Amritsar Tours & Holidays
Join us on a holiday to Amritsar
Join an Amritsar group tour and experience one of India's most important religious sites - the Golden Temple.
Amritsar is not only one of the largest cities in the state of Punjab, but also one of the most spiritually significant. Being the most holy city in Sikhism, millions of pilgrims make the journey here every year to participate in religious ceremonies at the temple and bathe in the surrounding lake. Officially titled Sri Harmandir Sahib - "The Abode of God," the temple is not only an important place of worship and example of magnificent architecture, it also provides free meals to up to 100,000 people every day.
The Golden Temple is located in the city's walled Old Town, which is also home to a variety of other historical buildings as well as traditional arts and crafts. You'll also find the Jallianwala Bagh here. The public garden is home to a poignant memorial to the massacre of the same name that took place on 13 April 1919 following a peaceful protest against the Rowlatt Act. Another worthwhile addition to your holiday in Amritsar is the Central Sikh Museum, which houses art, artefacts and weapons detailing the history and traditions of the Sikh religion.
Our featured Amritsar tours
- 13 Excursions Included, 25 Meals Included
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- 6 Dates - Nov 2024 - Nov 2025
- 16 Excursions Included, 37 Meals Included
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- 25 Dates - Nov 2024 - Nov 2026
- 13 Excursions Included, 25 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 4 Dates - Nov 2024 - Nov 2025
Things to do in Amritsar
Whether you're sampling the flavourful local street food or visiting the famous Golden Temple, an Amritsar tour offers the chance to enjoy authentic and unique experiences. From the narrow lanes and historical architecture of the city's Old Town to the modern, trendy restaurants in its northern neighbourhoods, Amritsar offers a great variety of things to do. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
Explore the Old Town
Amritsar's Old Town makes a worthy addition to your itinerary. While most visitors just pass through on route to the Golden Temple, the area provides an intriguing look into the city from days gone by. As you wonder about its narrow streets you'll come across historic homes and architecture, mansions and traditional craftsmen.
Witness the Palki Ceremony
If you visit the Golden Temple in the evening, you may have the opportunity to watch the Palki ceremony take place. This spiritual ritual is performed every day, and sees the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, being carried from the main shrine and "put to bed". The procedure is accompanied by singing, drumming and hymns read aloud by a priest.
Things to see in Amritsar
While the Golden Temple is undoubtedly the biggest draw for most visitors to Amritsar, there are plenty of other great sights and attractions in the city and close by. Be it art, architecture, history or culture, an Amritsar group tour showcases the very best of this enigmatic and dynamic city. Whether you're holidaying in the city or just passing through Amritsar on a Shimla tour, here are some of the city’s best spots to visit:
Food and drink in Amritsar
Sampling the local delicacies should certainly be part of your Amritsar holiday package, and thankfully there are plenty of tempting dishes to choose from. The city is home to an abundance of street food, with everything from flavourful curries to sweet treats available on the go.
Being located in Punjab, Amritsar offers the chance to try the state's diverse cuisine. Among the dietary staples of the region are rice, wheat, and dairy products. When it comes to meat, lamb, chicken and goat tend to be the most predominant. Due to its landlocked geography, it is freshwater fish, including carp and catfish, that feature most commonly on the state's menus. Breads such as khamiri roti, a spongy raised bread, are very popular, as are both cow and buffalo milk, which are used for drinking and making products like yoghurt and paneer cheese.
Amritsar's most famous dish is the Amritsari kulcha, a flatbread stuffed with potato, cottage cheese and onion. Other popular regional dishes include palak paneer, which comprises paneer in a thick spinach and tomato sauce, and dal makhani, made from slow-cooked kidney beans, lentils, ghee and tomato. There is a wide range of sweet options to enjoy during your time in the city, too. Look out for phirni, a dessert made using ground rice cooked in milk with additions such as almonds and cardamom, and kheer, an Indian rice pudding that can also be made using tapioca or bulgar wheat.
Just after a refreshing beverage on a break from sightseeing? Try a lassi. Particularly welcome in the hot summer months, these yoghurt curd-based drinks are made with ingredients such as mango, strawberry and cardamom powder. They are often served with a few spoonfuls of makhan (white butter) on top.
