Explore Lucknow
Places to Visit in Lucknow
Top attractions and must-see spots in Lucknow
Landmarks
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Asafi Imambara
A serene Nawabi mausoleum built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider in 1816, modelled on the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq. It houses the tombs of the last Awadh rulers and is renowned for its peaceful interiors, gilded chamber, and a remarkable collection of chandeliers, clocks, and European paintings.
Bara Imambara
A monumental 1784 Nawabi structure in Lucknow featuring one of the world's largest arched halls and the famous Bhulbhulaiya maze.
Begum Hazrat Mahal Park
A beautifully landscaped public park in the heart of Lucknow, named in honour of Begum Hazrat Mahal, the courageous Nawabi queen who led resistance against British forces during the 1857 uprising. The park features a prominent gilded statue of the Begum, manicured gardens, and a musical fountain, making it a cherished civic and historical landmark in the city.
Chattar Manzil
A grand riverside Nawabi palace complex named after the distinctive umbrella-shaped cupolas crowning its roofline. Built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider in the early 19th century along the Gomti, it served as a royal pleasure retreat. The complex is now under the Archaeological Survey of India and remains one of Lucknow's most recognisable silhouettes.
Chota Imambara
A 19th-century Nawabi shrine in Lucknow famous for over 1,000 Belgian chandeliers illuminating its ornate interior, known as the Palace of Lights.
Constantia
A breathtaking 18th-century architectural masterpiece built by French adventurer Major General Claude Martin as his personal residence. The building blends Gothic, Baroque, and Mughal styles in a way found nowhere else in India. Martin is buried in the basement, and the building has functioned as one of India's most prestigious schools since 1845.
Deva Sharif Dargah
A deeply revered Sufi shrine located in Barabanki, around 25 kilometres from Lucknow, dedicated to the 19th-century saint Haji Waris Ali Shah. One of the most visited dargahs in northern India, it draws millions of devotees annually from across communities and faiths. The annual Urs festival transforms the entire area into a sea of devotion, qawwali, and langar. A spiritually powerful and culturally rich experience easily combined with a Lucknow trip.
Dilkusha Kothi
A ruined 18th-century Nawabi hunting lodge in Lucknow modelled on an English country house, heavily damaged in 1857 and now an evocative ASI-protected ruin.
Ekana Cricket Stadium
Lucknow's world-class international cricket venue and home ground of Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. Officially known as the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, it has a seating capacity of over 50,000 and has hosted international Test, ODI, and T20 matches. For cricket fans visiting the city, a match day here is one of the most electric sporting experiences in northern India.
Gurudwara Naka Hindola
One of Lucknow's most historically significant Sikh shrines, believed to have connections to the travels of Sikh Gurus through the region. Located in the old city area, the gurudwara is a place of quiet devotion and community service, offering langar to all visitors. It represents Lucknow's often overlooked but deeply rooted Sikh heritage and is a meaningful stop for spiritual travellers.
Husainabad Clock Tower
India's tallest clock tower at 67 metres in Lucknow, built in 1881 modelled on Big Ben, located in the historic Husainabad precinct.
Imambara Shah Najaf
A stately mausoleum built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider in 1816, housing his tomb along with those of his wives. Named after the sacred shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq, it is revered as a significant Shia pilgrimage site. The interiors feature a richly decorated burial chamber adorned with chandeliers, silverwork, and European artefacts collected by the Nawab during his reign.
Indira Gandhi Planetarium
A modern planetarium in Patna offering immersive sky shows and science exhibits that make astronomy accessible to all ages.
Jama Masjid Lucknow
A magnificent Nawabi-era mosque built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah in the 19th century, located in the historic Husainabad precinct near the Chota Imambara. Constructed in red brick with elegant minarets and a spacious courtyard, it remains an active place of worship and one of the finest examples of Awadhi Islamic architecture in the city. A must-visit for heritage and architecture enthusiasts.
Kaiserbagh Palace Complex
Built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in 1850 as an ambitious royal citadel, Kaiserbagh was conceived as the grandest palace precinct in Awadh. Spread across a vast area in central Lucknow, it featured gardens, pavilions, and ornate gateways. Though much was destroyed after 1857, surviving structures including the Safed Baradari and ornamental gateways still reflect its former scale and splendour.
Rumi Darwaza
An 18-metre Nawabi gateway in Lucknow built in 1784, modelled on a Constantinople gate and considered one of the finest examples of Awadhi architecture.
Sikandra Bagh
A walled garden in central Lucknow that became the site of one of the bloodiest confrontations of the 1857 uprising, where thousands of Indian soldiers made a last stand against British forces. Once a Nawabi pleasure garden, it now houses the National Botanical Research Institute and is open to the public as a lush green space carrying a profound and largely untold history.
State Museum
UP's main state museum in Lucknow established in 1863, with important Kushana-Gupta sculptures, Mughal miniatures, and freedom struggle galleries.
The Residency
The battle-scarred ruins of the British Residency in Lucknow where 87 days of the 1857 siege unfolded — preserved as they fell with cannonball marks still visible.
