The Ultimate Amritsar Travel Guide for 2026: Golden Temple, Wagah Border & Beyond
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Amritsar is the spiritual and culinary heart of Punjab, and one of my favourite places in India. Home to the impressive Golden Temple and insane energy of the Wagah Border ceremony, it’s a city that completely overwhelms you in the best way.
Whether you’re planning to visit for a quick trip or as part of a bigger trip, Amritsar is a must-visit location. This travel guide covers everything you need to know to make your trip as incredible as possible.
Contents
How to Get to Amritsar
Although Amritsar is located up in the North-West of India, right on the border of Pakistan, it is a well-connected city. Common ways of getting to Amritsar include:
By Air: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ) is located about 11 km from the city centre and has readily available taxis into the city. Often the most expensive option but also the most time-efficient option depending on where you’re travelling from.
By Train: Fast train services like the Vande Bharat and Shatabdi Express connect cities like Delhi to Amritsar in less than 6 hours. These Indian trains are well-priced and a fun way to travel to the city.
By Bus: Bus services run all over the place in India so if you’re already in a nearby city then taking the bus is a great option. They’re extremely affordable and simple. I took a 5 hour bus from Chandigarh for around $7.
Getting Around Amritsar: Getting around the city is super simple by using auto-rickshaws through the Uber app or hailing one and bargaining if you’re comfortable doing so. That being said, Amritsar’s historic centre is a pedestrian-only zone and if you stay close enough to it then you can walk to and from it as well as walk between the main sights.
Where to Stay in Amritsar
Choosing where to stay in Amritsar can be tricky as options are endless and while the specific hotel isn’t too important, the area you choose is. I’m not usually someone who recommends to stay central, within the chaos of big Indian cities, however, for Amritsar, it’s a wise choice.
The Old City: Staying within the old city means that you will be within walking distance of the main attractions, local food spots and bazaar lanes. This makes it super convenient for early starts or late evenings and great for budget travellers.
I chose to stay at Hotel Kabir Royal – a simple private double room with AC and WiFi for only $15 a night. The location was perfectly outside of the busy lanes of the old city but close enough that it took no more than 10 minutes to reach the main attractions on foot.
Ranjit Avenue & Mall Road: Located North of the old city, the area offers modern chain hotels, upscale dining options and quieter streets. The area isn’t close to any of the main attractions though so you would need to get an auto to get around.
Top Things to Do in Amritsar
Amritsar is a wonderful city filled with historic alleys and bustling bazaars. These are your top must do things:
1. Sri Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple)
The Golden Temple is the spiritual heart of Sikhism and one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever visited. The radiant temple sits in the middle of a sacred area of water and the complex is open 24/7 to people of all religions and backgrounds.
Whilst visiting the temple, be sure to check out the Langar. This is the temple’s community kitchen that serves delicious, free, hot meals to over 100,000 visitors every day and is run completely by volunteers.
Looking for more about The Golden Temple?
2. Jallianwala Bagh
Just a short walk from the Golden Temple is this public garden which serves as a memorial to the tragic 1919 massacre where you can learn about the event. You’ll find bullet holes preserved in brick walls here as well as a small museum-like building.
3. The Attari-Wagah Border Ceremony
Located just 30km outside of the city is the India-Pakistan border. Here they perform the daily Beating Retreat ceremony as an impressive spectacle of military pride, high-kicking soldiers, and extreme crowd energy as both India and Pakistan lower their flags at sunset.
Tip: For those visiting from a foreign country, they have a special foreigner section.
Looking for more about The Attari-Wagah Border Ceremony?
4. Partition Museum
Inside the historic Town Hall nearby other sites is the world’s first museum dedicated to the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan. It’s an informative and emotional journey through history with personal artefacts and photographs.
Foods to Try in Amritsar
Amritsar is famous across India for its wonderful Punjabi cuisine. Make sure to try some of their staples during your visit:
Amritsari Kulcha: A crispy, tandoor-baked bread stuffed with spiced potato or paneer with butter. It’s often served with a chickpea curry called chole. The city has endless options for trying a kulcha, it’s on almost every menu in the city.
Malai Lassi: A popular thick, sweet yogurt drink which is topped with a layer of cream.
Amritsari Fish: Crispy, battered and fried, this spiced fish is available at some local spots. Unique as fish isn’t common in inland Indian cuisine.
Essential Tips & Things to Know
Dress Code: Dress modestly while exploring the city – linen trousers and a classic top work perfectly.
Head Coverings: When entering the Golden Temple complex, it is mandatory for everyone to cover their heads. There are plenty of shops nearby selling scarfs for 100-200INR ($1.05-$2.10) or bandanas for 10-20INR ($0.11-$0.21). The temple has baskets outside of each entrance with reusable head coverings too.
Footwear: As you will be walking a lot, comfy footwear is essential. You will have to remove shoes before entering the temple at the free footwear counters just outside before passing through a shallow water basin to wash your feet at the entrance.
Photography Etiquette: Amritsar is perfect for photography enthusiasts. Cameras are permitted at most attractions in the city, apart from inside the Partition Museum. Inside of the Golden Temple, there are restrictions so be sure to follow rules.
Itinerary Guidance: The city isn’t huge and doesn’t have loads to do so 2 days is perfect for leisurely exploring. Enjoy the sights, local life and great food.
Dirty Streets: Do be aware, outside of the main heritage part of the city, it can be fairly dirty. Right off the bus on arrival, I was met with streets full of rubbish and people urinating all over the walls. The small lanes near the Golden Temple are also covered in waste and not well looked after.
Summary
With all that said, Amritsar is one of my favourite Indian cities. It’s bursting with culture, religion, friendly people and wonderful food.
We met plenty of friendly locals in Amritsar, and even made an elderly friend who invited us into his home the next day for breakfast. We still keep in touch with him now!
If you’re planning a trip to India, and have time for Amritsar then I would absolutely recommend it. You won’t be disappointed.
Hi, I'm Kelly!
Welcome to The Untold Journeys, a travel blog with a focus on raw, authentic travels and finding those exciting hidden gems.
I’m here to share my experiences and stories to give you everything you need to explore the world and head on your own adventures.
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