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Capital of Uttar Pradesh, India
Photo: AkankshaChaurasia, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lucknow (Hindi: लखनऊ Lakhnaū, Urdu: لکھنؤ Lakhnaū) is the capital of Uttar Pradesh and one of the most populous cities in northern India. Lucknow, the "City of the Nawabs", thrives along the banks of Gomti River. The city along with the rest of Awadh fell to the British during the colonial era. Today, Lucknow is dotted with remnants of its rich cultural past.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A massive church and school. Lot of celebrations take place around Christmas time and is packed.
A must see place with great architecture. It was built in 1896 and named after British Indian colonial administrator Sir Auckland Colvin.
The Oxford and Cambridge of India author/poet Shibli Naumani. For more details see the book Ul Farangi Mahal by Francis Robinson
One of the three crocodilian breeding centres in India, including the freshwater gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), one of the 3 native species of crocodilians in India.
Beautiful Gomti river-side and monumental structures view for fun with family and friends. Best time to visit is 4–6PM, during the sunset.
शाह नजफ़ इमामबाड़ा Śah Najaf Imāmbāṛā
दिलकुशा कोठी Dilkuśā Koṭhī
The remains of an 18th-century house built in the English baroque style. The house was shelled during its involvement in the Siege of Lucknow in 1857, and only a few towers and external walls remain to this day, though the extensive garden is intact. The garden is packed by both local and foreign visitors during winter.
बिबियापुर कोठी Bibiyāpur Koṭhī
A neoclassical building built by Nawab Asaf ud-Daula in the late 18th century. It was used as a country retreat, a place for the Nawab to escape the hustle of his royal court. After the dissolution of the Oudh State, the British used the building for military celebrations, and it became a part of the Lucknow Cantonment, although the building is open to the public.
बड़ा इमामबाड़ा Baṛā Imāmbāṛā
A large and impressive tomb complex built in 1783. There is an interesting labyrinth inside, called Bhool Bhulaiya (भूल भुलैया Bhūl Bhulaiyā). You could easily spend half a day wandering around these beautiful but crumbling examples of Mughal architecture. If you hire a guide, do not expect him to know the way around; some are known to get lost in the labyrinth. The ticket also includes the Chhota Imambara, the Husainabad clock tower and picture gallery. Lone couples are not allowed to enter the labyrinth inside the complex without a guide. This prohibition is not brought to notice while buying the entry ticket. You will also have to pay a man ₹2 to mind your shoes while exploring the complex: shoes are not allowed inside.
नौबत ख़ाना Naubat Xānā
रूमी दरवाज़ा Rūmī Darvāzā
An imposing gateway built by Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula in 1784, modelled after a historical gate in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). It used to be a gateway to the Nawab's palace, but unfortunately the palace was destroyed by the British in 1857.
टीले वाली मस्जिद Ṭīle Vālī Masjid
A mosque with a tomb of Shah Peer Mohammad.
छोटा इमामबाड़ा Choṭā Imāmbāṛā
An imposing mausoleum built by the third Nawab of Awadh in 1837.
Ghanta Ghar
A British landmark, set in a park with a somewhat poorly-curated picture gallery, and a lake. A great place for sunset.
छतर मंज़िल Chatar Manzil
The palace of the Nawabs of Awadh, built by Nawab Ghazi Uddin Haider.
जनरल वाली कोठी Janral Vālī Koṭhī
An observatory commissioned in 1832 by Nawab Nasir ud-Din Haidar Shah, and became functional in 1841 when Colonel Richard Wilcox, a Royal Astronomer, was appointed. The building was in derelict condition after the death of Wilcox in 1847, and the instruments disappeared during the 1857 rebellion. It was said that once a brass pillar stood in central chamber through the roof. It was later occupied by the Imperial Bank of India (now State Bank of India) in 1923, and the building is since an SBI branch head office.
