India’s Holiest City is bursting with culture and beauty. This guide shares the best places to see in Varanasi that will surely blow your mind and make you feel a sense of culture shock like you’ve never felt before.
Varanasi is the quintessential Indian experience. No trip to this culturally vibrant country is complete without popping over to Varanasi. The city is home to 1.2 million residents and is located in the northwestern Indian state of Uttar – about a 14 hour drive from New Delhi, or 10 hours by train. I spent four days in Varanasi during my 2 months in India adventure and I was truly an eye opening experience.
If you’re planning a trip to Varanasi, prepare with this ultimate Varanasi travel guide where I share the best things to do, where to stay, where to eat and more.
↠ Read More: 27 Best Places to Visit in India for a Wonderful Adventure
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Best Time to Visit Varanasi
The best time to visit Varanasi is the winter when the weather isn’t unbearably hot, but it’s also the busiest time and means bigger crowds. Winter in Varanasi is typically October to March.
The summers in Varanasi span April to June and are quite hot (like much of India). Varanasi also experiences a monsoon rainy season which typically runs July to September. We actually visited in April, right before the peak of summer. While it was already pretty hot, I think we were fairly successful in avoiding some of the big winter crowds and top summer temps.
How much time is needed to see Varanasi?
At least 2 full days are needed to appreciate the best things to do in Varanasi. If you can swing 3 days, that’s even better. Especially because getting to Varanasi usually requires a bit of travel given it’s Far East locale in India, you’ll want to make the most of the effort to get there.
Where to Stay in Varanasi: Best Varanasi Hostels + Hotels
Moustache Hostel – Budget Varanasi Hostel
If you’ve read any of my other India guides, you’ll already know that I’m a big Moustache Hostel advocate. They are definitely not the absolute cheapest you can find in India, their rates are usually about $3 or $4 per night and you could easily find beds for $1 other places, but the value, atmosphere, and cleanliness you get for the extra couple of dollars made it worth it for us.
They offer local tours, laundry services, help with any bookings and have a fun / young backpacker vibe for travelers to meet other like minded travelers. And if you book in person for your next Moustache stay at another location, they give you a 10% discount off of your next stay.
Zostel Varanasi – Hip Varanasi Hostel
Zostel is another similar chain to Moustache but they are a little more classy with an $8-ish / night price tag. If I hadn’t been on a mega-budget, I would have loved to splash out and stay at Zostel.
They are often in beautifully old and cultural local buildings and decked out in the prettiest decor. So if you’re into flashpacking and looking for a slightly elevated backpacker vibe, check out Zostel.
BrijRama Palace – Luxury Varanasi Hotel
Far from budget, but this place is insanely beautiful and I couldn’t not share it. For those looking for a special, luxurious place to stay in Varanasi – look no farther than BrijRama Palace, a hotel situated on its very own ghat next to the Ganges! And if you want to bring me along as a tour guide, I’m available whenever 😉
9 Beautiful Places to See in Varanasi
Once you’ve made the journey and arrived in Varanasi, it’s time to open your mind and prepare for some eye-opening culture shock. Not to scare you, but Varanasi is honestly one of the most culturally unique places that I’ve ever experienced, and I have a feeling you might feel the same way.
Here are 9 of the best places to visit in Varanasi.
1) Sunrise boat tour on the Ganges.
One of the best things to do in my Varanasi guide is the sunrise boat tour down the infamously polluted Ganges River. There are a countless number of boats and men waiting along the shore, so you have plenty of choice in where and when to start. To give you perspective, we paid 500 rupees / $7.25 USD for a rowboat for four people, for one hour.
You can also opt to take a motorized boat tour, which is a little bit cheaper and allows you to see more of the river in the hour you pay for, but you share the boat with others. We chose a manual rowboat to enjoy a private tour and the peace and quiet of not having a motor.
2) See a religious ceremony.
Every morning and every evening there’s a special religious ceremony held at the Ganges River or nearby temples called the Aarti Ceremony. During this special religious gathering, Hindus offer light to one or multiple gods and goddesses.
It includes chanting, singing, lots of twiring of lit candles, and bell ringing. It’s loud, it’s hot, it’s a total shock to the senses but an experience you must do while in Varanasi. You can see the ceremonies either at dawn or dusk.
3) Visit the Chet Singh Fort Ghat.
