Among the most famous mosques in Pakistan, five stand out for travellers: Badshahi in Lahore, Faisal in Islamabad, Shah Jahan in Thatta, Mahabat Khan in Peshawar and Chaqchan in Khaplu. They span four centuries and several building traditions, from Mughal red sandstone to a 14th-century wooden shrine in the mountains of Baltistan. All are open to visitors, all are free to enter, and each needs a slightly different approach to dress and timing.
This guide covers what each one is, when to go, and what to wear so you're not turned away at the door. Our travel guide has more on fitting historical sites into a wider trip.
| At a glance | Badshahi | Faisal | Shah Jahan | Mahabat Khan | Chaqchan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | Lahore | Islamabad | Thatta, Sindh | Peshawar | Khaplu, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Built | 1673–74 | 1976–86 | 1644–47 | 1630s–1670 | From 1370 |
| Style | Mughal | Modern, Saudi-funded | Mughal, Sindh tilework | Late Mughal | Tibetan-Persian wood |
| Entry fee | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Prayer hall access | Non-Muslims usually welcome outside prayer times | Courtyard yes, main hall generally no | Non-Muslims usually welcome outside prayer times | Non-Muslims usually welcome outside prayer times | Non-Muslims usually welcome outside prayer times |
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
Built between 1671 and 1673 on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Badshahi was the largest mosque in the world for close to three centuries and is still one of the largest in Pakistan. The main prayer hall holds about 10,000 worshippers, and the courtyard, used as an Idgah for Eid prayers, can hold roughly 100,000.
It sits opposite Lahore Fort at the edge of the old walled city, so most visitors combine the two in a single visit. General visiting hours run roughly 9am to 7pm, though the mosque closes briefly around each prayer and gets busy on Fridays. There's no entrance fee; shoes come off at the door, and a small tip to the shoe-keeper is customary.
Dress modestly: shoulders and legs covered for everyone, and a headscarf for women. Early morning or just before sunset gives the best light on the red sandstone and the fewest crowds. Our guide to Badshahi Mosque covers the visit in more depth.
Faisal Mosque, Islamabad
Faisal Mosque is Pakistan's largest, designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay in a tent-like form rather than the traditional dome. It took a decade to build, opened for prayers in 1986, and was largely funded by Saudi Arabia, after whose King Faisal it is named. The main hall holds about 10,000 people; with the courtyards, capacity runs far higher.
It sits at the foot of the Margalla Hills at the northern edge of Islamabad, an easy stop alongside Daman-e-Koh or a Margalla trail. Visiting hours are roughly 9am to 5pm outside prayer times. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome in the courtyard and gardens but are generally not permitted inside the main prayer hall.
Women need a headscarf (available free at the entrance) and full-length clothing; men need long trousers. Shoes come off before the prayer hall. See our guide to Faisal Mosque for more on timings and access.
Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta
Built between 1644 and 1647 as a gift from Shah Jahan to the city of Thatta, this mosque is known for its brickwork and glazed blue tilework, among the most elaborate in South Asia. It has 93 small domes, engineered so that a voice at the mihrab carries the length of the prayer hall without amplification.
Thatta sits about two hours from Karachi, and the mosque is usually visited alongside the Makli Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site nearby. It's typically open around 8am to 7pm in summer and 9am to 6pm in winter, with the usual modest dress and no entry fee. Our guide to Shah Jahan Mosque has more on both sites.
Mahabat Khan Mosque, Peshawar
Named after the Mughal governor of Peshawar who commissioned it, Mahabat Khan Mosque dates from the 17th century, with sources placing its construction between 1630 and 1670. It stands on raised ground above Peshawar's old bazaar, its twin minarets visible from the surrounding streets, and its courtyard can hold around 14,000 worshippers.
The mosque is reached on foot through the old city, usually via Chowk Yadgar and the bazaar streets leading west; there's no vehicle access to the door. It's a working mosque in a busy commercial quarter, so go outside prayer times and dress conservatively, given the more traditional character of the old city. Our guide to Mahabat Khan Mosque covers the walk in.
Chaqchan Mosque, Khaplu
The oldest and most unusual of the five, Chaqchan Mosque in Khaplu dates from around 1370, built not long after Islam reached Baltistan and replaced the Tibetan Buddhism practised there before. Its construction is entirely different: a two-storey timber structure with mud-packed wooden frame walls, built for the region's harsh winters, with wood carving that mixes Tibetan, Persian and Mughal influences.
Khaplu is a full add-on to a Gilgit-Baltistan trip, usually visited alongside Khaplu Palace on a Skardu itinerary. There are no set visiting hours; ask locally in Khaplu, and expect a quieter, more informal visit than the four mosques above. Our guide to Chaqchan Mosque has more on the building itself.
Visiting mosques in Pakistan: the basics
- Dress modestly at all five. Shoulders and legs covered, a headscarf for women. Loose, full-length clothing is the safest choice if you're unsure.
- Shoes come off before the prayer hall, and often before the wider courtyard at older mosques.
- Avoid prayer times, especially Friday (Jummah) early afternoon, when mosques are busiest and non-worshippers are asked to wait.
- Photography is normally fine in courtyards but check before photographing people at prayer, and expect restrictions inside the prayer hall, particularly at Faisal Mosque.
- None of the five charges an entry fee, though a small tip for shoe-minding is normal and appreciated.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims visit mosques in Pakistan?
Yes. All five mosques here welcome visitors of any faith outside prayer times, and none charges an entry fee. Faisal Mosque is the exception on interior access: non-Muslims can enter the courtyard and grounds but are usually not permitted inside the main prayer hall.
What is the largest mosque in Pakistan?
Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, with a main hall holding about 10,000 worshippers and courtyard capacity far beyond that. Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, once the largest mosque in the world, is now Pakistan's third-largest.
Do I need to cover my head to visit a mosque in Pakistan?
Women should carry or wear a headscarf; it's required inside the prayer halls and courtyards at all five mosques, and scarves are provided free at Faisal Mosque if you don't bring one. Men don't need to cover their heads but should wear long trousers and a shirt with sleeves.
Which is the oldest mosque on this list?
Chaqchan Mosque in Khaplu, dating from around 1370, well over two centuries before the Mughal-era mosques in Lahore, Thatta and Peshawar.
Is there an entry fee for these mosques?
No. Badshahi, Faisal, Shah Jahan, Mahabat Khan and Chaqchan are all free to enter. Expect a small, optional tip if someone looks after your shoes or shows you around.
