Patiala is known as the City of Gardens and Palaces. Famous for its peg, pagri, paranda, reshmi naley, jutti and salwars, Patiala has a rich and diverse culture signifying a busy city life.

Patiala city is a place that would give one the much-needed tranquility far from urban chaos. The city of Patiala has it all- massive forts, magnificent palaces, museums, modern buildings, institutions, gardens which depicts the charm of the bygone whereas it is also well equipped with all the amenities of present day life.

If you wish to have a look at the wide variety of Rajput, Mughal and Punjabi cultures along with a fine blend of modernity and tradition, then you must plan a trip to the beautiful and bold city of 'Patiala'.

How to Reach Patiala?

By Air : There are daily flights between Delhi- Amritsar and Delhi- Chandigarh. Taxis can be hired outside the airport to get to Patiala.

By Rail : As far as trains are concerned, although Patiala does not lie on the main line (which covers Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ferozepur and Jalandhar), you can take a train from just a vast range of cities in northern India- and further afield- to any of the main line stations and then take a connecting bus or train to Patiala. New Delhi-Bhatinda Inter City Express or the Shatabdi Express to Ambala can be taken to reach Patiala. Once you are here, taxis are available to drive you down to the Patiala city. It is always better if you book for a taxi before hand to avoid any delay.

By Road : Patiala lies on Punjab's main highway network and is linked by an ordinary and deluxe bus service to Delhi and to Punjab's main cities, including Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. Patiala is about 250 km from Delhi and can be easily reached within 5 hours by driving down the National Highway # 1 (Delhi-Amritsar). You can also drive to Patiala from Chandigarh, via Zirakpur (on NH 22), and Rajpura.

Best Time to Visit Patiala

The winter months from October to March are the best time to visitthe city. This is the time when the city experiences a very pleasant climate with temperatures dropping down to 10 degree Celsius. Summers can be quite hot so avoid traveling during the summer months.

Things to do in Patiala

Experience the traditional flavours of the most colourful Indian culture in Patiala. From visiting forts and palaces of old Indian maharajas to tasting rich cuisine and shopping to your heart’s content, this city has it all. Thethings to do list of Patiala include interesting sightseeing and shopping options.

Witness the fine antiques collection and get an insight into the life of Maharajas of Patiala at the famous Sheesh Mahal, which is a part of Qila Mubarark. For an educative recreational trip visit the National Institute of Sports and Art Gallery in Moti Bagh Palace. If visiting with kids you can also visit Chattbir Zoo or Baradari Gardens.

Shopping enthusiasts can buy some famous Phulkari work at state run Phulakari Emporium in Chhoti Baradari or buy some punjabi juttis (traditional footwear). Pickle lovers can rejoice at the pickle market called the Aachar Bazaar that offers vast variety of Punjabi pickles.

Chandigarh is a great gateway from Patiala or you can also plan to visit hill stations like Kasauli and Shimla over the weekend.

Places Near Patiala

Bir Bhunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary, Ambala, Chandigarh, Thanesar are some of the places near Patiala that are worth visiting.

Located 20 kms away from Patiala is Bir Bhunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the popular places to visit. Spread across an area of 662 hectares, the sanctuary is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Some of the rich biodiversity that this sanctuary boasts of includes different varieties of trees such as Shisham and Kikar trees, Mesquite, Dholi, Karri, Beri and wide variety of animals including Hog Deer, Black Buck, Grey Partridges, Porcupine, Blue Bull to name a few.

Ambala, 43 kms away from Patiala, is located near the Punjab border. There are many religious sites and the most significant memorial at the Ambala Airfield. The Manji Sahib Gurudwara, Sis Ganj Gurudwara and Badshahi Bag Gurudwara are the three main Sikh religious places that you may like to visit here.

The well-planned city of Chandigarh, located at the foothills of the Shivalik Range is 67 kms away from Patiala. The Rock Garden, Government Museum and Art Gallery, the Hidden Valley and Sukhna Lake are the places to visit. The Hidden Valley, an ecotourism camping adventure site that offers eco-tours and outdoor activities include trekking, jungle safaris such as, camel safari, horse safari, bird watching, mountain biking, and Cart Rides are some of the activities that you may enjoy here.

Situated at a distance of 75 kms from Patiala is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site – Thanesar. The Sthanesvar Mahadev temple and the Ma Bhadra Kali Temple are the places to visit in Thanesar. This is also a significant archaeological site, which was once the capital of the Kingdom of Harsha-Vardhana.

Hotels in Patiala – Choice is Yours

There are numerous hotels in Patiala ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.