Looking for things to do in Amritsar beyond the Golden Temple? Agreed, a trip to Amritsar isn’t complete without witnessing the gilded beauty of the Golden Temple and the humbling experience of the largest community kitchen in the world. But there are lots more things to do in Amritsar that will make a visit to Punjab a highlight in your trip!
Amritsar is a vibrant Punjabi city. It is easy to get to from Delhi and has all the excitement and full, fun and flavour of an Indian city but with a tamer and more relaxed feel.
Over the last two years we’ve visited Amritsar four times during our travels in India and each time we rave about it! It’s very different from Rajasthan and a bit further off the main tourist trail. It is a great recommendation as one of the most historic and truly fascinating cities of India.
Here are our favourite things to do in Amritsar and why we recommend Amritsar on your India itinerary!
- About Amritsar
- Best time to visit
- Things to do in Amritsar
– Golden Temple
– Guru Ram Das Langar
– Attari-Wagah Border Ceremony
– Heritage Street Walk
– Statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
– Town Hall
– Partition Museum
– Jalliawala Bagh Memorial Park
– Saragarhi Sahib Memorial Gurudwara
– Guru Bazar
– Durgiana Temple
– Ram Bagh and Panorama Museum
– Mata Lal Devi Mandir - Getting to Amritsar
- Do you recommend a guide?
- Where to eat
- Where to stay in Amritsar
A little bit about the important history of the city of Amritsar and Punjab
Amritsar is a small city by Indian standards with a population of around 2.5 million. But it is one of the largest cities in the state of Punjab and the population swells with pilgrims from across the world visiting Amritsar as the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh religion.
It is a city with a rich history. In 1577, Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, founded Amritsar. The legend has it that he excavated a sacred pool known as the Amrit Sarovar, later to become the Golden Temple, and based on which the city was named, Amritsar.
Guru Ram Das envisioned Amritsar as a sanctuary for spiritual reflection and communal gathering. And for many years the city was solidified as a centre for Sikh belief and tradition and became known for music, arts, performance and philosophy.
More recently, Amritsar is associated with the traumatic time of the partition of India. And before that, in much of Amritsar’s history, the city has had a bloody and grim past that has shaped the city’s history.
Today it is a colourful and welcoming city to experience as a visitor in India.
What is the best time of year to visit Amritsar and Punjab?
Like much of northern India, the best time to visit Amritsar is over the winter months from October to March.
Although it’s renowned for being the best time of year to visit and thus it can be more crowded, this time of the year has perfect weather for exploring during the longer, sunny days.
What are the best things to do in Amritsar? And how long do you need?
Yes, the city of Amritsar is largely centred around the Golden Temple, and it is the main site of pilgrimage for Sikhs from all around the world. But that is not the only thing to see and do there. There are lots of other great things to do in Amritsar that will give you a unique and different type of travel in India!
Here are the best things to do in Amritsar and why you should add them to your itinerary.
And before we start, and in case it sounds overwhelming. If you are trying to narrow down which of the listed things to do in Amritsar, the good news is that many of the interesting and smaller things to see are all off the main Amritsar Heritage Street and within 500 metres of the Golden Temple. It’s easy to get around and explore these on foot.
Lots of our favourite things to do in Amritsar are about the food! We also had an amazing food tour in Amritsar with Anil Sharma from @FeelMyCityTours, but that needs an entirely separate blog dedicated to that. So for now, here are some of the unique things to do in Amritsar – and yes; as well as the more-famous Golden Temple!
Challo?
1. The Golden Temple and Guru Ka Langar / Largest community kitchen in the world
This is hands down top of any list of things to do in Amritsar.
Amritsar is home to the holiest temple in Sikhism. The temple, Harmandir Sahib literally translates as ‘the abode of God’. But informally and most commonly the famous Sikh temple is known as the Golden Temple.
Even visiting Amritsar regularly in the last two years, I can confirm the ‘WOW’ of the Golden Temple doesn’t get any less each time.
Not only is it the most holy place for Sikhism but it also houses the largest community kitchen in the world serving 100,000 people free meals daily. It truly is one of the sights in India that lives up to all expectations.
However, without going into more detail here, it is definitely top of the list – any list – for the best things to do in Amritsar.
- Read about how to visit the Golden Temple here and why we recommend it.
2. Attari-Wagah Border Ceremony
As a visitor, the daily Attari-Wagah Border Ceremony must be the second most popular of things to do in Amritsar.
This is undoubtedly one of the most unusual borders in the world. Every evening at sunset, both country’s militaries go to great lengths to outdo each other in their parades at the nightly closing of the border ceremony.
The atmosphere is oddly carnivalesque!
There is a huge grandstand on both sides of the border where in the middle the soldiers of the Indian and Pakistani military march towards each other, kicking their legs as high as they can in intimidation before finally shaking hands and lowering each country’s flag.
It must be seen to be believed! But it really is an incredibly energetic and one-of-a-kind experience in India.
