Amritsar

Home to Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the Punjab city of Amritsar appears serene and humbling to the new arrival. But duck into any side street and you’ll find wonderfully frenetic ancient bazaars, with a sensory overload of sights and smells.

The largest city of Punjab, Amritsar is a beautiful blend of tradition, culture and exotic food. Top of the typical traveller’s to-do list will be a visit to the Golden Temple in the Old City, or the newly refurbished Gobindgarh Fort. Meanwhile, the north side of town is far more modern, full of spectacular towers, upmarket restaurants and a wide range of events and activities. Head to Hall Bazaar for one-stop shopping, exquisite textiles, or why not try a food tour?

The people of Amritsar are well known for their warmth to visitors, and a visit here is likely to be your first of many. Give it a try, and we promise this unknown gem of a city will become your new favourite.