Lahore is Pakistan’s cultural heart—home to emperors’ palaces, Sufi poetry, and some of South Asia’s most storied monuments. The city blossomed under the Mughals, then evolved through Sikh and British eras, leaving a layered skyline of domes, minarets, steeples, and red-brick colleges along The Mall. Locals have a saying: “Jinne Lahore nai vekhya, o jamya nai”—one who hasn’t seen Lahore hasn’t truly lived.

Expect sensory overload in the best way: call to prayer echoing through the Walled City, truck art rickshaws rattling past spice stalls, rooftop restaurants glowing over Badshahi Mosque at sunset. Food is a civic obsession—nihari breakfasts, karahi dinners, and kulfi or falooda for dessert—balanced by a surprisingly strong cafe scene for your coffee fix and laptop hours.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for mosques and bring a scarf for head covering (women). Ride-hailing apps (Careem, inDriver) are handy and inexpensive. Winter (Oct–Mar) is cool and photogenic; summers are hot. Carry small PKR bills for entry fees and snacks, and check opening hours around Friday prayers and public holidays.

Lahore

From the UNESCO-listed Fort and Shalimar Gardens to the intimate brickwork of Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore rewards slow exploration. The Walled City (Androon Shehr) is your living museum—labyrinthine bazaars, havelis with carved jharokas, and frescoed gateways that tell centuries of stories.

• Top sights: Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shahi Hammam, Shalimar Gardens, Data Darbar, Jahangir’s Tomb at Shahdara, Cathedral Church of the Resurrection, Sacred Heart Cathedral.
• Food & coffee: Lakshmi Chowk (karahi, fish), Fort Road Food Street (iconic views), Anarkali (old-school snacks), plus modern cafes along MM Alam Road and Gulberg (Mocca, Espresso, Gloria Jean’s, English Tea House).
• Shopping: Liberty Market (textiles, sandals), Anarkali & Shahalami (traditional), MM Alam boutiques (designers), Emporium/Packages Malls (A/C browsing).
• Photography gold: Dawn at Wazir Khan, blue hour at Badshahi from a rooftop, reflections in Shalimar’s pools, colonial facades on The Mall, and the color blast of Delhi Gate.

Where to stay (mid-range budget ~50/100): For easy access to sights and dining, base in Gulberg or near The Mall.

• The Nishat Hotel, Gulberg (boutique feel, pool, quick to MM Alam): Check availability
• Hotel One Gulberg (reliable mid-range, good value): See rooms
• Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore (full-service, central): View rates
• The Nishat Hotel (Emporium/Model Town side): Book
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com: Lahore hotels | Apartment-style stays on VRBO: Lahore vacation rentals

Getting there: Fly into Allama Iqbal International (LHE). Typical nonstop times: Dubai ~3.5 hrs, Istanbul ~6 hrs, Karachi ~1.5 hrs. One-way fares often range USD 50–250 depending on route and season. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within Pakistan, intercity trains and buses are economical; for train schedules explore Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, First Taste of Lahore

Morning: Fly into LHE. If you like pre-arranged transport, consider a booked airport pickup or use Careem for a quick ride to Gulberg (30–50 minutes depending on traffic).

Afternoon: Check in and decompress. Warm up with coffee at Mocca (Mall One, Gulberg)—light, Scandinavian-style interiors and single-origin pours—or Espresso (DHA/Gulberg) for a stronger, classic roast. Grab a light lunch at Rina’s Kitchenette (Gulberg) for pastas and sandwiches or try chana chaat from a clean, well-rated vendor in Liberty Market.

Evening: Head to Fort Road Food Street for a dramatic first view of Badshahi Mosque at blue hour. Dine at Andaaz (refined regional dishes, rooftop) or Haveli (lively, hearty portions). Photographers: bring a tripod—glowing minarets and bustling street life make for stunning long exposures.

Day 2: Mughal Lahore Essentials with a Local Guide

Morning: Fuel up with halwa puri at Capri (Liberty) or a croissant and cappuccino at English Tea House (Gulberg). Join a guided overview to unlock context and skip logistics.

Afternoon: Take the Lahore Heritage and Sightseeing Guided Tour—a deep dive through the Fort, Badshahi, Delhi Gate, and more with an expert eye on architecture and anecdotes.

Evening: Dinner near Lakshmi Chowk: Butt Karahi (sizzling tomato-butter karahi, made to order) or Siddique Fish (seasonal fried river fish). End with kulfi or kheer from a trusted dessert shop nearby.

Day 3: Wazir Khan, Shahi Hammam, and Old City Alleys

Morning: Early start at Wazir Khan Mosque—the best light reveals the famed kashi-kari tilework. Step into the restored Shahi Hammam to see Mughal bathhouse engineering and frescoes.

Afternoon: Wander from Delhi Gate through Gali Surjan Singh and copper-smith lanes to discover havelis and hidden courtyards. Lunch at a simple spot in the old city—try seekh kebabs with naan and mint raita. Coffee break back in Gulberg at Gloria Jean’s or Mocca to cool off and review photos.

Evening: Sunset from a rooftop near the Fort for a second angle on Badshahi’s silhouette. Try Cuckoo’s Den for art-filled interiors and classic Lahori mains, then a slow walk past Hazuri Bagh and the Roshnai Gate.

Day 4: Rickshaw Rattle and Bazaar Browsing

Morning: Breakfast at Chaaye Khana (parathas, Pakistani omelets, and strong doodh patti). Browse Anarkali Bazaar for shawls, khussas (embroidered slippers), and copperware. Cash is king; bargain politely.

