Patna, India: travel guide
An ancient Ganges-side capital with a granary, museums and a Sikh holy site
Ancient Pataliputra — capital of the Mauryan Empire, now a Ganges-side city preserving Golghar granary, Patna Museum, and Sikh shrine Harmandir Sahib.
About Patna
Patna, the capital of Bihar, sits on the south bank of the Ganges and stands on the site of ancient Pataliputra, a capital of the Mauryan empire. It is a working city rather than a resort, with layers of history close to the surface.
The main sights are varied. Takht Sri Patna Sahib is a major Sikh shrine, the Golghar is a large beehive-shaped granary with a staircase to its top, and the Bihar Museum and Patna Museum present the region's archaeology and art. The Mahavir Mandir draws a steady stream of devotees and the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park suits families.
Patna travel is often combined with Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda. It suits history and pilgrimage travellers, and the cooler months from October to March are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- PAT
Last updated
Top places to visit in Patna
Takht Sri Patna Sahib
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · free entry
A revered Sikh Takht (one of the five) marking the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, a grand white gurdwara drawing pilgrims from across the world.
Bihar Museum
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹500
A world-class modern museum on Bailey Road with superb galleries of Mauryan and Buddhist art, including the famous Didarganj Yakshi sculpture.
Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park
Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹50
Patna's zoo and botanical garden near Bailey Road, with tigers, rhinos, a toy train and a snake house — a popular family green space.
Golghar
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
A giant beehive-shaped 1786 granary near Gandhi Maidan, with a spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of the Ganga and the city.
Mahavir Mandir
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
One of India's most-visited and richest Hanuman temples, beside Patna Junction, thronged by devotees for its naivedyam laddus.
Patna Museum (Jadu Ghar)
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹250
The historic 1917 state museum, famed for the Didarganj Yakshi (now shared with Bihar Museum), Mauryan relics, bronzes and a fossil collection.
Kumhrar (Mauryan Ruins)
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹200
An archaeological park preserving the remains of ancient Pataliputra — the 80-pillared Mauryan assembly hall of Emperor Ashoka's capital.
Gandhi Ghat & Ganga Aarti
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · free entry
A riverfront ghat on the Ganga where an evening aarti is held, with boat rides and the broad sweep of the great river and the Mahatma Gandhi Setu.
Agam Kuan & Sheetala Mandir
temple · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An ancient mysterious deep well linked to Emperor Ashoka, beside the Sheetala Devi temple — a curious heritage-and-pilgrimage stop.
Padri Ki Haveli (St Mary's Church)
church · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Bihar's oldest church (1772), a striking Roman Catholic landmark in the old city with a tall facade and historic interiors.
Things to do
- Takht Sri Patna Sahib Darshan Cultural · 1.3 h
- Bihar Museum Heritage Visit Cultural · 2 h · from INR 300 per person
- Ganga Ghat Boat Ride & Aarti Activity · 1.3 h · from INR 400 per person
- Ancient Pataliputra Heritage Tour Cultural · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Patna City Heritage Tour 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Nalanda & Rajgir Buddhist Day Trip 11 h · from INR 2,800
- Patna Ghats & Old City Walk 5 h · from INR 900
Where to stay in Patna
- City Center about INR 2,000 per night
Main commercial area with mid-range hotels
Hotels
- Hotel Maurya Patna 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
- Lemon Tree Premier Patna 4-star · INR 5,500 to INR 9,500 per night
- Hotel Patliputra Continental 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,000 per night
- Hotel Chanakya 4-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,500 per night
- Takht Sahib Sarai (Gurdwara) 2-star · INR 600 to INR 1,500 per night
- Hotel Windsor 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
Where to eat
- Bansi Vihar North Indian, South Indian, Chaat · about INR 350 per person
- Takht Sahib Langar North Indian, Punjabi · about INR 120 per person
- Basant Vihar Bihari, North Indian · about INR 250 per person
- Litti Chokha Stalls (Maidan) Bihari, Street Food · about INR 100 per person
- Nalanda Restaurant (Hotel Maurya) North Indian, Mughlai, Bihari · about INR 900 per person
- Pind Balluchi Punjabi, North Indian, Tandoor · about INR 500 per person
- Cafe Regal Continental, Italian, Cafe · about INR 400 per person
- Anarkali Restaurant Mughlai, North Indian, Biryani · about INR 400 per person
Getting to Patna
Airport: Patna (PAT)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Ride Hail
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Patna
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Patna?
- The highest-rated places in our Patna guide are Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar Museum, Mahavir Mandir, Golghar, Patna Museum (Jadu Ghar).
- Where should I stay in Patna?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Patna: City Center.
- How do I get around Patna?
- Ways to get around Patna covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Patna?
- The nearest airport to Patna has the code PAT.