Top Places to Visit When in Lahore
Lahore is a vibrant and historic city in Pakistan known for its rich culture, delicious food, and beautiful architecture. It is home to many important historical sites, including the Lahore Fort and the Badshahi Mosque, as well as numerous gardens and parks. The city is also known for its lively street food and bustling markets, making it a popular destination for tourists. Additionally, Lahore is also a hub for education and healthcare. Overall, Lahore is a must-visit destination for those interested in experiencing the rich culture and history of Pakistan. What are the sights in Lahore? Historic sites, unique natural monuments, and much more! Today we have compiled a list of the top 15 places to visit in Lahore for your convenience. There is something for everyone, whether you are traveling alone, in a group, or as a family with children. Immerse yourself in Lahore’s past, beautiful old Lahore, enjoy the beauty of natural landscapes, and be inspired by stories about the country’s highlights and attractions!
All of these locations have significant value and are well worth your time. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your belongings and travel to Lahore. You won’t regret it for sure.
THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN
Old Lahore:
1. Badshahi Mosque
![Badshahi Mosque in lahore](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bad-1024x538.jpg)
Badshaho Mosque Lights
Badshahi Mosque is the crown jewel of Lahore, a symbol of the Mughal Empire, and one of Pakistan’s most beautiful places. Its architecture is distinguished by carved red sandstones, which were popular during the Mughal era. During that time, the mosque’s courtyard served as a stable for army horses. Without a doubt, the mosque was and still is very valuable! Even today, this historical and holy artifact speaks for itself as it stands in glory.
Whenever you visit Badshahi Mosque, must try the food here because the food of old Lahore is very famous not only in Lahore but people from other cities came and try the food here.
![Badshahi Mosque Day View](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Day-1024x538.jpg)
Badshahi Mosque Day View
2. Food Street On Fort Road
![Fort Road Food Street in lahore](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Fort-road-1-1024x538.jpg)
Food Street on Fort Road
Fort Road, a popular food street in Lahore lined with vibrant and colorful buildings, is less than a 5-minute walk from Badshahi Mosque. Some of the buildings here are so detailed that you’ll notice something new every time you look at them!
What’s more, there are numerous restaurants nearby that provide a spectacular view of Badshahi Mosque, including Haveli Restaurant, Andaaz Restaurant, and Cooco’s Den. Lahore is well-known for its delectable desi cuisine. In Lahore, you should try the paaye, nihari, falooda, halwa puri, and BBQ. Lahore also has a plethora of excellent food streets and eateries.
If you want to taste the flavors of Lahore, go to Lakshmi Chowk, Gawalmandi, and Fort Food Street. These places have plenty of spicy street food. These are some of the best places to visit at night in Lahore.
![Food Street On Fort Road 2](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Fort-road-2-1024x538.jpg)
Food Street On Fort Road
3. Lahore Museum
![Lahore Museum](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/LM1-1024x538.jpg)
Lahore Museum
Lahore Museum is Pakistan’s oldest and largest museum. It was founded in 1965 by the British Raj. Many renowned artifacts are housed in the museum, including collections from the Gandhara, Buddhism, and Indo-Greek civilizations. Aside from these collections, the Lahore Museum also houses a sizable Mughal collection. The Lahore Museum is currently actively engaged in community outreach through exhibitions.
There are many traditional foods in the Old section, and many clothes, jewelry, embroidery, and handicrafts in the New section. Even if you have no intention of purchasing anything, simply observing the bustling activity of the markets is an interesting experience.
![Inner View Lahore Museum](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/LM2-1024x538.jpg)
Inner View – Lahore Museum
4. Fort Lahore
![Lahore Fort](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Fort-1-1024x538.jpg)
Lahore Fort
Shahi Qila, Lahore is another name for Lahore Fort. It is an ancient fortress located on the north side of Lahore’s Walled City. Nobody knows who laid the groundwork for Lahore Fort. Some say it was founded during the reign of Shahab ud Din Ghauri, while others say it is older.
There are three small museums on site: the Armoury Gallery exhibits various arms such as pistols, swords, daggers, spears, and arrows; the Sikh Gallery displays rare oil paintings; and the Mughal Gallery includes old manuscripts, calligraphy, coins, and miniature paintings, as well as an elephant tusks miniature model of India’s Taj Mahal.
![Building Ruins Palace](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Fort-2-1024x538.jpg)
Building Ruins Palace
5. Minar e Pakistan
![Minar e Pakistan](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pak1-1024x538.jpg)
Minar e Pakistan
Minar e Pakistan, Pakistan’s national monument, is located in the heart of Lahore. The monument was constructed between 1960 and 1968. The monument is located on the site where the All India Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940.
Minar-e-Pakistan is not only an important landmark in Pakistan, but it also represents Islamic and Mughal architecture with a modern twist. Naseer-ud-din Murat Khan designed the Minar-e-Pakistan. The verse from the Holy Quran and the 99 names of Allah are engraved in calligraphy on various panels, while the Pakistan National Anthem is also carved in Bengali and Urdu.
![Minar e Pakistan Iqbal Park](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pak2-1024x538.jpg)
Minar e Pakistan | Greater Iqbal Park
6. Shalimar Bagh
![Shalimar Bagh Fountain](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/bagh1-1024x538.jpg)
Shalimar Bagh Fountain
The Shalimar Gardens are a beautiful Mughal garden in Lahore. The garden’s architecture is influenced by Persian and Arabic culture. In 1641, Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, laid the foundation for his beloved wife Noor Jahan. Surprisingly, the garden contains 410 water fountains made of high-quality marble.
