12 Best Historical Places in Amritsar with Timings, Entry Fee

History has left an indelible mark on Amritsar, a city that bears the legacy of being the hub of Sikh religion. It is also the place where one of the most tragic chapters in India’s freedom struggle occurred – the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. There are many heritage monuments in Amritsar that depict the treasure trove of its spiritual, cultural, and architectural splendor. Are you traveling to this heritage city in Punjab? Make sure to book your hotels in Amritsar in the city center to have easy access to many of these historical attractions.

Here are top historical places in Amritsar that reflect its illustrious past in an enticing way:

Historical Places in Amritsar:

1. Golden Temple, Amritsar

Golden Temple | #1 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Golden Temple, Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib – call it by whatever name you may, but there’s no denying that this shrine is one of the holiest places in the country and world’s most prominent religious site for the Sikh community. Situated in the heart of Amritsar, the Golden Temple traces its origin to the 16^th century. After suffering a series of demolitions till 1809, it was reconstructed in marble and copper by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He later overlaid the gurudwara with gold foil in 1830, which led to its name – the Golden Temple.

When it comes to heritage places in Amritsar, the Golden Temple definitely tops the list for its spiritual and historical significance as well as its magnificent architecture.

• Timings: 4:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free
• Hotels: Budget Hotels near Amritsar Airport | Budget Hotels near Golden Temple

2. jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar

Jallianwala Bagh | #2 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar stands as a poignant reminder of India’s freedom struggle and the atrocities suffered by people at the hands of colonial rulers. In 1919, the British forces, under the supervision of General Dyer, viciously launched an open fire on an unarmed and peaceful gathering of Indian men, women, and children at this walled garden. The incident left hundreds dead and a deep scar on Amritsar’s history.

To this day, you can see the bullet marks on a wall inside the garden along with the well into which many helpless people had jumped to their death to escape the bullets. There is also a memorial and museum inside Jallianwala Bagh commemorating the martyrs.

• Location: Golden Temple Road, Amritsar
• Timings: 06:30 am to 07:30 pm
• Entry Fee: Free

3. Akal Takht, Amritsar

Akal Takht | #3 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Located right opposite the Golden Temple, the Akal Takht represents one of the five seats of power and religious authority in Sikhism. This place was established by Guru Hargobind Ji to symbolize political sovereignty and justice and to address the earthly concerns of the Sikh.

Like the Golden Temple, the Akal Takht also suffered damage during the course of history. It was the site where Operation Blue Star, the 1984 military action under the orders of Indira Gandhi, took place. The operation heavily destroyed the building. Today, it has been rebuilt into a magnificent five-storied white edifice with a golden dome.

• Location: Golden Temple Road, Amritsar
• Timings: 2:30 am to 10:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free

Also Read: Monuments in India

4. Wagah Border, Amritsar

Wagah Border | #4 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Wagah Border is the border crossing at the Radcliffe Line or the boundary line dividing India and Pakistan. During the time of partition in 1947, migrants from India had crossed over to Pakistan through this very border. While this is the major reason that makes Wagah Border one of the top historical places to visit in Amritsar, there’s more to it.

You can witness the Change of Guard and Beating Retreat ceremonies at the Wagah Border every evening, which counts among the most popular things to do in Amritsar.

• Ceremony Timings:
• Winter – 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm
• Summer – 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free

5. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Amritsar

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum | #5 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum may not qualify as a historical attraction based on dates as it was established in 1977. But what puts it in the list of top heritage sites to visit in Amritsar is the fact that it is housed in one of the summer palaces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The lovely building has a matchless collection depicting the legacy of the Maharaja including century-old manuscripts and coins, paintings, arms and armor, dresses, and so on.

• Location: Wagah, Amritsar
• Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Closed on Mondays
• Entry Fee: ₹ 10 per person

6. Khalsa College, Amritsar

Khalsa College | #6 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Founded in 1892, Khalsa College ranks among the top historical places in Amritsar due to its extensive 300-acre campus and majestic architecture which resembles a colossal castle. The college building is a brilliant example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

Apart from its architectural beauty, this age-old educational institution has gained historical importance for its significant role in the country’s freedom struggle.

