Pathankot is a beautiful city located in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh in the state of Punjab. Often known as the gateway to the northern part of India to Jammu & Kashmir, Pathankot is a famous name amongst explorers and travelers. The entire city smells of nostalgia from memories of the partition of India and of delectable parathas and lassi. Food connoisseurs can also enjoy other Indian dishes such as chana masala, chicken tikka, mutton chap and many more in this city! There are several places to visit near Pathankot that offer an equally amazing experience.
The historical background of the city and the lush greenery and mountains are a treat to every seeker and especially to every travel journalist. Enough said about Pathankot, it is a lesser-known fact that there are many places near Pathankot that are equally worth your time. All these places also lie either in Himachal Pradesh or Punjab. These destinations are easily accessible via road from Pathankot and you must explore as many of them as possible during your during to Pathankot or even independently.
10 Places To Visit Near Pathankot
Are you looking for places to visit near Pathankot? It’s time to add some space in your itinerary for these amazing and spellbinding places that will leave you stunned. Let us have a sneak peek at these awesome places to visit near Pathankot on your next trip:
- Dharamshala: Serene Ambiance
- McLeod Ganj: For Adventure Lovers
- Palampur: Scenic Beauty
- Kangra: Lush Green Valleys
- Amritsar: The Historical City
- Shimla: Refreshing Getaway
- Jammu: Religious Escape
- Kapurthala: City Of Palaces And Gardens
- Gurdaspur: Colors Of Punjab
- Ludhiana: Largest City In Punjab
1. Dharamshala: Serene Ambiance
Dharamshala is a beautiful city in the State of Himachal Pradesh, one which is known for its tranquility and serenity. It is home to Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. Set amidst Buddhist temples, forests, and Himalayan mountains, Dharamshala makes up to be one of the most relaxing visiting places near Pathankot.
Location: Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India
Distance from Pathankot: 68 Km
Things to do in Dharamshala: Visit Namgyal Monastery, Tibet Museum, Tsuglagkhang complex Dalai lama, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 3 days
Weather conditions in Dharamshala: In summers the temperature is on an average 25 degrees Celsius and in winters it stoops as low as 8 degrees Celsius.
Best time to visit Dharamshala: The best time to visit Dharamshala is between February to June.
How to reach Dharamshala:
Via air: The Nearest airport is Gaggal airport situated 13 km from Dharamshala
Via train: The Nearest railway station is Pathankot railway station
Via bus: Dharamshala is well-connected to major cities via road
Must Read: 12 Homestays In Dharamshala: Experience Peace, Comfort And Great Hospitality
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
2. McLeod Ganj: For Adventure Lovers
McLeod Ganj is a beautiful destination place located at the upper part of Dharamshala. There are many adventure games that one can enjoy in McLeod Ganj like Paragliding, zip-lining, rock climbing, flying fox, rappelling, and much more. It is often called ‘ Little Lhasa’ because it accommodates a huge population of Tibetans. There are many coffee shops, bakeries, cafes with delectable Thai cuisine, and local shops selling antique items at the markets in McLeod.
Location: Dharamshala, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India
Distance from Pathankot: 68 Km
Things to do in McLeod Ganj: Visit Church of St. John in the Wilderness, Dal Lake, Tibetan Institute of arts, and Bhagsunag Falls
Ideal for: Families, Friends, Couples
Ideal trip duration: 2 to 3 days
Weather conditions in McLeod Ganj: In summers the temperature remains between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius and in winters it is between 2 to 6 degrees Celsius (approx)
Best time to visit McLeod Ganj: The best time to visit McLeod Ganj in summers is between March and June. In winter it is between October and February.
How to reach McLeod Ganj: Same as Dharamshala
Suggested Read: 6 Awesome Things To Do In Pathankot For A Trip To Remember
3. Palampur: Scenic Beauty
Palampur is a non crowded and peaceful hill station where one can spend some quality time with their family, friends and loved ones. It is filled with creeks, tea gardens, colonial-era buildings, brooks, rice paddies and much more. Tourists can also enjoy boating in the man-made lake of Palampur whilst also tasting the city’s famous tea. You can also get some tea for yourself from the tea gardens in Palampur.
Location: Municipality in Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India
Distance from Pathankot: 93 Km
Things to do in Palampur: Visit Saurabh Van Vihar, PalampurCooperative Tea Garden, Shree Jakhni Mata Temple, Bundla Chasm, Birni Devi Temple, etc.
Ideal for: Families, Friends, Couples
Ideal trip duration: 2 to 3 days
Weather conditions in Palampur: Extremely pleasant weather with the temperature of 14 to 25 degrees Celsius in summers, and 8 to 13 degrees Celsius in winters.
