12 Spectacular Tourist Places Near Amritsar

Amritsar is one of the most popular tourist places in North India. Rich in culture, the city is home to iconic sites such as the Golden Temple and the Akal Takht. Apart from sightseeing, Amritsar is famous for its food. In the city, you are treated to the best Punjabi food, and the city is also famous for its shopping experience.

While Amritsar is an excellent city for a holiday, an even better travel experience is adding in a few places to visit near Amritsar to your travel itinerary. If you are confused about where to go, follow this article on the best places to visit near Amritsar for a holiday.

Famous places to visit near Amritsar : Under 100 kilometres away

1. Wagah

To witness a touch of history visit the Wagah Border. The place borders India and Pakistan and it is only a short drive away from Amritsar. Start your trip by visiting the Samadh of Sham Singh Attari, where there is also a museum dedicated to the late soldier.

You can then take your place at the border to watch the exchange of flags that happens two hours before sunset. We suggest that you go early to get the best viewing spot.

• Distance from Amritsar: 30 kilometres
• Places to See: Samadh of Sham Singh Attari, Wagah Border

Suggested to Read : Discover the Top Places to Visit in Amritsar at Night

2. Batala

Batala is a nice place to visit if you have a keen interest in Sikh and Hindu cultures. Home to many temples, the city sees pilgrims that come to pay homage to God and seek his divine blessings. Some tourists even visit to soak in the stunning architecture of these gurudwaras and temples.

Travelling within Batala is easy, there are local buses and taxis to take you around. The best time to visit Batala is between the months of October and December.

• Distance from Amritsar: 41 kilometres
• Places to See: Gurdwara Kandh Sahib, Achleshwar Dham

3. Gurdaspur

Gurdaspur is rooted deep in Punjab’s history. The place is said to be where King Akbar was crowned and it also happens to be the place where the Pandavas built the Antediluvian Caves.

The city is home to many temples, forts and other marvellous structures with stunning architecture. Whether you love history or are keep on exploring Punjab’s rich culture, one thing is certain, you will never get bored of exploring the wonderful sites in Gurdaspur.

• Distance from Amritsar: 75 kilometres
• Places to See: Shahpur Kandi Fort, Mahakaleshwar temple, Nurpur Fort

4. Jalandhar

This town is rooted in history and has many sites to see. In case you plan to spend a day or two in Jalandhar, there are good accommodation available, you can check out the Treebo Grand Horizon at ISBT.

There are also amazing places to eat here. For a complete cultural experience, dine at Rangla Punjab. In Jalandhar, you also have a few open gardens and a thrilling water park that the kids will love.

• Distance from Amritsar: 81 kilometres
• Places to See: Devi Talab Temple, Imam Nasir Mausoleum
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Jalandhar

Suggested to Read : 15 Places to Visit in Amritsar that Capture the Essence of the City!

Popular places to visit near Amritsar: More than 100 kilometres away

1. Hoshiarpur

Blessed with a lot of greenery and forests, Hoshiarpur is a nice little town for a getaway from Amritsar. The town is popular for housing the Takhani-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is great for nature trails, treks and even exploring wildlife.

Another good place to explore in Hoshiarpur is Dholbaha. It is a site filled with many ancient ruins. The place is famous for housing antiquities from the Palaeolithic Period.

• Distance from Amritsar: 112 kilometres
• Places to See: Dholbaha, Takhani-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary

2. Pathankot

For a taste of Punjab’s rich culture, visit the city of Pathankot. It lies close to the border of Punjab and Jammu Kashmir and is an important tourist destination for pilgrims. Apart from temples, Pathankot is also famous for its forts, there are a few forts that are worth visiting in the city.

Pathankot is also popular for its Pashmina Shawls, the best place to buy shawls in Pathankot is at the Gandhi Chowk and in Mission Road.

• Distance from Amritsar: 115 kilometres
• Places to See: Jugial Township, Shiva Temple Kathgarh

3. Dalhousie

Surrounded by valleys and offering excellent views of the hills, Dalhousie is a hill station that is popular with tourists. The main activity in Dalhousie is sightseeing, if you love the outdoors, you will be thrilled with the excellent natural sites in Dalhousie.

Another good way of spending time in Dalhousie is trekking, the mountains here are ideal for long and short treks.

• Distance from Amritsar: 197 kilometres
• Places to See: Dainkund Peak, Panch Pulla

4. McLeodGanj

McLeodGanj offers travellers a different experience altogether, it introduced them to Tibetan culture that is warm, peaceful and charming. McLeodGanj is home to his holiness the Dalai Lama and many monks and nuns.

The city is surrounded by monasteries that are havens of sanctity and peace. Visit the town to rejuvenate and refresh yourself. McLeodGanj gives you plenty of opportunity to meditate and perform yoga. If keen, you can also learn about Buddhism. While in McLeodGanj do not forget to do some shopping at a local Tibetan market.

• Distance from Amritsar: 205 kilometres
• Places to See: Tsuglagkhang, Tibetan Museum
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Mcleodganj

Also Read : 12 Best Hill Stations Near Amritsar For A Quick Getaway

5. Khajjiar

Situated 22 kilometres away from Dalhousie, Khajjiar is touted as mini Switzerland, because of the stunning views it offers of the hills. The town is perpetually crowded with tourists from Dalhousie who make the short trip here for a day out of sightseeing and hiking.

Ideal for a day, Khajjiar is great for adventure sports too. Rock climbing and parasailing are two adventure sports that are conducted in Khajjiar.

• Distance from Amritsar: 211 kilometres
• Places to See: Khajjiar Lake, Khajji Nag Temple

6. Jammu

Jammu is J & K’s winter capital and the city is much hotter than the rest of the state. Popular for its gorgeous temples, many tourists visit on pilgrimage. Besides temples, Jammu does have other exciting sites to see. You can ask a rickshaw driver from the city centre to take you on a mini-tour. Tour fares begin from Rs. 300 onwards.

In Jammu, you can also enjoy boating on the Mansar Lake and a bit of shopping at the Raghunath Bazaar.

• Distance from Amritsar: 211 kilometres
• Places to See: Mansar Lake. Mubarak Mandi Palace
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Jammu

7. Chamba

There is plenty for tourists to enjoy in Chamba and visiting the old town is one of them. In the old town, one can enjoy soaking in gorgeous views of old buildings and architecturally stunning temples.

There’s also great opportunity for shopping; the bustling markets are where you can purchase shawls and other local products. The Bhuri Singh Museum is also a must visit spot in Chamba.

• Distance from Amritsar: 211 kilometres
• Places to See: Bhuri Singh Museum, Laxmi Narayan Temple

8. Shimla

Shimla has the perfect backdrop for a relaxed and cosy holiday. Shimla is one of India’s most popular hill stations. Famous for being a romantic getaway destination, Shimla is also popular amongst families. With a pleasant weather for most parts of the year, Shimla is your best bet for a vacation from Amritsar.

Top things to do here are sightseeing, trekking and indulging in adventure sports. If you are lucky, you might catch a festival or a cool event at The Ridge of Shimla and a train ride through the mountains.

• Distance from Amritsar: 366 kilometres
• Places to See: The Ridge of Shimla, Kufri
• Where to Stay : Hotels in Shimla

Book hotels in amritsar for an incredible and safe stay experience.

These are the best places for a vacation, if your starting base is from Amritsar. We have listed some of the coolest places for a holiday. Whether you are going on a solo vacation, on a romantic escapade or a family vacation, we are certain you will love holidaying at these places as they offer you amazing tourist experiences.