- Read about how to see the Wagah Border Ceremony from Amritsar and our experience crossing the Wagah Border from Amritsar to Lahore. We’ve done it four times!
3. Heritage Street / Amritsar Heritage Walk
Heritage Street in Amritsar is one of the oldest streets in the city. It is now a mainly pedestrian street located between the main entrance of the Golden Temple and the City Hall. The street was reconstructed and opened in 2016 as a tourist attraction and open walk-street between some of the key sites of the city.
The Heritage Street makes it an interesting entrance to the Golden Temple area with over 170 shops. There are many cultural sites, statues and memorials. As well as traditional food, cafes and many souvenir shops specialising in Punjabi handcrafts.
It is easy to walk independently. But many of the smaller things to see along the Heritage Street are better with a guide as they can point out things to note. Like Prachin Shri Shani Dev Ji Mandir, a Hindu temple with a vibrant blue front just before the start of the main entrance to the Golden Temple. Or the famous Lal Pagri Turban House and the only vegetarian McDonalds in the world!
4. Statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Exactly halfway between the Town Hall and the Golden Temple is the impressively sized and detailed central statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh is a legendary figure in South Asian history. He was a warrior, statesman, and visionary who rose from humble beginnings to become the founder and first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, ruling from 1801 until his death in 1839.
Ranjit Singh was famously called ‘Sher-e-Panjab’ (the Lion of Panjab) and was known to be a fierce king who established a reign based on diversity and equality. He was renowned as a progressive ruler and leader employing a lot of foreign warriors, including Europeans and Pathans as part of his army.
The statue erected in his honour is a central point in the Heritage Street.
5. Amritsar Town Hall and Partition Museum
The Partition Museum is a public museum located in the historic and beautifully restored 19th-century Town Hall. It is one of the things to do in Amritsar that really explains the history of India’s independence and the traumatic events that led to the country’s partition in 1947.
The museum gives a moving and informative experience of what is one of the most pivotal periods in India’s history.
The exhibition with photographs, personal accounts and artefacts really offers a poignant insight telling the tumultuous story from the point of view of survivors of the largest forced migration in human history.
- Tip: The Amritsar Partition Museum is open to visitors from 10 am to 6 pm every day except Mondays and national holidays.
6. Jalliawala Bagh Memorial Park
This is another of the poignant commemorations to the tumultuous past of Punjab. The Jalliawala Bagh Memorial Park is a stirring place to visit, but again it is one of the things to do in Amritsar that really depicts the story and importance in the history of India.
The courtyard memorial is to the 1500 Indians killed or wounded in a devastating massacre by British colonial troops back in 1919. Some of the bullet holes are still visible in the walls, as is the well into which hundreds desperately leapt to avoid the bullets. And there is an eternal flame of remembrance burning with an exhibition telling the stories of the victims.
Albeit it is a hugely important and brutal reminder of the injustices suffered by the Indian people at the hands of colonization. But it is grim and tricky site to visit.
This is one of the things to do in Amritsar that we didn’t do with the kids.
7. Saragarhi Sahib Memorial Gurudwara
This is a small memorial Sikh temple not far from the Golden Temple and one of the things to do in Amritsar along the Heritage Street Walk.
This memorial Gurudwara was built in honour of 21 Sikh officers and soldiers of the British Army who in 1897 fought at the Fort Saragarhi against a huge battle of Pathaans.
To commemorate the soldiers’ bravery, three Gurdwaras were erected — one at Saragarhi, the venue of the battle, the second at Firozpur and the third here in the centre of Amritsar.
8. Darshani Deori Bazar and Guru Bazar / Things to do in Amritsar
Of course there are temples and religious sites galore. But one of our favourite things to do in Amritsar away from the officially tourist and religious sites is just to head out and wander the streets of the old city in the local areas and bazars.
Guru Bazar and Darshani Deori are the historic market areas emanating from the Golden Temple. Guru Bazar is the oldest jewellery market in the city and is well-known for its gold and silver ornaments, as well as traditional Indian jewellery known as ‘Jadau.’
There are entire streets of bangles and women’s jewellery. And then you turn a corner and its entirely copper and typically Punjabi dining-ware.
A wander through the bazars can take as little or long as you like. And like anywhere in India, the bazars of Amritsar are full of surprises!
9. Durgiana Temple / Shree Durgiana Mandir
This is one of the unusually interesting things to do in Amritsar. The Shree Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar is a Hindu pilgrimage site. However, it is almost identical in architecture and the style of the golden exterior to that of the Sikh Golden Temple. It is a bit like a smaller copycat version of the Golden Temple!
The chief deity in the temple is Goddess Durga, however, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laksmi as well.
It is very peaceful and calm, clean and easy to walk around.
10. Ram Bagh Mahal / Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panaroma
Ram Bagh is a garden that was built during the reign of Maharaja Rajit Singh. The garden and the palace, Ram Bagh Mahal, in the centre of the garden was named after the fourth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das, who founded the city of Amritsar.
Ram Bagh Mahal was used as the summer residence of Ranjit Singh.
