Amritsar Travel Guide: Golden Temple, Wagah Border and Punjabi Food
Welcome to our Amritsar travel guide. Amritsar is the holiest city of the Sikhs and the home of the Golden Temple. It was founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, and its name means “pool of nectar”. Today it is a lively Punjabi city of temples, bazaars and some of the best food in India, close to the border with Pakistan. This Amritsar travel guide tells you what to see, when to go, how to get there and what to eat.
Amritsar Travel Guide at a Glance
- State: Punjab, North India
- Known for: the Golden Temple, the Wagah Border ceremony and Punjabi food
- Time needed: two to three days
- Best time: October to March
- Nearest airport: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, about 11 km from the city
Best Places to Visit in Amritsar
Every Amritsar travel guide starts with the Golden Temple, but the city has much more to see.
The Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib)
The gold-covered temple stands in the middle of a holy pool and is open day and night to people of every faith. Visit at sunrise, when the gold glows on the water, and again after dark, when it is lit up. Its langar, the free community kitchen, serves simple vegetarian meals to many thousands of people every day.
Jallianwala Bagh
A short walk from the Golden Temple, this garden remembers the people killed here in 1919. You can still see bullet marks on the walls and the old well.
The Wagah Border Ceremony
Every evening before sunset, the flags of India and Pakistan are lowered at the Attari-Wagah border, about 30 km from the city. Crowds sing and cheer as soldiers march in a proud and colourful show. Arrive early for a good seat.
The Partition Museum
In the old Town Hall, this museum tells the stories of the people whose lives changed when India was divided in 1947.
Gobindgarh Fort and Ram Bagh
Gobindgarh Fort has evening light shows and Punjabi culture, while the Ram Bagh garden holds the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, now a museum.
Durgiana Temple
This Hindu temple, built in a style much like the Golden Temple, also stands in a pool.
Things to Do in Amritsar
Here are the experiences we suggest most often in our Amritsar travel guide.
- Help in the langar kitchen at the Golden Temple.
- Take a food walk in the old city.
- Spend a day in a Punjabi village with a tractor ride and a home-cooked meal.
- Shop for phulkari embroidery and jutti shoes in Hall Bazaar.
- Take a day trip to the gurdwaras of Tarn Taran Sahib and Goindwal Sahib.
Punjabi Food in Amritsar
Amritsar is one of the best food cities in India. Try the famous Amritsari kulcha with chole, sarson da saag with makki di roti, Amritsari fish fry, and a tall glass of lassi. Most famous food places are in the lanes of the old city near the Golden Temple.
Best Time to Visit Amritsar
- October to March: cool and sunny, the best time. December and January can be foggy in the mornings.
- April to June: very hot. Visit early in the morning and late in the evening.
- July to September: monsoon rain, with fewer visitors.
- Festivals: Baisakhi in April and Guru Nanak’s birthday in November.
How to Reach Amritsar
Amritsar is easy to reach by air, rail and road. This part of our Amritsar travel guide covers the main routes.
- By air: direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and other cities, and some international flights. The flight from Delhi takes about one hour.
- By train: Amritsar station is about 2 km from the Golden Temple. Fast trains from Delhi take about six hours.
- By road: about 450 km from Delhi, and four to six hours from Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Katra.
Amritsar Travel Guide: Tips for Your Visit
- Cover your head, remove your shoes and wash your feet at the Golden Temple. Free headscarves are given at the entrance.
- Dress modestly in all temples.
- Do not smoke or carry tobacco or alcohol near the Golden Temple.
- Reach the Wagah Border by about 4 pm and carry only a small bag.
- Read our India travel tips before you go.
Ready-Made Amritsar Tours
If you want us to plan everything, these private tours start or end in Amritsar. See all our Amritsar tour packages.
- 3-day Amritsar Treasures and Village tour: the Golden Temple, a Punjabi village, the Wagah Border and the Partition Museum.
- 4-day Amritsar Dalhousie tour: Khajjiar, Kalatop and the Golden Temple.
- 5-day Amritsar Dharamshala tour: McLeod Ganj, Kangra Fort and the Golden Temple.
- 6-day Amritsar Dharamshala Dalhousie tour: McLeod Ganj, Khajjiar and the Golden Temple.
- 7-day Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour: the same hills at an easier pace, with Triund or Kangra Fort.
- 8-day Amritsar Dharamshala Dalhousie Katra tour: the Golden Temple, the hills and Vaishno Devi.
- 9-day Amritsar Katra Kashmir tour: Vaishno Devi, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and a Dal Lake houseboat.
Amritsar Travel Guide FAQ
How many days are enough for Amritsar?
Two to three days, or one more day for a village visit or the gurdwaras around the city.
Is the Golden Temple open at night?
Yes. The temple complex is open day and night, and it looks beautiful after dark.
Can anyone eat at the langar?
Yes. Everyone is welcome, whatever their faith, and the meal is free.
How far is the Wagah Border from Amritsar?
About 30 km, or 45 minutes by car.
Which hill stations are near Amritsar?
Dalhousie, Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj. Read our Dalhousie and Dharamshala guides.
Plan Your Amritsar Trip
We hope this Amritsar travel guide helps you plan. Shamrock Journeys has planned Amritsar holidays since 2002. See our Amritsar tour packages, our Himachal tour packages and our best North India tours. Request your free quote
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