A Local's Guide: Top 7 Things to do in Lahore, Pakistan

By Rameen Hassan | 22, Oct, 2020
A Local's Guide: Top 7 Things to do in Lahore, Pakistan

Every country has a heart. For Pakistan, it's Lahore – a beautiful cultural city in the center of Punjab. With red sandstone walls that speak history, museums that take you back to colonial times, and plenty of sights to discover, this city has a lot to offer, especially to those looking to connect to different cultures in the Muslim world. Hence, there are ample top attractions of Lahore to discover.

Part of a Muslim-majority country that is strongly connected to its religious roots, Lahore is the ideal destination for those looking to plan out the perfect halal vacation. These are the best things to do in Lahore.

 

1. Start your Journey by rejuvenating your soul at the Al-Hafiz Masjid
Al-Hafiz Masjid

Image Credit: Abuzar Xheikh on Unsplash

What can be better than offering Salath at one of the many beautiful mosques of Lahore? Built near the Lahore International Airport, the Al-Hafiz Masjid is a great place for Muslim tourists flying in the city to offer their first Salath at.

Similarly, the Wazir Khan Mosque, built in the 17th century and embellished with rich, intricate designs, welcomes all Muslim travelers in congregational prayers at a fair distance of 20km from the airport. Being one of the best places to visit in Lahore, offering your Salath here will be a memorable experience.

It will be effortless to find mosques and prayer places near you in Lahore, as the city is full of them.

 

2. Find yourself traveling time back to the great Mughal Era
Great Mughal Era

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The Mughal era was known for many great ordeals, the most prominent ones being their architecture, embedded in all Mosques, historical, and cultural sights of Lahore. The golden age of the Mughal's dominion saw Lahore become the capital of the empire, and today, the ruins of Mughal construction testify to their enduring, timeless grandeur. If you're a fancier of art in historical sights, Lahore's grand history will have you traveling time.

No visit to Lahore is complete without a trip to the famed Shalimar Gardens. The scenery of the best park in Lahore is guaranteed to wow you in no time. In the near vicinity, the stunning tiled tomb of Emperor Jahangir awaits your awe. Here, you can witness the most delicate Mughal frescoes and intricately carved marble architecture.

 

3. Finding solitude at the grand Badshahi Mosque
Grand Badshahi Mosque

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Embedded in the center of Lahore's walled city, The Badshahi Mosque is one of the most breathtaking mosques in the country. Today, the Mosque is on every Muslim tourist's must-see list and is definitely one of the best places to visit in Lahore!

It has a vast courtyard with the sun gleaming on the marble domes. The best time to visit this Mosque is early in the morning, as less crowd helps you explore the Mosque in solitude. Try offering at least one of your Salaths here, as it is an experience on its own.

If you work up an appetite, the Haveli restaurant and Kuku's Den in the Mosque's near vicinity have great halal food and family-friendly entertainment.

 

4. Exploring Lahore fort and admiring the beauty of Sheesh Mehal
Beauty of Sheesh Mehal

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The Lahore Fort is the prime location to visit when finding the best things to do in Lahore. The fort has various gates opening in the city, but the most convenient gate is at the Badshahi Mosque. A security line is present to lead you seamlessly into the fort.

The massive fortress has several palaces, museums, and gardens, ready to be explored; hence, it's best to spend a few hours here to observe the diverse styles of architecture found. The fort's most notable palace is Sheesh Mehal, which is made entirely of reflective glass tiles, making it the dreamiest, must-visit place for every tourist.

 

5. Wandering through the cultural hub – the Anarkali bazaar
the Anarkali bazaar

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Beloved by tourists — and rightly so — this is one of the best places to visit in Lahore, particularly if you're looking to stock up on souvenirs!

At the Anarkali bazaar, shopkeepers peddle everything from hand-worked Khussas (traditional footwear of India and Pakistan) to ethnic jewelry and everything in between. There are several different mosques and halal food restaurants nearby, each of them not more than a short rickshaw ride away.

 

6. Enjoying the architect of Lahore's modern drama tradition at the Rafi Peer theatre and AlHamra Arts Council

AlHamra Arts Council

Image Credit: Khalid MahmoodCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The best way to experience Lahore's culture is through seeing the locals perform theatrical art.

Visit Rafi Peer Theater, Pakistan's first puppet show theater. Moreover, grab tickets to the various shows at The Colony and AlHamra Arts Council to enjoy art displays and theatre-plays. This is a great family-friendly activity for those traveling with young children.

 

7. Indulge in the best thing to do in Lahore – enjoying All-Halal scrumptious food
All-Halal scrumptious food

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Lahore is renowned for having the best food in Pakistan. Luckily, being a Muslim country, you will find everything halal! Hence, innumerable lip-smacking flavors are waiting to be a part of your journey.

Visit the Fort Road Food Street for must-have traditional dishes, such as Lahori Chargha, Halwa Poori, and Lassi. In Lahore, you will find the must-try Pakistani dishes you must not miss out on. If you are looking to find continental food to tease your tastebuds, visit M.M. Alam Road for unlimited great halal food and excellent shopping sprees. 

Several things are going to grab your attention in Lahore. The lush green gardens, the canal running through the city, breathtakingly beautiful architecture, an intricate mosque in every corner, mind-blowing halal food, and of course the friendly and very hospitable Lahori people – it doesn’t get better than this, so make sure to add Lahore to your list of travels!

For more destination ideas, check out our travel blog to find locations of halal restaurants and mosques near you.

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