Amritsar is world-famous for the beautiful and highly revered Golden Temple or Sri Harmandir Sahib, which is one of the most prominent spiritual sites in the country. The temple is a two-storeyed structure with its top half covered in almost 400 kg of pure gold leaf, which is what earned it its English moniker. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the leader of the Sikh empire, is believed to have initiated the construction in the 19th century. The rest of the temple complex is built in white marble, inlaid with precious and semi-precious colourful stones. To create motifs, the pietra dura technique has been used. The grand temple complex is awe-inspiring in its size.

One must cover one’s head and remove his/her footwear before entering the Golden Temple, as a mark of respect. As one listens to the beautiful notes of gurbani (spiritual songs), the serene spirituality of the temple soothes the soul. One can also partake of the free meal that is offered here to around 20,000 people every day at the Guru Ka Langar (community meal), regardless of caste, creed or gender. The entire process is managed by volunteers and is one of the most humbling experiences you can have. 

This traditional Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Durga was built in the 16th century and is a well-known repository of Hindu scriptures. Thus, it draws a number of scholars and Hindu sages along with devotees who come here to worship Hindu deities, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayan. The temple is also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. 

The architecture of the temple resembles the style of the Golden Temple, which is located nearby. It has canopies and a central dome and much like the famous gurdwara, it rises from the midst of a tank of holy water. It was rebuilt in the third decade of the 20th century by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, a great reformer and political leader of resurgent India. This temple, with its peaceful precincts, has beautifully engraved silver doors and is hence also known as the Silver Temple. 

Ram Tirath is located 12 km west of Amritsar and is believed to be the place where sage Valmiki’s (the author of epic Ramayana) ashram used to stand in ancient times. Many believe that it was here that Lord Rama's sons, Lav and Kush, were born. It is said the hut where Goddess Sita gave birth to her sons still stands, along with sage Valmiki’s abode. The major attractions are beautifully sculpted statues, depicting scenes from the ancient epic. 

One will also find an ancient tank along with many temples. Every year in November, starting on the full-moon night, there is a four-day fair held that invites visitors from around the region.

Believed to be among the oldest in the region, the Gurudwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib was established by the 5th Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev. It is also said to have the largest sarovar (pond) among all the gurdwaras in Punjab. Guru Arjan Dev laid the foundation of this beautiful gurdwara in 1590. Another noteworthy feature of the gurudwara is that it is the only gurudwara that is the replica of the Golden Temple. The gurudwara sees a huge crowd on amavasya (no moon) night as a multitude of pilgrims gathers here.

Akal Takht is one of the five seats of the Sikh religious authority. The word 'akal' translates into timeless one and 'takht' means throne. Thus, Akal Takht literally means the throne of the immortal. It was built by the sixth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Ji, who laid the foundation stone in 1605. The takht was a symbol against the tyranny of the rulers and represented justice in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is the highest seat of the Khalsa, which is a military and civil authority of the Sikhs. The weaponry that was used by Sikh warriors in those times is also housed here. The takht is situated within the Golden Temple complex. The building faces the Darshini Deorhi, which then leads to the temple. 

Baba Atal Rai tower is situated to the south of the Golden Temple. At a height of 40 m, it is a nine-storeyed tower and one of the tallest buildings in Amritsar. Legend has it that Atal Rai, the son of the sixth Guru Hargobind, revived a dead friend, Mohan. Guru Hargobind rebuked the nine-year-old child for displaying his spiritual powers. In order to compensate for breaking the law, Atal Rai took samadhi. Each floor of this octagonal tower represents a year of Atal’s life. Initially, the structure was built as a tower, but eventually, it was transformed into a gurudwara. The first floor of the tower houses a number of miniature works depicting scenes from Guru Nanak's life. One can also get a sweeping and panoramic view of the city of Amritsar from the top of the tower.