Lahore is Pakistan’s cultural heartbeat—where Mughal emperors raised red sandstone citadels, Sikh royals enshrined their legacy, and storytellers still trade legends in tea-scented lanes. The city’s 1,000-year timeline unfolds within the Walled City, across Mall Road’s colonial facades, and through gardens that whisper of royal banquets and poetry. You’ll feel it in the call to prayer echoing around Badshahi Mosque and in the color-drenched tiles of Wazir Khan Mosque.

Food is a way of life here. From sizzling karahi at Lakshmi Chowk to halwa puri breakfasts in Liberty, Lahore rewards the curious with layer upon layer of flavor—and late-night feasts on Fort Road with a postcard view of the mosque. For photographers, dawn light on Lahore Fort’s Sheesh Mahal or the frenzy of the Wagah Border ceremony makes for unforgettable frames.

Practical notes: modest dress is advised in religious sites; remove shoes in mosques and temples. Ride-hailing apps, the Orange Line Metro, and rickshaws make getting around easy. For international travelers, check Pakistan e-visa eligibility and current travel advisories; Fridays and public holidays can affect opening hours and traffic.

Lahore

Welcome to the city locals call “Zinda Dilaan-e-Lahore”—the lively-hearted. Your 11-day plan blends heritage, gardens, mosques, temples, shopping, coffee stops, and a day trip to the Indus Valley site of Harappa, plus an optional pilgrimage to Katas Raj and the otherworldly Khewra Salt Mine. With a mid-range budget (50/100), you’ll enjoy comfortable stays, guided experiences, and a feast of local flavors.

Getting in: Fly into Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE). Typical regional routes: from Dubai (~3h 15m), Doha (~4h), Istanbul (~5h 30m). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Within the city, budget about $2–6 per ride for taxis/ride-hailing; Orange Line Metro rides are inexpensive and efficient on its east–west axis.

Where to stay (choose based on vibe and neighborhood):

• The Nishat Hotel, Gulberg (stylish, near MM Alam Road dining): Check rates
• The Nishat Hotel (designer feel, great service): Check rates
• Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore (classic full-service, central): Check rates
• Hotel One Gulberg (solid mid-range, excellent value): Check rates
• Prefer an apartment? Browse VRBO Lahore or compare on Hotels.com Lahore.

Days 1–3: Walled City Icons, Street Eats, and Golden-Hour Photography

Start with the UNESCO-listed Lahore Fort (Alamgiri Gate, Sheesh Mahal) and the vast Badshahi Mosque—best in morning light. Wander to the Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Gurdwara Dera Sahib (historic Sikh sites; access can be restricted—carry ID and ask on-site staff). Continue into the Walled City: Masjid Wazir Khan dazzles with Kashi-kari tilework; the restored Shahi Hammam offers a window into Mughal urban life.

Shop and shoot in Anarkali Bazaar and Delhi Gate—great for textiles, khussas (embroidered shoes), copperware, and street portraits. At sunset, head to Fort Road Food Street; frame Badshahi Mosque’s silhouette from a rooftop, then settle in for dinner.

• Viator pick—Lahore Heritage and Sightseeing Guided Tour: ideal for first-timers who want context and efficient routing. Book here

  

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Capri in Liberty for halwa puri and chana; or Phajja Siri Paye near the Walled City (rich, gelatinous paya—a Lahori staple).
• Coffee: Mocca Coffee (MM Alam Road) for single-origin brews; Espresso (DHA Y-Block) for reliable cappuccinos; The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Gulberg, Packages Mall) for iced lattes in warm months.
• Lunch: Andaaz Restaurant (heritage-inspired Pakistani, terrace views of the mosque) or Cuckoo’s Den (art-splashed interiors, classic gravies).
• Dinner: Haveli Restaurant on Food Street for barbecue platters and karahi; Waris Nihari (Abkari) if you want the city’s slow-cooked legend.
• Sweets: Yousaf Falooda (Anarkali) for rose-kulfa falooda; Chaman Ice Cream (Beadon Road) for nostalgic scoops.

Days 4–5: Gardens, Museums, and Colonial Lahore

Lose yourself in Mughal geometry at Shalimar Gardens: stepped terraces, water channels, and chinar shade—arrive early to avoid heat and tour groups. Then circle Mall Road’s intellectual spine: Government College University’s neo-Gothic spires, the grand Punjab University Old Campus, and the National College of Arts.

Spend an afternoon at the Lahore Museum (Buddhist Gandhara sculpture, miniature paintings, colonial Lahore), and the National History Museum in Greater Iqbal Park for a modern, interactive take on Pakistan’s story. For greenery, choose Bagh-e-Jinnah (Lawrence Gardens) with its old trees and reading rooms, or Jilani Park (Race Course) for flowerbeds and an evening stroll.

• Viator pick—Shalimar Garden Private Tour and Wagah Border Flag Ceremony: combine a serene morning in a UNESCO garden with the high-energy Beating Retreat spectacle at the border (late afternoon). Book here

  

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Sadiq Halwa Puri (Gawalmandi) for a classic set with pickled vegetables.
• Coffee: Chaye Khana (Gulberg) for desi chai and paratha rolls; switch to cold brew at Mocca midday.
• Lunch: Rina’s Kitchenette (Gulberg) for light, modern comfort food; or Spice Bazaar (MM Alam) for refined Lahori specialties.
• Dinner: Butt Karahi (Lakshmi Chowk) to watch tomatoes and butter meet over cast-iron flames; Qabail for Peshawari chapli kebab and beef pulao.