National Parks
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Botanical Garden
Spread across 65 acres in central Lucknow, the National Botanical Research Institute garden is one of the most well-maintained green spaces in northern India. Home to thousands of plant species including rare medicinal herbs, ornamental plants, and heritage trees, it offers a tranquil escape within the city. The garden is open to the public and is particularly rewarding during the spring flowering season.
Dudhwa National Park
A spectacular wildlife reserve on the Indo-Nepal border, around 230 kilometres from Lucknow, Dudhwa is one of northern India's finest and least crowded national parks. Home to Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses, swamp deer, elephants, and over 400 bird species, it offers jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and forest rest house stays. The park is open from November to June and makes for an outstanding two to three day trip from Lucknow.
Kukrail Reserve Forest and Gharial Sanctuary
A surprisingly wild green pocket within Lucknow city limits, Kukrail is a dense reserve forest spread across 72 acres along the Kukrail river. It houses a gharial and crocodile rehabilitation centre run by the UP Forest Department, making it one of the few places in India where you can observe these ancient reptiles up close. A popular picnic spot that doubles as a genuine wildlife experience.
Scenic Spots
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Ambedkar Memorial Park
A grand 107-acre tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Lucknow, featuring massive sandstone structures, elephant carvings, and political iconography.
Anandi Water Park
One of Lucknow's most popular family entertainment destinations, Anandi Water Park offers a wide range of water rides, slides, wave pools, and rain dance zones spread across a large campus. A favourite weekend getaway for families and groups from across the city and nearby towns, it gets especially busy during summer months. A straightforward, fun-filled day out that appeals to all age groups.
Gomti Riverfront Park
A landscaped riverside promenade along the Gomti in Lucknow with walkways, fountains, boat rides, and amphitheatres — a popular evening destination.
Janeshwar Mishra Park
One of Asia's largest parks in Lucknow, spanning 376 acres with a central lake, cycling tracks, fountains, and vast green spaces in Gomti Nagar.
Safed Baradari
A striking white stucco pavilion built in the 19th century as a ceremonial hall for the Nawabs of Awadh. Located within the Qaiserbagh precinct, it features twelve arched bays and intricate plasterwork. Once used for royal gatherings and mourning ceremonies, it now serves as a venue for cultural events and theatre performances.
Shopping
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Aminabad Market
Lucknow's most beloved old-city bazaar and a sensory experience unlike any other in the city. Aminabad is the go-to destination for authentic Chikankari embroidery, Zardozi work, ittar, and traditional Awadhi street food. The lanes are dense, atmospheric, and endlessly explorable, with shops ranging from century-old textile houses to street vendors selling kulfi and basket chaat. No visit to Lucknow is complete without spending an afternoon here.
Chowk Bazaar
The beating heart of old Lucknow and the city's oldest marketplace, dating back to the Nawabi era. Chowk is renowned for its attar and perfume shops, Chikankari workshops, traditional jewellery, and some of the finest street food in the city including kakori kababs and sheermal. The narrow lanes and faded havelis lining the bazaar give it an atmosphere that feels genuinely unchanged from another century.
Fun Republic Mall
One of Lucknow's premier urban lifestyle destinations, Fun Republic on Gomti Nagar's main strip is a long-standing entertainment and retail hub with multiplexes, restaurants, and brand outlets. A staple of the city's social scene for over a decade, it continues to draw families and youngsters for movies, dining, and weekend outings.
Hazratganj
Lucknow's elegant colonial-era boulevard and central shopping hub, blending Nawabi refinement with British architecture — the social heart of the city.
Janpath Market
A busy and popular shopping destination in central Lucknow catering to budget-conscious shoppers and college crowds. Known for affordable street fashion, accessories, footwear, and casual wear, Janpath offers a more relaxed and accessible alternative to the upscale boutiques of Hazratganj. It is a good stop for picking up everyday finds and gets especially lively in the evenings.
Phoenix Palassio
Lucknow's newest and most upscale shopping and dining destination, Phoenix Palassio has quickly become the city's premier lifestyle address. The mall features international brands, a wide food court, upscale restaurants, and weekend events. Drawing visitors from across the city, it represents Lucknow's emerging modern retail and entertainment landscape.
Temple
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Aliganj Hanuman Temple
A beloved and enormously popular temple in the Aliganj neighbourhood of Lucknow, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is especially famous for its massive Tuesday gatherings, when thousands of devotees line up for darshan, and a vibrant street fair springs up around the premises. It is considered one of the most active and culturally alive temple spaces in the city.
Bhootnath Temple
A popular Shiva temple in Indiranagar, Lucknow, known for local worship and festival crowds.
Chandrika Devi Temple
A prominent Shakti temple on the banks of the Gomti in Lucknow, dedicated to Goddess Chandrika and especially busy during Navratri.
Hanuman Setu Mandir
A well-known Hanuman temple on University Road, associated with Neem Karoli Baba.
Mankameshwar Temple
One of Lucknow's most revered Shiva temples, situated on the banks of the Gomti river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in his wish-fulfilling form, the temple draws a steady stream of devotees throughout the year and swells during Shivratri and Sawan. Its riverside setting, ancient sanctity, and proximity to the old city make it an essential stop for heritage and spiritual travellers alike.
Sri Venkateswara Temple
A prominent South Indian-style Venkateswara temple on the outskirts of Lucknow.