Top 16 Things To Do In Ambala, Haryana, India

1. Explore Herbal Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: Nature lovers, families, couples, solo travelers

There are two herbal parks in Ambala that were set up by the local government of Haryana. One is located in Ambala Cantonment and the other one is within the city. The parks feature serene natural surroundings that include grassy areas with patches of plants, rocks, trees, and some monuments and other structures. As the name suggests, most of the plants you will find here are herbs with various medicinal properties including Elettaria Cardamomum Camphora, Virginia Indica, and many others.

Herbal Park

Address: Near old Officers collony, near D C Residence, Ambala, Haryana 134003, India

Opening hours: 24 Hours

Price: Free Admission

2. End the day with a sumptuous meal at Baba's Restaurant / Suroor Roof Top & Lounge

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Best for: Foodies, photographers, music lovers

A day of sightseeing and city tours in Ambala deserves a fantastic dinner at Baba’s Restaurant / Suroor Roof Top & Lounge to cap it off. This excellent dining spot is located in Jaggi City Centre, along with other exquisite restaurants. It features tastefully furnished modern interiors and a rooftop lounge that treats you with a beautiful view of the area. Their food and drink offerings are diverse. You can enjoy North Indian, Chinese, Thai, and continental specialties at this one delightful gastronomic paradise. Live music also elevates the guests’ dining experience.

Baba's Restaurant / Suroor Roof Top & Lounge

Address: Jaggi city centre, Sena Nagar, Dholkot, Ambala, Haryana 133001, India

Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)

3. Invite your friends to a movie date at Fun Galaxy Theater

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Best for: Cinephiles, solo travelers, couples, families

Going to Ambala City with the whole squad? If so, be sure to schedule a movie adventure with your best buds at Fun Galaxy Theatre. This fantastic movie hub is located in Galaxy Mall in Sector 7, Ambala. Although Fun Galaxy is a brand and has several other branches in Ambala, this one is huge, clean, and has a state-of-the-art sound system and impressive projection facilities. Plus, it is always up-to-date in showing the trendiest and most-awaited films.

Fun Galaxy Theater

Address: Galaxy Mall, Sector 7, Ambala, Haryana 133006, India

Website: Fun Galaxy Theater

4. Swing by Jain Mandir

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: Culture and history buffs

Ambala, just like other Indian cities, has a rich cultural heritage and the abundance of temples and other places of worship in the city is a testament to that. One of the many fascinating temples in Ambala is Jain Mandir. This Jain temple is historic and has been on the ground for almost 150 years now. It showcases four figures of Jain deities. Aside from its stunning architectural design, tourists admire the calmness and solitude in the temple.

Jain Mandir

Address: Jain Nagar, Prem Nagar, Ambala, Haryana 133006

Opening hours: 6:30am - 9pm (daily)

5. Take a breather at Sardar Patel Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: Nature lovers, families, couples, solo travelers

If you feel like you need a breather while you’re on a vacation in the city, you may take a break from your long city walks and sightseeing and, instead, plan an exciting visit to the park. One of the best parks that you can find in Ambala is Sardar Patel Park. The park is open every day from morning to nighttime. It showcases lush trees and shady seating areas that visitors love about it, aside from the calmness and the silent environment it has. To top it all off, it has a fantastic playground, where the kids can slide and swing to their hearts’ content.

Sardar Patel Park

Address: Ambala Cantt, Haryana 133001, India

Opening hours: 4am - 10pm (daily)

6. Visit the holy Gurudwara Sri Manji Sahib Ji

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: Culture enthusiasts, pilgrims

Gurudwara Sri Manji Sahib Ji is located in Rama Mandir. The city of Ambala was believed to had sanctified by two prominent gurus in the past - Sri Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Sri Hargobind. One of the gurus, Guru Sri Hargobind, stayed in Ambala for quite some time during his visit, and in the exact location where he resided, the Gurudwara Sri Manji Sahib Ji was built. Gurudwara Sri Manji Sahib Ji is a historic shrine that is considered the most popular of its kind in Ambala. It was built in 1950. Aside from praying and worshipping, pilgrims visit this sacred place of devotion to see the beautiful Meenakari and Chitrakari masterpieces that it houses.

