature paintings.
The Lahore museum also plans cultural activates every year and they publish a calendar for this. You can view cultural activities here.
The Lahore Museum just isn’t about the history; it has a dedicated section telling the story of modern Pakistan using collections of paintings left by Pakistan artists including Gulam Rasul, Shakir Ali, Jamil naqsh, and many more.
There is a seprate section which tells the story of the Pakistan movement from 1857 to 1947. As you move through this section you will start to Remember the stories we used to hear from the Pakistan Studies teacher in school.
Lahore museum entry fee:
Lahore museum entry fees are rupees 50 for adults and 20 rupees for students and children per head.
For foreigners, entry fees are 1000 rupees per head. If you want to do a professional or commercial photoshoot in the museum then you will be charged 10,000 rupees.
Lahore museum opening days:
Lahore museum remains open for all days except Friday.
Lahore Museum’s timing is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and remains closed on the 1st Monday of every month.
Shalimar Bagh:
You will see there are only historical buildings in Lahore, not more modern architecture. Yes, there are some modern architectural places to visit in Lahore but Lahore is known for its history.
From the first Mughal Empire till the end of the British Empire Lahore was one of the important cities of all these Empires. That’s why there are hundreds of historical architectural sites and dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout Lahore and Shalimar Bhag is one of them.
Shalimar Bagh also is known as Shalimar Gardens is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Lahore as well as of Pakistan. Its construction started in 1641 during the reign of Shah Jahan and was completed in 1642. In 1981 at first included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Shalimar Bagh is not just a garden which symbolizes the Mughal Empire and the era of the luxury of Shah Jahan. Shalimar Garden has a royal Hamam and a Grand hall. There are 400 fountains that rise from the canal in the Gardens and also have 5 water cascades gateways resting houses and sleeping Chambers. In order to make the environment more pleasant trees of almond, Apricot, Cherry, and peach are grown.
If this is your first time visiting Shalimar Bagh then I bet you will never ever see a garden like this.
Lahore zoo Safari:
Lahore Zoo Safari is a wildlife Park established in 1981. One of the largest and true safari Park in Pakistan spread over to 242 Acres. Lahore Zoo Safari have hundreds of different species including tiger line ostrich peacocks monkeys and many more.
Lahore do Safari has tons of different facilities including Lion Safari walkthrough Aviary playland lawns legs and Jurassic Park.
Boating and fishing facilities have been developed near the lake. The lake is the biggest in Lahore and is complete with four Islands.
If you are visiting for the first time Lahore, the Lahore zoo Safari might be a good option to see the wildlife at its best.
Lahore zoo safari timings:
Lahore zoo safari timings of visitors are from 8 a.m. to sunset and the zoo is open 7 days.
Lahore zoo safari ticket price:
The ticket price of Lahore zoo Safari is as follows
| Adult | 20 Rupees |
| Child | 10 Rupees |
| Lion Safari | 200 Rupees |
Sozo water park:
Every Lahori knows Sozo water park. It is Pakistan’s biggest water park in Pakistan.
It’s not just for men but also has a separate water park for ladies. It has a canteen, lockers and washrooms. The water park is so big that more than 2000 people can enjoy diving in the park at the same time. It has 2 huge slides and also small ones for children under five.
The slides of Waterpark are so big and scary. It’s almost all a four-stories building and if you are on the slide for the first time then you will be scared a lot.
I’ve also been there while on a college trip and the slide was fun but also scary. Keeping the precautions on aside this water park is very fun and if you are a resident of Lahore or you are toursit then shows a water park is is a great place to spend a quality time.
Sozo water park Lahore ticket Price:
Sozo water park ticket price is as follows
| Day | Adult Ticket | Child Ticket |
| Monday | 500 Rupees Per Head | 400 Rupees Per Head |
| Tuesday | 500 Rupees Per Head | 400 Rupees Per Head |
| Wednesday | 500 Rupees Per Head | 400 Rupees Per Head |
| Thursday | 500 Rupees Per Head | 400 Rupees Per Head |
| Friday | 500 Rupees Per Head | 400 Rupees Per Head |
| Saturday | 500 Rupees Per Head | 400 Rupees Per Head |
| Sunday | 500 Rupees Per Head | 400 Rupees Per Head |
Sozo water park Lahore timings:
Sozo water park Lahore timing is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open 7 days a week.
