Patna, capital of Bihar and the modern heir to ancient Pataliputra, has witnessed Mauryan emperors, Buddhist scholars, and Sikh gurus. Today it blends riverside calm along the Ganges with one of India’s most forward-looking museums, sacred sites, and busy bazaars.

History runs deep here: Ashoka ruled from these plains; Nalanda’s scholars once debated philosophy a short ride away; and Takht Sri Patna Sahib honors the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. You’ll move from galleries to ghats, from hot litti-chokha to rooftop city views, often within the same afternoon.

Best season is October–March for clear skies and festivals. Dress modestly at temples and gurdwaras, carry a scarf for head covering, and remove shoes where required. Try local sweets and chai, and time at least one sunset at the river—it’s Patna at its most poetic.

Patna

Patna rewards curiosity. Start with the acclaimed Bihar Museum—contemporary in design, timeless in content—then climb the famed Golghar for a sweeping view of the city and Ganges. At dusk, the Gandhi Ghat aarti lights up the riverfront with lamps, hymn, and hush.

• Top sights: Bihar Museum, Golghar, Gandhi Maidan, Gandhi Ghat aarti, Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Gurdwara), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library, Patan Devi Temple, Eco Park, Srikrishna Science Centre (great for families).
• What to eat: Litti chokha, sattu parathas, malpua, khaja, and Bihari kababs. Pair with strong filter coffee or kulhad chai.
• Neighborhoods to stay: Fraser/Exhibition Road (central, well-connected), Boring Road (dining), Rajendra Nagar/Kankarbagh (local life, markets).

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Patna | Hotels.com Patna

Shortlist by style and convenience: full-service stays like Hotel Maurya (central, multiple restaurants), Lemon Tree Premier (modern, walkable to Gandhi Maidan), or Hotel Chanakya (classic, known for Takshila restaurant). For apartment-style space, search VRBO in Boring Road and Exhibition Road corridors.

Getting to Patna (PAT): Patna is well connected by flight and train.
- Fly: Delhi–Patna ~1h35m (often US$45–120), Mumbai–Patna ~2h30m (US$70–140), Kolkata–Patna ~1h (US$35–90). Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
- Train (comfortable overnight): Delhi–Patna Rajdhani/express ~12–14h, AC 2-tier typically US$25–40. Check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Bihar Museum, Golghar, and the Ganges

Afternoon: Arrive at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport (PAT) and head to your hotel. For a late lunch, choose easy, tasty options: Citrus Café (global bites and Bihari staples at Lemon Tree), Indian Summer Café (eggs, pancakes, cold coffee on Boring Road), or Bansi Vihar (vegetarian dosas and thalis on Fraser Road).

Afternoon (continued): Spend 90 minutes at the Bihar Museum—don’t miss the magnificent Didarganj Yakshi and the smart children’s galleries. Then stroll or drive to Golghar, the 18th-century beehive-shaped granary; climb its curved stairway for panoramic views of the Ganges and old Patna.

Evening: Time your way to Gandhi Ghat for the evening aarti (generally around sunset). Lamps flicker across the water as priests chant—arrive 20 minutes early for a good spot. Dine nearby afterward: Spice Court (North Indian tandoor classics at Hotel Maurya), Takshila (signature kebabs and biryanis at Hotel Chanakya), or 17 Degrees (rooftop grills and city lights at P&M Mall).

Day 2: Nalanda and Rajgir—Ancient Universities and Hillside Stupas (Full-Day Tour)

Make a full-day excursion to the UNESCO-listed Nalanda ruins and the sacred hills of Rajgir. It’s the most rewarding day trip from Patna for history lovers and spiritual travelers alike. Depart around 7:30 am; it’s ~80–90 km to Nalanda (2–2.5 hours depending on traffic).

Recommended tour (with hotel pickup): Nalanda Rajgir and Bodh Gaya from Patna

At Nalanda, walk red-brick monasteries, lecture halls, and stupas that once drew students from across Asia. In Rajgir, ride the ropeway up to Vishwa Shanti Stupa for Buddha panoramas and visit the tranquil Japanese temples below.

Food en route: Grab a simple breakfast roll and chai before you set out; in Rajgir, choose a vegetarian thali at a clean local dhaba near the main bazaar or opt for hotel dining rooms that serve North Indian staples. Carry water and sun protection.

Evening back in Patna: Return by early evening. Celebrate the day with dinner at Mainland China (P&M Mall; refined Indo-Chinese classics) or Barbeque Nation (set grills at the table—great for groups). If you kept it light, end with hot malpua or rabri at a sweet shop near Exhibition Road.

Day 3: Patna Sahib, Old-World Libraries, and Departure

Morning: Begin at Takht Sri Harmandir Ji, Patna Sahib—one of Sikhism’s five takhts and the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. Cover your head (scarves often available at the gate), store shoes, and spend unhurried time in the gleaming sanctum.

Guided option: Gurdwara Patna Sahib Half Day Tour (Takht Sri Harimandir Ji)

Afterwards, detour to Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library—its manuscripts and miniature paintings are a window into medieval scholarship. Families can swap this for the Srikrishna Science Centre’s interactive exhibits.

Afternoon: Early lunch before departure: Bansi Vihar for crisp dosas and filter coffee; Citrus Café for fast global plates; or Takshila if you’re craving one last biryani. Pick up Madhubani-inspired souvenirs and lac bangles at Hathwa Market or stalls near Gandhi Maidan.

Departure: Head to PAT airport. For a no-haggle ride, prebook: Private Transfer from Patna to Jay Prakash Narayan (PAT) Airport.

Optional/Alternative Experiences in Patna

• See “everything” in a day with a guide: Patna Full Day Guided Tour by Private Cab

  

  Ideal if you prefer structure and stories woven through the city’s highlights.
• Bodh Gaya focus: If your interest is purely Buddhist heritage, swap Day 2 for a dedicated Bodh Gaya day: Full-Day Bodh Gaya Private Tour from Patna.

  

Coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner—specific picks you’ll love:

• Coffee/breakfast: Indian Summer Café (eggs Benedict, pancakes, cold coffee); Citrus Café (buffet breakfast with regional corner); Vihar at Hotel Maurya (idli, medu vada, filter coffee).
• Lunch: Bansi Vihar (veg thali and dosas); Barbeque Nation at P&M Mall (set price grills and buffet—easy with kids); Mainland China (dim sum and weekend buffets).
• Dinner: Takshila at Hotel Chanakya (tandoori platters, dal makhani); Spice Court at Hotel Maurya (North Indian and kebabs); 17 Degrees rooftop (multi-cuisine with skyline views). For local flavor, try a plate of litti chokha from a reputable stand near Exhibition Road in the early evening.
• Sweets and snacks: Look for khaja, thekua, and fresh jalebi near busy markets around Gandhi Maidan—great to take home.

Getting around: App taxis and auto-rickshaws are abundant; most central sights sit within a 15–25 minute drive. Keep small change for short rides and bring a light scarf for sun and temple visits.

Trip.com and Kiwi quick-book links: Flights (Trip.com) | Flights (Kiwi.com) | Trains (Trip.com)

In three days, Patna introduces you to India’s past and present—artifacts to aarti, manuscripts to modern galleries. With a day in Nalanda and Rajgir, you’ll round it out with the great classroom of ancient Asia and hills where legend breathes.

You’ll leave with the rhythm of the Ganges in your ears, a phone full of golden sunsets, and a palate permanently spoiled by smoky litti and warm rabri. Bihar has a way of calling you back.