Amritsar is a popular travel destination in Northern India attracting tourists from all over the world. Among one of the largest cities of Punjab, Amritsar captures the heart of many with its spirituality, dignified history, cuisine, and narrow marketplaces. So I’m going to present the top things to do and best places to visit in Amritsar and around. Hop on to my Amritsar sightseeing trip.
Amritsar Itinerary – Best Places to visit in Amristar
Amritsar is an astonishing place that will tickle your senses. The chaos of the old city, the tranquillity in the Golden Temple, the past of the horrific mass murder in the Jalliawallah Bagh and a wonderful ceremony at Indo-Pak border, Amritsar can be overwhelming. So, I have put together this Amritsar itinerary for you to have an amazing sightseeing trip with the best places to visit in Amritsar.
Day 1
Amritsar Sightseeing: Best Places to visit in Amritsar
Golden Temple
There are a number of sites to visit in Punjab but *Harmandir Sahib* is one of the best places to visit in Amritsar city. The city is home to the well-known Sikh Shrine “The Golden Temple” or colloquially known as “Sri Harmandir Sahib”. The temple is built from pure gold and exquisite marble work is visible in and around the temple. The Golden Temple is surrounded by a large holy lake containing “Amrit” or the “holy water” fed from the Ravi river.
Palki Sahib Ceremony
The symbolic ceremony – “Palki Sahib Ceremony” – takes place twice a day, when the holy book “Guru Granth Sahib” carried by Palki Sahib (palanquins) is departed to the Akal Takhat Sahib. Then, the devotees and the Gurudwara staff clean the Harmandir Sahib. During this time, the devotees sing the Gurbani Kirtan (devotional tunes). After this purification, rugs are spread back & Peera Sahib(small cot) is kept where the Guru Granth Sahib is placed back early morning. It is a religious ceremony, not to be missed while visiting the Golden Temple and I would highly recommend as one of the best things to do in Amritsar at night.
An Unforgettable Experience
I would like to share one of the most wonderful experiences from my last visit to The Golden Temple:
“I and my cousins decided to visit The Golden Temple at night, around 8:45 PM. As we were staying nearby, we reached the temple around 9:00 PM. The moment we entered the temple, all those who were inside the temple had to sit down by the gurudwara staff for the “Palki Sahib Ceremony“. We sat there for a good fifteen minutes and the experience was unforgettable. The devotees sang devotional and melodious tunes. I closed my eyes trying to make the connection with The Almighty and immediately felt the positive vibes. I sensed I could speak my heart out to God, share my joys and cry out my problems. I bowed down to offer my prayers and departed towards the lake. The tears in my eyes, when we exited the temple, were a memorable experience which I’ll always cherish.”
For all those planning to visit the temple, I would suggest going in night (around 8:30 PM in winter and 9:30 PM in summer) so you might also be to attend the ceremony. I am sure you will not regret including the Golden Temple in your Amritsar sightseeing trip.
Amritsar Sightseeing: Best Places to visit in Amritsar
Jallianwala Bagh
This is one of the most heart-shattering places to visit in Amritsar associated with the massacre which happened here under British rule in 1919. It is a memorial set up in 1951 for the innocent & unarmed people who died at the hands of the British Indian army. Shockingly they were not freedom fighters or protestors, they were peacefully celebrating the Baisakhi festival. Jallianwala Bagh (garden) can be an emotional visit for those who still feel connected to history. To connect with an important landmark in the Indian freedom movement, Jallianwala Bagh should be on your list of the best places to visit in Amritsar.
Amritsar Sightseeing: Best Places to visit in Amritsar
Partition Museum
The first partition museum opened in India in the Holy City of Amritsar on 17 Aug 2017. The one and only museum dedicated to the history of the Partition between India & Pakistan should be one of the best places to visit in Amritsar. Located in the town hall, the museum brings back so many chilling memories from the era. Entry to the museum is available at as low as 10₹ or 150₹ (2.16$) for foreigners. I’d recommend taking a trip to this museum for going down memory lane, how India used to be before & during Pakistan. This is a new addition to the Amritsar sightseeing places, and highly recommended.