Afternoon: Hop onto a decorated rickshaw for a lively, photogenic spin: Rangeela Rikshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore. Great for street photography and quick access to tucked-away lanes.

Evening: Coffee crawl on MM Alam Road—start at Mocca or Espresso, then dinner at Spicy Spoon (contemporary Pakistani), or Wasabi for a non-Pakistani palate cleanser. Night photography along The Mall’s colonial facades if you still have energy.

Day 5: Museums and The Mall

Morning: Visit Lahore Museum to trace Indus Valley to Mughal and Sikh artifacts (check hours). Step outside to see the “Zamzama” cannon, immortalized by Kipling. Across The Mall, admire the red-brick Government College University and National College of Arts exteriors.

Afternoon: Churches circuit: Cathedral Church of the Resurrection (Victorian Gothic) and Sacred Heart Cathedral (early 20th-century, Romanesque-inspired). Lunch at a classic on The Mall—try Bundu Khan for kebabs and tandoori chicken, or a simple dal fry with naan.

Evening: Head to Gawalmandi for a retro food street vibe: try warra pai (siri paye for the adventurous) at Phajja or go milder with cholay bhature and kebabs. Sweet finish: falooda or jalebi from a reputable stall.

Day 6: Shalimar Gardens and Wagah Border Ceremony

Morning: Explore the tiered terraces of Shalimar Gardens; the geometry and water channels make superb compositions. Arrive early for fewer crowds and calm reflections in the pools.

Afternoon: Join a guided outing that combines Shalimar and the daily flag-lowering spectacle at the frontier: Shalimar Garden Private Tour and Wahga Border Flag Ceremony. Bring sun protection and a zoom lens for the parade-ground theatrics.

Evening: Return to town and treat yourself to Haveli or Andaaz if you missed them earlier, or opt for Qeemay wali naan and a cooling lassi in the old city.

Day 7: Day Trip to Sheikhupura—Hiran Minar

Morning: Drive ~1–1.5 hours to Hiran Minar, a photogenic Mughal-era hunting retreat with a central pavilion and 30-meter minaret. The surrounding water tank creates striking mirror images at dawn and late afternoon.

Afternoon: Picnic with samosas, fruit, and bottled water, or return to Lahore for a late lunch in DHA (Rina’s Kitchenette for comfort dishes or Jade Cafe by China Town for desi-continental plates). Coffee at Second Cup (Gulberg) en route.

Evening: Back in Lahore, unwind at Bagh-e-Jinnah or stroll The Mall. Dinner at Veera 5 (if craving Punjabi-Thai fusion) or a classic karahi with fresh tandoori roti.

Day 8: Sacred Lahore—Gurdwara, Samadhi, Begum Shahi, and Shahdara

Morning: Visit Gurdwara Dera Sahib (connected to Guru Arjan Dev) and the adjacent Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh—rich frescoes and Sikh heritage layered beside Mughal grandeur.

Afternoon: Continue to Begum Shahi (Mariam Zamani) Mosque—older than Badshahi, with delicate brickwork—and the Sunehri Mosque’s gold-toned domes. Cross the Ravi to Shahdara for the serene tomb-gardens of Emperor Jahangir and Noor Jahan (hours and road conditions vary; plan a driver).

Evening: Dinner in Gulberg: try BBQ Tonight for reliable grilled meats and a family atmosphere, or Salt’n Pepper Village for a buffet-style survey of Pakistani classics. Coffee and dessert at Sweet Affairs or Rina’s for something sweet.

Day 9: Shopping, Cafes, and a Night Food Tour

Morning: Liberty Market for sandals, shawls, khussa shoes, and everyday fashion—prices are fair and selection broad. Break for a flat white at Mocca or a frappe at Gloria Jean’s.

Afternoon: Boutique hop along MM Alam Road (local designers and accessories). If you prefer A/C malls, head to Emporium or Packages Mall; expect modern food courts and local brands.

Evening: Cap your culinary quest with Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience—an expertly curated tasting of street staples and regional specialties.

Day 10: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Brunch at English Tea House (eggs benedict, pancakes, solid espresso) or a final halwa puri with sweet semolina and chickpeas. Pick up last-minute gifts—truck-art trays, ajrak scarves, or artisanal spices.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to LHE. If you need a same-day plan adjustment, there are frequent domestic flights; search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Save a final hour for coffee and cake at Sweet Affairs or a scoop at Chaman Ice Cream.

Evening: Fly home with memory cards full and appetite permanently recalibrated.

Optional Tips and Notes

• Getting around: Careem rides within central Lahore often cost PKR 300–800 (USD ~1–3). Traffic peaks 5–8 pm; plan buffer time for the airport and Wagah.
• Dress & etiquette: Shoulders and knees covered at religious sites; remove shoes in mosques/gurdwaras. Photography is usually fine outdoors—ask before shooting people.
• Costs: Local meals PKR 500–1,500; cafe mains PKR 1,200–2,500; rooftop dinners PKR 2,500–5,000+ per person. Major monuments charge modest entry fees (higher for foreign visitors).
• Swaps & add-ons: If you crave a longer out-of-town for photography, consider Khewra Salt Mines or the Katas Raj temples as a full-day excursion by hired car.

Viator experiences featured in this itinerary

• Lahore Heritage and Sightseeing Guided Tour
• Rangeela Rikshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore
• Shalimar Garden Private Tour and Wahga Border Flag Ceremony
• Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience

Ten days in Lahore is a masterclass in South Asian history, hospitality, and flavor. From Mughal grandeur to street-side grills and modern cafes, the city invites you to look closer, taste more, and photograph everything. Expect to leave with new favorites—and plans to return.