Lahore walking tour & city guide

Mughal Lahore

The Badshahi Mosque, built in 1673, is one of the largest mosques in the world. Opposite it, the Lahore Fort has palaces and the dazzling Sheesh Mahal, a hall of mirrors. The Wazir Khan Mosque is covered in colorful tiles.

The city

The Shalimar Gardens are a UNESCO-listed Mughal garden. Fort Road Food Street offers food with views of the mosque. The Wagah border ceremony is a famous daily spectacle.

A day in Lahore

Start at the Badshahi Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in red sandstone and white marble. Across the courtyard, Lahore Fort holds the Sheesh Mahal, a palace hall covered in tiny mirrors. Then walk through the Walled City to the Wazir Khan Mosque, famous for its colorful tile work.

In the evening, eat at the food street near the Badshahi Mosque, where rooftop terraces look out over the illuminated domes. On the way to the Indian border, the Wagah flag-lowering ceremony is a loud, patriotic spectacle.

Good to know

Lahore is considered Pakistan's cultural capital and its food capital. Try nihari, paye and lassi for breakfast, and haleem and tikka at night. The Shalimar Gardens, a Mughal garden of terraces and fountains, are a UNESCO site.

The best time to visit is October to March. Basant, the kite festival, has been restricted in recent years, but kite flying is part of the city's spirit. Dress modestly, especially in mosques and old neighborhoods.