Best time to visit Palampur: Palampur has a mild climate and can be visited throughout the year, albeit most ideally between March to June and mid-September to November.
How to reach Palampur:
Via train: The Nearest railway station is Palampur railway station. It takes 7 hours from there.
Via road: There are many luxurious buses provided by the Himachal Road Transport Cooperation ( HRTC)
Suggested Read: 13 Places To Visit In Pathankot For A Blissful Holiday Experience
4. Kangra: Lush Green Valleys
Kangra is a beautiful hill station located in Himachal Pradesh. All those who are visiting places near Pathankot, should not miss out on Kangra. From diverse delicacies of Tibetan, Italian, and Himachal cuisines, to delectable street food such as laping and momos – Kangra has it all! Kangra is really ideal for explorers across the world.
Location: Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India
Distance from Pathankot: 65 Km
Things to do in Kangra: Visit Kangra Fort, Nagarkot Fort, Bajreshwari Mata Temple, Nagarkot Fort Museum, Achar Kund, Shiv Temple Kangra, Baan Ganga Mandir, and Raja Sansar Chandra Museum.
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 3 to 4 days
Weather conditions in Kangra: Kangra experiences pleasant weather throughout the year and in summers, the temperature is recorded between 17 to 30 degrees Celsius and in winters, it is between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Best time to visit Kangra: The best time to visit Kangra in summers is between the months of March and August, and in winters between October to February.
How to reach Kangra:
Via air: The nearest airport is Gaggal airport which lies 11 km from Kangra
Via train: The nearest station is Pathankot railway station.
Via road: All buses are well-connected to Kangra via New Delhi.
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5. Amritsar: The Historical City
While charting out the places to visit around Pathankot, you cannot leave Amritsar behind the list. Most famous for its beautiful and idyllic Golden Temple, Amritsar attracts many tourists across the world on a daily basis to come and offer their prayers at the temple. The historical and equally despairing significance of Jallian Bagh in Amritsar also reaches out to a lot of tourists and Sikhs. The city is indeed a complete package of spirituality, history, modernity, and culture.
Location: Punjab, India
Distance from Pathankot: 118 Km
Things to do in Amritsar: Visit Harmandir Sahib aka The Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Partition Museum, Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib Ji, Mata Lal Devi mandir, and Shree Durgiana Tirath.
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 to 3 days
Weather conditions in Amritsar: In summers, Amritsar records an average temperature of 25 to 40 degrees Celsius, and in winters between 13 to 17 degrees Celsius.
Best time to visit Amritsar: You can visit any time in the year to Amritsar every month is comfortable to visit but it is advisable to avoid peak summers.
How to reach Amritsar:
Via air: The nearest airport is Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport of Amritsar
Via train: The nearest railway station is the Amritsar Railway Station
Via road: Well-connected by road via major cities of India
Suggested Read: 14 Surreal Hill Stations Near Pathankot One Must Explore To Get The Best Vibe Of Himachal Pradesh
6. Shimla: Refreshing Getaway
Shimla, the queen of Hill Stations is quite well-connected from Pathankot and is known for offering the most refreshing vacation. This capital city of Himachal Pradesh is not only known for its scenic beauty but is also home to numerous popular sites, including temples, heritage sites and a lot more. It is one of the most visited honeymoon destinations in India and will surely make you have an awesome time here. This is one of the most popular tourist places around Pathankot.
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Distance from Shimla: 299 km
Things to do in Shimla: There are numerous attractions in Shimla. You can take a sightseeing tour to explore the place.
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 3 days
Weather conditions in Shimla: The weather remains pleasant during summer whereas winters are quite cold here that lures travelers with its unique experiences
Best time to visit Shimla: Throughout the year
How to reach Shimla: You can board a train or bus from Pathankot to reach Shimla. The nearest airbase is Jubbarhatti Airport but there is no direct connectivity between the two places
Suggested Read: 6 Awesome Things To Do In Pathankot For A Trip To Remember
7. Jammu: Religious Escape
Jammu, the home of numerous iconic temples is one of the most popular places near Pathankot. It was named Jumbu after the King Jambu Lochan who founded the area in the early 8th century. Later, the name was changed to Jammu and currently it serves as a gateway for those heading to Katra for their spiritual visit to Vaishno Devi. This is surely among the most visit tourist places near Pathankot.
