10 Best Places To Visit In Amritsar

Jee Ayaan Nu! (ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ)

Punjab, the Land Of 5 Rivers, is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is bestowed with a warm culture and beauty of nature that the country takes pride in. May it be spirituality or commercialization, this state leaves us mesmerized. If you are a true traveler and you want to see the heart of India, just land up in Punjab! Though there are a number of cities in Punjab that are worth visiting, Amritsar remains on the top. So, here is my list of the 10 best places to visit in Amritsar.

There are many beautiful and famous places in Amritsar that are perfect to add to your itinerary, and you would take home some lovely memories to cherish forever. Punjab is about experiencing the king-size life of Punjabi Gabrus, Mutiyars, traditional folk activities like Bhangra, bottoms-up with Lassi, and many more. The state is also famous for its super delicious Punjabi food.

Amritsar is the place where the past has shaped itself and is remembered to date. The fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, founded the holy city of Amritsar in the Sikh tradition. The city is a window to walk into the past. Guru Ram Das’s son built the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), with the scriptures focusing on Sikhism in 1604.

It is a beautiful city with a lot of positivity and pure-hearted people. It lies about 25 km east of the border with Pakistan. Amritsar is the largest and most important city in Punjab and is a major commercial, cultural, and transportation center. It is also the center of Sikhism and the site of the Sikhs’ principal place of worship- the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

Let’s have a look at best places to visit in Amritsar

1] Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple)

Amritsar famous places list is incomplete without the mention of the world famous Golden Temple.

When in Amritsar, the very first holy place to visit is the worldwide famous Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). We Punjabis also call it ‘Darbar Sahib’. It definitely comes in the top places to visit in Amritsar.

It is so beautifully built that is literally a treat to the eyes. The surroundings are so peaceful to make you feel relaxed from the inside out. The temple is made of pure gold and precious stones, which indeed makes it one of the most visited places in Amritsar and one of the most beautiful places in the world. It attracts many tourists from India and the world. The early morning chanting of Guru Granth Sahib is the most peaceful thing in the world, I swear!

The Guinness Book of World Records recently honored it with an award as it has been the most visited place in the world.

2] Jallianwala Bagh

You should definitely include Jalianwala Bagh in your best places to visit in Amritsar list.

Tucked right behind the mesmerizing Golden Temple, this place is yet another one of the most important sites in Amritsar. It was built after the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre that took place on April 13, 1919. This public garden memorizes us of more than 1,500 people who were killed or injured when the British soldiers attacked the peaceful protestors who wanted the release of the imprisoned Indian leaders. You can still see the bullet holes in the walls. These bullets were fired in 1919 and hundreds of victims hid behind the walls in an attempt to dodge the heavy gunfire. There is a Martyrs’ Gallery inside Jalianwala bagh that displays the portraits of some important figures who played an important role in Indian independence. You can also see a well where hundreds of people jumped to save themselves from The British army.

3] Partition Museum

The year 1947 was a big one for India as we got independence from Great Britain. The same year, it was partitioned in two different entities, i.e. India & Pakistan, and the event was known as the Partition of India. Here, the tourists can learn about the defining moment in the history of independence, as this museum is the only institution in the world which tells the entire story of Partition.

It features antique photographs, a haunting collection of newspaper clippings, and oral histories with people who experienced the terrifying days of violence leading up to the separation of the two countries. The Museum also showcases the resettling of refugees after the partition. A long knowledgable walk inside the Museum gives us a deeper understanding of the actual source of rivalry between India and Pakistan. On the way to the museum, pen down a message on a green leaf and hang it on the Tree of Hope.

4] Tarn Taran Sahib

Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib is another famous religious destination in the city of Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Sikh Guru) stable it in the year 1590. Due to its majestic edifice, it attracts a large number of tourists as well as pilgrims. The imposing white structure with a golden dome is surrounded by a serene water body. However, that is the largest one among all the water bodies of all the Gurdwaras. Tarn Taran is a small district in Punjab and one of the most popular tourist places in Amritsar. It is quite famous for its immense beauty. People across India and the world come to visit this place.

5] Wagah Border (Attari Border)

Wagah Border is one of the best places to visit in Amritsar. Although, it’s a little away from Amritsar but tourists do not miss it during the trip to Amritsar.

Wagah Border (Attari border) is the last Indian area before the Pakistan mainland. It is a place that connects India and Pakistan with a border. The border hosts a ceremony wherein the soldiers of the Indian soldiers of Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani soldiers of Pakistan Rangers march and parade that makes it one of the top tourist attractions in Punjab.