It is a beautiful and peaceful (comparatively) garden. And at one end is the Panorama Museum dedicated also to Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
11. Mata Lal Devi Mandir
The Mata Lal Devi Temple (also known as Param Pujya Mata Lal Devi Mandir) is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to a female saint, Lal Devi.
Now, Amritsar is known as the city of temples and there are all kinds of religious sites to visit. But this is one of the most bizarre temples we’ve ever seen.
The temple is revered for its miraculous fertility-improving powers. And so, in a country that values children and family highly, this makes it a sought-after destination of fertility pilgrimage. It is believed that women who pray here will have children shortly after, thus attracting devotees from all over India.
We’ve seen our share of temples. But Lal Devi is the wackiest temple we’ve ever been into. There are different levels and shrines with psychedelic colours and mirrors. There are small doorways and arches leading from shrine to shrine with caves and tunnel-like rooms decorated with hundreds of statues of deities.
I know I said there are plenty of unique things to do in Amritsar. But have you ever seen a temple like it?!
So, do you need a guide/recommend a guide for all the things to do in Amritsar?
A guide isn’t a requirement. But for most of the things to do in Amritsar, going with a guide makes the whole experience far more informative. And certainly it is a more relaxing way of getting around from site to site. Plus, a guide can point out the small things you might not have noticed which is what makes travel most interesting!
We have visited Amritsar four times over the last two years and the first time we ventured out from our very nearby hotel to visit the Golden Temple on our own. It was magnificent (of course). And it was stunning to witness in the late afternoon golden sun. But on that first visit we didn’t even see the Langar!
If you are wanting the full experience of Amritsar and to really understand the significance of Sikhism, a tour guide for a day makes a big difference.
We recommend Anil Sharma, a registered tour guide with @FeelMyCityTours.
- Anil Sharma
+91 97802 34705
Anil has become a good friend of ours and we can personally recommend his fantastic day tour of all the best things to do in Amritsar. His prices for a tour of the city or the Golden Temple and Langar are very reasonable and his passion and knowledge for his city of birth is worth every cent. Anil can arrange a rickshaw or driver to pick you up from the train station and meet you on arrival in Amritsar. Just give him a call or message on WhatsApp.
Getting TO Amritsar / How to get to Amritsar
Amritsar is well connected by road, rail and air.
There is an international airport in Amritsar with daily flights to Dubai, Sharjah and Kuala Lumpur.
But if you are already in India, it is easy to get to Amritsar directly from Delhi by fast train.
There are daily trains from Delhi to Amritsar.
- SUGGESTED TRAIN
Delhi to Amritsar
#22487 VANDE BHARAT EXP
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
Departs 15:15h from Old Delhi (DLI)
Arrives 20:45h to Amritsar (ASR)
- Read everything you need to know about how to get the fast train from Delhi to Amritsar here.
- Book tickets for trains in India through 12GoAsia.com.
Where to eat / Best cafes in Amritsar
Punjabi ‘Dhaba’s’ (restaurants) are popular all over India for their tasty food. There are endless cafes and foods to choose from in Amritsar. But to slim down some of those decisions, here are the best cafes in Amritsar that we found to try some of the well-known and traditional foods.
- Kale Da Dhaba
This was a highlight of our day tour with @FeelMyCityTours and the chance to experience a small, local food place that is seriously popular in Amritsar. They serve delicious Laccha paratha and vegetarian dishes that were the best we tried in the city!
- Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale
Kulcha is a thick bread dish a bit like naan. It is often served at breakfast with butter, chickpeas and other flavoursome dips. Our hotel in Amritsar did amazing Kulcha but we also tried it at one of the oldest Kulcha shops in the city, Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale.
- Ram Das Jalebi
If you haven’t already tried Jalebi you’re missing out! This is a sweet dessert that is fried and served with sticky syrup. Ram Das is the oldest Jalebi Wale in Amritsar and comes recommended!
- Ahuja Milk Bhandar
One of the oldest and longest-running Lassi and milk bars in Amritsar.
Accommodation / Where to stay in Amritsar
There are some great places to stay in Amritsar. But I’ll be the first to admit that starting out searching for accommodation in India is a bit of a needle-in-a-haystack type challenge.
These are the hotels we use regularly on our travels in India and that we can recommend for your trip.
- Budget: Hotel Sapphire
A basic hotel but points for location. It is literally right outside the main entrance for visiting the Golden Temple. Note only the upstairs rooms have a balcony with direct views to the temple complex.
- Mid-Range / Luxury: Hyatt Regency
We have a fabulous stay each time at the Hyatt Regency with a swimming pool, restaurant and the incredible breakfast buffet. The location is great and only a short drive to the Golden Temple and Heritage Walk. And the famous Nexus Alpha Mall is literally right next door!
About travel planning for India and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before riding those trains in India!
Read more from travel in Punjab India and crossing the border to Punjab Pakistan
- How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
- Our complete packing list for travel in India.
- Taking an overnight train in Pakistan.
- How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
- Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan.
- Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
- Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely in India.
