Lahore Fort, known locally as Shahi Qila, is a citadel in the northern part of Lahore's Walled City. The earliest record of a fort on the site is from the 11th century, and the Mughal rulers, beginning with Akbar in the 1500s, rebuilt it in red sandstone and marble. Later rulers, including the Sikhs, added their own buildings.
It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 together with the Shalimar Gardens. Below are the ten things our guides most often point out, in roughly the order you will meet them.
Top 10 at Lahore Fort
- 1
Alamgiri Gate
The grand western entrance, built under Aurangzeb in the 1670s. It faces the Badshahi Mosque and is how most visitors enter the fort.
- 2
Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors)
A Shah Jahan-era palace whose walls and ceilings are covered in tiny mirror and glass inlay. It is the most photographed room in the fort.
- 3
Naulakha Pavilion
A small white marble pavilion with a curved roof and fine inlay, set at the edge of the palace terrace with views over the old city.
- 4
The Picture Wall
A glazed mosaic and tile wall about 1,450 feet long, showing hunting, polo and court scenes. It is among the largest works of its kind.
- 5
Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque)
A compact white marble mosque inside the fort, quiet and bright compared with the busier courtyards around it.
- 6
Diwan-e-Aam
The hall of public audience, where the emperor appeared before his subjects. Stand here and imagine the court in session.
- 7
Diwan-e-Khas
The hall of private audience, used for meetings with nobles and visiting envoys.
- 8
Hathi Pao (Elephant Stairway)
A wide, shallow ramp built so that royalty could ride an elephant directly up to the higher palace level.
- 9
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Haveli
A later-era building inside the fort that shows how the site kept changing under Sikh rule.
- 10
Views over the Walled City and Badshahi Mosque
From the upper terraces you can look across the old city roofs to the domes of the Badshahi Mosque and Hazuri Bagh.
Visitor tips
- Dress modestly and wear comfortable shoes: there is a lot of walking and some uneven stone.
- Early morning and late afternoon are cooler and give the best light for photos.
- Check current opening hours and ticket prices before you go. Your guide can confirm on the day.
- Combine the fort with the Badshahi Mosque, which is directly opposite, and the Walled City.
See it with a local guide
Private tours planned around your dates and pace. We confirm the price and inclusions in writing before you pay.