Places to Visit in Amritsar – Beyond Golden Temple

Planning a trip to Amritsar Punjab? The holy city, a seamless blend of religion, history, culture, and food is one of the top bucket list places in India and attracts people from around the world, especially culture lovers.

When visiting Amritsar City, the only thing that comes to mind for most travelers is the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh. But there are many things to do in Amritsar that will make the experience simply worthwhile.

Read our curated list that includes unique places to visit in Amritsar and enjoy the Amritsar attractions.

Read more: India itinerary ideas for spending 1 to 4 weeks

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History of Amritsar

Amritsar finds its origin from the words ‘Amrit’ and ‘Sarovar’ which literally mean ‘The Lake of holy waters. The city was founded by the fourth Sikh guru Sri Ramadass Ji. When he arrived in 1574 A.D., the city was covered in thick forest. He loved the place and settled in the eponymous Ramdaspur where he even built a huge man-made tank. He believed that the waters of this lake have healing powers or is ‘Amrit’. Later the city got its name after this ’Amrit Sarovar’.

As of today this holy lake on which the Golden Temple was later built, is the focal point of the city.

Amritsar Weather – Best Time to Visit Amritsar

The best time to visit Amritsar is during the winter months of November to March as the temperatures are cool. It is not advisable to visit during the peak scorching summer.

Where to Stay in Amritsar? – Hotels in Amritsar

Amritsar is a city rich in culture, heritage, and food and this is reflected in the hotels in Amritsar as well. There are many options depending on the requirements – if you want to stay within walking distance of Golden Temple and other attractions or a relaxed and comfortable stay away from the chaos.

We have curated a list of the Best Hotels in Amritsar that will have an option for everyone. Click here to read.

Tourist Places in Amritsar

What to see in Amritsar?

For me Amritsar some years back, was mainly Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and the old markets for their delectable eateries and shopping options. But during my recent Amritsar sightseeing, I unraveled a different facet of this beautiful city that most people don’t know.

So dive in for this spiritual and patriotic journey colloquially called Ambarsar.

Golden Temple Amritsar

Amritsar’s visit is incomplete without paying homage to this holy shrine. Even though it is known by many names – Harmandir Sahib (God’s abode), Golden Temple, Darbar Sahib, or Swarn Mandir, Gurudwara Amritsar echoes the same feeling of spirituality, oneness, and peace.

The temple built on the holy lake is one of the biggest spiritual centers of Sikhism and one of the most famous places in Amritsar. Built by the fifth Sikh Guru Sri Arjun Dev Ji, it welcomes people of all religions and of all strata with an open arm. The temple was later adorned with gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Gurudwara complex has 4 entrances in all four directions signifying that people from all walks and corners are welcome to this holy place.

The sacred sanctum in the gurudwara has the holy Guru Granth Sahib (the religious scripture of Sikhism) that is prayed. You will see hymns from the book being sung the whole time. While exiting the path from the sanctum, there is a Sweet prasad that is given. (Don’t forget to take it with both hands joined. Taking it with only a single hand is a sign of disrespect.)

Walk around the lake on the marble floor, or sit by the lake gazing at the reflection of the temple. The feeling of peace is something that can’t be expressed but only experienced. That’s the reason people from around the world keep returning to Golden Temple India.

You can’t leave the gurdwara by eating langar (free vegetarian meal) cooked in one of the world’s largest community kitchens. Sit down with everyone and eat the humble meal.

Devotees throng the Golden Temple during the major festivals of India like Baisakhi, Lohri, and Gurupurab.

Expert Tip: To avoid the crowd, and experience peace, try and visit early morning or late at night.

P.S. You need to remove your shoes and cover your head before entering the gurudwara. There are many hankies kept at the entrance that you can tie on your head for the visit and return it back on exiting. It is advisable to dress modestly while visiting.

Jallianwala Bagh

Right next to the Golden Temple is the Jallianwala Bagh, one of the historical places in Amritsar. Having etched a mark in history as one of the most brutal massacres in the world. On 13 April 1919, when the people gathered as a community on the occasion of Baisakhi, General Dyer of the British East India Company opened fire on the crowd unannounced killing nearly 400 people and wounding thousands including women and children.

At the entrance is a statue of Udham Singh and inside is a flame called ‘Amar Jyoti’ in honor of the martyrs. There are bullet wounds on the wall and the ‘Martyr’s Well‘ in which many people jumped to save themselves. This event acted as a catalyst for the struggle for Indian Independence.

Visit the Jallianwala Bagh takes you down the memory and gives chills down the bone.

Timings: 6:30 am – 7:30 pm

Gobindgarh Fort

A historic fort that was built to protect the city from the invaders around 250 years ago has tales of valor, patriotism, and prosperity on every wall. Maharaja Ranjit Singh renamed this fort Gobindgarh Fort after the Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This was his fort that became a symbol of his rise and acted as a treasury of his weapons and treasure including the famous Kohinoor diamond.

A few years back, Amritsar Tourism opened the Gobindgarh Fort as a theme park to throw light on the history of Punjab and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. There are many cultural events showing the folk songs and dances of Punjab. The fort has many museums including the interesting ‘Pagdi Museum’ that displays the many styles of turbans.

There are interesting shows including a 7-D show that takes you on a ride through Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s journey and a light and sound show in the evening.

It’s rightly called ‘The Center of Punjabiyat’.

Timings: 10 am – 10 pm (Some museums close at 7 pm and do not open on Monday)

Tickets: The tickets range from INR 199 to INR 358 depending on the shows added.

