Top places to visit in Amritsar

• Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)

  gurdwara · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · free entry

  The holiest gurdwara of Sikhism, a gold-domed sanctuary set in the sacred Amrit Sarovar, welcoming all faiths and serving the world's largest free community kitchen (langar).

• Jallianwala Bagh

  memorial · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry

  Memorial garden marking the 1919 massacre where British troops fired on a peaceful gathering; preserved bullet marks and a martyrs' well make it deeply moving.

• Wagah Border Ceremony

  border-ceremony · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · free entry

  The theatrical daily "Beating Retreat" flag-lowering ceremony at the India–Pakistan border, with high-kicking guards and roaring patriotic crowds at sunset.

• Durgiana Temple

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Silver-doored Hindu temple modelled on the Golden Temple, set in its own sacred tank and dedicated to goddess Durga and Lakshmi — sometimes called the "Silver Temple".

• Gobindgarh Fort

  fort · 4.3 rating · about 2.5 h · entry ₹300

  Restored 18th-century military fort, once Maharaja Ranjit Singh's stronghold, now a living-history complex with museums, a light show, food court and craft bazaar.

• Mata Lal Devi Temple

  temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Quirky cave-like Hindu temple honouring the female saint Lal Devi, with mirrored passages, water tunnels and grottoes that pilgrims crawl through for blessings.

• Partition Museum

  history · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹250

  The world's first museum dedicated to the 1947 Partition, housed in the historic Town Hall, telling the human story through oral histories, art and artefacts.

• Hall Bazaar

  bazaar · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Amritsar's bustling old shopping street under the landmark Gandhi Gate, selling everything from Punjabi juttis and phulkari to electronics and street food.

• Sadda Pind

  living-village · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Recreated traditional Punjabi village on the Wagah road where you experience rural crafts, folk dance (bhangra/giddha), and authentic Punjabi thalis.

• Khalsa College

  architecture · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Stately 1892 Indo-Saracenic campus on the Grand Trunk Road, one of India's most photogenic educational buildings, often used as a film location.

• Ram Bagh Garden

  garden · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Leafy historic garden laid out by Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a smaller echo of Lahore's Shalimar, with fountains, lawns and his summer palace at its centre.

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum

  history · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹10

  Museum in the maharaja's former summer palace within Ram Bagh, displaying arms, paintings, coins and relics of the Sikh Empire and the "Lion of Punjab".

Things to do

• Wagah Border Ceremony Tour Sightseeing Tour · 4 h · from INR 800 per person
• Amritsar Full-Day City Tour Sightseeing Tour · 8 h · from INR 2,000 per person
• Golden Temple Heritage Walk Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 700 per person
• Amritsar Street Food Walk Food Tour · 3 h · from INR 1,200 per person
• Sadda Pind Village Experience Cultural · 3 h · from INR 600 per person
• Langar Seva Experience Cultural · 2 h · from INR 500 per person
• Jallianwala Bagh & Partition Museum Tour Sightseeing Tour · 3 h · from INR 900 per person
• Punjabi Cooking Class Cooking Class · 3 h · from INR 1,800 per person

Day trips and tours

• Wagah Border Evening Tour 4 h · from INR 800
• Golden Temple & City Heritage Half-Day 5 h · from INR 1,200
• Amritsar Full-Day City Tour 9 h · from INR 2,000

Where to stay in Amritsar

• Golden Temple Area about INR 2,500 per night

  Spiritual heart with temple-adjacent accommodations and pilgrimage vibe

• Lawrence Road about INR 3,000 per night

  Commercial area with mid-range hotels and good dining options

Hotels

• Taj Swarna 5-star · INR 9,000 to INR 18,000 per night
• Hyatt Regency Amritsar 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
• Jugaadus Eco Hostel 2-star · INR 500 to INR 1,800 per night
• Hotel Rosewood Inn 3-star · INR 880 to INR 1,700 per night
• Madpackers Amritsar 2-star · INR 1,404 to INR 2,200 per night
• Hotel Kabir Residency 3-star · INR 1,439 to INR 2,200 per night

Where to eat

• Bharawan Da Dhaba North Indian, Punjabi, Vegetarian · about INR 350 per person
• Kesar Da Dhaba North Indian, Punjabi, Vegetarian · about INR 350 per person
• Kanha Sweets North Indian, Street Food, Desserts · about INR 250 per person
• Makhan Fish & Chicken Corner North Indian, Seafood, Punjabi · about INR 500 per person
• Beera Chicken House North Indian, Punjabi, Mughlai · about INR 500 per person
• Surjit Food Plaza North Indian, Punjabi, Mughlai · about INR 550 per person
• Gurdas Ram Jalebi Wala Street Food, Desserts · about INR 150 per person
• Crystal Restaurant North Indian, Mughlai, Chinese · about INR 700 per person

Getting to Amritsar

Airport: Amritsar (ATQ)

How visitors arrive in Amritsar

• Flight to Amritsar airport By air from Delhi · common

  Most flights come from Delhi; there are also international links to the Gulf, Britain and Central Asia. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Amritsar Junction By train from Delhi and other Indian cities · common

  The station north of the Golden Temple is well connected; return tickets are advised early. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or car By road from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu · common

  The ISBT bus terminal serves many northern cities; long-distance taxis are available. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Overland from the Wagah crossing By road from Wagah border, Pakistan · possible

  Travellers from Pakistan come via Attari and continue by local transport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi, rickshaw or app cab from ATQ

  Taxis wait at the arrivals gate and rickshaws outside; Uber and Ola operate. Official taxis and autos can be scarce, so agree the fare first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Amritsar Junction railway station

  The main station lies north of the Golden Temple complex and is well connected to major Indian cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Amritsar Bus Terminal (ISBT)

  The terminal is in Mehar Pura, a short distance east of the train station, with services to many northern cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Auto Rickshaw
• Cycle Rickshaw
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Amritsar

• Jan 21°C
• Feb 24°C
• Mar 30°C
• Apr 37°C
• May 42°C
• Jun 43°C
• Jul 40°C
• Aug 37°C
• Sep 36°C
• Oct 33°C
• Nov 28°C
• Dec 23°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Amritsar

What are the top-rated places to visit in Amritsar?

The highest-rated places in our Amritsar guide are Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border Ceremony, Partition Museum, Durgiana Temple.

Where should I stay in Amritsar?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Amritsar: Golden Temple Area, Lawrence Road.

How do I get around Amritsar?

Ways to get around Amritsar covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Amritsar?

Scams reported to us for Amritsar include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Amritsar?

Average daytime highs in Amritsar run from 21°C in Jan to 43°C in Jun.

Which airport is nearest to Amritsar?

The nearest airport to Amritsar has the code ATQ.