A 2-day Itinerary of Amritsar The Heart and Soul of Punjab
by Srikanth Pasupuleti on June 07, 2019
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Amritsar is a perfect blend of the sacred and commercial worlds – the spirituality of Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple contrasts well with the humdrum of the vibrant city with the mercantile hub. The city of Amritsar was named after the holy tank around the Golden Temple called Amrit Sarovar. Amritsar is the heart and soul of Punjab and is one of the best places to explore in India to know more about Sikhs and their culture. A 2 days trip to Amritsar is also enough to cover the city, when planned right. In this blog, we have brought you the best way to explore the beautiful city in 2 days.
Everything in the city represents something about the spirit of Punjab and Punjabis – from the buzzing bazaars with shops of colorful phulkaaris, stunning jooties and many other things to the wide stretch of food stalls, hotels and dhabas serving delicious local food like Amritsari Kulcha, Punjabi Lassi, chole and much more.
Read on to plan a perfect 2-day itinerary to Amritsar.
How to Reach
By Air: You can fly to Amritsar International Airport, 11 kilometers from the City Center. The airport connects with almost all the major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. Take a cab to get to the city.
By Train: If you want to travel by train, there is a railway junction in the city that connects with major parts of the country.
By Road: If you want to go on a road trip to Amritsar. The best route is from Delhi or Chandigarh. So, if you are living in Delhi, you can hire a car and drive to Amritsar with your group.
Day 1
Start your day with a yummy breakfast at Kanha Sweets in Lawrence Road. Have the special and authentic puri, chana aloo and head to Partition Museum. History lovers can easily spend hours at this place! Then leave for Jalianwala Bagh through Heritage Street. Jalianwala Bagh is a site of national importance, preserved and maintained since long. Enjoy finder-licking food for lunch at Pal Da Dhaba at Hathi Gate, lachha paratha and kharode (lamb trotters) are a must-try here.
Post lunch, entertain the shopaholic in you. The local bazaars nearby such as Katra Jaimal Singh and hall Gate showcase shops with traditional footwear, beautiful phulkaris and many more attractive things you can take back home. You will find many street food stalls in the market area where you can have the typical Amritsari food. Have some space for dinner as the famous Surjit Food Place is one of the best places to eat in Amritsar. Get back to your hotel room and have a good sleep after the tiring day. You need to get up early tomorrow – the real fun is yet to begin!
Day 2
Wake up early and get ready for a wonderful day in Amritsar. Leave the hotel by 4:00am for the early morning ardaas at Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib. The peaceful experience of hearing the ardaas is unparalleled to all the experiences. The dome of the Gurudwara glowing by the first rays of the sun – the view is awe-striking. Spend a few hours alluring the sight and getting closer to spirituality. It is one of the most satisfying things to do in Amritsar You will not want to leave sooner. Around 8:00am or late (If you want to stay for a little longer), have breakfast at the All India Famous Amritsari Kulcha at Maqbool Road. Take Heritage Walk in Amritsar around the Heritage Plaza, explore the shops around and do some more shopping.
Once you are done, leave for another spectacular experience in Amritsar – drive to Atari-Wagah Border for the Flag Down ceremony. It is just a 25 kilometers drive from the city. Before the evening ceremony, have lunch at the famous Sarhad, a place near the border serving authentic local food. A trip to Amritsar is never complete without its delicious food. Watch the soldiers of both the countries marching on the beats during the flag down ceremony. That feeling of sheer patriotism when the crowd chants Vande Materam and Jai Hind is unbeatable!
On returning to the city, have dinner at Bharawan da Dhaba, another nice place to eat near Madaan Hospital in Majitha Road.
Where to stay in Amritsar
You will find several accommodation options in the city from budget-friendly hotels to luxury hotels. Here are some of the best picks:
Ramada Amritsar: Situated at a short distance from Harmandir Sahib and Partition Museum, Ramada is a convenient and comfortable option to stay in the city.
Ranjit’s SVAASA: It is luxurious boutique stay offering comfortable suites and rooms with private terraces.
Hyatt Amritsar: Staying at Hyatt is a fantastic experience of luxury and comfort. The hotel staff also provides complimentary shuttle service to and from Harmandir Sahib.
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