The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore is one of the grandest Mughal monuments in South Asia. Built in red sandstone with white marble domes, it faces the Lahore Fort across the Hazuri Bagh and is still an active place of worship.
Entry is free, and the huge courtyard, the carved prayer hall and the views of the Walled City make it the natural first stop on any visit to Lahore.
Plan your visit to Badshahi Mosque
- Entry: free
- Open daily; avoid prayer times
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
History of Badshahi Mosque
Emperor Aurangzeb commissioned the mosque in 1671, and it was completed in 1673 under the supervision of his foster brother Fidai Khan Koka, then governor of Lahore. For more than three centuries it was the largest mosque in the world, until the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad was completed in 1986.
Under Sikh rule the mosque was used as a stable and garrison, and the British also used it as a military garrison before returning it to the Muslim community. A major restoration from 1939 into the 1960s brought back much of its original splendour. In 1993 it was placed on Pakistan’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Attractions at Badshahi Mosque
- Courtyard: one of the largest mosque courtyards in the world, paved in red sandstone and able to hold tens of thousands of worshippers.
- Prayer hall: richly decorated with fresco work, carved stucco and marble inlay under three marble domes.
- Minarets: four octagonal minarets, each around 60 m tall, frame the courtyard (climbing is not normally allowed).
- Gateway and relics room: the monumental entrance gate houses a small gallery of relics associated with the Prophet and his family.
- Tomb of Allama Iqbal: the mausoleum of Pakistan’s national poet stands beside the steps leading up to the mosque.
- Hazuri Bagh: the garden between the mosque and the Lahore Fort, with its marble baradari pavilion.
Things to Do at Badshahi Mosque
- Walk the courtyard: take in the scale of the space and the view of the prayer hall.
- Photograph the facade: late afternoon light on the red sandstone is the best time for pictures.
- Visit Iqbal’s tomb: pay respects at the poet-philosopher’s mausoleum by the entrance.
- Combine with the Lahore Fort: the fort’s Alamgiri Gate is just across the Hazuri Bagh.
- Dinner with a view: the rooftop restaurants of Fort Road Food Street look straight onto the domes when they are lit up at night.
Badshahi Mosque – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Entry: free (a small fee may be asked for shoe storage).
- Hours: open daily from morning until evening; tourists are asked not to wander during prayer times, and Friday midday prayers are very busy. Check locally for current times.
- Dress code: remove shoes before entering; wear long sleeves and long trousers or skirts; women should cover their hair (scarves are sometimes available at the gate).
How Long to Spend at Badshahi Mosque
Allow 1 to 2 hours for the mosque, Iqbal’s tomb and the Hazuri Bagh, or half a day if you combine it with the Lahore Fort.
How to Get There
- By air: Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) is roughly 15 km from the mosque; a taxi or ride-hailing car (Careem, inDrive) takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
- By ride-hailing or rickshaw: the easiest option from most hotels; ask for the Badshahi Mosque or Hazuri Bagh, next to the Lahore Fort.
- By Metro Bus: the Lahore Metrobus stops at Azadi Chowk, about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the mosque.
Eateries Nearby Badshahi Mosque
- Fort Road Food Street: a row of restored havelis just south of the mosque, with rooftop restaurants such as Haveli, Andaaz and Cooco’s Den known for their views of the domes.
- Gawalmandi and the Walled City: traditional Lahori breakfasts, nihari and street food a short rickshaw ride away.
Other Attractions Nearby Badshahi Mosque
- Lahore Fort: UNESCO-listed Mughal citadel directly opposite the mosque.
- Walled City of Lahore: historic bazaars, havelis and the Wazir Khan Mosque.
- Minar-e-Pakistan: the national monument in Greater Iqbal Park, a short walk north-west.
- Shalimar Gardens: UNESCO-listed Mughal gardens in the east of the city.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Lahore: staying near the Walled City or Gulberg keeps the old town within an easy ride.
- Get a Pakistan eSIM before you land (foreign phones may need PTA registration for long stays).
The Badshahi Mosque is Lahore’s defining landmark: a vast Mughal mosque completed in 1673, free to enter and still used for prayer. Dress modestly, leave your shoes at the gate and allow time for the courtyard, the prayer hall and Allama Iqbal’s tomb.
Pair your visit with the Lahore Fort across the Hazuri Bagh, then end the day with dinner on Fort Road or a wander through the Walled City of Lahore.