Day 2
Amritsar Sightseeing: Best Places to visit in Amritsar
Wagah Border
Amritsar is a magnificent town placed on the near India-Pakistan border, also known as the “Wagga Border”. Sightseeing in Amritsar is not limited to Harmandir Sahib, the Wagga border is another major tourist attraction and is one of the must-see places to visit in Amritsar.
The “Beating Retreat” or the “lowering of the flags” ceremony is jointly followed by India & Pakistan and is well-known as a symbol of cooperation between the two nations. Wagah is at the Indo-Pak border and located 20 km from Amritsar and a taxi will take about 45 minutes from Amritsar to Wagah Border. While visiting the city, make sure to squeeze the Beating Retreat ceremony into your Amritsar itinerary as this charts my list of Amritsar sightseeing places.
Amritsar Sightseeing: Best Places to visit in Amritsar
War Memorial Amritsar (Or Punjab State War Heroes Amritsar)
Punjab is ubiquitously known as a land of warriors and it has contributed to numerous wars since 300 BCE. Punjab’s government came up with an initiative for setting up a memorial starting from that era. The memorial is located slightly outside of the main town and can be reached through a cab or hop on hop off buses. The total visit to the war memorial won’t take more than 3-4 hours.
The memorial has 8 galleries starting from the origin of Sikhism and up until till Kargil War (wasn’t opened the last time I visited). The galleries are interactive and have real-life look-alike wax statues. The constant audio in each gallery helps to understand the context of art at display more.
There’s also one arcade just before the entry of the galleries flaunting a 45 meters high sword. Check out my Instagram stories for more pictures from my recent visit to the memorial.
Amritsar Sightseeing: Best Places to visit in Amritsar
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
Maharaja Ranjit Singh is the most fierce ruler from Punjab whose revolt during British rule is well known. Every other state was under colonial rule except Punjab and Lahore which he acquired in 1799. The summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is now a heritage museum under the Punjab government. With a collection of cherished paintings and numerous pieces of armour, the museum is another one of the best places to visit in Amritsar.
Suggested Read – Top 10 things to do in Chandigarh!
Amritsar Itinerary – Things to do in Amritsar
Things to do in Amritsar
Try Amritsari Cuisine
The cuisine of the town is popular among food lovers which will tempt you to return to the city again and again. One of the distinguished dishes is the “Aloo Kulcha” which is a popular Punjabi fat bread prepared using potato stuffing. The dish is usually served with white peas curry (‘chole’) and tamarind water (‘khatta’) and is known for its irresistible flavour. It is said that the authentic Kulchas from Amritsar don’t taste the same if cooked anywhere but Amritsar. So I highly recommend having a plate of Kulchas while in the city.
The trip to the Amritsar will be a delight for all the foodies with a variety of delicacies including Kachoris, Naan, Chur Chur Naan, Lassi, Mithais, Chole Bathurey and many more.
Things to do in Amritsar
Shopping in Amritsar’s old markets
Surrounded by twelve historic gates, the old town of Amritsar holds its grace. While wandering around the city, we encounter brightly lit, crowded and narrow markets. Shopping in Amritsar is surely not be missed. There are various things to buy in Amritsar including numerous fabrics and footwear (‘juttis’) and one can easily locate them in the markets. Fancy some boutiques or known brands head to Lawrence Road – which is a posh market for the locals. You’ll also find a variety of eateries there.
The lanes going towards the Golden Temple are now being restored to give the place a vibe of the city centre. The lanes are restored beautifully and are given a more historic architectural theme and a more cultural vibe has also been introduced.
This newly renovated Golden Temple road ends somewhere in town hall and goes towards Hall Bazaar which locals use extensively for shopping.