Days 6–7: Harappa Day Trip and Hidden Heritage

Harappa (day trip): Drive ~3.5–4 hours (each way) to the Harappa archaeological site near Sahiwal—one of the great cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. Explore the excavated mounds, kiln-fired brick layouts, and the Harappa Museum’s seals and pottery. Photographers will love the earthy textures and open horizons; bring water, a hat, and sturdy shoes.

Logistics: Hire a private car with driver for the day (approx. $80–120 depending on vehicle and bargaining). Depart early (6–7 am) to maximize cool morning hours; expect a full 10–12-hour excursion including meal stops.

Back in Lahore, add lesser-seen sites: the Begum Shahi (Maryam Zamani) Mosque—older than Wazir Khan—with sublime fresco fragments; and the Fakir Khana Museum (by appointment) for a private trove of miniature paintings, textiles, and curios.

• Viator pick—Lahore’s Complete Night Food Tour: a guided tasting across old-town eateries, perfect after a Harappa day for a no-planning-needed culinary deep dive. Book here

  

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Bundu Khan (MM Alam) for halwa puri if you want a cleaner, family-friendly setup.
• Coffee: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Gulberg) for a midday cool-down; try karak chai at a roadside stall in the evening for a local twist.
• Dinner: Lakshmi Chowk’s barbecue stands, or try Gaari Kitchen-style roadside kebabs near Fortress for smoky, budget-friendly plates.

Days 8–9: Temples, Salt, and Stone—Katas Raj & Khewra

Katas Raj Temples (near Chakwal) date back centuries and are sacred to Hindus; the stepped pond and stone pavilions are striking in early light. Pair this with the Khewra Salt Mine, the world’s second-largest salt mine, where illuminated pink-salt chambers create an underground dreamscape.

Logistics: Expect ~3–3.5 hours to Katas Raj and ~1.5–2 hours onward to Khewra (or vice versa), then ~3.5 hours back to Lahore. Private car with driver for the day typically runs $100–150 due to distance and waiting time; carry snacks, a light jacket for the mine’s cool interior, and cash for entrance fees.

• Viator pick—Katas Raj Temple and Khewra Salt Mines Day Tour: hands-off planning, with AC transport and guides. Book here

  

Back in Lahore, if you didn’t catch Wagah earlier, go for the late-afternoon ceremony. Closer to town, visit Shri Krishna Mandir (Ravi Road) or Shri Valmiki Mandir (Neela Gumbad)—access varies; be respectful and follow caretakers’ guidance.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Layers Bakery (Gulberg) for quick pastries before the road; or a paratha-and-omelet stop at a dhaba once you’re on the highway.
• Coffee: Post-trip wind-down at Mocca or Espresso.
• Dinner: Spice Bazaar (smart-casual Pakistani classics) or Andaaz for that final mosque-lit rooftop glow.

Days 10–11: Markets, Modern Lahore, and Café Hopping

Dedicate time to shopping and street scenes: Liberty Market for fabrics and accessories; Fortress Stadium Market for souvenirs; Anarkali for traditional wear and handcrafted decor. If malls are your style, Emporium Mall and Packages Mall offer international retail and easy dining courts.

For one last sweep of mosques and photo ops, revisit Wazir Khan’s courtyard when it’s quieter, then stroll the narrow lanes toward Delhi Gate for street life and crafts. If you’re a temple architecture fan, speak with your guide about any current-access Hindu or Jain sites tucked in the old quarters (availability can change with restoration schedules).

• Optional Viator add-on—Walled City Tour (Rangeela Rickshaw style): perfect for colorful, photogenic transport and narration through tight alleys. Book here

  

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Fanoos (PC Lahore) for a relaxed buffet if you’re staying nearby; or halwa puri “one last time” at Capri.
• Coffee crawl: Start at Mocca (espresso flight), then hop to Espresso (dessert + cappuccino), and finish with Kashmiri chai at Fort Road Food Street.
• Farewell dinner: Haveli or Andaaz for views; or go hyper-local with Butt Karahi and a kulfi on the walk back.

Budget tips: With a mid-range budget, plan ~$60–120 per day on food, local transport, admissions, and guided tours (excluding hotel). Street food is inexpensive; sit-down restaurants on MM Alam Road or Fort Road cost more but are still reasonable. For flights and any regional connections, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Recap of Viator experiences used in this plan (choose 1–4 to suit your pace and interests):

• Lahore Heritage and Sightseeing Guided Tour — details
• Shalimar Garden + Wagah Border Ceremony — details
• Lahore’s Complete Night Food Tour — details
• Katas Raj Temples & Khewra Salt Mines Day Tour — details

Eleven days in Lahore let you savor the city’s layers: Mughal fortresses, quiet temples, leafy gardens, and a food scene that keeps you out past midnight. With Harappa and Katas Raj/Khewra in the mix, you’ll come home with a deeper sense of Punjab’s past and the living rhythm of its most storied city.