लाल बारादरी Lāl Bārādarī
The bloody history of the demise of this Raj-era compound is immortalised in the museum in the basement. This was the scene of the 1857 First Battle for Independence, referred to by the British as `The Indian Mutiny.´ Although you can still clearly see numerous cannon ball marks in the ruined buildings, thankfully it is a peaceful place today. So much so in fact, that you are likely to stumble across couples taking a little private time in the leafy shady groves. The Residency is clearly recognised by the locals and tourists alike as a breezy haven to escape from the bustle and dust of a busy Indian city. The Residency will try to sell you a photo pass for an additional ₹25. The guard will also ask you if you have a camera. However once you are inside, no one will say anything if you take photos.
सफ़ेद बारादरी Safed Bārādarī
A white-marbled building built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah as a "palace of mourning". After the annexation of Oudh in 1856, the Baradari was used by the British to hold court for petitions and claims by the officers and nobles of the deposed monarch's reign and his relatives. Later, around 1923, it was handed over to the Taluqdars of Awadh for the British India Association of Oudh. The Baradari is owned by the association since then.
A large, 107-acre development to honour Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar who was the architect of the Indian constitution. Impressive stone work, statues and fountains intermix with carefully sculpted gardens.
A botanical garden, and a good place for nature lovers. It features peacocks, a cactus museum, and research labs.
Elephant Park
A popular hangout place among the locals, the public park has two rows of large elephant statues as its main attraction.
Lucknow Walks
They offer some great heritage walks including a culinary walk.
A building in the shape of Saturn.
A small park on the side of a noisy congested road in Lucknow. A statue of the Buddha gives the park its name. The park features fun rides and boating facilities.
नवाब वाजीद आली शाह प्राणी उद्यान Navāb Vājīd Alī Śah Prāṇī Udyān
The central zoo of Lucknow, established in 1921, and popularly known as Banarasi Bagh (बनारसी बाग़ Banārasī Bāġ) or Chidiya Ghar (चिड़ियाघर Ciṛiyāghar). The zoo is home to 463 mammals, 298 birds, and 72 reptiles representing 97 species, including tiger, lion, wolf, gibbon, black bear, rhino, blackbuck, swamp deer, barking deer, hog deer, elephant, giraffe, zebra, European otters, hill mynah, giant squirrel, great pied hornbill, golden pheasant, silver pheasant etc. It's one of the only two zoos in India to exhibit an orangutan. It has toy trains for children and a large number of animals in here. Fish aquariums also available. Available here is tasty Western-style food.
A 76-acre park with courtyards, multiple jogging tracks, a fish pond and duck pond and a number of swings and benches for children.
An urban park spread over 376 acres and partially modelled on London's Hyde Park. It has a human-made lake, cycling and jogging tracks, a sports centre and gymnasium and even gondolas.
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium
Powerplay overs have been bowled in less time than it takes to say. Completed in 2017 and with a capacity of 50,000, it's on the ring road southeast edge of the city, and hosts the Uttar Pradesh team plus Lucknow Super Giants in IPL.
You can find great non-vegetarian food here, specially chicken.
Cheap and delicious non-veg food
Famous for its Galawati Kababs.Mainly caters to meat eaters.
This is in the heart of Old Lucknow. Serves the juiciest Nihari (lamb shanks in gravy) and Kulchha (a traditional bread).
Very good vegetarian food etc.
Try the faloodha kulfi.
Very good sweets and snacks like Namkeen, Daalmonth etc.
MF Eating point
Has been serving kebabs for more than 100 years,established 1905. The place offers wonderful kebabs with parantha and also sells biryani.
Serves a good biryani.
Cafe, hookah lounge and restaurant serving continental, Indian and Chinese cuisine.
Exotic non-vegetarian delicacies, specially the special chicken masala, shaami kebabs and rumali roti/mughlai parathas.
Pure vegetarian restaurant for family dining.
Famous for their tea and mouth watering samosas (potato stuffed pancake).
