With a population of 9.9 million and an area of 1,772 km square Lahore is the second largest city of Pakistan and a metropolitan center. Lahore is also the capital city of the Province of Punjab. Lahore is one of the oldest cities that have existed in Pakistan-India Subcontinent since antiquity. Lahore has historically been the cultural center of the Province of Punjab and has a progressive and forward looking population. Lahore has always enjoyed an established political, social and cultural significance in the region. There is a famous saying in the subcontinent which when translated into English means “If you have not seen Lahore, you have seen nothing”. With its historical, cultural, educational and religious mix Lahore presents a cosmopolitan culture and is a popular tourist attraction locally and internationally.

Being at the forefront of Pakistan’s publishing and film industries Lahore exercises significant educational and cultural influence over Pakistan. With some of the most established and globally recognized educational institutions and centers of learning Lahore is also one of the important educational centers in Pakistan. Lahore has close to half a dozen historically significant buildings that are on the lists of UNESCO’s World Heritage and Tentative Heritage Sites.

How to Get to Lahore

Lahore being a modern city is well connected to other cities in Pakistan and to the outside world. Many major airlines operate daily flights to and from Lahore to other major cities in the world. You may click the following links to find a list of airlines operating flights to/from Lahore:

International Flights

Domestic Flights

Lahore is also connected via train and bus service with almost all major towns and cities of Pakistan. To find railway and bus service to/from Lahore you may click the following links:

Railways

Bus Operators

Moving Around in Lahore

Lahore Metro Bus Service is the most economical and safest mode of travel within Lahore. Local buses, minibuses, taxis and auto-rickshaws are abundantly available. Following operators run bus and taxi services that can be coordinated using their respective apps available on Google Play Store:

Uber (Taxi, Auto-rickshaw and Motorbike Service)

Careem (Taxi and Motorbike service)

Airlift (Bus Service)

Car Rental Services

A list of car rental companies is being prepared. A link will be provided here as soon as available.

Tourist Attractions in Lahore

There is so much to see in Lahore. The list of tourist attractions in and around Lahore is so big that you may stay in Lahore for a month and still be able to see only a fraction of Lahore. Some of the most popular attractions are listed here:

TDCP Bus Tour

TDCP (Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan) runs regular double-deck bus service on two different routes for sightseers:

Route 1 (GIP and Food Street) - The four hours tour starts at Qaddafi Stadium and you get to have a good glimpse of modern and ancient Lahore while travelling along Main Boulevard Gulberg, Historical Mall Road, and Upper Mall Road. You get to spend time at Greater Iqbal Park and see Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Tomb of Ranjit Singh. You get to see Dancing Fountains, Puppet Show, and Monkey Show and visit to the famous Food Street of Lahore. For extra payment you can also dine at Haveli/Rivaj Restaurant at Lahore Food Street.

Route 2 (Trip to Wahga Border) - Witness excitement at its height during the Flag Lowering Ceremony at Pakistan-India Border at Wahga and get to see at least 20 major Landmark sites of Lahore including Military Museum, Fortress Stadium, Canal Bank Road, The Mall Road, and Lahore Cantonment City. 4 hours tour will leave you fully loaded with memories of Lahore and its suburbs.

Lahore Fort

Lahore Fort, known locally as “Shahi Qila” is one of the oldest fort built, rebuilt and renovated over the centuries by different ruling dynasties of Punjab. The fort is located at the northern end of Old Walled City and occupies are area of approximately 20 acres. The fort has several notable monuments dating back to the rule of different dynasties. Of special mention are Shish Mahal and Moti Masjid. The fort also houses a museum having artifacts, weapons and coins from the ancient to the recent history of Lahore.

Badshahi Mosque

The Badshahi Mosque meaning "Imperial Mosque") is a grand mosque covering an area of about 276,000 ft square. The mosque is a classic example of Mughal architecture and was built by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 AD. The mosque is located close to Lahore Fort and is widely recognized as Lahore’s iconic landmark. Located close to the mosque’s main entrance is the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the renowned poet and philosopher of Pakistan.

Minar-e-Pakistan

Another important icon located in the near vicinity of Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque is Minar-e-Pakistan, a purpose built structure that symbolizes the struggle of the people for independence of Pakistan from the British rule. The structure is surrounded by a large sized park called Greater Iqbal Park.

Shalimar Gardens

The Shalimar Gardens, sometimes also called “Shalamar Gardens” is a gardens complex dating back to the Mughal era of 17th Century. Shalimar Gardens are one of the most popular tourist destinations of Lahore. The gardens have water systems and fountains that were the engineering wonders of their time. The complex is a protected site on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Lahore Museum

Located on the Mall Road, Lahore Museum is one of the most visited museums of Pakistan. The museum was founded in 1865. The famous Zamzama Gun is also located opposite the Lahore Museum. The museum has a large collection of artifacts, armaments, paintings and miniatures dating back to the Buddhist era, and ancient Indo-Greek and Gandhara Dynasties. Cell phones are not allowed inside the museum but can be deposited for safekeeping at the entrance for a nominal fee.

Masjid Wazir Khan

Located inside the old walled city Masjid Wazir Khan is a historical landmark of Lahore and a popular tourist attraction. The mosque is held on the list of Tentative World Heritage of UNESCO. The mosque was built around 1634 A.D. by the then ruler of Lahore City, Nawab Wazir Khan. The mosque is designed and constructed in Mughal architecture and is an engineering marvel of its time.

