Top 5 must-visit tourist attractions in Lahore, the former capital of the Mughal Empire

The first tourist attraction in Lahore is the Badshahi Mosque. This mosque was built between 1671 and 1673 by order of Aurangzeb, the sixth emperor of the Mughal Empire. It is currently the second largest mosque in Pakistan and the fifth largest in the world.

The mosque has a majestic structure with a reddish-brick color theme, and the central courtyard is said to accommodate up to 100,000 people at once. On the southern side of the courtyard lies the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, a philosopher and poet who advocated for Pakistan’s independence. Together with the mosque, this mausoleum is a popular tourist destination in Lahore.

2. Lahore Fort

The third emperor, Akbar the Great, who solidified the power of the Mughal Empire, began construction of Lahore Fort in 1566. The construction continued through the reigns of the fourth, fifth, and sixth emperors, making the fort a symbol of the Mughal Empire at its height. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Lahore’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Inside the Lahore Fort, visitors can explore gardens, the Queen’s Palace (Sheesh Mahal), the smaller Naulakha Pavilion decorated with marble and 900,000 gemstones, the Badshahi Mosque, the Pearl Mosque made of white marble, the Palace of Mirrors, and the ivory-colored Alamgiri Gate, among many highlights that captivate tourists.
Note: The premises are vast, and sightseeing takes time, so please allow plenty of time for your visit.

3. Lahore Museum

Another popular tourist spot in Lahore is the Lahore Museum. Opened in 1894, it is the oldest and largest museum in Pakistan. The Lahore Museum houses 17 galleries featuring collections that span from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Among these, the Gandhara art and Islamic art collections are especially popular and are highly recommended for tourists.

One must-see highlight is the “Fasting Buddha,” considered a masterpiece of Gandhara art. It depicts Siddhartha Gautama’s renunciation of his wealthy princely life and his attainment of enlightenment through meditation under the Bodhi tree. Be sure to visit and experience it for yourself.

4. Shalamar Gardens

Shalamar Gardens is one of Lahore’s must-visit tourist destinations and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Lahore Fort. The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built this beautiful rectangular Persian-style water garden in 1642 on the outskirts of Lahore.

The garden is enclosed by high brick walls, intricately carved with beautiful patterns. A canal called the "Royal Canal" runs through the garden, which once channeled water from Madhopur in India, over 161 kilometers away. That water is sprayed from more than 400 fountains throughout the garden, keeping the air cool—a perfect spot to relax and cool off in Lahore’s heat.

5. Anarkali Bazaar

If you want to enjoy shopping in Lahore, we recommend Anarkali Bazaar. It's one of the largest bazaars in the country and offers a wide variety of items—from daily necessities to souvenirs—attracting many people. Since it’s not overly touristy, you’ll have the opportunity to closely observe the everyday lives of locals in Lahore.

In addition, Lahore is home to several other bazaars, such as the “Ladies Bazaar” which specializes in women's clothing and accessories, the “Kitchen Bazaar” for kitchenware, the “Silver Bazaar” for silver products, and the “Gold Bazaar” lined with shops selling accessories and gold items. Be sure to visit these as part of your Lahore sightseeing experience.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced some tourist attractions in Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city. How did you like them? Lahore is considered the cultural and artistic hub of Pakistan and is known for having many historical buildings compared to other cities in the country. Explore a different side of Pakistan that’s distinct from cities like Karachi or Islamabad.

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Top 5 must-visit tourist attractions in Lahore, the former capital of the Mughal Empire