Famous for their tea and mouth watering samosas (potato stuffed pastries).
Offers alcoholic beverages and great food. Food festivals are common.
Sadar (Cantt)
Sweets near the centre of Lucknow.
A lesser-known but good joint for connoisseurs. Operating since 1911, it has a limited stock and little seating space, with a select clientele.
Famous for their tea and mouth watering samosas (potato stuffed pastries).
Offers non-alcoholic beverages, great food and has a great ambience. Food festivals are common.
is also located at many various parts of the city
best food
Nice ambience, rich menu.
A rare cheaper place that accepts foreigners. Rooms are spacious and quiet, facilities are old, warm shower, wifi is very slow and unreliable, has cockroaches and mosquitos.
Has WiFi, home cooked meals and boasts of space. The hosts are friendly, and a mine of information.
There are two Sharma Hotels.
Opposite charbagh railway station
Reasonably friendly staff, just don't ask where to eat nearby, instead go a block or two back towards the station. The hotel doesn't have a restaurant but does offer room service. Rooms are reasonably clean but the air-con units are ancient and noisy. Large LCD TVs with cable. You may be able to negotiate a double room down to ₹1350 in the low season.
One of the more centrally located hotels in Lucknow. Clean, well-kept and very smart. The restaurant named "Falaknuma" at the ninth floor has the right ambience to enjoy a Mughlai dinner with awesome views of the city. The Murg Malai Tikka is recommended. The service at the restaurant leaves much to be desired however, and the alcohol selections are in no way on par with what would be expected from an upscale hotel elsewhere. Wi-fi is available for a price.
A luxury hotel. 3 km from Lucknow Airport.
lover's street
The city centre provides the food of the Mughals to Chinese and dosa of marksmen to the tastiest rabdis of moti mahal. The choice of cloth are the best for any occasion and the showrooms give every sort of thing you want. The celebrations of India's wins during world cups and solar powered lights make it a forever young market. The Hanuman temple is the place for you to express your devotion perfectly
Very old market, good for buying chikan (hand-embroidered clothes), leather shoes/bags and for chaat/sweets. There's a reasonably large book-market, consisting of an entire street. Gadbad-jhala is a market to get cheap bangles and fashion jewellery.
Lively market. This is the place to find bargains, and check out the locals. Visit in the evening.
Very trendy and upscale. All recognizable Western brands will be available here.
Movie multiplex and shopping mall
A very big fruits and vegetable market is here. Also, one can buy latest fashion trends clothes at a huge market area under the Nishatganj Gurudwara located nearby NH24.
Sells wide variety of crafts, including woven and hand embroidered garments, short tops, sarees, dupattas, home furnishings, artefacts, silver jewellery and accessories, organic honey, jams, preserves and herbs.
Indira Nagar
They have great collection of book on Indian Mutiny. One can visit to read or watch a film on Lucknow. They will offer tea/coffee free of cost. But nothing is for sale - great place for evening. All this by appointment (call: 0522-2349472)
The mall houses over 300 national and international brands, , family entertainment centre, food court, parking facility with a multi level car park.
The first and biggest mall in the city. Gives the experience of Xbox for guys who don't have it.
By train
Lucknow is on the Delhi–Gorakhpur railway line. Connections can be made from Agra and Prayagraj. There are several major railway stations in Lucknow:
By car
Lucknow is connected by road with all the major cities of the country. Some of the major road distances are:
By bus
The bus stations are situated at Alambagh, and Kaisar Bagh and Polytechnic.
By metro
The Lucknow Metro consists of a single line that runs north to south, connecting the city centre to several other places, including the airport and Charbagh railway station.
By hired car
There are many car rental companies available. One should hire cars with local drivers as traffic is dangerous for anybody not used to local traffic conditions.
By taxi and rickshaw
Taxi and rickshaw drivers in Lucknow are of the more insistent type, although few of them speak enough English to go to locations that are out of the way.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Lucknow · International · LKO
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