The mosques in Peshawar worth a visit are Mahabat Khan Mosque, the white-marble Mughal-era landmark of the old city; Qasim Ali Khan Mosque in Qissa Khwani Bazaar; the Gunj Ali Khan mosque in the bazaar area; and the much newer Sunehri Masjid, one of the city's largest. All are working mosques, not monuments, so what you see depends on prayer times as much as on the building.
This roundup gives each one a reason to go and one practical tip. For the deeper history of the best-known of them, see our separate guide to Mahabat Khan Mosque.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Best area to see several | Walled city, around Qissa Khwani Bazaar |
| Entry fee | None known at any of these; they are places of worship |
| Best time | Between prayers, in daylight |
| Dress | Long sleeves and trousers, head covered for women, shoes off |
| Note | Access for non-Muslims is at the mosque's discretion; ask first |
Mahabat Khan Mosque
This is the one to see if you see only one. It dates to the 17th century, in Mughal times, and is named after Mahabat Khan, a governor of Peshawar. Sources disagree on the exact date, with some giving 1630 and others placing it in the 1660s, and no construction records survive, so "17th century" is the safe answer.
The facade is white marble with three fluted domes, and the courtyard has a blue-tiled ablution pool. Two of its minarets are working minarets and several more are decorative. During the Sikh period the minarets are recorded as having been used for executions.
Tip: it fills up badly in Ramadan for Tarawih prayers, so go earlier in the day or outside the fasting month if you want to look around. Our Ramadan in Peshawar guide covers the evenings.
Qasim Ali Khan Mosque
Set in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, this mosque has four minarets and is known across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for a reason unrelated to its architecture: its khateeb's announcement of the moon sighting has traditionally guided when many people in the province begin and end Ramadan.
Its origins are disputed. One account puts it in the reign of Aurangzeb, another in 1842 under Sikh rule, and scholars disagree on who Qasim Ali Khan was. Enjoy it for what it is, an important living mosque in the middle of the storytellers' street.
Tip: it is a two-minute walk from the food of Qissa Khwani Bazaar, so combine the two, and avoid the hour before Friday prayers when the bazaar lanes are packed.
Gunj Ali Khan Mosque
A local tradition says the mosques named Mahabat, Qasim, Gunj and Dilawar were built by four brothers. Historians who have looked into it say the story is a legend: the Gunj Ali Khan mosque, in the Bazar-e-Kalan area of the old city, was built by a man named Ganj Ali Khan Allah Beg, not by a brother of Mahabat Khan.
It is less visited and less photographed than the other two, which is part of its appeal for people already walking the old city.
Tip: treat it as a stop on a longer walk rather than a destination, and ask a shopkeeper for directions, since the old-city lanes are hard to navigate by map.
Sunehri Masjid
Sunehri Masjid is modern by comparison. Construction started in 1942, ran short of money, and was completed in 1992 largely on public donations. The interior covers about 1,700 square metres and can hold around 6,000 worshippers. It is built in red brick with arches, domes and cupolas in the Mughal manner, and its tallest minaret is about 39 metres.
Its women's prayer section, closed for security reasons for roughly 25 years, was reopened in March 2020, which matters if you are visiting with women in your family and want to pray.
Tip: it is a working mosque for a large congregation, so avoid the busiest Friday and Eid hours if you only want to look.
How to visit respectfully
- Go between prayers, and stop when the call to prayer begins rather than walking through worshippers.
- Cover up. Long sleeves and long trousers for men, a scarf or dupatta over the head for women, and remove your shoes.
- Ask before photographing people at prayer, and expect that interiors may not be open to casual visitors.
- Carry small cash for shoe keepers or donations, but do not expect an entry ticket at these mosques.
- Walk the old city in daylight and with someone who knows the lanes.
Is Peshawar safe for a mosque tour?
Mosques and crowded bazaars are exactly where you should be cautious about timing. Peshawar is on the UK government's advise-against-all-travel list, and there have been repeated attacks on police in the city and nearby districts in 2026. Pakistani families still visit the old city every day. Check local news and police advice the morning you go, prefer daytime and avoid peak Friday and Ramadan crowds if that worries you. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which may say not to go and can void travel insurance. Our Peshawar safety guide has more.
Which ones are worth your time?
If you have half a day, do Mahabat Khan and Qasim Ali Khan together, then lunch in Qissa Khwani. If you have a full day and more curiosity, add Gunj Ali Khan and a longer walk. Sunehri Masjid is for people interested in modern Peshawar, or who want a large, quiet mosque to pray in.
If you are pressed for time, one mosque and one bazaar is a better day than four mosques. More ideas are on our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous mosque in Peshawar?
Mahabat Khan Mosque, a 17th-century Mughal-era mosque in the old city, known for its white-marble facade and blue-tiled ablution pool.
Which mosque is in Qissa Khwani Bazaar?
Qasim Ali Khan Mosque, which has four minarets and is well known for its moon-sighting announcements before Ramadan and Eid.
Can non-Muslims visit mosques in Peshawar?
It is at each mosque's discretion. Dress modestly, ask before entering, and accept a refusal. No fee is known for any of the ones above.
Are the four "brother" mosques really built by four brothers?
Probably not. Historians treat that as a legend, and the Gunj Ali Khan mosque in particular was built by a different person.
When is the best time to visit?
Daylight, between prayers, and outside Ramadan evenings and Friday midday if you want to see the buildings rather than pray in them.
