From admiring grand, Mughal-era monuments to indulging in rich Awadhi cuisine while you watch a Qawwali performance, a holiday in Lucknow is an experience that delights all your senses. The aptly named, City of Nawabs, blends old-world charm with a modern, bustling energy. A few days here and you’ll go back with memories for a lifetime.

The ideal itinerary for a Tour of Lucknow doesn’t limit itself to a list of must-see monuments. It’s all about experiences. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can look forward to.

Walking Through Iconic Imambaras and Timeless Landmarks

While several monuments have been lost over time especially while Lucknow was under British rule, there’s still a lot to see. Almost every tour of the old city begins at the Rumi Darwaza. Once considered the gateway to the city, this symbol of Lucknow now stands out for its distinctive Persian and Mughal influences

Walk on for a few minutes and you’ll find yourself at the Bada Imambara Complex. This is the second-largest Imambara in the world and one of Lucknow’s grandest structures. The main hall is best known for its pillarless construction style. Inside the complex, you’ll also find the Asifi Mosque, a multi-storeyed Bhul-bhulaiya with over 1000 passages, and the seven-storeyed Shahi Bouli.

Then there is the Palace of Lights or Chota Imambara with its Hamam, Charbagh, and replicas of the Taj Mahal, the 221 ft tall Husainabad Clock Tower, and the ruins of the Dilkush Kothi. A visit to the British Residency is also worth adding to your itinerary.

Journeying Through Nawabi Heritage

Lucknow is a testament to the erstwhile Nawab’s interest in promoting art, music, and dance. A distinctive form of Kathak flourished under their patronage, as did Hindustani classical music. Musical styles like Thumri, Ghazals, and Qawwalis have strong roots in Lucknow.

Today, there are a number of theatres and performing arts centers where you can attend Kathak recitals and live musical performances. Qawwali performances are often organized around festivals or by Qawwali groups. If you enjoy poetry, make time to attend a mushaira to listen to beautiful Urdu shayari by amateur and professional poets.

Feasting on Biryanis, Kebabs, and Chaats

Food is another integral part of Lucknow’s heritage. The city entices you with its rich Awadhi cuisine. Feast like a Nawab on melt-in-your-mouth Galauti and Kakori kebabs, slow-cooked Nihari, the aromatic Lucknowi biryani, and delicate Sheermal.

At the other end of the flavour spectrum is the city’s lip-smacking street food scene. Like a true Lucknowi, start the day with a cup of chai and bun maska. And, as you explore the city, stop by eateries almost as old as the monuments to savour street food delights like Malai Makkhan, Poori-Aloo, Jalebi-Dahi, and Kulfi. A food trail is a great way to explore all of Lucknow’s different flavours.

Breathing In Aromatic Ittars

Given their fondness for all things indulgent, it's easy to see Lucknow’s connection to ittars or fragrant essential oils. Here’s something interesting - One of Awadh’s rulers, Ghazi-ud-Din Haidar Shah, is believed to have perfumed his bedrooms with fountains of Ittar. Lucknow’s ittars are extracted from flowers and herbs using traditional distillation methods, and are renowned for their long-lasting aroma.

As you walk through Lucknow’s Chowk and Nakhas market, you’ll come across ittar stores run by 4th generation perfumers as well as modern perfumeries. Spend some time here learning about the art of perfumery and pick up unique fragrances as souvenirs of your holiday.

Browsing Through Delicate Handcrafted Treasures

Talking of souvenirs brings us to Lucknow’s legacy of handicrafts. Like all the other aspects of Nawabi culture, Lucknow’s handicrafts are luxurious, refined, and known for meticulous attention to detail. Chikan embroidery is probably Lucknow’s most well-known handicraft. While chikankari sarees and kurtis are considered ideal for a summer wardrobe, outfits with Zardozi details are perfect for the winter. You’ll find several boutiques in Lucknow where you can shop for Chikan and Zardosi embroidered outfits to give your wardrobe a royal touch.

Planning Your Holiday to Lucknow

With excellent connectivity through air, rail, and road routes, getting to Lucknow is easy enough. A long weekend is more than enough time to explore this city’s vibrant culture. And for the most comfortable experience, plan a holiday in winter, between November and February. Lucknow is very tourist-friendly, safe, and easy-to-navigate city. That said, holidays should be relaxing, where you don’t need to worry about logistics. So, rather than get caught up in making hotel bookings and hailing taxis, let Odyssey plan your holiday for you.

Join the 2-day Essence of Lucknow Tour to experience the city's famed Tehzeeb and immerse yourself in its grandeur. From walking tours to curated meal experiences and a chance to discover legendary handicrafts at family-run stores, this itinerary covers it all. We can also help you plan your flights to and from Lucknow. Want to know more - Reach out to us today.