Situated on the Gomati River in the northern region of India is Lucknow, famously called the “The City of Nawabs”. The capital city of Uttar Pradesh is renowned for various things, such as dance, music, architecture, beauty, culture, and elegance.
Besides, Lucknow is also popular for its lovely and pleasing shadow-work embroidery called Chikankaari on high-quality muslin cloth and elaborate food.
With etiquette highly valued in Lucknow, this multi-ethnic city is renowned for its lovely gardens, Katak, a traditional dance form, and sophisticated embroidery. Tourists flock to the city every year to enjoy its enchanting charm and warmth.
Travellers looking for flights to Lucknow from the Middle East can find them on leading travel booking websites, offering easy and comfortable booking solutions. You can book a cheap Riyadh to Lucknow flight with IndiGo, flynas, Air Arabia, Air India, and Gulf Air and avail yourself of free travel insurance.
Arriving at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO), you will find various means of transportation like taxis, auto rickshaws, and buses to travel around. Some notable reasons to visit Lucknow are:
Historical monuments like Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara
Constructed by Asaf-ud-Daul, the Nawab of Awadh in 1784 as a relief effort for a famine, the Bara Imambara is known for its distinctive style of construction. With the central arched hall measuring 15 metres high and 50 metres tall is the largest in the world. The construction is special since there are no girders or beams used; instead, the blocks are joined together using a brick interlocking technique. With no pillars supporting it, the roof continues to remain strong.
You can see a magnificent maze, which is known as Bhulbhulaiya, on the upper floor of the Bara Imambara.The small shrine or Chhota Imambara is a magnificent illustration of Nawabi opulence. With a gilded dome, magnificent Belgian chandeliers, and multiple turrets, the interiors of the building are adorned with vibrant stuccos and gilt-edged mirrors, showcasing intricate designs of architecture.
Built by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah, it is located on the west of Bara Imambara. The monuments are open every day from 6 am to 5 pm, and you can visit by paying a small entry fee.
Rumi Darwaza
The Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow is thought to be a replica of the entrance in ancient Constantinople, also known as the Turkish entrance. Nawaz Asaf-ud-Daula, the Awadhi nawab built this architectural wonder in the 1780s. The word “Rumi” comes from Istanbul, the former capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, which is now Rome. The Rumi Darwaza is 60 feet high. The magnificently carved, octagonal umbrella-like structure (chhatri) with a stairway leading up to it makes up the uppermost area of Rumi Darwaza.
The gate of the structure is characterised by the Nawabi architectural style, rather than the Mughal preference for red sandstone. It enables more intricate carving that would be nearly impractical on stone. The Darwaza is decorated with exquisite floral embellishments. The doorway once featured a massive lantern at the top, which was lit at night.
The intricately carved flowers and patterns reveal much about the distinctive and meticulous architectural style. You can find Rumi Darwaza after the Bara Imambara.
Hazratganj Market
Your trip to Lucknow calls for “Ganjing”, which is casually wandering the Hazratganj area. It is a must-do activity during your visit to this major business district.
Hazratganj, also known as Atal Chowk, is the main commercial sector in Lucknow. This historical place is renowned for its large number of offices, restaurants, shopping malls, theatres, hotels, and bazaars.
A famous tourist destination in Lucknow, it is a lively and busy district that displays the city’s rich history and cultural legacy and offers a glimpse into local life and culture. The region saw substantial development and alteration under Nawab Saadat Ali Khan.
Delicious cuisine of Lucknow
As a foodie traveller, you cannot miss the sensory pleasure the cuisine in Lucknow can give. Nihari, Biryani, Kebab, and desserts are greatly ingrained in the city’s history and now set apart its culinary culture. The city’s essence and the food go hand in hand, and neither is complete without one another.
Vegetarians can find a range of dishes like kachoris, Bajpai ki poori, chole bhature, chappan bhog, basket chaat, and kulfi. According to legend, the tunday kebab, a Lucknow delicacy with over 125 ingredients, was developed to make Nawab Asaf-ud Daula happy.
The traditional favourite Biryani is served as the main entrée in Lucknowi cuisine. The local favourites include Idris ki Biryani or Awadhi-Biryani. The Shahi-tukda dish, or bread pudding prepared using condensed milk, toasted bread, dry fruits, and sugar syrup captures the city’s spirit in every bite.
Amrapali Water Park
Amrapali Water Park is an exciting place to explore with families and children in Lucknow. The pool is open for visitors to unwind in, or they can choose from a variety of water attractions like the Crazy Cruise, Aqua Trail, Float Side, and Black Hole. Additionally, there are cafes where people may play video games and eat in restaurants.
Ambedkar Memorial Park
The 18th and 19th-century Nawabs of Awadh were renowned for creating parks and gardens. Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Park is regarded as one of the wonderful green spaces in Lucknow. With beautiful and well-kept landscaping, the park is known for a variety of trees, plants, and flowers, adding to its beauty and tranquillity. A large statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other sculptures can be found in the park, notable for its architecture.
Four Seasons Fun City Water Park
The first “snow park” in Uttar Pradesh, Fun City is just a few kilometres outside of the city and spans a vast 30-acre area. You may spend the day playing in the snow, making a snowman, or tossing snowballs at the five feet deep snow. You can find a few must-experience slides and rides like the Racing Reverse Multi-Lane Slide, Multi Cruise, Float Slide, Family Slide, Jet Splash, Crazy Cruise, and Play Pen.
Husainabad Clock Tower
The Husainabad Clock Tower is a heritage building that is situated next to the Rumi Darwaza. This 221-foot-tall building was constructed by the Hussainabad Trust in 1881 and is a replica of London’s Big Ben Clock Tower. The clock, which features Gothic and Victorian architectural styles, is shaped like a 12-petal flower with a 14-foot-long pendulum.
State Museum
Another important destination you should include in your itinerary for Lucknow is the state museum. The main exhibitions at this location feature various excavated artefacts from the city and around and artefacts about Awadhi arts. The four-story structure also houses a wooden sarcophagus and an Egyptian mummy.
Lucknow sightseeing is renowned because of its historical aspects dating back to the colonial era, which is known around the world for its Awadhi-style architecture. You can look for a travel website offering customised holiday packages, including the lowest Riyadh to Lucknow flight offers, attractive hotel deals, and the best concierge and car rental services.
