When Planning a Trip to the Golden Temple, Don't Miss Out on Any of These Other Top 10 Places to Visit in Amritsar (2019)

There are definitely more than 10 memorable places to visit in Amritsar. The fact that most of them are religious places, assures tourists that visiting Amritsar will turn out to be a beautiful spiritual experience. No matter what religion you practice or what kind of culture you follow, you are going to feel connected to each and everything in Amritsar. Visiting a gurudwara here and feeling the peace and calmness is something which should be there on everyone’s bucket list.

Apart from the gurudwaras, there are so many beautiful and magnificent structures in Amritsar. We have mentioned some of them right below too. Most of these structures are built in the Sikh architectural style as the location itself is a Sikh dominant place. In fact, to your surprise, you can spot the influence of Islamic and Rajputana architecture too. The jaw-dropping grandness of stunning religious places is something that draws a lot of visitors here on a daily basis.

You are never going to fall short of places to eat in Amritsar. It is truly a bliss to enjoy Amritsari food and to eat like there is no tomorrow. Lassi and Amritsari Kulcha are the most popular food items you can find in Amritsar. Moreover, it is not just about the food but also about the culture here. You are going to find everyone so welcoming and warm and super colourful that you will feel like staying in Amritsar forever!

One of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Sikhs from all across the world, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is also known as Harmandir Sahib. It was first built in 1604 by the fifth Sikh Guru, Arjan Devji and renovated and modified over and over again due to major demolitions.

There are four entrances to this gurudwara which signify that it is open to people of all castes and religions. What makes it so popular is that it is built with marble and copper and has a pure gold foil covering all over it and this is why it is known as the Golden Temple.

You can visit the temple from 4 am to 11 pm and there are no entry charges. Make sure to sit in the premise and enjoy the calm and peacefulness that the temple has to offer to its devotees. You will truly have a surreal experience here.

One of the most important historical places to visit in Amritsar, Gobindgarh Fort is a must-visit spot in Amritsar. Spread across a massive area of about 43 acres, it was built to protect Amritsar from invasions and attacks.

The fort was built in 1760 and after many possessions and attacks on the fort, it was later renovated and handed over to the Punjab Government. You can visit the fort from 10 am to 10 pm and you must witness its 7-D Sher-e-Punjab Light and Sound Show in the evening here. The major attractions inside the premises of the fort are numerous shops, museums, exhibitions and a restaurant. The fort is totally worth a visit and it might take you an entire day to fully experience it.

If you are done visiting all sorts of places in Amritsar then it is time for you to move out of the city for a bit. There is no way you can’t visit the Wagah Border located just 28 km from Amritsar. This border marks the boundary between India and Pakistan but it is something more than that. People love visiting the border to witness the Beating Retreat Ceremony which is held every single day before sunset.

Anyone who has witnessed the ceremony knows that it is such a surreal experience to watch the flags being lowered down and the international gates getting closed. Every nerve in your body turns patriotic and it truly fills your heart with pride and joy. The ceremony takes place at 4.15 pm in winter and 5.15 pm in summers.

No Indian can ever forget the tragic story of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. How thousands of people were killed in 1919 is something which can still be felt inside the premises of this garden. The garden currently houses a memorial to honour the victims of the massacre. In fact, the people have preserved the portion of the wall where the bullet marks can be seen even till now. The Jallianwala Bagh remains open to visitors from 7 am to 5 pm with no entry fee.

A light and sound show takes place every evening out here where the story of the massacre is narrated in the voice of Amitabh Bachchan. It is such a surreal experience to witness the events unfolding in front of your eyes through this show and you should be a part of it.

Probably the best thing about Amritsar is that almost all the important tourist places and shrines are quite close to the railway station and the Guru Ka Mahal is no exception. Located just 1.5 km from Amritsar Junction, Gurudwara Sri Guru Ka Mahal is one of the most prominent places to visit in Amritsar. It was built in 1573 by Guru Ram Dasji and used to be his residence. In fact, the Guru Ka Mahal has more historical importance than any other place in Amritsar.

This is a three-storey shrine popular for safekeeping important Sikh books including the Guru Granth Sahib. You can visit this place from 5 am to 10 pm. If you are keen on shopping in Amritsar then you can visit the Guru Bazaar just by this place.

As we mentioned earlier, Amritsar is a beautiful religious place and this is why most tourist spots here have a profound religious significance.

One such spot is the Durgiana Temple which is only a few yards away from the railway station in Amritsar. Durgiana Mandir is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess, Durga. The idols of Goddess Durga, Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu are worshipped here.