A 31 km drive west from the center of Amritsar will take us there. An eye-catching and curious border-closing ceremony takes place at the sunset of every afternoon which is one of the attractions of the place. It is a 45-minute parade. Full of pomp and show, the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the border involves an ostentatious display of goose-stepping guards BSF and Pakistan Rangers saluting each other; lowering and folding their flags, and closing the gates at the border.

One can be seated at the chairs or high on different floors experiencing a ‘Balcony show’ on the Indian side; while on the Pakistan side, men and women sit separately in stadium-style seating.

6] Amritsar Haveli

The Amritsar Haveli is a Punjabi Traditional Veg. Restaurant Chain. Its establishment year was 2018 to serve super-delicious and hygienic best Punjabi Food and Multi cuisines to the guests. “Serve Pure Eat Pure” is their motto and they prepare fresh food in a traditional Punjabi way. At The Amritsar Haveli, high-quality Punjabi food culture can easily attract you. Some of their specialties include the Amritsari Special Kulcha, Paneer Butter Masala, Dal Fry, Sarso Ka Saag with Makki Di Roti, Punjabi Lassi, etc. You can see the Puppet Shows and Magic Shows which get organized in the evenings on a daily basis.

7] Harike Wetland

One of the exotic places in our list of the best places to visit in Amritsar would be Harike Wetland. It is the largest man-made wetland in Northern India. Its construction year is 1952 and situated at the border of Tarn Taran. The highlight of the place is the gorgeous lake, Harike Lake. There is a bird sanctuary in the wetland that attracts hordes of nature lovers and birdwatchers. It is home to a large number of exotic and endangered migratory birds.

To date, around 375 species of birds have been recorded there. It is home to birds like crested pochard, common pochard, tufted duck, etc. It also experiences reptilian fauna like the Indus river dolphin, seven species of rare freshwater turtles, and many mammals. These include the Indian otter, jackal, jungle cat, Indian wild boar, mongoose, etc. The International Body of Wetlands under the UNDP declared it as a Ramsar site and a sanctuary in the year 1982. One has to take prior permission from forest officers for the entry.

8] Hall Bazaar

The Hall Bazaar in Amritsar is one of the oldest marketplaces in India. Being one of the busiest shopping destinations of the city, this bazaar is just 1 km away from the Amritsar railway station and 1.3 km from the Golden Temple. The shops of the bazaar offer apparel, electronics, jewelry and ornaments, books, handiwork, showpieces, Chinese lanterns, etc. It is a one-stop destination for those who want to buy the world-famous Phulkari dupattas and Punjabi suits along with the famous Punjabi juttis among many other things. Apart from the high octane shopping experience, the Hall Bazaar is home to some beautiful olden architecture including the Mughal archway entrance, called Gandhi Gate, complete with a giant clock with the caption ‘Amritsar – Sifti Da Ghar’.

The market also offers some of the best restaurants and food stalls with mouth-watering Punjabi cuisine.

9] Gobindgarh Fort

More than 250 years old, the Gobindgarh Fort is one of the most iconic symbols of Punjab. Around 12,000 soldiers manned the fort to protect Amritsar from potential invaders. These days, the Gobindgarh Fort has transformed into an educational attraction dedicated to the history and culture of Amritsar. The complex contains 3-4 museums that include a Warfare Museum showcasing rare weapons; a Turban Museum that explains headgear from the region, and a Sikh Art Museum too. The artists perform Bhangra and Gatka (the traditional martial art) in the organized live shows.

10] Durgiana Temple

Shri Durgiana Mandir (Durgiana Temple) makes us feel that we’re seeing double. With its half gold, half marble facade, the domed structure looks almost identical to the Golden Temple. While the two may not differ much in looks, they certainly have distinctive purposes. Durgiana Temple is a Hindu religious site, where devotees pay tribute to Goddess Durga; wealthy Goddess Laksmi; and Lord Vishnu. On the way inside the temple, one can pay attention to the exquisite silver doors, depicting holy figures. The Silver Temple is another name of the Durgiana Temple.

We hope you liked our list of the top places to visit in Amritsar.

Punjab is the heart of India, and Amritsar is the heart of Punjab. Do pay a visit to these Most Beautiful Places in the World and you will be lost in its beauty. I promise!

Satsriyakal!