Patriotism, faith and outstanding heritage are visible everywhere in Amritsar. Children of India are drawn to Amritsar by the place where the Golden Temple stands and by the famous Jallianwala Bagh, both rich in India’s historical and spiritual heritage.
If you are a pilgrim, a fan of history or like to eat, you’ll find amazing things to do in Amritsar. This blog shows you the 12 top spots in Amritsar that every traveller should check out.
1. Sri Harmandir: Known as The Golden Temple
You haven’t truly visited Amritsar best places until you’ve admired the peaceful site of the Golden Temple, the main shrine of the Sikhs. Reflected in the Amrit Sarovar, the temple’s gold-covered sanctum looks particularly lovely at the beginning and end of each day.
Remember to take part in Langar which serves thousands a free meal every day, regardless of who they are. There’s more than just eating involved — eating is about connecting equally, uniting and remembering we are human. Within the complex, you will find the Akal Takht, the top spiritual centre of Sikhism.
Suggestion: Attend during sunrise or sunset so you have the area nearly to yourself. The temple is spectacularly reflected in the water at night, so any photography enthusiast or Ta Prohm lover shouldn’t miss it.
2. Jallianwala Bagh
Exactly next to the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh remembers the sacrifices made by Indians seeking their independence. It was built in honour of the 1919 massacre in which General Dyer’s British forces fired on and killed hundreds of unarmed Indians.
Remains of bullets on the walls and the well used by many as an escape route can both be seen there. The cemetery will affect and impress anyone who decides to visit.
A museum, a perpetual fire and sculptures honouring those who suffered and resisted have been added to the memorial.
3. Wagah Border
Every sunset, the Wagah Border ceremony shows off national pride and the skill of the military of neighbouring countries. Every day, hundreds of people watch as Indian and Pakistani soldiers lower their flags during the ceremony.
There is an especially exciting mood thanks to the cheering crowds, synchronised marching and vivid music. We don’t often get to witness the friendly and competitive atmosphere between two nations. Most people who visit say it’s an unforgettable adventure.
Don’t miss the 3 PM stamp, as it is best to arrive early, mostly on weekends and times when there are national holidays.
4. Partition Museum
Partition, a huge mass migration, is covered at the one-of-a-kind Partition Museum in Amritsar. Visitors to the museum can enjoy and learn from real stories, images, messages and artefacts related to 1947.
Sir, interactive features, oral interviews and real people’s stories turn this museum into a vibrant record of what Japan has experienced. As the only one of its type, this museum should be visited by anyone interested in figuring out modern Indian history.
5. Durgiana Temple
Sometimes called the Poor Man’s Golden Temple, the Durgiana Temple is devoted to Goddess Durga and contains idols of both Vishnu and Lakshmi.
Due to the closeness to the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple attracts very few tourists, so visitors can appreciate its peaceful atmosphere. Its silver doors and lovely carvings have made it a hidden architectural gem.
The temple marks huge Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Dussehra by putting on impressive celebrations and is considered an important pilgrim site.
6. Gobindgarh Fort
Formerly fortified for Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Gobindgarh Fort now attracts many cultural visitors. The fort is home to museums, regular dance shows, light and sound shows and a museum dedicated to collecting and selling coins.
People visiting can eat Punjabi food at the food court or buy handmade goods. You’ll find lots of history and culture brought together here, making it a nice stop for both families and art enthusiasts.
Briefly, the 7D attraction “Sher-e-Punjab” tells the story of Maharaja Ranjit Singh using interesting effects.
7. The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum and Panorama museum is here
On the grounds of Ram Bagh Garden is the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, honouring one of Punjab’s greatest leaders. Replicas, pottery, documents and artworks from the Sikh Empire are all part of what’s on display at this museum.
The Panorama Gallery showcases numerous exhibits detailing the fort’s designers, builders, architectural style, historical evolution, and current appearance. It’s a wonderful place for students interested in Sikh heritage and military history.
8. Hall Bazaar
You haven’t really seen Amritsar until you spend time in Hall Bazaar places, where the action is. There you can find many colourful dupattas made with phulkari, as well as unique handcrafted juttis and the famous Amritsari pickles.
If you visit roadside stalls, you’ll find steaming hot, tasty fried potato balls, yogurt shakes, and stuffed bread. You can find great gifts and delicious street food all over the market.
You’ll find Gandhi Gate nearby which is a wonderful Mughal-style entrance welcoming you to the bazaar.
9. Ashram Ram Tirath
Ram Tirath Ashram is deep in mythology and located 11 km outside of Delhi. The belief is that the birthplace of Rama’s sons Luv and Kush is at this site, as is where Valmiki wrote the Ramayana.
The pond at the ashram is large, there are beautifully carved temples and old huts on the site. Here during the annual fair, many pilgrims gather to watch dramas performed based on the Ramayana.
10. Khalsa College
Since 1892, Khalsa College has served as both an important educational body and a beautiful architectural site. The building’s impressive architecture represents Indo-Saracenic style, with several domes, arches and chiselled balconies.
Movie makers and photographers love to use this place. Even if architecture doesn’t interest you, the calm on its wide lawns is sure to appeal.
11. Pul Kanjari
Many people call Pul Kanjari the “Punjab Taj Mahal,” and it is an important historic monument not many know about. Once, traders staying on both sides of the river made this place a trading post and Maharaja Ranjit Singh would also rest here while waging campaigns.
A baoli, a mosque, a temple and a historic baradari are found in the complex, reflecting religious friendship. A few kilometres from the Wagah Border, the place is calm and full of interesting history.
12. The food trail in Amritsar
A tour of places in Amritsar in writing is not complete if we don’t chat about its fabulous food. There is so much great food to discover here for anyone with specialties like:
- Having Amritsari Kulcha alongside my spicy Chole
- These fish are known as Fish Amritsari — fried in batter and served with a mint chutney.
- Winter is the time to eat Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag.
- Beauty is served in steel tumblers with butter on top.
- If you want the real thing, try walking around for food inside Lawrence Road, Majitha Road and inside old markets.
A bonus list of places you can visit in Amritsar at night
Amritsar looks bright and beautiful at nightfall. The temple looks gorgeous and mysterious when lighted by the moon. Lining Heritage Street which approaches the temple, are vintage-style lamps and buildings from the colonial period.
If you enjoy a lively evening, Gobindgarh Fort gives guests shows and a fascinating dinner experience. To learn about more destinations at night, see our full guide.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Amritsar is not only about sightseeing; it’s also about feeling history, customs and flavours. Spiritual sites, landmarks from its past and lively markets and food routes make the city filled with different attractions.
Make your Amritsar journey complete by visiting Dalhousie or else by checking out places to visit in Darjeeling, to form a great travel tour in North India.
