Punjab, Pakistan is where empires and caravans left their signatures—Mughal forts, Sufi shrines, bustling bazaars, and recipes perfected over centuries. Lahore, the historic capital of the Mughals, dazzles with the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and culinary lanes that glow after sunset. Southward, Multan—the “City of Saints”—offers spellbinding tombs, cobalt-blue tiles, and markets perfumed by spices and mangoes.

Expect big flavors and bigger hospitality: halwa puri breakfasts, smoky karahi at Lakshmi Chowk, and syrupy sohan halwa in Multan. English is widely understood in tourist areas; rideshares and rickshaws make city hops easy. The best time to visit is October–March when the air is crisp and sightseeing is comfortable.

Practical notes: Check the latest travel advisories, event timings (especially the Wagah Border ceremony), and religious-site etiquette (modest dress, head coverings where required). If you plan to cross into India for a day trip to Amritsar, you must have a valid visa and confirm border hours; see optional tours cited below.

Lahore

Lahore is Pakistan’s cultural capital—where poetry, cricket, and kebabs share the same stage. The Walled City is a living museum: frescoed mosques, havelis restored brick by brick, and lanes where kettles of chai never cool. By day, visit imperial icons; by night, watch the city’s food streets glow like a festival.

• Top sights: Lahore Fort and Sheesh Mahal, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shahi Hammam, Lahore Museum, Shalimar Gardens (UNESCO), Minar-e-Pakistan, Anarkali and Liberty markets.
• Food highlights: Halwa puri at Capri or Bundu Khan, nihari at Waris, siri paye at Phajja, karahi at Butt Karahi, refined Punjabi plates at Andaaz, Cooco’s Den, or Spice Bazaar.
• Fun fact: The Lahore Museum famously appears in Rudyard Kipling’s novel “Kim.”

Where to stay: Browse well-located stays in Gulberg, DHA, and the Walled City via VRBO Lahore or vetted hotels on Hotels.com Lahore.

Getting to Lahore: Fly into Allama Iqbal International. Compare routes and fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Within Lahore, use rideshares or rickshaws; the Orange Line Metro can help with cross-city hops.

Day 1: Arrival and First Taste of the Walled City

Afternoon: Arrive in Lahore and check in. If you’re in Gulberg, shake off jet lag with a cappuccino at Mocca Coffee (Mall One) or chai at Chaaye Khana. Stroll Liberty Market for classic khussa shoes and shawls.

Evening: Head to Fort Road Food Street for a postcard view of the illuminated Badshahi Mosque. Book a table at Andaaz (refined Punjabi, rooftop views) or Cooco’s Den (artsy, old-Lahore vibe). Finish with kulfi falooda from Baba Ji Kulfi Wala nearby.

Day 2: Mughal Masterpieces—Fort, Mosques, Hammam

Morning: Tour Lahore Fort, including the mirrored Sheesh Mahal. Cross the courtyard to Badshahi Mosque—its vast red-sandstone courtyard and white domes are unforgettable. Modest attire recommended; head coverings for women inside prayer areas.

Afternoon: Walk to the Shahi Hammam—its restored frescoes tell Mughal spa stories. Then explore Wazir Khan Mosque to admire Kashi-kari tilework and painted ceilings. Lunch options: Phajja Siri Paye (Old City institution) or a lighter kebab roll at Rina’s Kitchenette (Gulberg).

Evening: If it’s Thursday, consider qawwali at Data Darbar (check timings/security). Otherwise, dine on MM Alam Road: Spice Bazaar (elegant Pakistani), Cafe Aylanto (Mediterranean), or Butt Karahi (iconic wok-seared chicken). Dessert: kheer or jalebi from a neighborhood sweet shop.

Day 3: Museums, Gardens, and the Wagah Border Ceremony (Pakistan Side)

Morning: Visit the Lahore Museum to trace Indus Valley artifacts, Gandhara Buddhist art, and colonial Lahore. Coffee at Espresso on M.M. Alam or an almond lassi from Anarkali.

Afternoon: Roam Shalimar Gardens’ terraces and chadar waterfalls; continue to Bagh-e-Jinnah for a shady walk. Early dinner plan: Waris Nihari in Mozang (slow-cooked beef or chicken gravy with naan).

Evening: Depart around 3:00–3:30 p.m. for the Wagah Border ceremony (start varies by season; arrive 60–90 minutes early with ID). On the Pakistan side, the marching and crowd energy make for a stirring flag-lowering spectacle. Return to town for a late chai and bun kebab at a roadside dhaba.

Day 4: Optional Cross-Border Day in Amritsar (India) with Guided Tours

If you hold a valid Indian visa and wish to experience both Punjabs in one trip, make a full-day crossing via the Wagah/Attari border. Start early, clear immigration, and meet your guide in Amritsar. These highly rated tours streamline logistics and storytelling:

• Wagha Border Tour (Private tour) — Access closer parking, local insights, and the best viewing spots.
  Book on Viator

  

• Amritsar Heritage Walking Tour — Explore alleys, temples, and stories that shaped the city.
  Book on Viator

  

• Golden Temple Night Ceremony — Witness the Palki Sahib ceremony under lights; a moving experience.
  Book on Viator

  

Carry passports, printed visas, and allow ample time for return formalities. If you’re not crossing today, stay in Lahore for a deep-dive food walk: halwa puri breakfast at Capri, Lahori chargha near Gawalmandi, and a late dessert stop at Sweet Tooth.