Partition Museum

India gained its independence in 1947. In one sense it was a happy feeling that we were free from British rule, a democratic country. But it brought a bigger pain along with it, the agony of the partition where around 1-2 million people lost their lives and around 15 million were displaced. The lives of people across the borders were turned upside down.

The legacy will always have a lot of blood and pain that the people can’t forget. I have heard those stories from my grandmother with tears in her eyes. And I felt the same emotions when I visited the Partition Museum in Amritsar.

Partition Museum, located in the Town Hall in Amritsar was opened to the public in 2017 and added to the list of Amritsar attractions. It is a central repository of stories from people, artifacts, memoirs, personal belongings, letters, newspaper clippings and so much more that gives you a sneak peek into that painful era.

I highly recommend everyone add this museum to their itinerary when visiting Amritsar and plan to spend at least 1 – 2 hrs exploring the treasure.

P.S. Taking pictures inside the museum is prohibited.

Insider Tip: The museum is just a few steps across from the Golden Temple and doesn’t have parking of its own. You need to park your car in the Golden Temple Parking.

Timings: 10 am to 6 pm (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mondays

Tickets: INR 20 (INR 10 ticket + INR 10 for Covid sanitation)

Durgiana Temple

Durgiana Temple or Laxmi Narayan Temple is a Hindu temple worshipping Goddess Durga along with other Hindu deities like Goddess Laxmi (Goddess of wealth), and Lord Vishnu. But its architecture and design will remind you of its similarities with the Golden Temple. The temple is built on a holy tank and has a domed-shaped design with a big golden dome on the top.

The temple even has a Sanskrit school in its complex and runs free community meals (called langar) for the poor and needy.

Timings: 6 am – 10 pm

Local Street Food – Restaurants in Amritsar

Amritsar aside from being a holy city is also a food lover’s paradise. From the by-lanes of the old city, come wafting the aroma of lip-smacking food being cooked. Some of the must-visit dishes and places to eat in Amritsar are –

• Bharawan da Dhaba (Brother’s Dhaba) – near Partition Museum. (must try thali, Sarson ka saag, Makki roti, and Amritsari Kulcha)
• Kesar da Dhaba
• Kulcha land (for Amritsari Kulcha that originated in this city)
• Ahuja Milk Bhandar (for lassi. You got to finish your meal with a glass of lassi)
• Kanha sweets (for poori with potato sabzi)
• Amritsari fish fry
• Jalebi

And besides this, there are many more things. It is said that ‘rivers of milk and curd flow in Punjab’ and it is so true. Enjoy scrumptious meals at every nook and corner cooked in desi ghee.

Shopping in Amritsar

What to buy in Amritsar?

Let us help you with iconic Punjabi stuff that you should be buying from Amritsar. Thank us later.

Stroll along the maze of lanes in the old city to shop for traditional Punjabi clothes and footwear. The Phulkari literally meaning ’flower work’ is the traditional embroidery work from Punjab that dates back to the 15th century. There are beautifully crafted Phulkari dupattas (bigger size stole), shawls, and ladies’ Phulkari suites that are a must-buy.
Men wear colorful turbans which are sold all across the market.

Besides clothes, flat belly footwear called Punjabi jutti is available for men, women, and even children. It gets confusing looking at the wide variety of these juttis with artistic threadwork on them. Threads in all colors, even gold, and silver along with sequins, and trinkets embellished on these leather sandals. I really love wearing them and just can’t do without them.

Also, Amritsar is famous for its papad (thin crisp flatbread in many flavors that is roasted or fried) and wadiyan (sun-dried paste of pulses with spices). To balance the spicy taste on the tongue, buy Aam Papad (thin chewy fruit bars made from mango) from Ram Lubhaiya Aam Papad waale (for a variety of Aam Papad.)

Places to Visit near Amritsar

Not just Amritsar, there are many places near Amritsar that must be explored.

Wagah Border

32 km away from Amritsar lies the Indo-Pak Border of Wagah. Amritsar to Wagah border is around a 1-hour drive away. It is famous for the heart-pumping ceremony of lowering the Flags in the evening by both India and Pakistan.

I can bet that you will be aroused with patriotic feelings.

Attari Railway Station

The last railway station in India en route to Pakistan is at the village of Attari around 25 km from Amritsar. The famed Samjhauta Express (‘Friendship Express) passes through Attari station. Since this is the last station before the border, there is a Customs and Immigration Department for those traveling between the two countries.

PS: When we visited, the station wore a deserted look as the trains had been suspended between the two countries.

Ram Tirath

Did you know Luv and Kush, the twins of Lord Ram and Mata Sita were born near Amritsar? Yes, we didn’t know that either. So when we heard of Ram Tirath, the place where they were born, we decided to pay a visit. One of the temples in the Ram Tirath complex dates back to the Ramayan period and this was the ashram of Sage Valmiki.

Ram Tirath is around a 20-minute drive from Amritsar. We were left spellbound by the beauty and serenity of this place. There is a beautiful temple dedicated to Sage Valmiki, in the middle of a holy lake. It is so peaceful inside with a beautiful chandelier hanging from the high ceiling.

In the complex, there are other temples including a temple of Goddess Sita and the hut where she lived and gave birth to Luv and Kush. They were educated and trained by Sage Valmiki himself. Walk around the complex and gaze at the huge statue of Lord Hanuman or sit on the steps by the lake and feel the gentle breeze.

Timings: 6 am – 8 pm

Have you ever been to Amritsar, Punjab? Did you visit the Golden Temple? Which other famous places in Amritsar did you like? Hope you didn’t miss gorging on the scrumptious delicacies of Amritsar.