Jahangir tomb:
Jahangir tomb in the 17th-century building built for Mughal Empire Jahangir. It was built in 1637 in Lahore along the banks of river Ravi. The Tomb is famous for its extensive use of marble and highly decorated walls. It is also currently on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
There is not just Tom at the site but encircled with Gardens’ marvelous exterior and interior designs. At the center of the tomb is a Gondal chamber carved with marble in which there are remains of Mughal Emperor Jahangir below the center part. The interior of the Tomb is fully equipped with marbles, 99 names of Allah and various duas and Hadith.
The Tomb of Jahangir is surrounded by the vast Gardens. The Gardens are separated into four squares by walkways and water channels.
The water channels enhances the front look of the tom and as soon as you enter the Tomb you will see a lot of calligraphy on the walls of the tomb, the floor of the wall are also equipped with white marbles which enhances the beauty of the inside of the tomb.
Jahangir tomb timings:
Jahangir Tomb timings from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m.
Grand Jamia mosque:
Grand Jamia mosque the third largest mosque in Pakistan and the 14th largest mosque in the world located in Bahria Town Lahore. It was inaugurated on 6 October 2014 and has a capacity of 70,000 people.
The architectural design of Grand Jamia mosque was influenced by Badshahi Masjid Wazir Khan Masjid and Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
It is one of the most beautiful Mosques you will ever see in Pakistan. It is a combination of architectural design combined with the Mughal Era and the modern era.
The theme of the Jamia Grand mosque is red which looks stunning from the outside and in night when the lights are turned on it looks even more astonishing. There are fountains inside the loan of Jamia mosque and every Friday thousands of people Jumma prayer inside the mosque and on the Eid day the mosque is is fully filled inside and outside and the view of 70,000 people drawing side by side and doing Sajda to almighty Allah is one of the most beautiful scenes.
If you are a resident of Lahore or you want to travel to love then you must visit not only Grand Jamia Mosque but also Bahria town. The town is equipped with all the facilities including houses, hospitals, mosques, universities, colleges, parks, Zoos, etc.
It is all in one package where residents of bahria towns get all the basic and advanced facilities inside the bahriadown. They also have their own security so you don’t need to worry about someone breaking into your house or robbing you. It is a safe City for anyone.
Fortress Stadium Lahore:
Fortress Stadium Is a large area of Lahore consists of shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, entertainment areas, and a sports stadium. It is one of the busiest commercial areas of Lahore and whenever you enter the photo stadium you will find each and every single thing that you want there are hundreds of shops inside.
The Fortress stadium including National and international brands. There are also shopping mall, children’s play area and Expo centers.
Fortress Stadium Lahore is also famous for the National Horse and Cattle Show which is one of the most famous festivals of Lahore. The festival includes a display of pet animals, livestock, cameL dancing, racing, fireworks, and an Exhibition of Pakistani craftsmenship and industry.
Food street Lahore:
Lahore is known for its food. They love food and that’s why the food of Lahore is popular throughout Pakistan.
Food street Lahore is also known for its quality and delicious food. There is not any other option when it comes to food instead of food street Lahore. At food street Lahore you will not only get the quality food but also you will see the views of the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and other historical architecture in Lahore.
Best food street Lahore restaurants:
Here are the best restaurants in food street Lahore
- Coco’s Den
- Haveli restaurant
- Andaaz restaurant
- Riwaj restaurant
- Monal restaurant
- Spice Bazaar
- Yum Chinese and Thai
- Café Zouk
Food street Lahore location:
Fort Road, Shahi Mohalla Walled City, Lahore.
Anarkali Bazaar:
Anarkali Bazar, one of the oldest bazaars of South Asia, dates back to 200 years old. It was named after a girl named Anarkali who was in love with Prince Alam, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s son and the Mughal emperor rusticated Anarkali out of the town.
Generally, Anarkali Bazr is popular among women for food items such as clothes, bangles, shoes, and fashion. It is located in the central Lahore and is the architectural Heritage from Mughal and British era. There is a popular food to enjoy while shopping in Anarkali Bazar and that is dahi baray, and fruit chart.
The Anarkali Bazar is spread around the Tomb of Anarkali and the surrounding areas are known by the Tomb of Anarkali.
Prince Salim also is known as Jahangir wanted to keep the place around his normal life so he laid the foundation of Anarkali Bazar so that people can remember this place and how it was important to him.
After the death of Anarkali when Jahangir became the emperor she made a superstructure over the sepulcher Of Anarkali.
You will not see a lot of historical structures in Anarkali Bazar but when you will walk through the streets of Anarkali Bazar The Bazaar will depict the Mughal Era.
