9 Best Places to Visit in Amritsar in 2 Days in 2023

Are you planning a short trip to Amritsar soon? If yes, then we have listed down some of the best places to visit in Amritsar for you to explore.

Amritsar is one of the most prominent cities to visit in Punjab which is rich in both history and culture. Home to the famous Golden Temple, Amritsar is a small city in Punjab but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to see or do here.

This also happens to be the bordering city with Pakistan where the Wagah border is located where one can watch the famous flag-lowering ceremony. That’s not all, this place is also famous for its street food and the famous Amritsari kulcha that you simply cannot miss.

So, if you are also planning a trip to this historical city, then here is everything you need to know about the top places to visit in Amritsar in 2 days!

9 Best Places to Visit in Amritsar in 2 Days in 2023

Golden Temple

Of course, you would have heard of the famous Golden Temple. But where is the Golden temple located? Well, it is located in Amritsar and is one of the top places to visit here.

Also known as Harmandir Sahab, the temple was established in Guru Hargobind and is one of the most important temples in the Sikh Community.

Built out of gold, the architecture of the Golden Temple is visually stunning. You will also notice a man-made pool surrounding the temple, known as the ‘Pool of Nectar’ which was completed in 1577.

Although it was built hundreds of years ago, the temple has been destroyed several times during wars. But every time, the Sikh community came together to rebuild it. It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who built the temple with marble and copper after its last destruction and then, after a few years, plated it in gold.

One of the main attractions of this temple is the langar, the world’s largest community kitchen, where everyone can come and enjoy free meals. Hundreds of volunteers cook in the kitchen to serve food for visitors without expecting anything in return.

Make sure to try the prasad here served at the temple which is quite delicious. You can easily sit here for a few hours just soaking in the peace and the calmness that radiates from the Golden Temple.

Tip: To soak in the Sikh culture, plan a visit to the temple early in the morning at 4 AM. This is when the holy Guru Granth Sahib is transferred from Akal Takht to the temple in a Palki. The ceremonial procession is quite enchanting and peaceful.

Pro Tip: Plan a trip to Amritsar to witness the Golden Temple during Baisakhi (April). Trust me, the festival is a sight to behold here. You can also visit it in Diwali when there are thousands of diyas outlining the steps of the pool surrounding the temple.

Timings: Open 24*7

Entry Fee: Free

Gobindgarh Fort

Located in the heart of Amritsar, Gobindgarh Fort is over 250 years old and an iconic symbol Punjab. This is one of the best places to visit in Amritsar for anyone who wishes to learn the history and culture of Amritsar.

During the reign of kings, this fort used to be manned with thousands of soldiers who fought against potential invaders. Currently, this fort is home to four museums – Turban Museum, Warfare Museum, Sikh Art Museum, and more. You can learn about different weapons and cultural aspects of the Sikh community over the years in these museums.

To learn the history of the fort, attend the evening light and sound show. The show is available in two languages – Punjabi and English. The show happens late in the evening after 7 PM.

Apart from that, you can also watch the 7D movie on Maharaja Ranjit Singh to learn about the history of Punjab. If you are feeling hungry, there is a restaurant named Ambarsari Zaika which is located inside the fort and serves the most delicious food.

Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM

Entry Fee: 50 INR (Just Fort Entry)

Jallianwala Bagh

One of the saddest places to visit in Amritsar in 2 days trip, Jallianwala Bagh is located close to the Golden Temple and has a gruesome history associated with it.

This public garden memorializes the thousands of people who were killed or injured by the British soldiers during the Independence Movement of 1919.

What makes this incident so sad is that they were carrying out a peaceful protest against the British colonialization but were shot at on the orders of General Dyer. There are still bullet holes visible in the walls behind which the innocent protesters tried to hid to protect themselves against the shooting.

You will find the pictures of the prominent people who played a major role in the Independence movement. Plus, there is an exhibition on the victims and an eternal flame burning in memory of the innocent souls.

The Indian government built this memorial for the victims on 13th April 1919.

Timings: 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM, all days

Entry Fee: Free

Durgiana Temple

Another one of the best places in Amritsar for exploring, Shri Durgiana Mandir is a Hindu Temple located near the Railway Station.

The most intriguing thing about this temple is that it resembled the Golden temple with its half gold, half marble facade. That’s not all, it is also placed in the center of the sacred laked like the famed Golden Temple.

Dedicated to goddess Durga, goddess Lakshmi, and Vishnu, Durgiana Temple receives thousands of devotees every year. This is a Hindu religious site which is why it is mostly visited by pilgrims but some tourists might explore it for its beautiful architecture and spiritual environment.

Wagah-Attari Border

One of the best places in Amritsar, Wagah Border is around 30 km from the city center and takes about 40-50 minutes to reach.

This Indo-Pak border is famous for the popular border-closing ceremony that occurs daily here at 4 PM.

To reach the border, you can take a private cab for 2000 INR for a to and fro journey. However, if you are on a budget, then you can take the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus from Amritsar city center. It will cost you just 250 INR for the to and fro journey and leaves at 2.30 PM from the city.

The parade starts at 4 PM and lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes. You can take a seat closer to the parade or a little higher up to see both Indian and Pakistani performances.

During the Beating Retreat Ceremony, the guards from Indian Border Security Force perform the routine and there is lots of dance and merriment on the Indian side. You can also get the VIP seats to get a clear view of the ceremony on both the sides.

