Every city in India has its own culture and heritage to flaunt. Every city has its own history that makes it what it is today and it is reflected in not only the architecture but food, language, culture, art, people and everything else. That is what makes India so wonderful and full of colours. It is this blend of different cultures that makes it utterly beautiful. When I was planning to visit Lucknow, The Capital of Uttar Pradesh, I really just packed my bags and left. It was confusing to select from so many places to have the best Lakhnawi experience in such a short duration of time but I was able to make this easy and all inclusive 2 day guide to Lucknow to make sure that the next traveller does not miss out on anything!
So without further ado let’s begin our Nawabi Experience!
Day 1: Going back in time exploring Old Lucknow
On my first day, I decided to start early in the morning. After having my morning chai and bun samosa at Sharma Ji ki Chai, Hazratganj near my hotel, I booked an Uber bike and selected Bada Imambara as my destination. As the bike crossed the pool which connected the new city to the old one, I was awestruck, it was like I was literally going back in time. The beauty of the city left me speechless!
Bada Imambara – You can start your day by visiting the Bada Imambara, one of the most iconic monuments in Lucknow. It’s the world’s largest arched room and is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and architecture. The entrance fee is Rs. 50 for Indian nationals and Rs. 500 for foreign nationals. You can also get a guide who will help you to learn about the monument, culture and show you various tricks, like “the walls have ears”. The monument is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
Chota Imambara – After exploring the Bada Imambara, you can take a horse cart ride and head to the Chota Imambara. You’ll see Rumi Darwaza too as you head over to the monument. It’s a beautiful mosque built by the Nawabs of Lucknow in the 19th century. The entrance fee is Rs. 50 for Indian nationals and Rs. 500 for foreign nationals. You should have your heads covered and if not, they’ll provide you with a scarf. The monument is open from 8 am to 6 pm. You can take a guide there too or explore on your own.
Hussainabad Clock Tower – Near the Chota Imambara, you’ll find the Hussainabad Clock Tower. You can head there towards the evening and enjoy evening snacks and tea! You can take pictures and just enjoy the moment. It’s a very scenic and beautiful spot to hangout.
Picture Gallery – Near the clock tower you can also visit the Picture Gallery. The gallery houses a collection of portraits, photographs, and paintings that depict the history of Lucknow. The entrance fee is included in the Bara Imambara entrance fee, and the gallery is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Tunday Kababi – For lunch, stop by Tunday Kababi, a famous restaurant known for its delicious galawati kebabs. The restaurant is located in the Chowk area of Lucknow and is easily accessible by auto-rickshaw.
- Prakash Kulfi- You can also visit Prakash Kulfi, the famous Kulfi Shop located in Chowk, approximately 5 mins away from Bada Imambara. They offer a variety of delicious, mouth-watering options to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Shopping At Chowk- In evening I decided to go around the markets and buy some Chikan Kurtis and other clothing items like Anarkali etc. from the shops located around the area. I learned alternatively you can also buy Chikan clothes from Aminabad area for cheaper rates than the rest of the city.Evening life of Hazratganj- After returning in the evening, I went to Hanuman Setu Temple dedicated to Hanumanji and Neem Karoli Baba Ji to pay my respects. It’s around 15 mins away from Hazratganj. Later I came back to Hazratganj and explored the hustling bustling evening life. I went to try the famous Basket Chaat of Royal Café and had delicious dinner (Dosa) at Marksmen. I also tried out different flavoured paani ke batashe and visited Cathedral Church to light a candle. I was also fascinated to find book shops and spent the rest of my time looking for my favourite books.
DAY 2: Residency – The ruins of our past
Day 2 started with a wholesome breakfast at the famous Bajpai Kachori Bhandar, it was an absolute delight! After that I headed over to The Residency.