Where to Stay in Amritsar
Although there are a number of hotels in Amritsar, yet I would recommend staying near the Golden Temple. A lot of homes are being converted to hotels now, so you’ll easily find any number of hotels there. Airbnb has not taken a flight there, so hotels are your best buy. Coming from a family settled in Amritsar, I can recommend Sharma Guest House which is a renowned name near Golden Temple for 45 years.
Treebo Trip MM Paradise – At the backside of Golden Temple and a Treebo brand makes it a perfect hotel. Golden Temple is only 4 minutes away, and you’ll be able to experience the hustle and bustle of daily life here.
CSJS Inn By Krishna Group of Hotels – A 4-star hotel minutes away from the Golden Temple and Jallianwalah Bagh. Located near Akal Takht, this should be your pick if you’d like to indulge in luxury.
Ramada Amritsar – One of the best hotels to stay in Amritsar located right in the city.
Suggested Read – Punjab’s Culture in Sculptures!!
Where to Eat
Amritsar is a foodie‘s paradise and every corner of Amritsar city will present you with something unique and a variety of places to eat. A number of renowned brands have come up in Amritsar including Mc Donalds, Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut and many others. All these are located in close proximity to Golden Temple and you wouldn’t have to go searching. But I will recommend trying local restaurants like Bharawan da Dhaba – located right at the beginning of the new Golden Temple road. If one relishes Indian non-vegetarian food, they will have to look a little farther from Golden Temple as there are no non-vegetarian restaurants near the same. I will suggest Kesar Da Dhaba, Punjabi Dhaba near Hall Bazaar and you’ll also find some near the Ramada Hotel.
How to reach Amritsar
Amritsar is well connected through Buses, trains, and flights. Amritsar is 500 km from Delhi and depending on the medium you choose, the time will vary from 3 hours to 10 hours. Travelling in India isn’t easy but with the right medium, the journey can suit your needs.
Road
If going by road, you may either hire a cab from Delhi which will take 8-9 hours. If opting for buses, I would vouch for the Volvo buses from Punjab Roadways. Volvos are the most convenient buses available in chair cars (with recliners), or sleeper ones. Taking an overnight bus to Amritsar will save your day and they will take right to the Amritsar bus stand in 9-10 hours.
Train
If you love train travel, I will strongly recommend the premium Shatabdi trains – completely AC with Chair car and First Class options – they are the fastest trains available till Amritsar. Don’t opt for any other trains, they have a reputation for getting late which can ruin your plans.
Air
Amritsar also has an international airport which is well connected through domestic & international airlines. If going via Delhi, the normal airtime will not be more than 30-45 mins which will be very useful if you plan to visit Amritsar in a day. Amritsar airport is slightly out of the town, with hotels also available nearby and a taxi will take a max of 25-30 mins to take you to town.
Fly Low Cost to Save Time + Money –
I have recently taken an early morning low-carrier Indigo flight from Delhi to Amritsar, which saved my entire day. Low-cost airlines leave from Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport and it’s a misconception that there are no/very few night flights from the 1D terminal, unlike the international T3 terminal. Sought by this misconception, I also reached the domestic airport by midnight which actually surprised me when I found it difficult to find a sleeper seat to sleep in there. So, you’ll not be alone if you wish to crash into the domestic 1D airport and it’s completely safe. Even the shops at the airport open near 3:30 AM, so you can soothe your shopping buds as well in case you’re unable to sleep.
How to Travel in the Amritsar City
Amritsar is an old town with narrow alleys almost everywhere. So, commuting within the city can be troublesome for some. Ola rather than Uber is a preferred medium if you have to go a longer distance. Trikshaws are the best way to go around the city, and they understand basic Hindi or English. There’s another concept of shared auto-Rikshaws where you’ll share the space with another 5-6 odd people, & so I’ll not recommend if you’re not from India. With the recent changes in the infrastructure there, you can also walk around Golden Temple, Jalliawallah Bagh, or Hall Bazaar.
“The fascinating culture and zeal of the town will give you a long-remembered holiday experience.”
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