The garden is surprisingly nice in the autumn and spring seasons when the leaves of the famed Chinar trees change color. The Shalimar Bagh is famous for its chini khanas, or arched niches hidden behind garden waterfalls. They are a distinct feature of the Bagh. These niches were lit at night with oil lamps, giving the waterfalls a fairy-tale appearance. However, the niches are now filled with flower pots that reflect their colors behind the cascading water.
![Shalimar Garden Architecture](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/bagh2-1024x538.jpg)
Shalimar Bagh Architecture
7. Wagah Border
![Wagah border Ceremony](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wagah1-1024x538.jpg)
Wagah Border
Wagah is the border between India and Pakistan, close to the Grand Trunk Road. It is extremely popular due to the daily border ceremony. The Wagah Border Parade Ceremony lasts 30 minutes. The celebration begins with a parade. It is carried out by soldiers from both countries, including the Indian Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers. Soldiers march by raising their legs as high as they can.
Since 1959, the closing ceremony, also known as The Beating Retreat Ceremony, has taken place. Both sides’ border guards arrive at the border, remove their respective country flags, and formally close the border.
![Wagah Border Pakistan](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wagah2-1024x538.jpg)
Wagah Border, Pakistan
8. Masjid Wazir Khan
![Wazir Khan Mosque](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wazir1-1024x538.jpg)
Wazir Khan Mosque
Masjid Wazir Khan is a must-see for anyone interested in Islamic architecture and heritage. Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari, the Governor of Punjab, built this magnificent and grand structure in 1634.
Ansari was Prince Khurram, the future Mughal emperor’s personal physician. The prince was so taken with Ansari’s abilities that he bestowed the title of ‘Wazir Khan’ on him. Wazir Khan later built this mosque. Aside from the mosque, there is also a Shahi Hammam and a commercial area nearby.
![Wazir Khan Mosque Inside View](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wazir2-1024x538.jpg)
Wazir Khan Mosque Inside View
Shopping Centers:
9. Emporium Mall
![Emporium Mall, Lahore](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Empo1-1024x538.jpg)
Emporium Mall, Lahore
If you are a shopaholic who enjoys shopping from a variety of stores, Emporium is your best option. Almost 200 local and international brands are represented in thi eleven-story mall. It also has a massive food court to satisfy your hunger.
Aside from that, there is a cinema. In a nutshell, you can shop, eat, and watch a movie all in one place. The place’s architecture, location, and management are all excellent.
![Emporium Mall - Inner View](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Empo2-1024x538.jpg)
Emporium Mall – Inside View
10. Liberty Market
![Liberty Market Gulberg](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lib1-1024x538.jpg)
Liberty Market, Gulberg
If you’re visiting the City of Gardens, you should plan a day trip to Liberty Market to see the new Lahore. It is one of the city’s most well-known and historic marketplaces, with a diverse selection of restaurants, shops, and other amenities.
Liberty Market is well-known for its numerous restaurants and food stands. If you’re a foodie visiting Lahore, check out the area around Liberty Market for some of the city’s best street food. The Liberty Roundabout neighborhood is also known for its fine dining establishments, which include the Indigo Hotel, Monal Rooftop Restaurant, Salt’s Pepper, Freddy’s Cafe, and Howdy’s Restaurant.
![Liberty Shoes Market](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lib2-min-1024x538.jpg)
Liberty Market, Gulberg
11. Packages Mall
![Packages Mall](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pac-min-1024x538.jpg)
Packages Mall
Shopping, entertainment, play areas, food, and desserts are all available under one roof. To top it all off, Packages Mall hosts a variety of festivals, including the Mango Festival, which invited home-based chefs to showcase their dessert skills for customers to enjoy, a Halloween fest, Ramadan, and even an Eid fest!
Packages Mall is a great place to hang out with your friends and family, with 2000+ parking spots that are wide and spacious. People visiting Packages Mall will find the best family environment. One of the most enjoyable Packages mall experiences is losing yourself in the stores that offer a wide range of high-quality products from well-known international and local brands.
![Packages Mall Parking](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pac1-min-1024x538.jpg)
Packages Mall, Lahore
LAHORE FOOD – WHERE TO EAT
Pakistan’s fun-filled and lively city is well-known for its diverse cuisines. Lahore is packed with desi cuisines that will take you on a food journey you will never forget. So get ready to eat well. Pakistani cuisine is rich in flavor and delicious, with several must-try dishes.
1. Rina Kitchenette
![Rina Kitchenette](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/rina-min-1024x538.jpg)
Rina Kitchenette
2. Lamessa
![LaMessa Restaurant | Indigo Hotel](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/363690001-min.jpg)
LaMessa
3. Old Anarkali Food Street
![Old Anarkali Food Street](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Anar-min-1024x538.jpg)
Old Anarkali Food Street
4. The Skye
![The Skye Restaurant](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC01762-min-min-1024x683.jpg)
The Skye Restaurant
5. Cooco’s Den
![Cooco's Den Restaurant](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Cooco-min-1024x538.jpg)
Cooco’s Den Restaurant
6. Aoki
![AOKI Japanese Fusion Restaurant](https://indigoheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WhatsApp-Image-2023-01-12-at-5.53.13-PM-min.jpeg)
AOKI Japanese Fusion
Conclusion
This guide to the best places in Lahore should have inspired you to visit this city. Anyone who enjoys history, architecture, adventure, and food should visit Lahore. This article not only helped you find the best places to visit in Lahore, but it also gave you some useful information about traveling in Pakistan!
If there are more places you love in Lahore that you want to add, please do leave a comment below.