There are many places that you must visit in Amritsar but I’m sharing eight below. Amritsar is one of the most beautiful and serene cities in India, and is widely considered the holiest place for Sikhs. It is no longer a hidden gem but a bustling tourist destination with an incomparable food scene where history, culture, and tradition seamlessly blend together. If you’re traveling to India, you may be considering a stop in Amritsar and if you’re not, I recommend it (even if it’s just to eat your way through the gallis).
Whether you have a week or less than 24 hours, here are my top places to visit in Amritsar:
Harmandir Sahib/The Golden Temple
The primary reason that Amritsar is the holiest city for Sikhs is that it’s home to Sri Harmandir Sahib, which was originally called Ramdaspur and was founded by the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das Ji. It has become the spiritual and commercial center that he envisioned when he first began construction and while the city itself has grown exponentially, the central Sri Harmandir Sahib remains its soul and heartbeat.
It is one of the most peaceful places you can visit and you can spend an entire day here, walking around, visiting the different historical places, partake in langar (the community meal) and travel through time. There’s so much to see, whether you’re familiar with the religion or not, and there are plenty of folks who would be willing to help you out and answer any questions. With visiting any religious institution but particularly this one, there are some guidelines you’ll need to follow.
Jallianwala Bagh
If you’re familiar with Anglo-Indian history, this place will sound familiar to you. Jallianwala Bagh is a seven-acre garden/park located steps away from the Sri Harmandir Sahib complex. The bagh itself was founded in the early 1800s but is now more known for the massacre that took place in April 1918 on Vaisakhi at the hands of Colonel Reginald Dyer and the British army.
It’s a somber reminder of colonial violence and well worth the time to walk through. The Martyrs’ Well, in particular, stood out to me. Because of the lack of exits, many threw themselves into the well to avoid being shot. While it’s been renovated, you can still see many of the bullet holes in the walls and some of the original architecture and homes have been preserved but not all of it.
I didn’t take any photos while I was here because it felt disrespectful but you’re more than welcome to do so. The site has been renovated/facelifted twice in the last five years or so by the Indian government and in my opinion, has become more of a nationalist propaganda tool (you’ll hear the Indian national anthem playing on loop and the exhibits themselves lack substance). Take the time to walk through and learn the history but you’ll find more useful information online.
The Partition Museum
I was unable to visit this spot but the Partition Museum built in 2017 is another reminder of colonial violence as it serves to preserve the atrocities that took place in Punjab, along the Indo-Pak border, and in other places as a result of the lazy, hastened partition plan put forth by the British in 1947. Because of this separation, millions of people found themselves on the “wrong” side of the border, which resulted in the largest migration in world history. Unfortunately, this also led to an unfathomable amount of bloodshed and violence, with an estimated 800,000 fatalities (though the actual number is likely greater).
This is on my list to visit next time and it’s the world’s first museum dedicated to the Punjab Partition. I’ve heard stories from my parents and the generations before them. My family on both sides were victims of the Partition; all four of my grandparents were born in the Pakistan side prior to the Partition and my mother’s maternal grandmother had to take the train with her children into India. It was overtaken by thieves, who even stole my great-grandmother’s pinniaan, which she had hidden her jewelry in.
The museum is closed on Mondays but is open from 10am – 6pm the rest of the week. Tickets for foreigners are 250 rupees with children five and under (and Partition survivors) free. The building is wheelchair-accessible and guided tours are available on demand (unsure if these are in Punjabi or in English as well but couldn’t hurt to ask) but no photography or videography is allowed inside the museum.
Gobindgarh Fort
The Gobindgarh Fort, located in central Amritsar, was opened to the public in 2017 and translates to the “Fort of Gobind” with ‘garh’ meaning ‘fort’, named as such by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji after the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It was constructed to help protect the city from invaders and it’s also believed that Maharaja Ranjit Singh kept his beloved treasures and loot here, including the renowned Koh-i-Noor.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
Speaking of Maharaja Ranjit Museum, his namesake museum located in Ram Bagh in Amritsar used to be his summer palace in the city. It contains many of his weapons and artifacts, in addition to paintings, manuscripts, coins, and much more. This museum is also closed on Mondays (and open from 10am – 5pm the rest of the week) and tickets cost 10 rupees per person, whether you’re a foreigner or not.
Gurdwara Tarn Taran
I’m a little bit biased about this one because my mother’s side of the family is historically from the city of Tarn Taran but the main Gurdwara Sahib is one of the most serene ones I’ve visited. It’s far less crowded than Sri Harmandir Sahib and you can hear sweet kirtan (religious hymns) while you walk around the parikarma. It’s a scene painted white, a moment stolen in time. My great-grandmother’s home was down a nearby alley and she would walk over every morning to get parshaad.
The gurdwara was established by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and the foundation was laid by Baba Buddha Ji. At the time, the sarovar (pool) was the largest of any gurdwara’s and the complex was visited by a couple of the other Sikh gurus as well. The gurdwara also has historical significance for Sikhs.
Kulwant’s (Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale)
You cannot leave Amritsar without tasting the local food and Amritsari kulche should be at the top of the list. Kulche are stuffed flatbreads, brimming with different vegetables, chickpeas, or other foods, and if you’re vegan like me, you can ask for them without ghee (or butter). The most famous spot you’ll find is Kulwant’s (or Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale), also steps away from the Sri Harmandir Sahib complex. It’s been around for decades and locals and tourists alike flock to it. The kulche are fantastic so it’s a great spot for a bite to eat, no matter what time of day you arrive.
Wagah Border
The Wagah Border is the one between India and Pakistan that separates the state of Punjab in two (the Radcliffe Line during the Partition of ’47). This one isn’t as appealing to me (and I’ve never been) but if you’re into military ceremonies and can make it to the border, this is probably the best place to do it. US citizens are usually warned not to visit as there are significant risks posed but you can decide what’s best for it. As it is a border, people can and will cross over, and there are different ceremonies you can watch.
There you have it: my must-visit places in Amritsar. What did I miss? Let me know down below.
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