Amritsar is the quintessential North Indian city that embodies and thrives as an ethnic melting pot. There is a lot more to the city in addition to the famous gurudwaras.
Things to do in Amritsar
Amritsar is famous for rich, creamy, melt-in-mouth buttery Punjabi food that should be the highlight of every tourist in addition to the sightseeing.
Encourage local artisans by buying bright-hued handicrafts and jewellery native to Punjab. Don’t forget to buy the classic mojari footwear, also known as jutti.
Tourist attractions in Amritsar
Golden Temple: One of the top tourist destinations in India, the Golden Temple is the most historically significant shrine for Sikhism. Now, it is of great spiritual importance to people from other walks of faith. Visit for the grandeur of its golden dome and dive deeper into the tranquillity of its atmosphere.
Jallianwala Bagh: It is a solemn reminder of the sordid massacre that followed on 13th April, 1919. The garden now commemorates 15,000 people who were either killed or injured post the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Visit for a glimpse through the lanes of the Indian freedom struggle.
Wagah Border: Any tourists’ Amritsar trip is incomplete without a trip to the India-Pakistan border, called the Attari-Wagah Border. Visit for the daily ritual of evening flag-lowering ceremony and Silky Walk ceremony that symbolises the agreement of peace between the two countries.
Places to shop in Amritsar
Check out local markets for spices, food, jewellery, clothes and footwear. The most sought-after places to shop in Amritsar are Hall Bazaar, Guru Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, Lahori Gate Market and Shastri Market.
Best time to visit in Amritsar
The best time to visit Amritsar is between November and March when the weather is pleasant, and harvest is at an all-time high.
Modes of transport in Amritsar
Amritsar is well-connected with a network of transportation options in and around the city with an eight-lane highway connecting the airport and Metrobus.
Weather in Amritsar
The weather in Amritsar is temperate all year round with the months March to June being the hottest. While March-June is peak travel time in North India, December to February is moderately cold.
Airport in Amritsar
Amritsar airport officially called the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (IATA: ATQ,) is 11 km from the city centre of Amritsar. The airport has two terminals which handle both domestic and international passenger traffic.