Stand on the west bank of the Ganges near Gandhi Ghat in the early morning and you will see the river at its widest, with boats pulling away from the steps and the far shore of Hajipur hazy in the distance. Patna rewards travellers who come for its layers rather than its polish: Mauryan ruins, Mughal masonry, Sikh and Sufi sites, and a museum scene that has grown considerably in recent years.
The city suits history-minded visitors, families looking for parks and museums, and anyone using Patna as a base for the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain pilgrimage centres nearby. This guide covers the sights and experiences within the city that are worth building a day or two around, plus a plan for when you only have one day.
Top things to do in Patna
1. Kumhrar
Kumhrar is where you explore the ancient ruins of Pataliputra, the Mauryan city that stood here. Of the 80 pillars excavated at the site, only one remains, and Fa Hien, visiting in the 5th century CE, found those pillars shining as bright as glass.
Go early while the light is still soft, and read up on Pataliputra beforehand so the single surviving pillar and the excavated ground mean more than they first appear to.
2. Bihar Museum
Opened in 2015 on Bailey Rd, the Bihar Museum shows you the history of Bihar through several galleries, including the regional gallery, the contemporary gallery, the historical art galleries and the gallery on the Bihari diaspora.
The museum is open 10:00–19:00 except Monday. The history part closes after 17:00, when only the Children's Gallery stays open until 19:00, so plan your visit around the earlier hours. Tickets for Indians are ₹100 for adults, ₹50 for children up to 12 years and ₹50 for students; for foreigners, ₹500 for adults and ₹250 for children up to 12 years, with a ₹100 camera charge.
3. Patna Museum
The Patna Museum holds more than 50,000 rare art objects, with many related to India in the ancient, middle ages and the British colonial era. The Holy Relic Casket with the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha and the statue Yakshani are the pieces to seek out.
Entry is ₹250 for foreigners and ₹10 for Indians, with an additional ₹250 to see the Holy Relic Casket. Budget for the casket supplement if that is the reason you are coming.
4. Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Harmandir Sahib)
Takht Sri Patna Sahib is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, and Patna City is a sacred city for Sikhs for that reason.
Pair it with the other sights in old Patna rather than making a separate trip, and dress and behave as you would at any major place of worship.
5. Buddha Smriti Park (Buddha Memorial Park)
Built on former jail ground near Patna Junction on Frazer Rd, this large park is an oasis from the noise and bustle of the city. The large stupa is where ashes of Buddha originally from Vaishali are kept, and there are air-conditioned libraries that are a real relief even if you are only waiting for a train.
The park is closed on Monday. Entry is ₹10, with ₹50 for the stupa, and there is a laser show in the evenings covering the history of Bihar from the Ramayana to the present.
6. Gandhi Sangrahalaya
North-west of Gandhi Maidan, this public museum showcases the life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Its exhibition contains photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and quotations, telling all the major events in his life, with a section of photographs from his childhood through the various phases of his life, including being taken to the crematorium.
The building also houses a library with a rich collection of books, magazines, literature and audio-video material related to Gandhi's life. Combine it with a walk across Gandhi Maidan itself.
7. Golghar
Captain John Garstin built the Golghar for the storage of food for the British army, with a storing capacity of 140,000 tons, in 1786.
It sits close to the riverfront, so it fits naturally into a walk that also takes in a boat ride from near Gandhi Ghat.
8. Boat ride on the Ganges
A boat ride on the Ganges is the experience not to miss in Patna, and the usual starting point is near Gandhi Ghat.
Go in the morning or around sunset for the best light on the water, and agree the fare and duration before you set off.
9. Mahatma Gandhi Setu
The Mahatma Gandhi Setu is the bridge over the river Ganges connecting Patna and Hajipur.
It is worth seeing as part of a riverfront outing, and it is the route you will use if you are heading across to Hajipur.
10. Gandhi Maidan
Gandhi Maidan is the heart of the city today, a large open ground with the Gandhi Sangrahalaya just to its north-west and the Shrikrishna Science Centre on its west side.
Use it as the anchor for a half-day on foot, moving between the maidan and the museums around it.
11. Shrikrishna Science Centre
On West Gandhi Maidan, this is the main science museum in the city, with over 50 exhibits on physics and mathematics and an emphasis towards optical illusions. It is targeted towards children aged 10 and over, but adults will also enjoy it the first time around.
General entry is ₹30, with tickets for particular shows costing extra. It pairs neatly with Gandhi Maidan and the Gandhi Sangrahalaya.
12. Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan (Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna Zoo)
On Bailey Rd, this is one of the most popular picnic spots in Patna, consisting of a zoo and a botanical garden.
Set aside a relaxed half-day, and combine it with the nearby Bihar Museum on the same road if you have the energy.
13. Indira Gandhi Planetarium
On Bailey Rd, this is among the largest and best planetariums in Asia and attracts a large number of both domestic and foreign tourists. It has regular film shows on subjects related to astronomy and also holds exhibitions.
Check show timings when you arrive, since the film schedule is what determines how long you stay.
14. Agam Kuan
Agam Kuan is one of the historic sites in the city and sits in the older part of Patna.
It works best as part of a circuit of the historic and religious sites in old Patna rather than as a stand-alone stop.
15. Patan Devi
Patan Devi is one of the religious sites of Patna, and the city's name is etymologically derived from Patan, the name of the Hindu goddess Patan Devi. Patan Devi Mandir is still in old Patna near Gulzarbagh mandi, along with another Patan Devi Mandir near Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
Visit as part of the same old-city route that takes in Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Kumhrar to see the ruins of Pataliputra and the single surviving pillar while the light is soft. Continue to the Bihar Museum on Bailey Rd, arriving well before 17:00 so you have time in the history galleries before they close.
Afternoon. Move on to the Patna Museum for the Holy Relic Casket and the Yakshani statue, then cross to Gandhi Maidan for the Gandhi Sangrahalaya and, if time allows, the Shrikrishna Science Centre on the west side of the maidan.
Evening. Head to the riverfront near Gandhi Ghat for a boat ride on the Ganges, with the Mahatma Gandhi Setu in view. If you still have energy, finish at Buddha Smriti Park for the laser show, which covers the history of Bihar from the Ramayana to the present. Note that the park is closed on Monday.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Bihar Museum open?
It is open 10:00–19:00 except Monday. The history part closes after 17:00, after which only the Children's Gallery remains open until 19:00.
What does it cost to enter the Patna Museum?
Entry is ₹250 for foreigners and ₹10 for Indians, with an additional ₹250 to see the Holy Relic Casket.
Is there a day when Buddha Smriti Park is closed?
Yes, it is closed on Monday. Entry is ₹10, with ₹50 for the stupa, and the laser show runs in the evenings.
Where can I take a boat ride on the Ganges?
Boat rides are taken on the Ganges near Gandhi Ghat, and they are the experience most worth making time for in Patna.
Pick your dates around the museum closures and the evening laser show, and you can plan a Patna trip that fits comfortably into a day or stretches to two.