Top 30 Places to Visit in Lahore Pakistan [Updated: January 2024]

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Lahore is the 26th largest city in the world with a population of 13.9 Million as per the 2023 Census. Lahore is also a cultural or historical city of Punjab. Lahore is also called "the city of the Mughals." Lahore was also their capital at the time of Mughal rule.

If you’re planning to visit Lahore, then you’re in for an amazing time! From the beautiful Shalimar Gardens to its exquisite Minar-e-Pakistan monument, Lahore has plenty of places that are worth visiting and exploring. Here’s a list of top places you must visit in Lahore if you have time on your hands. Lahore has an exciting mix of modernity and old-world charm, making it one of the most attractive cities in Pakistan.

You can start your journey by going direct to the Greater Iqbal Park, that has lot of things to do. The Greater Iqbal Park is a large, green space that is perfect for family picnics. The park has many walking trails and benches for people to enjoy.

1) Minar-e-Pakistan (مینارِ پاکستان)

Location: The Greater Iqbal Park 

One of Lahore's most recognizable landmarks, the Minar-e-Pakistan is also Pakistan's national monument. British colonialists originally referred to the land as Tower Hill; upon independence, the landmark was renamed Freedom Tower.

There, on 23 March 1940, the All-India Muslim League approved the Lahore Resolution. Between 1960 and 1968, the tower was built on top of the site. Minar e Pakistan stands at a magnificent 70 meters in height. 

I found this place very attractive and it gives the feelings of freedom to me. There is a lake near minar e pakistan (local also called it as "Quaid e Azam ka bhata"). In lake, you can take boat ride with life saving jackets.

2) Badshahi Mosque (بادشاہی مسجد)

Location: The Greater Iqbal Park

Badshahi mosque is a 4 big minarets Mughal era mosque designed by Zain Yar Jung. Badshahi Mosque was initially constructed under Emperor Aurangzeb but has undergone frequent refurbishments and reconstruction since. Today it remains one of the world's most impressive mosques with three domed ceilings and its massive gold-plated minar reaching towards heaven. You may visit the Badshahi mosque for free, also there is no fee to remove your shoes outside.

3) Haveli Restaurant Roof Top

Lohari Gate is the eastern gate located outside the Walled city of Lahore.

4) Shahi Qila (Old Fort) 

Location: Greater Iqbal Park

The Shahi Qila Fort was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar and situated near Mochi Gate. This fort boasts numerous gates including Delhi Gate, Lahori Gate and Sindhi Gate; furthermore, there's also an auditorium hall as well as a royal bathhouse within its walls.

5) Sozo Water Park, Lahore

This waterpark is one of the top family attractions, boasting rides and attractions suitable for children of all ages - such as an aquatic show with dolphins. Visitors can relax on its lazy river and unwind along its length while there's also an exciting wave pool offering waves from mild to wild!

6) Eiffel Tower replica Bahria Town, Lahore

Bahria Town's Eiffel Tower replica should not be missed during your time in Lahore. Boasting high towers and modern amenities, this complex lives up to the name of Lahore where it resides. The Eiffel Tower is not only a landmark but also houses a shopping mall, theme park and amusement areas for children.

7) Walled City of Lahore

Lahore Walled City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring numerous historic structures. One of these is Badshahi Mosque, constructed to mark Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's visit. 

This mosque is among Pakistan's oldest and largest, seating over 10,000 in its main hall. The exterior walls boast intricate mosaic designs made up of inlaid marble tiles and Koranic verses for added decoration.

8) Sheesh Mahal

Sheesh Mahal was constructed by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Oudh. Located along River Ravi on its banks and designed exclusively as an exclusive retreat for royal family use, construction took six years and features exquisite mirror work and latticework adorned with 14 rooms and three halls - it even featured its own mini park!

9) Tomb of Allama Iqbal

The Tomb of Allama Iqbal stands as an iconic landmark of Lahore. Situated near Grand Trunk Road, this beautiful shrine pays respects to one of Pakistan's greatest poets - Allama Iqbal. Tourists and residents alike often stop here in order to pay tribute to the great thinker and philosopher.

10) Tomb of Jahangir

The tomb of Jahangir is the mausoleum of Emperor Jahangir, the 4th Mughal Emperor. It is located in Shahdara Bagh, on the banks of river Ravi. The Tomb was built by Nur Jahan as her own resting place but as she did not die until 1645, it was used as a mausoleum for Emperor Jahangir after his death in 1627.

11) Lahore Zoo

The Lahore Zoo is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Pakistan. It is home to over 500 animals and is spread over an area of 20 acres. The zoo has a range of animals from all around the world, including lions, tigers, bears and elephants. There are also many species you might not expect to see at a zoo like zebras and kangaroos. The zoo has been open since 1983 and welcomes over 100,000 visitors each year.