Gurudwara Sri Manji Sahib Ji

Address: NH-1, Sher Shah Suri Marg, Ambala, India

7. Do some soul-searching at Gurudwara Sri Panjokhra Sahib

Best for: Culture enthusiasts, pilgrims, families, couples, solo travelers

Find tranquillity amid this bustling city at the centuries-old Sikh temple. Built in memory of the eighth Guru Sri Harkrishanji, this stunning establishment exhibits classical architecture with distinctive domes and a serene sarovar, or sacred pool. It’s an ideal retreat for both pilgrims seeking solace and Instagrammers looking for picture-postcard moments.

Here you can take some time to reflect on life. To make it even more accommodating, the temple also features a restaurant, tourist centre, and a spacious lawn where you can catch a glimpse of, or participate in, fabulous festivities. It opens daily, although Sunday mornings can be crowded.

Gurudwara Sri Panjokhra Sahib

Address: Ambala - Naraingarh Rd, Panjokhara, Haryana 133001, India

Website: Gurudwara Sri Panjokhra Sahib

Opening hours: 4am - 8pm (daily)

8. Get wrapped up in local fashion at Ambala Cloth Market

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: Shopaholics, brides-to-be

Ambala Cloth market, considered to be the largest of its kind in Asia. It is a sea of silks, sarees and smiling brides-to-be. With over a thousand shops selling clothes of all shapes and sizes, in every colour under the rainbow and then some, it is a spectacular feast for all senses.

Offering every extravagant outfit you might ever need for a larger-than-life Indian wedding, it is a popular destination for brides from around the country and fashion lovers from around the world. And with so many options to choose from, it’s also a great place to put your haggling skills to the test and pick up some amazing bargains.

Before you go, be sure to pack your wallet and put on that game face and those sensible walking shoes.

Ambala Cloth Market

Address: Sector 7, Ambala, Haryana 133006, India

Opening hours: Fri - Mon, Wed: 10am - 8pm (closed on Tue & Thu)

9. Indulge your sweet tooth with traditional treats

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Best for: Foodies, sweet tooths

Ambala is home to hundreds of Indian sweet shops, catering to locals looking for their sugar fix and to wedding events across the country. The popular ones are located in the Halwai Bazar area, but they can be found all over the city.

One of the oldest is Nathu Ram Sweet Shop, highly renowned for its handmade ghevar, which are crispy discs of deliciousness, soaked in sublimely sweet syrup and topped with nuts and dried fruits. To find this un-extraordinary shop, serving out-of-this-world sweets and desserts, just look for the queue snaking out of the door. It may not look like much from the outside but once you’ve stepped indoors, your tastebuds will be tap-dancing for days to come.

They should be open daily, but if not, there are plenty of other great options to be had.

Nathu Ram Sweet Shop

Address: Halwai Bazar, Ambala, Haryana 134003, India

Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)

10. See the historic Hanuman Mandir

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: History and culture buffs, pilgrims

Located within close proximity to the public railroad station in Ambala, Hanuman Mandir is another pilgrimage site for tourists who follow the teachings of Hinduism. For 250 years, this historic temple has survived the test of time. Its colorful interiors and intricate decors are a beauty to marvel at. Inside, you’ll find an enchanting artwork that is believed to be a nod to the Mughal School of Painting. On Tuesdays and Saturdays is when Hanuman Mandir is at its busiest.

Hanuman Mandir

Address: 5364/3, Darzian Gali, Sadras, Old Town, Ambala, Haryana 134003, India

11. Connect with the colonial past at Holy Redeemer Church

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Best for: History, culture, and architecture buffs

First constructed in 1848 as a Catholic place of worship for British soldiers, and subsequently rebuilt in 1902, following a collapse, Holy Redeemer Church is a classic example of gothic-inspired colonial architecture.

Its colourful and distinctive red-brick facade ensures that it not only stands out from its European counterparts but also offers a lively contrast to the cool green of its pleasant, manicured gardens. For lovers of architecture, South Asian history and anyone who appreciates the respite a beautiful, beatific building offers, Holy Redeemer Church is a must visit. Guests are always welcome and it is just a short walk from local rail and bus transportation.

