Plan 01
1 day in Patna
- 01
Day 1: Museums, Golghar and the stupa
Start at the Bihar Museum when it opens and see the orientation film and the Didarganj Yakshi before the crowds. Have lunch at the museum or nearby and rest. In the late afternoon, walk around Gandhi Maidan and climb Golghar if energy allows, then finish at Buddha Smriti Park for the stupa and the evening light. Mahavir Mandir is close to the station if you are travelling that night.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Golghar 45 minutes to an hour Demanding Early morning or late afternoon, October to March Bihar Museum 3 to 4 hours Moderate Any time; ideal in hot or wet months Gandhi Maidan 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Early morning or evening, October to March Buddha Smriti Park 1.5 to 2 hours Easy Late afternoon into evening Mahavir Mandir 45 minutes to 1.5 hours Easy Weekday morning; avoid Tuesdays, Saturdays and festivals Pace: Golghar involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.
With parents at Golghar: The only way up is a spiral stair of roughly 145 steps with a curved outer edge and little seating. The base and surrounding lawn are level and easy. Many older visitors enjoy the exterior and stay at ground level.
With parents at Bihar Museum: Wide, mostly level galleries with seating at intervals and an on-site cafeteria. The complex is large, so expect a lot of slow walking. Ask about wheelchair availability at the entrance.
Plan 02
2 days in Patna
- 01
Day 1: Central Patna
Spend the morning at the Bihar Museum, then have a long lunch and a rest. In the afternoon see Patna Museum for the Buddha relic casket, walk to Golghar and Gandhi Maidan, and end at Buddha Smriti Park. If you arrive or depart by train, stop at Mahavir Mandir on a weekday.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Bihar Museum 3 to 4 hours Moderate Any time; ideal in hot or wet months Patna Museum 1.5 to 2 hours Easy Morning, October to March Golghar 45 minutes to an hour Demanding Early morning or late afternoon, October to March Gandhi Maidan 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Early morning or evening, October to March Buddha Smriti Park 1.5 to 2 hours Easy Late afternoon into evening Mahavir Mandir 45 minutes to 1.5 hours Easy Weekday morning; avoid Tuesdays, Saturdays and festivals Pace: Golghar involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.
With parents at Bihar Museum: Wide, mostly level galleries with seating at intervals and an on-site cafeteria. The complex is large, so expect a lot of slow walking. Ask about wheelchair availability at the entrance.
With parents at Golghar: The only way up is a spiral stair of roughly 145 steps with a curved outer edge and little seating. The base and surrounding lawn are level and easy. Many older visitors enjoy the exterior and stay at ground level.
- 02
Day 2: The eastern city
Go early to Takht Sri Patna Sahib, take part in the langar if you wish, and then visit Agam Kuan and Kumhrar on the way back. Stop at Padri Ki Haveli or the Khuda Bakhsh Library in the afternoon if you want a quieter finish.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Takht Sri Patna Sahib 1.5 to 2 hours, plus travel Easy Morning or evening; Gurpurab brings very large crowds Agam Kuan 30 to 45 minutes Easy Morning; Navratri brings crowds at the temple Kumhrar 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Morning or late afternoon, October to March Padri Ki Haveli 30 to 45 minutes Easy Morning; avoid service times Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
Plan 03
3 days in Patna
- 01
Day 1: Museums and Golghar
Begin at the Bihar Museum and allow most of the morning. After lunch, visit Patna Museum, then walk to Gandhi Maidan and Golghar for the late afternoon light.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Golghar 45 minutes to an hour Demanding Early morning or late afternoon, October to March Bihar Museum 3 to 4 hours Moderate Any time; ideal in hot or wet months Patna Museum 1.5 to 2 hours Easy Morning, October to March Gandhi Maidan 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Early morning or evening, October to March Pace: Golghar involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.
With parents at Golghar: The only way up is a spiral stair of roughly 145 steps with a curved outer edge and little seating. The base and surrounding lawn are level and easy. Many older visitors enjoy the exterior and stay at ground level.
With parents at Bihar Museum: Wide, mostly level galleries with seating at intervals and an on-site cafeteria. The complex is large, so expect a lot of slow walking. Ask about wheelchair availability at the entrance.
- 02
Day 2: Gurdwara and Mauryan Patna
Visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib in the morning, then Agam Kuan and Kumhrar. In the evening, stop at Buddha Smriti Park for the stupa and the laser show.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Takht Sri Patna Sahib 1.5 to 2 hours, plus travel Easy Morning or evening; Gurpurab brings very large crowds Agam Kuan 30 to 45 minutes Easy Morning; Navratri brings crowds at the temple Kumhrar 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Morning or late afternoon, October to March Buddha Smriti Park 1.5 to 2 hours Easy Late afternoon into evening Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 03
Day 3: Day trip to Nalanda
Drive about 90 km to Nalanda for the ruins of the ancient monastic university, then return to Patna by evening. Go early and carry water; the site is open and has little shade.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Patna trip for parents and children
- Plan indoor sights such as the Bihar Museum for the middle of the day, and keep outdoor stops for early morning or late afternoon.
- Skip the Golghar climb if stairs are difficult; the grounds and Gandhi Maidan are pleasant from ground level.
- Allow extra time for traffic when going to Takht Sri Patna Sahib and the eastern sights; a car and driver is more comfortable than autos.
- At gurdwaras and temples you walk barefoot on stone, so carry socks where allowed and avoid midday when floors heat up.
- Choose weekdays for Mahavir Mandir to avoid Tuesday and Saturday queues.
- Carry bottled water and oral rehydration salts from April to October.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Patna compares the areas.
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