12) Anarkali Bazaar Lahore

Anarkali bazaar is a marketplace located in the old part of Lahore. It is a historic market and was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The market is famous for its variety of clothing shops, jewellery stores, and food stalls. For those looking to buy women's clothing, Anarkali Bazaar offers everything from traditional Pakistani outfits to Western dress styles like jeans and t-shirts.

13) Wagah Border

Wagah Border is a popular place for tourists to visit. It is located at the Indo-Pakistani border and it's where the ceremony of lowering the flag takes place every evening. To visit Wagah Border, you need to enter India through Jalandhar city which is 30 km away from Amritsar city.

14) Wazir Khan Mosque

Wazir Khan Mosque is one of the most popular places to visit in Pakistan. The mosque was built during the Mughal era, and it is now a heritage site. It has been featured on many international television channels. It was built by Wazir Khan and his sons, who were artisans, for their father. Its construction took place over a period of two years from 1635-1637 AD.

15) Lahore Museum

Lahore Museum is a museum of Lahor, located on Mall Road. The museum was established in 1942 and houses an assemblage of archaeological and ethnographic exhibits from all over Pakistan. The museum is divided into six departments: Archaeology, Anthropology, Numismatics & Seals, Coins and Medals, Arms and Armoury and Ethnography. The Department of Ethnography provides a comprehensive collection of dresses used by different tribes around Pakistan.

16) Winterland Lahore

Ali Masjid Fort is a historic fort that was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a resting place for travellers. It is positioned at the entrance of the city, near the Walled City and is located on high ground with an excellent view. The fort was named after its founder, Ali Mardan Khan (the Governor of Punjab).

17) EMPORIUM MALL Lahore

Delhi Gate is a popular area for tourists and locals looking for a little bit of peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of Lahore.

18) Greater Iqbal Park

 It also features an open-air amphitheatre where concerts and plays are often performed for the public.

19) Grand Jamia Masjid, Bahria Town

This Mosque was designed by the renowned American architect, Edward D. Stone, and is one of the most beautifully executed architectural projects in Pakistan. 

Bahria Town is a private gated community that has been built over an area of more than 600 acres with lush green spaces, lakes, and a variety of modern amenities to offer its residents. 

Bahria Town is also home to Grand Jamia Masjid which offers five prayer halls with a capacity of accommodating up to 5500 worshippers at one time.

20) Chauburji

Chauburji is one of the most popular historical sites in Lahore. It is a very old building that was originally built as a water well, but now it houses the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC). The building is open for public viewing during the day. Visitors can see art exhibitions, which are held on the rooftop terrace.

21) Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum

The Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum is a very striking mosque with a huge tower. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for his daughter Mariyam Zamani Begum who married the Safavid King Tahmasp II. The mosque is one of the finest pieces of Mughal architecture in all of Pakistan and stands as an excellent example of Indo-Persian architectural style.

22) Army Museum Lahore

Established in 1891, the Army Museum is an excellent place for those interested in military history. The museum houses a wide range of weaponry, uniforms and other equipment. It also has a memorial which pays tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan.

23) Lahore Fort

The imposing red brick walls of the Lahore Fort are a reminder of what this city was like before the 1857 Uprising. The fort was built by Emperor Akbar and is the largest fort in South Asia. It has been home to many sultans, kings and queens over the centuries, but now functions as a museum displaying many artefacts from various periods of history.

The fort is open daily from 9am to 5pm for visitors who wish to tour its halls and museums.

24) Shahi Muhala (aka Hira Mandi Palace)

The Hira Mandi Palace is one of the oldest historic buildings in Pakistan and is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture. The palace is surrounded by a large garden and has been converted into a museum that showcases some of the finest examples of local handicrafts and paintings.

25) Tomb of Noor Jahan

Noor Jahan was one of the world's most powerful women during her time and married Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, becoming one of the Mughals and thus entering history's great Mughal Dynasties. She's been immortalized with a monument built for her by her husband which houses some of their belongings. The Tomb of Noor Jehan is open from 8am-8pm and admission is free.

26) Data Durbar Complex

Data Darbar is a complex shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh. His real name is Ali Hajwari. He was a Sufi saint of the 11th century.

27) Shalimar Gardens, Lahore (شالیمار باغات)

Location: Shalimar Town, GT Road

The Shalimar Gardens were built during the Mughal Empire. The gardens were once a playground for the royal family and their guests. This place is best for photography and wedding events.

28) Packages Mall

Kamran Mirza, a son of the first Mughal emperor Babur and a brother of the second Mughal emperor Humayun, constructed it around 1540. According to historians, this edifice predates any other surviving Mughal buildings in Lahore.

29) Orange Line Train

Orange Line Train is the northeastern gate located outside the Walled city of Lahore.

30) Junoon Heritage Restaurant

Mochii Gate is the southern gate located outside the Walled city of Lahore.