Data Darbar

Located in the North-Western part of Lahore at the end of Upper Mall Road is the tomb (and mosque) of one of the most respected Muslim Scholars and Sufi saint of the Pakistan-India Subcontinent Ali Usman Hajveri. Known commonly as Data Gunj Bukhsh, Ali Usman Hajveri’s teachings and practices were instrumental in peaceful spread of Islam in the Subcontinent. Known reverently as Data Darbar, the tomb is the site of spiritual sojourn by Muslims from Pakistan and other Islamic countries.

Samadhi of Ranjeet Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the leader of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. Ranjit Singh was a great warrior, ruthless ruler and a great administrator. Under his leadership the Sikh Empire flourished and grew in Punjab and beyond. His funerary remains are buried in Lahore and the site is called Samadhi of Ranjit Singh. The site is a popular tourist destination especially for Sikh communities in Pakistan, India and other countries.

The Mall Road, Lahore

The Mall or Mall Road also called “Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam” is a major city road in Lahore. The Mall Road enjoys a special historical, social and cultural value in Lahore. Many of the buildings and structures along the Mall Road have great architectural and historical significance and were built during the Mughal and British rule. The road also is the nerve center of the city as many important government offices including Punjab Provincial Assembly, Governor House, and Headquarters of postal and telecommunications are located along the Mall Road.

Tomb of Emperor Jehangir

The Tomb of Jahangir or “Mausoleum of Jahangir” is the burial site of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The mausoleum was built in the 17th Century AD and is located in Shahdara Bagh, Lahore on the Northern bank of the Ravi River. The mausoleum is an architectural wonder with extensively decorated interior and exterior. The tomb is currently on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tomb of Nur Jahan

Nur Jahan, named Mehr-un-Nissa on birth, was the last wife of Emperor Jahangir of the Mughal Dynasty of India. Nur Jahan was an educated, cultured and charismatic woman who rose to tremendous influence after her wedding with Emperor Jahangir. Nur Jahan was buried in Lahore after her death and a mausoleum was built at the site. The tomb was, however, destroyed by the Sikh armies during the rule of Ranjit Singh and remained neglected for a long time. The tomb has recently been restored by the Government of Pakistan and is a popular tourist attraction in Lahore.

Bagh-e-Jinnah

Bagh-e-Jinnah, known formerly as “Lawrence Garden” is a park with historical and academic significance. The park was established as a botanical garden in 1864. Located adjacent to the Zoological Gardens of Lahore (Lahore Zoo), Bagh-e-Jinnah houses a botanical garden, a library named Jinnah Library and a mosque in addition to a jogging track, children play areas and a modest cafeteria. Bagh-e-Jinnah is a regular getaway for Lahorites and a popular attraction for visitors to Lahore

Governor House Punjab

The Governor House Lahore is the official residence of the Governor of the Province of Punjab. The complex is spread over an area of approximately 3.2 million sq feet and has living areas, service quarters, a dairy farm, a zoological garden and visitors areas. The Governor House is opened to visitors once a week.

M.M. Alam Road

Named after Muhammad Mahmood Alam, a world renowned Pakistan Air Force pilot, M.M. Alam Road has come to develop as a major business area in Lahore. The road is a stretch of approximately 1.2 km and houses some of the most popular restaurants, boutiques, clothing stores, and jewelry houses of Lahore. M.M. Alam road is a popular shopping and dining market of Lahore.

Packages Mall Lahore

Packages Mall is one of the major shopping malls of Lahore. Packages Mall is located on the Southern edge of Lahore and houses many of the popular local and international clothing, electronics and appliances brands, restaurants, a food court, a cinema and a major grocery stores Carrefour.

Emporium Mall

Emporium Mall is another major shopping mall of Lahore. The Mall is located in the South-Western business district and has a collection of popular clothing, electronics, fashion, jewelry and grocery stores. Besides it has a movie theater and a food court with local and international restaurants and food joints.

Movie Theaters

Lahore has always been well known for its movie houses and theaters and stage plays. In the last two decades some of the most modern and well equipped movie theaters have been established in Lahore by Cinestart and Universal Groups. A comprehensive list of movie houses, cinemas and theaters in Lahore is being compiled, a link to which will be made available here soon.

Food Streets

Lahore has several areas earmarked as food districts like Old Anarkali Street, Gwalmandi Street, and Old City Food Street. Of these the Old City Food Street is the most organized and all encompassing. There are a number of traditional restaurants and food joints located here offering traditional and continental dishes and barbeque. Besides live music, monkey show and puppet show are some of the regular features of Old City Food Street.

Lahore Food

Food is a passion, pastime, major business, most widely discussed topic and a way of life in Lahore. No mention of Lahore would be complete without its food, restaurants, eateries, takeaways and food delivery services. Lahore has a truly cosmopolitan culture when it comes to food. Lahore has an endless collection of restaurants and food places offering Pakistani, Indian, Continental, Eastern, Chinese, Thai, Arabic, Greek, Iranian, and all sorts of food. We are in the process of compiling a list of restaurants and food places in Lahore, a link to which will be made available here soon.

Languages and People

Urdu and Punjabi are spoken and understood in all parts of Lahore. Most of the population of Lahore comprises of Punjabis. Besides there is visible population of Pushtu speaking Pathans. English is widely understood and used in business areas of Lahore.