If you want to get VIP seats, you have to come early in the morning to give your ID proof and fill up the form for the seats. 🙂

Note: There is heavy checking of bags at the entry of the border so avoid carrying anything unnecessary as you will have to keep it in the locker then.

Entry Fee: Free

Khairuddin Mosque

Although Amritsar is home to predominantly Sikh community members, it is also home to Muslims who practice their religion at Khairuddin Mosque.

The mosque was built by Muhammed Khairuddin over 150 years ago and is a brilliant example of Islamic architecture. The green and white mosque features three domes and four minarets.

Apart from being a gorgeous place, the mosque also played an important role in India’s freedom struggle.

Partition Museum

Have you always been curious about the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947? If yes, then ones of the best places to visit in Amrtisar in 2 days is the Partition Museum.

This is the only institution in the world where you will find all information on the Partition. From a collection of newspaper clippings to antique photographs, you will find all kinds of information on the partition here.

There are oral histories shared by people who witnessed the partition as well including the violence leading up to the separate and the settlement of the refugees.

You can take a tour of this museum to understand the rivalry between the two nations. After touring the museum, you can write a message on a green leaf and place it on the Tree of Hope.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)

Entry Fee: 10 INR (Indians), 250 INR (Foreigners)

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum and Garden

Another great place to visit in Amritsar is the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum. It was earlier a double-storeyed palace where he lived during his visits to Amritsar.

Dedicated to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh empire, the museums features the life and the greatest battles of this famed ruler. Here you can find paintings, 3D art, sculptures etc. that showcase the history of both Punjab and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. 

Visitors can find a collection of the important Sikh artifacts here including antique coins, war garmets, ancient art, and more.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM

Entry Fee: 10 INR

Hall Bazaar

One of the oldest marketplaes to visit in Amritsar, Hall Bazaar is located between Golden Temple and the Partition Museum.

This is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs in the city and features numerous shops selling jewellery, textiles, electronics, and more. The best part is that you can buy these things at quite affordable prices.

However, the best thing to buy in this market is the Amritsari jutti and the traditional Phulkari embroidery. The market is also quite popular for its architecture and the Mughal archway known as the Gandhi Gate. You will find several good eateries here as well to sample some authentic Amritsari dishes.

Amritsar Day Tours To Take

You will find several tours in Amritsar if you are traveling solo and don’t want the hassle of finding transportation for your trip. Here are a few tours worth checking out.

1. Amritsar Wagah Border Tour

One of the best things to do in Amritsar for those who are curious about the Wagah border ceremony is to take the Amritsar Wagah Border Tour.

On this tour, you get a chance to witness the Wagah Border Beating ceremony along with a visit to the Pul Kanjari, Mata Lal Devi Mandir, and an old Army bunker.

Pul Kanjari is a 200-year-old historic monument that has a fascinating story associated with it while Mata Lal Devi temple is one of the most intriguing Hindu temples in the world.

All these places have interesting stories associated with them which you would learn more about on this Wagah Border tour.

2. Amritsar Village Tour

Another interesting tour to take up is the Amritsar Village Tour which gives you a taste of local Punjabi village activities.

On this tour, you will visit a local farm where you will learn more about the daily chores like milking the cow, plowing the fields, preparing food in a clay oven, and so on.

This is a great way to get a glimpse of the lifestyle of Punjab’s countryside.

3. Amritsar Heritage Cycle Tour

A morning guided tour on cycle, this heritage tour includes all the major attractions along with a few offbeat places in Amritsar.

You will explore the Town Hall, Company Bagh, Old Amritsar, etc. while enjoying some delicious Amritsari delicacies on the way.

This is a great way to learn about the history and rich architecture here and you can see what the city looks like without crowded streets. It is a 3-3.5 hour tour which starts at 6- 7 a.m. in the morning.

4. Amritsar Heritage Walking Tour

If cycling is something that you aren’t interested in then they also offer a walking tour to explore the various temples and monuments in Amritsar.

On this tour, you will make your way through the narrow bylanes and learn the invigorating history of each of the stops on your tour.

This tour is a casual walk around the Golden Temple complex and gives you a complete dose of the local culture, history, and street food.

5. Amritsar Golden Temple Walking Tour

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the Sikh history and customs related to the famous Golden Temple is to take an early morning walking tour of this place.

Apart from learning about the history, you also get a chance to see the famous Palki Sahib Ceremony for which thousands of devoted Sikhs assemble every morning at the gate of the Golden Temple.

You also get a chance to enter the kitchen of the Temple area and see how they prepare food for thousands of people every day. If interested, then you can also volunteer here to help them out and spend some time in the temple complex.

6. Amritsar Food Bicycle Tour

Finally, you have the Food Bicycle tour in which you get a chance to taste Amritsar’s most famous street food options at local and authentic stalls.

So, you don’t have to fight with crowds and you can be sure to avoid overrated food junctions on this simple yet delicious tour.

On this food tour, you will taste the famous Amritsari Kulche, Aam Papad, Chaap, Gol Gappe, Banta Lemon, Jalebi, and so on.

If you are a foodie like me then you absolutely have to take this tour to experience the best food in Amritsar.

Summary

Honestly, Amritsar is such a beautiful city and the people here are even more amazing. From visiting the Golden Temple in the morning to watching the Border ceremony, there are a lot of fun things to do in Amritsar.

So, whether you are a foodie, a history buff, or an archiecture lover, you can easily find something to explore in the city.