• Location: Grand Trunk Road, Amritsar
• Entry Fee: Free

7. Sri Ram Tirath Ashram, Amritsar

Sri Ram Tirath Ashram | #7 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Sri Ram Tirath Ashram is a renowned shrine in Amritsar that shares a deep connection with Maharishi Valmiki.  Legend has it that the present ashram stands at the location where the sage had his hermitage and where he composed the epic Ramayana. Hence, it is also called Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal. It is also believed to be the site where Sita took shelter, after being abandoned by her husband Ram and even gave birth to her twins, Luv and Kush.

A major attraction in the present-day shrine is the 8-foot-tall statue of Valmiki, completely plated with gold. It also has many temples within its premises along with Valmiki’s hut and an old tank, which is believed to have been dug by Lord Hanumana.

• Location: Ram Tirath Road, Amritsar
• Timings: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free

8. Durgiana Temple, Amritsar

Sri Ram Tirath Ashram | #8 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

One of the most prominent temples in Amritsar, Durgiana Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Built by Guru Harsai Mal Kapoor in 1921, this renowned shrine is modeled after the Golden Temple and situated in the middle of a lake. Exquisitely carved doors made of silver adorn the temple entrance. The temple is known as much for its architectural beauty as for its peaceful ambiance.

• Location: Hathi Gate, Amritsar
• Timings: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free

9. Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar

Gobindgarh Fort | #9 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Among the many historical places in Amritsar, Gobindgarh Fort stands out due to its glorious history of over two-and-a-half centuries. Built by Gujjar Singh Bhangi in the 18^th century, the majestic fort had seen much bloodshed over time and eventually came under the control of the Indian army. Today, the fort has been converted into a live heritage museum.

The main attractions of the fort include an ancient warfare museum, a coin museum, a haat bazaar, whispering walls, and Sher e Punjab, which is a 7D show about the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. No wonder, this museum is one of the best tourist places in Amritsar.

• Location: Old Cantt. Road, Vijay Chowk, Amritsar
• Timings: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Entry Fee*:
  ₹ 25 for Indians
  ₹ 100 for Foreigners

*Valid till 5:00 pm only

10. Jama Masjid Khairuddin, Amritsar

Jama Masjid Khairuddin | #10 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

A historic mosque with a deep connection to the country’s freedom struggle, Jama Masjid Khairuddin is another must-visit attraction in Amritsar. It was built by Mohd. Khairuddin in the year 1876 and is thus also called Khairuddin Mosque. It is the sacred place from where Tootie-e-Hind, Shah Attaullah Bukhari, had given the great call to stand up against colonial rulers. The mosque is also famous for its impressive Islamic style of architecture, featuring intricate designs, four minarets, and three domes.

• Location: Hall Bazar, Amritsar
• Timings: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free

11. Tarn Taran Sahib, Amritsar

Tarn Taran Sahib | #11 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

Tarn Taran Sahib is a gurudwara located a short drive away from the city. This religious site was founded by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh guru, in 1590. As such, the place holds much religious and historic significance among the Sikhs. Apart from that, the shrine is also known for its impressive white edifice that stands surrounded by a large water body.

• Location: Old City, Amritsar
• Timings: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free
• Distance from Amritsar City: 20 km (approx.)

12. Pul Kanjri, Amritsar

Pul Kanjri | #12 of 12 Historical Places in Amritsar

A short drive from Amritsar city will take you to Pul Kanjri, a historical site built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. During the days of his reign, it was an important trading hub visited by traders from far-flung areas. But today, it is a small village and an important heritage site under the Punjab Ministry of Tourism. The key attractions here include a Shiva temple, a mosque, the ruined stay-house of the Maharaja called Baradari, and a pool named Sarovar.

If you are a history buff, you will find a trip to Pul Kanjri worth your while.

• Distance from Amritsar City: 35 km (approx.)

While this is not a comprehensive list of the historical places in Amritsar, we have included the most famous attractions for you. So, go ahead and have your tryst with history in this heritage city.