The Residency – You can start by visiting the Residency, a historical complex that served as the residence of the British Resident General. The Residency was also the site of a famous battle between Indian rebels and British forces during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The Residency has been converted into a museum and park that offers visitors a glimpse into India’s colonial past. The museum houses a collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents from the colonial era, including items that belonged to the British residents who lived in the complex. Visitors can also explore the ruins of the original buildings, which have been preserved to reflect the damage caused by the 1857 rebellion. You can still find the bullet and cannon holes on the walls and visit the graves of all those who died in the rebellion.
The experience of visiting The Residency was hauntingly beautiful. It is a must visit for anyone with an interest in the history of Lucknow.
The complex is located in the heart of Lucknow and can be reached by cab, auto-rickshaw or scooty. The entrance fee is Rs. 25 for Indian nationals and Rs. 300 for foreign nationals. The complex is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
Travel Tip: It is always better to rent a scooty if you’re solo travelling. It will help you explore the city at your own pace and cause you less trouble.
Dastarkhwan – For lunch you can stop by Dastarkhwan, a famous restaurant that serves authentic Awadhi cuisine. The restaurant is located in the Hazratganj.
Ambedkar Memorial Park – In the evening, visit the Ambedkar Memorial Park, a big complex that features stunning sculptures and fountains. Although I’ll highly recommend you to visit that in winters and definitely not during peak summer.
Sheroes Café- Right in front of the park, you can also visit the Sheroes Café run solely by acid attack survivors. It’s definitely a must-visit spot!
Janeshwar Mishra Park- Alternatively, you can also visit the Janeshwar Mishra Park, one of the largest parks in Asia. The park is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a jog, and the serene environment is a great way to relax. It’s a very large park surrounded by cool wind and nature and it definitely helps to calm the mind.
Gomti Riverfront – You can also head to the Gomti Riverfront, a beautiful riverside area that offers stunning views of the river and the city. It is perfect for a leisurely evening stroll with family and friends. After that you can head to Chatori Gully and oh my God…It’s as good as the name sounds! You can find different variety of snack options and street food in that area, my mouth was literally watering uncontrollably! It is open every day from 5:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
So this was my small 2 day guide for exploring the city of Lucknow. I’ll add some must try restaurants and additional places below that you can visit if you have more time. Hope you have a great trip!
Best Time to visit Lucknow: Winters
Additional Places for you to discover:
- Aminabad Market
- Ramkrishna Math and Mission
- Hanumat Dham
- Phoenix Palassio
- Lulu Mall
- Kukrail
- Chhatar Manzil
- Jama Masjid
- State Museum
- Marine Drive
- Eco Garden
- ISKCON
Restaurants/Eateries
- Tunday Kababi
- Rahim Ki Nihari
- Royal Café
- Wahid Biryani
- Dastarkhwan (Lalbagh)
- Prakash Kulfi
- Lalla Biryani
- Bajpai Kachori Bhandar
- Sharma Ji ki Chai
- Baati Chokha
- Rattilal’s
- Chhappan Bhog
- Idrees Biryani
Highly Rated Recommended Hotels/Hostels/Stays
- Backpackers Den
- Awara Hostels and Dormitory
- Hashtag Traveler’s
- Hotel Levana
- Renaissance Lucknow
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Clarks Avadh
- Treebo Trend Resto
- Hotel Ratana International
How to reach Lucknow
By Air:
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is located around 12 km from the city center of Lucknow. Many domestic airlines operate regular flights to Lucknow from major cities in India as well as international flights. From the airport, you can take a cab,bus or metro to reach the city center. The distance between the airport and the city center is approximately 12 km and can be covered in around 30-40 minutes by car.
By Train:
Lucknow is well-connected to major cities in India by train. There are five major railway stations in Lucknow, namely Lucknow Junction, Lucknow Charbagh (the main, located in city center), and others: Aishbagh Railway Station, Lucknow City and Gomti Nagar.
By Train:
Lucknow is well-connected to major cities in India by train. There are five major railway stations in Lucknow, namely Lucknow Junction, Lucknow Charbagh (the main, located in city center), and others: Aishbagh Railway Station, Lucknow City and Gomti Nagar.