Transport facilities in Lahore:
Next section in Lahore Tourist Guide is trasport of Lahore . If you want to travel to Lahore then you must look out for the transport facilities. You will get every transport facility in Lahore from public transport to private transport Uber and Careem also operates throughout Lahore which makes it easier for any outsider to travel within the city.
There are two main public transportation services: Metro Bus and the orange line train.
Metro Bus Service:
It is a rapid transit service that operates across local districts of Lahore and connects neighboring suburban communities with the main city. The metro buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi and affordable tickets.
But there is a little problem with the service. As the Metro Bus service is so cheap so a very large number of people use this service and you will find it mostly full. Most of the time, you have to travel on Metro Bus while standing, so keep a lookout for that.
Route:
Orange Line Train Service:
The orange line train service is another public transport service started by Lahore Transport Company. The train service covers the total area of 27.1 kilometers as Lahore is among the most populous cities of Pakistan one Metro service was not enough so the government decided to increase its Public Transportation system and they not also improved the quantity but also the quality of public transportation in Lahore.
Train services are said to be started in 2020 the quality of the transportation will be high, the fare will be very affordable, and traveling throughout Lahore was never made so easy.
Route:
Taxi and Rickshaws:
Taxis and rickshaws are common throughout the subcontinent. You will see them in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and throughout the major cities of Pakistan. Taxi and Rickshaws are private transportation in Lahore but the fare is very low if you are from Pakistan then you might have the idea about the fair but if you are a foreigner then for reference fares are as low as $1 for 4 kilometers.
Rickshaws are the best option to travel within the city if the traffic is dense and compared to the taxis shares are slightly less.
Things to do in Lahore:
When you will visit Lahore believe me you will not get bored. Beside the historical places there are tonnes of things to do in Lahore
Here’s the brief list of things to do in Lahore
- Visit funCo air Park( Pakistan’s biggest air Park)
- Visit Wagah border ceremony
- Dive In Pakistan’s biggest water park. The Sozo water park
- Get the taste of Lahori food
- Offer Namaz Juma at Badshahi mosque
- Walk within the city to know the historical importance of Lahore
- Visit the Eiffel Tower replica
Accommodation in Lahore:
If you want to travel to Lahore then there is no need to worry about accommodation. Lahore has hundreds of different restaurants from five stars, four stars, luxurious, as well as very affordable hotels.
Hotels prices can be low as 2500 rupees per night with included dinner and breakfast.
There are also luxurious restaurants and hotels in Lahore including Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore, the Nishat Hotel Johar town, Hotel Mayfair, Avari Lahore hotel, Faletti’s grand hotel, and many more. Below I have mentioned the list of best hotels in Lahore.
Best 5 Stars hotels in Lahore:
- Luxus Grand Hotel
- The Nishat Hotel Johar Town
- Faletti’s Hotel Lahore
- Park Lane Hotel Lahore
There are not only hotels in Lahore but also personal accommodation houses and apartments available for rent. The apartments and houses are equipped with water electricity, attached bathrooms, gas and basic facilities. These houses are very affordable and you only require food and other ingredients to cook.
Best cheap hotels in Lahore:
- Quick Continental Hotel (PKR 2700) Per Night, Double Room, 2 Adults
- Executive Cottage Lahore (PKR 1500) Per Night, Double Room, 2 Adults
- City Palace Chowk Yatim Khana (PKR 1600) Per Night, Double Room, 3 Adults
- New Taj Palace Hotel (PKR 1650) Per Night, Double Room, 2 Adults
- Shahtaj hotel (PKR 1800) Per Night, Double Room, 2 Adults
- Hotel Tulip Inn (PKR 1925) Per Night, Single Room, 2 Adults
- Visit Inn Hotel (PKR 2000) Per Night, Double Room, 2 Adults
These local apartments and houses can be found through local property dealers and might not be available on online hotel booking websites like booking.com or tripadvisor.com. you don’t have to worry about the local property dealers as Lahore is a tourist spot and there are hundreds of property dealers available that can guide you through the best spot for you.
Best apartments in Lahore:
- Alnoor Luxury Hotel Apartments
- Furnish House in Bahria town Lahore
- Burj Al Bahria Town Luxury Suites
- Adara suites
- Hayyat Luxury Hotel Apartments
- Spacious Apartment in Johar Town
Lahore tourist guide Map:
Conclusion:
Now I’d like to hear from you.
Which is the best place you enjoyed in Lahore?
Let me know by leaving a comment below, right now.
Don’t forget to rate this post, it will help me a lot to make the content better.
If you also want to explore Karachi. Make sure to read the Karachi tourist guide first.
