The Heart of Pakistan

Lahore is the capital of the Punjab and Pakistan’s second largest city. It is known as ‘The Heart of Pakistan’ due to its cultural, educational and historical importance. Lahore has a rich culture and interesting history, having been ruled by the Moguls, Sikhs and British before gaining independence. Lahore’s Mogul and Sikh legacy lives on in some of its most attractive sights, including the stunning Lahore Fort and beautiful Badshahi Mosque. Located on the banks of the Ravi River, Lahore has many lovely gardens and parks. It also boasts a zoo and a safari park with a great walk-through aviary. Those in search of shopping and a little haggling will enjoy the streets and alleys full of leather, jewellery, and textile stalls. Lahoris have a real love for their food and the city if full of traditional and modern restaurants, as well as western fast-food joints. Nightlife revolves around the shisha bars and musical concerts.

Why Go?
Lahore is a fascinating city rich in history and culture. Alluring monuments and sights, beautiful parks and gardens, exciting bazaars, and several interesting festivals draw crowds of visitors to the city every year.

When to Go?
Lahore experiences long and unbearably hot summers, warm winters, a monsoon period and dust storms. April, May and September are immensely hot and humid and make hard work of short journeys. The monsoon hits from June until August. The cooler months are from November to February, which is considered the best time to visit with temperatures around 25°C and occasional light showers.

How to get there?
Direct flights to Lahore are available from London, Glasgow and Manchester. The city's Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) is located 15km from the centre of Lahore. Journeys from the airport to the city centre take about 30 minutes. Passengers can take a taxi from the airport but should confirm the rate beforehand as all taxis are unmetered.

Must see
Visit the stunning Lahore Fort, Shalamar Gardens and Badshahi Mosque. Enjoy a cricket game at Gadaffi Stadium. Experience the bazaars; alcohol is available to foreigners who request it at certain hotels, but is usually not sold in public. Be careful when asking directions from people in Lahore, you’ll often be misguided. Most taxi and rickshaw drivers carry mobiles; as taxis are unmetered it may be handy to take a phone number if you meet a particularly reliable driver. Don’t bother with taxis in the walled Inner City it’s quicker to walk.