The history of this temple is more than 100 years old. The architecture is a replica of the Golden Temple and it is built in the middle of a lake too. The scenic temple is worth a visit. You can visit the temple from 6 am to 10 pm.

One of the most popular tourist spots to visit in Amritsar, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum is located just 4 km from the Golden Temple. This museum used to be the summer palace of the first king of the Sikh empire but later was converted into a museum in 1977.

The museum contains beautiful art and historical items belonging to the Sikh dynasty in the 18th and 19th centuries. Moreover, the architecture and location of this museum are quite popular as it is located amidst the stunning Rambagh Garden.

You get the opportunity to get an insight into the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The kind of stuff you are going to find inside the museum are paintings, armour, coins, manuscripts and a lot more. You can visit the museum from 10 am to 5 pm with some entry fees.

The meaning of Akal Takht is “Throne of the Timeless One” and it is also known as the chief centre of religious beliefs for the Sikh community. Of course, there are more such seats located in different parts of the country, but when you are visiting Amritsar, you should visit this place too.

Interestingly, Akal Takht is located in the premise of the Golden Temple itself. You can find it situated between the entrance to the causeway across the Amrit Sarovar.

The building went through demolition and renovation and right now it is in its best state. Earlier it used to be just a 3.5 meters long building but currently, it is a 5-storey structure with a golden dome on the top. The structure and architecture of most gurudwaras and religious places are similar to one another and Akal Takht is no different. So, when you are visiting the Golden Temple, make sure you visit this place too.

Guru Arjan Devji who established the Golden Temple also established Tarn Taran. This is known as the place of the Sikh Rising. Unfortunately, this is not located in Amritsar and you would have to travel 22 km from Amritsar to reach this place.

Located in the village of Tarn Taran Sahib, the name “Tarn Taran” was given to the Sarovar in the premise which has a special significance. Interestingly, the gurudwara here is built in the Mughal style of architecture and it is also quite popular for having the largest Sarovar. You can visit this place from 5 am to 10 pm. Kirtan takes place on a daily basis here and you can also be a part of it. Moreover, the Sarovar is believed to have magical medicinal properties and devotees don't forget to take a dip in it.

Hall Bazaar is one of the oldest and most popular markets in Amritsar located just 1 km away from the railway station. As you may be aware, the best time to visit Amritsar is in winter when you are likely to get extensive varieties of winter-wear in this market. What makes it quite popular is its proximity to the Golden Temple as tourists usually visit this local market after visiting the temple.

If you want to shop for Phulkari items especially the Phulkari dupattas, then Hall Bazaar is the best place to be in Amritsar. You can find a crowd all the time in this market which is a street comprising of numerous stalls. You can shop for a lot of different types of items here like electronics, clothing, footwear, jewellery, souvenirs and a lot more. You can visit the market from 9 am to 7 pm.

When you are done visiting the 10 best places in Amritsar, it is time for you to do something equally interesting in the city. We managed to discover some interesting and fun activities to do in Amritsar which are going to give an amazing experience to you. These activities turn out to be even more amazing if you have a great company with you.

When in Amritsar, you just can’t afford to miss out on the delicious street food. Not only is it super tasty and authentic, but it is quite affordable too. Some of the most popular places to visit for lip-smacking food are Bharawan Da Dhaba, Giani Tea Stall, Makhan Fish and Chicken Corner Amritsar Since 1962, Kesar Da Dhaba and many more. You can enjoy a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items in Amritsar.

Never miss out on the opportunity to shop your heart out in the city of fun and food, Amritsar. The best place for doing so is Hall Bazaar where you are going to find all sorts of stuff. Other interesting places for shopping in Amritsar are Shastri Market, Lahori Gate Market, Rani ka Bagh and a lot more. You can buy beautiful Phulkari dupattas, colourful juttis, salwar kurtas and lots of other stuff for your loved ones at very affordable prices.

You would be aware of the fact that each day huge langar is organized in the Golden Temple. Thousands of people are fed in this langar for free. The most interesting thing is that most people offer their help as a volunteer, in distributing the prasad. When in Amritsar, you could also volunteer to provide your services in the langar. This is definitely going to be a memorable experience for you.

If you are looking for some interesting places to visit near Amritsar then Sadda Pind should be on top of your list. Located at just 8 km from Amritsar, Sadda Pind is a man-made typical Punjabi village depicting beautiful Punjabi culture. You can enjoy traditional Punjabi food, handicrafts and lots of other things. Don’t forget to click lots of amazing pictures while you are there.