Holy Redeemer Church

Address: 114, Lawrence Rd, Ambala Cantt, Haryana 133001, India

12. Shop till you drop at Jaggi City Center

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: Shopaholics, foodies, families, couples, solo travelers

With a wide selection of branded shops, outlet stores and eateries, Jaggi City Center is the perfect place to indulge your inner shopaholic. It also features fun rides and a dedicated kids’ game zone for those family members less interested in hunting for fashion bargains.

When you are all as worn out as your credit card, you can refuel and recharge while relishing the global fast-food favourites to the finest of local cuisine. However, the mall does get crowded in the late evenings, so it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon.

Jaggi City Center

Address: Model Town Rd, Near petrol pump, Sena Nagar, Dholkot, Crossing, Ambala, Haryana 134003

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 10pm (closed on Sun)

13. Admire the old ruins at St. Paul's Church

Best for: History buffs, photographers

After being bombed by an aircraft in 1965, the church tower is all that remains of St. Paul’s Church. It stands as a testament to centuries of Indian history, a reminder of the colonial past and more recent conflicts, and is a must-visit for history buffs.

Be sure to bring your camera, or at least keep your smartphone charged, to capture some stunning snaps of the defiant tower and the crumbling overgrown ruins that surround it. After all, there is always something magical about nature reclaiming manmade marvels.

St Paul's Church

Address: Air Force School, Ambala Cantt, Haryana 133001, India

Website: St. Paul’s Church

14. Feast on the region’s famed flatbreads

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Best for: Foodies

Haryana, the district that is home to Ambala, is known for its fantastic flatbreads and has deservedly earned the nickname ‘land of roti’. Not surprisingly, you’ll find these doughy delights around every corner in Ambala. From fine dining establishments to street-side stalls, you can get your fill of roti, with or without an accompanying dal or curry, everywhere.

What’s more, with this being India, vegetarian options abound. One option popular with locals is Puran Singh Ka Purana Punjabi Dhaba. It is conveniently located just across the road from the railway station.

Puran Singh Ka Purana Punjabi Dhaba Restaurant

Address: Shop No. 10, Shastri Market Bus Stand, Ambala Cantt, Haryana, India, 133001

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

15. Visit the holy Bhawani Amba Temple

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Named after the goddess ‘Amba’, whom many believe Ambala itself was named after, Bhawani Amba Temple is considered the city’s holiest Hindu shrine. With its unmistakable red and gold dome, it’s hard to miss, and with its convenient location close to popular markets, it’s easy to find.

Visitors are welcome to stop by and admire the intricate artistic details of its architecture. After the puja or daily devotions, this ancient yet active temple also provides free meals to devotees.

Bhawani Amba Temple

Address: BC Bazaar, Ambala Cantt, Haryana 133001, India

16. Spend a day at Rani Ka Talab And Shiv Mandir

Best for: Culture enthusiasts, nature lovers, Instagrammers

Rani Ka Talab is a picturesque park centred around a glimmering 400-year-old pond. Beyond the peace and tranquillity provided by its natural beauty, you can also find a sense of calm at the two temples teetered on the banks of the pond.

In the same way that the park’s greenery offers sanctuary to a plethora of peacocks, these manmade marvels are a popular retreat for Shiv and Devi devotees. To experience Rani Ka Talab at its best, visit at sunset when you can truly savour the pond’s golden glow and capture breathtaking travel photos.

Rani Ka Talab And Shiv Mandir

Address: 9V45+M6G, Ambala Cantt, Haryana 133001, India

Opening hours: 5am - 11am, 4pm - 8pm (daily)

Fall in love with Ambala, Haryana, India

Ambala is a charming city in Haryana state, India. It is a place with lots of offerings for its visitors, from historic places of worship to beautiful parks, cultural districts, shopping centers, and other upscale attractions. If you are planning an exciting trip to this side of India anytime soon, use this list of top things to do in Ambala as your guide in organizing the perfect vacation itinerary. Discover more adventures by checking out some wildlife sanctuaries in Haryana.