Anarkali Bazaar

Anarkali Bazaar is one of the oldest surviving markets in South Asia, tracing its layout to the Mughal era and named, according to local legend, after a courtier buried nearby. Located in Old Lahore near the Punjab Civil Secretariat and Lahore Museum, the market is split into Old Anarkali, a labyrinth of narrow lanes selling fabric, ready-made clothing, and khussa shoes, and New Anarkali, a somewhat more modern extension with electronics and household goods alongside the traditional trade. Vendors sell a mix of Pakistani lawn and cotton suits, embroidered dupattas, bridal wear, and inexpensive footwear, with a heavy majority of goods aimed at local shoppers rather than tourist souvenirs, so authenticity of textiles is generally high even if branding is informal. Bargaining is the norm at almost every stall, while a handful of established cloth houses post fixed prices; cash in Pakistani rupees is expected everywhere, and card payment is rare outside a few larger shops. The market has no tax-refund scheme for foreign visitors. Streets are dense and crowded, especially in the late afternoon and evening, with cycle-rickshaws and hand-carts squeezing through narrow lanes; the atmosphere is loud, colourful, and typical of a working South Asian bazaar rather than a curated tourist attraction. Street food stalls selling golgappay, fruit juices, and grilled snacks line the lanes near the Lahore Museum end. Must-visit corners include the cloth and embroidery lanes of Old Anarkali, the shoe and khussa row, and the food street near the Data Darbar side, where vendors have operated for generations. Because the market predates modern urban planning, there is little vehicle access inside; most visitors park on the periphery and walk in.