Multan

Multan is a mosaic of Sufi devotion, blue-glazed tilework, and labyrinthine bazaars. The city’s skyline is defined by the austere, beautiful domes of saints’ tombs—places where pilgrims, poets, and artisans have gathered for 700 years.

• Top sights: Shrines of Shah Rukn-e-Alam and Bahauddin Zakariya, old fort area (Qasim Bagh), Ghanta Ghar, Hussain Agahi Bazaar, Eidgah Mosque, blue pottery workshops, Chenab River viewpoints.
• Tastes to chase: Multani sohan halwa (Hafiz), chaat, sajji, and seasonal mango treats (May–August).
• Fun fact: Multan’s blue tiles—seen on shrines and pottery—are part of a craft lineage linked to Central Asian techniques.

Where to stay: Search central stays near Cantt, Bosan Road, or Gulgasht on VRBO Multan or compare hotels on Hotels.com Multan.

Getting from Lahore to Multan: Morning trains take about 4–5 hours; browse options on Trip.com Trains. Flights are ~1 hour on national carriers; check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. By car, plan 5–6 hours on the M-3/M-4 motorways with service areas for chai and snacks.

Day 5: Travel to Multan and Shrine Sunset

Morning: Depart Lahore by train (~4–5 hours, approx. PKR 1,500–3,500), flight (~1 hour, often USD 40–90), or car (~5–6 hours). Aim for a morning departure to maximize your afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to the hilltop Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam. The octagonal structure, sky-blue tiles, and views over the old city are breathtaking. Stop by a nearby workshop to see blue pottery techniques—ask hotel staff for the closest open atelier.

Evening: Dinner at Shah Jahan Grill (Pakistani grills and karahi; pleasant outdoor seating). For dessert, pick up a fresh box of Hafiz Sohan Halwa on Hussain Agahi Road—nutty, ghee-rich, and ideal with cardamom chai.

Day 6: Old Multan—Bazaars, Fort Area, and Sufi Lineage

Morning: Breakfast of naan-chanay near Ghanta Ghar, then step into the old fort area (Qasim Bagh). Visit the Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya and photograph the tilework up close. Respect photography rules and dress modestly.

Afternoon: Wander Hussain Agahi Bazaar for ajrak scarves, camel-leather goods, and ceramics. Pause for lassi at a corner dairy shop or a cappuccino at Gloria Jean’s (Bosan Road) if you’re craving AC and Wi‑Fi.

Evening: Try Salt’n Pepper Multan (family-friendly Pakistani classics) or London Courtyard (continental and Pakistani mains, courtyard ambience). Night stroll by the illuminated Ghanta Ghar before turning in.

Day 7: River Breeze and Departure

Morning: If time allows, drive to the Chenab River (Muhammad Wala Bridge area) for sunrise breezes and photos, or visit Eidgah Mosque’s quiet courtyards. Coffee and pastry back in town.

Afternoon: Check-out and depart from Multan International Airport or return to Lahore by train/flight. Compare same-day options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Train travelers can browse schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Evening: Flight home. If staying an extra night, book a comfortable room via Hotels.com Multan.

Where to eat and drink—quick hit list

• Lahore breakfast: Capri (Liberty Market) for halwa puri; Bundu Khan (MM Alam) for parathas and chai.
• Lahore lunch: Waris Nihari (Mozang); Rina’s Kitchenette (Gulberg) for lighter bites; Wasabi (Gulberg) if you want a non-Pakistani option.
• Lahore dinner: Andaaz or Cooco’s Den (Fort Road Food Street), Spice Bazaar (MM Alam), Butt Karahi (Lakshmi Chowk).
• Multan treats: Hafiz Sohan Halwa (Hussain Agahi), seasonal mango shakes (summer), chaat stalls by Ghanta Ghar.
• Multan meals: Shah Jahan Grill (grills/karahi), Salt’n Pepper (Pakistani staples), London Courtyard (mixed menu, alfresco).
• Cafés: Mocca Coffee and Espresso (Lahore), Chaaye Khana (Lahore), Gloria Jean’s (Multan).

Accommodation searches

• VRBO Lahore | Hotels.com Lahore
• VRBO Multan | Hotels.com Multan

Transport searches

• Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com Flights
• Trip.com Trains (for intercity rail in Asia)

In one week, you’ll trace the arc of Punjab’s story from imperial Lahore to soulful Multan—forts and frescoes by day, spice-scented bazaars by night. Whether you add the optional Amritsar crossing or linger longer in Lahore’s lanes, expect generous meals, generous people, and memories that hum like a qawwali chorus.