Amritsar Travelers Recommend

Amritsar is full of great things to discover, beyond the world-famous Golden Temple. With three days in the city, you’ll have time to explore its temples and forts, experience rural settings, and sample different varieties of Punjabi food—you can even try your hand at cooking some yourself. Here’s how to arrange your time.

Day 1: The Best of Amritsar

Devote your first day to Amritsar’s best-known attractions. Start with the Golden Temple, one of the most important Sikh places of worship on Earth. Most city tours stop here, and while it’s easy to visit independently, going with a guide is a great way to deepen your knowledge of the Sikh faith. After your visit, sample the city’s famous street food, especially local favorite chole kulcha (soft flatbread served with spiced chickpeas). Join a food tour if you’re worried about picking out the best, safest, cleanest places to eat. Finally, make your way to Wagah at the border with Pakistan to witness the famous border-closing ceremony, then have dinner at Sadda Pind, a reproduction Punjabi village attraction.

Day 2: A Deeper Dive

Although Tarn Taran isn't as famous as the Golden Temple, this gurdwara (Sikh temple) is nevertheless worth visiting for its striking, 16th-century architecture. Make this your first stop in the morning; some tours combine a trip to the temple with visits to nearby rural villages. In the afternoon, head out for some shopping and people watching in the markets of Old Amritsar, either independently or with a guide who can lead you to the best deals. Here you'll see fabrics, jewelry, housewares, and religious items, and it's a great place to pick up low-cost souvenirs. In the evening, make your way back to the Golden Temple, where you can watch the ceremonial procession storing the Sikh holy book for the evening.

Day 3: Local Life

On your last morning, join a tour to visit a local farm and see how crops are raised, cows are milked, and bread is baked, the Punjabi way. Continue your immersive experience in the afternoon with a cooking class in the home of a local, where you’ll prepare lunch and learn the art of Indian cooking along the way. Alternatively, head to a local spa for a traditional Ayurvedic massage treatment. In the evening, wrap up your stay with a 7D sound-and-light show at Gobindgarh Fort.

The Punjabi city of Amritsar is known for its great food and beautiful Golden Temple, and it’s a popular base for those who want to see the famous border-closing ceremonies in nearby Wagah. With two days in the city, you can see all the highlights and have time left over for some off-the-beaten-path experiences. Here’s how to plan your time.

Day 1: Amritsari Highlights

**Morning:**Get up early and make your way to the Golden Temple, Amritsar’s best-known attraction and one of the most important places of Sikh pilgrimage on Earth. Like all gurdwaras (Sikh temples), the Golden Temple is welcoming to visitors of all faiths, but going with a guide is a good way to deepen your understanding.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, skip a sit-down lunch and instead try out some of Amritsar’s famous street food. Joining an organized food walk is ideal, as a local guide can lead you to the best and most hygienic places to eat in town while explaining dishes and ingredients.

**Night:**Not far from Amritsar is the town of Wagah, where one of the few official border crossings between India and Pakistan is located. Here you can observe the sunset closing ceremony, which involves performative marches and music. Afterwards, head to Sadda Pind, a reproduction Punjabi village where you can watch folk performances and dine on traditional food.

Day 2: Off the Beaten Path

**Morning:**Not far from the Golden Temple sits Tarn Taran, a gurdwara founded in 1590. Spend your second morning learning about Sikhism in this beautiful temple; some tours even include the chance to visit nearby villages to immerse yourself in rural life.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, treat yourself to a little rest and relaxation with a visit to a spa; many offer traditional Ayurvedic treatments supervised by qualified Ayurvedic doctors. Alternatively, if you didn't get enough food-related fun on your first day, sign up for a cooking class held in a local family home.

**Night:**Wrap up your evening with a visit to the Gobindgarh Fort, a historic fort with great views over the city. It's best after dark, when the Sher-e-Punjab 7D sound-and-light show is staged. The fort also features restaurants, games, museums, and even folk dance performances.

Although Amritsar is best-known for its glistening golden temple, the Punjabi city offers plenty more, especially for travelers who like to eat. With just one day in town, you can hit the highlights and immerse yourself in the region’s celebrated culinary scene. Here’s how.

Morning: The Golden Temple

Start your morning in Amritsar visiting the city's most important—and most famous—attraction: the Golden Temple. One of the most significant Sikh places of worship on Earth, this beautiful, serene temple attracts visitors from around the world with its gilded architecture, though it's equally worth visiting to learn about the beliefs and traditions of the Sikh faith. There’s a welcome center specifically for international visitors right by the main entrance, though for an in-depth experience, you may want to visit with a local guide or as part of a guided tour.

Afternoon: Amritsar’s Famous Cuisine

Mention to your North Indian friends that you’ve visited Amritsar, and one of the first things they’ll ask you is what you thought of the food. This Punjabi city has long been celebrated for its street-food culture, and it’s easy to spend an afternoon wandering the city’s many lanes, trying out local specialties such as potato parathas (stuffed flatbread),chole kulcha (fry bread with chickpeas), and lassi (a yogurt-based drink, sometimes flavored with banana or mango). That said, dining on street food in India can be a daunting proposition for some travelers, so if you’re concerned about hygiene or simply want to be led to the best vendors in town, your best bet is to join a guided food walk.  

Night: The Border with Pakistan and Sadda Pind

As the sun begins to set, make your way out to Wagah, a short drive from Amritsar on the border with Pakistan. Here you can witness the nightly closing-of-the-border ceremony in which guards from both sides perform an almost dance-like performance, complete with a military-flag lowering. After the ceremony, head to Sadda Pind, a reproduction Punjabi village featuring dance performances and crafts demonstrations, with plenty for kids and adults alike. Finish your evening here with a traditional Punjabi dinner before returning to your hotel. Note that while both attractions can be visited independently, combo tours can help you save time, money, and the hassle of booking transportation.