Location: Jammu and Kashmir
Distance from Pathankot: 127 km
Things to do in Jammu: Go for a sightseeing tour
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 3-4 days
Weather conditions in Jammu: During summer the temperature moderate whereas winters are comparatively cold here
Best time to visit Jammu: October to March
How to reach Jammu: You can board a train or bus from Pathankot to reach Jammu
Suggested Read: Top 12 Hotels In Pathankot For An Utterly Relaxing Vacation
8. Kapurthala: City Of Palaces And Gardens
Kapurthala, the famous city of palaces and gardens is another beautiful place around Pathankot. The place has been named after Rana Kapur, the might Rajput warrior during Medieval era. The city is known for its vibrant culture and is often visited by history lovers who love exploring the truth of the past days. This is the among the nearest tourist places around Pathankot.
Location: Punjab
Distance from Pathankot: 39.4 km
Things to do in Kapurthala: Plan a historical tour to explore the palaces and other heritage sites
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 days
Weather conditions in Kapurthala: Subtropical monsoon type climate
Best time to visit Kapurthala: October to March
How to reach Kapurthala: You can take a bus or train from Pathankot to Kapurthala
9. Gurdaspur: Colors Of Punjab
Gurdaspur is a popular city in Punjab that is located between Ravi and Sutlej rivers. The place is known for showcasing the vibrant colours of Punjabi culture. Dera Baba Nanak, Mahakaleshwar Temple, Gurdas Nangal, Shahpur Kandi Fort, Achaleshwar Temple are some of the prime attractions here that lure tourists from near and far.
Location: Punjab
Distance from Pathankot: 39.4 km
Things to do in Gurdaspur: Plan a religious visit to the popular gurdwaras and temples
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 days
Weather conditions in Gurdaspur: Summers are quite hot here followed by refreshing monsoon season and cold winters
Best time to visit Gurdaspur: October to March
How to reach Gurdaspur: There is no direct flight between Pathankot and Gurdaspur. You can board a train or bus to reach here
10. Ludhiana: Largest City In Punjab
Ludhiana, the largest city in Punjab is a hub of cultural activities. This lively city was founded in the year 1480 and is named after the Lodhi Dynasty. The city exhibits its two facades, one being the ultra-modern part inhabited by the NRIs whereas the other part is known for its vibrant culture and traditions. This is one of the most visit tourist places near Pathankot.
Location: Punjab
Distance from Pathankot: 174 km
Things to do in Ludhiana: Plan a religious visit to the popular gurdwaras and temples. You can also go for Tiger safari here.
Ideal for: Families, Friends
Ideal trip duration: 2 days
Weather conditions in Ludhiana: Like other cities in Punjab, summers are quite hot here followed by refreshing monsoon season and cold winters
Best time to visit Ludhiana: February to April
How to reach Ludhiana: To reach Ludhiana from Pathankot, you can board a bus which will take nearly 3 hours. If you are taking a train to reach here then you will take 2 hours 30 minutes to reach Ludhiana.
Further Read: 13 Best Places In Manali For Honeymoon Couples Visiting The Hill Station
Pathankot is really a beautiful destination to spend some peaceful time with your family, friends, and even yourself. As we have seen that even though the city is self-sufficient for tourism, there are so many places near Pathankot that also equally suffice to our traveling dreams! Explore Dharamshala’s serenity, McLeod’s cuisines, Kangra’s amazing tourist spots, Palampur’s tea, and of course Amritsar’s Golden Temple as you plan your trip to Himachal Pradesh with TravelTriangle.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit Near Pathankot
What is there to see in Pathankot?
One can explore many places in Pathankot such as : Why is Pathankot famous?
Pathankot is a beautiful city located in Punjab state at the meeting point of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The city is most famous for its rich history and beautiful natural beauty. Is Pathankot safe?
Pathankot is completely safe for tourists. You can visit there without any fear or second thought in your mind. Although you need to be a bit careful with your belongings apart from that there is no violence recorded till now. Is Pathankot located in Pakistan?
No, Pathankot is a city situated in the state of Punjab. The city shares an international border with Pakistan but it is a part of India. When is the best time to visit Pathankot?
The best time to visit Pathankot is between October to April. Also, there are so many places to see near Pathankot which you can visit during this time. How can one reach Pathankot?
Here are a few ways to reach Pathankot: How far is Pathankot from New Delhi?
The road distance between Pathankot and New Delhi is 478 km.
1. Nupur Fort
2. kali Mata ka mandir
3. Shani Dev Mandir
4. Shiva Temple Kathgarh
5. Ranjit Sagar Dam
1. Via air: The nearest airport is the Pathankot Airport which is a military airport
2. Via train: The nearest railway station is Pathankot Railway Station
3. Via road: There are many well-connecting buses and routes via major cities of India
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