Lahore

Lahore, the vibrant capital of the Punjab province in Pakistan, is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and architectural splendor. Often referred to as the "Heart of Pakistan," Lahore is a city where the ancient and modern coexist harmoniously. It boasts iconic landmarks such as the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, and Shalimar Gardens, which reflect its Mughal past. The city's bustling markets, like Anarkali Bazaar and Liberty Market, are famous for traditional crafts, textiles, and cuisine, especially its world-famous street food. Lahore is also a center of education, arts, and literature, with a lively cultural scene that includes festivals, music, and theater.

Highlights

Unmatched hospitality

One word, FOOD

Rich history

Bazaars

Detailed itinerary

You only need 2-3 days to explore Lahore comfortably. Below I've created a packed 2-day itinerary which can easily be spread across 3 days as well if you'd like to explore the city more leisurely.

Best method of transportation: private driver

Accommodation recommendations:

Raya Country Club - modern property with great amenities but further from city center
Pearl Continental - located in the heart of the city, great restaurants on site

Day 1 - Old Lahore / Wagha Border

The best way to go about this is to hop on the 'Sightseeing Lahore' bus tour. They will take you on a full day tour from Gaddafi Stadium to explore sites like Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, Dehli Gate, Liberty Market, Anarkali Bazaar, Food Street, Shalimar Bagh, and end the day with the Flag lowering ceremony at Wagah Border. This is a 8-10 hour tour and it's best to confirm that they have a partnership with the Rangeela Rikshaw company beforehand to ensure you have a fun way to get around once you're inside of the Walled City. It is also worth asking if they will take you to Sheesh Mahal, I found this is one of my favorite historic sites in Lahore.

Though if you prefer to do it yourself with a private driver, I've included a map / apple map below that you can utilize to find your way around the historical sites. On top of that, Wagha border is a bit of a drive from city center and because of the parade timing, one should ideally try to get there 1 hour before the scheduled time. In the summer the parade starts at 5:15 pm and in the winter at 4:15 pm. Once you watch the parade make sure to snap a few pictures before heading back to the city.

End the day with a visit to Mall One, they have a variety of food options here. You could also opt for something more traditional like Bandu Khan. Though be cautious of having any dairy products, cold vegetables, or unbottled water.

Day 2 - Leisurely day in Lahore

It's best to go around the city with a private driver and you have a few options based on your preferences and the time of year you visit. Start your day at Bagh-e-Jinnah, if you're lucky you could go in to see the famous library or just take a golf cart ride around the park. You could stop by at the Polo Club to watch a game if it's the season or visit Lahore Museum to learn about the detailed history of the city.

Have lunch at a place like Cafe Zouk, or grab a street food snack like corn, nuts or pani puri from Lahore Chatkhara (if your stomach is feeling brave).

After lunch head over to visit one of Lahore's vibrant markets, the most famous being Liberty market and Anarkali. This is a few hours excursion if you'd like to find the best pieces and haggle for the best prices.

For dinner, head over to Andaaz or Haveli in old Lahore for a traditional dining experience with amazing views of Badshahi Mosque. Before heading home don't forget to try Lahore's favorite ice cream spot, Hotspot Cafe (I recommend the brownie with vanilla ice cream).

Honorary food recommendations: Salt & Pepper Village

Salon recommendation: Nabila's (College Rd)

Massage recommendation: Nirvana

Mall shopping: Packages Mall, Emporium Mall

Click the link to open my Lahore recommendations on Apple Maps