Chet Singh Fort is a cool old fortress built into a ghat along the Ganges River. Built in honor of a local ruler, hundreds of years ago, this impressive fort still stands today. You can take a stroll past it and even take a gander inside if you so choose.
4) Witness Varanasi’s Burning Ghat.
The Burning Ghat is a holy area along the river where bodies of the recently deceased are cremated. Seeing these cremations in person, so blatantly out in the open, was quite shocking. When we arrived, the first thing we saw was a burning pyre where a man was nearly finished being cremated. On top of the burning logs, were only his bare shoulders and exposed head left to be burned.
As a westerner, I have never been so confronted with death in that way. It was intense, but an interesting cultural experience to see how open Indians are about death and the afterlife. They don’t fear death, but rather think of it as a new beginning.
Before the cremation, the bodies are first carried through the streets on a brightly colored ‘stretcher’ covered in flowers and held by the men in the family. When they arrive to the Ganges, they are placed on a large pyre of logs and covered with a single white sheet before being lit aflame.
Locals at the ghats told us varying estimates of 200 – 400 bodies are burned at the river each and every day. Most of the remains of these cremations are thrown into the holy Ganges river once they are finished burning.
For a deeper dive into the cultural significance of the burning ghat, I recommend reading this feature by Nat Geo – very interesting.
5) Take a bath in the holy Ganges…if you dare.
Not only do locals flock to Varanasi to be closer to the spirituality of the city or to cremate their recently deceased loved ones, but many come to bathe themselves in the holy waters of the Ganges River.
Regardless of the fact that the Ganges is one of the world’s most polluted rivers, and filled with chemical waste, human remains, and human waste, the locals perceive the waters as pure and holy from a spiritual standpoint. With a good washing along the river’s edge, it’s believe you can wash away your sins in the spirit of the goddess of Ganga.
If you’re brave (or crazy) enough, taking a dip in the Ganges with other spiritual folks is the ultimate local experience. I personally did not, and actually recommend against it, BUT thrill-seekers will do what thrill-seekers do best. And what’s one little dip into a polluted river?
6) Walk along the river and see all of Varanasi’s ghats.
In India, a ghat is often a stairway that leads to a river, usually in a holy and spiritual context. In Varanasi along the Ganges River, there are 88 ghats in Varanasi total. It’s not necessary to spend the entirety of your time seeing all 88, but you’ll definitely want to make time for the main ones.
I’ve already listed the two big ones above, the burning ghat and the fort ghat, but the Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika Ghats are also notable, as well as the ones along the main strip of the river.
7) Hop between Varanasi’s holy temples: Gyanvapi Mosque, Golden Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Varanasi is a holy city, so obviously checking out some of the temples in the city should be on your to do list! So after you’ve had your fill of walking up and down the Ganges River seeing the ghats, the Gyanvapi Mosque, Golden Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Temple are worthy next do’s.
8) Get lost in the vibrant streets of Varanasi.
Outside of the spiritual things to do in Varanasi, the city itself is actually quite vibrant and full of life. Wander down any side street and alley and you’ll run into a pack of street pigs, a massive pile of trash, cows causing traffic jams, and beautiful Indian architecture. You really never know what you’ll run into.
There are also some cute little shops down the winding, narrow streets for those interested in doing a little shopping. The best area to explore is near the Ganges and the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
9) Escape the heat with a chill sash in a Varanasi cafe.
While Varanasi is an explosion of Indian culture, there is also a hip expat scene bubbling under the surface. This means there are some cool chill cafes serving up some delicious grub whether it be western, or Indian fusion.
We enjoyed spending the hottest parts of the afternoon relaxing with a refreshing iced coffee or smoothie in a cozy cafe. Our favorite was Terracotta Cafe – I highly recommend it!
Where to Eat in Varanasi: Varanasi’s Best Restaurants
I can’t really tell you where to eat in Varanasi because we mostly ate at local street stalls, but there are a few notable places that I feel should be shared in a classic life of brit backpacker guide. For those moments you want to treat yourself or splash out.
Baati Chokha is a really cool restaurant serving up the authentic and traditional food of Banaras (Varanasi). The food was actually very different from the ‘everyday’ Indian food, which came wrapped in banana leaves and on bamboo tali trays. It was a little more expensive than usual local places, but worth it to try the local fare.
Terracotta Cafe is a cozy cafe located in the heart of the city serves up probably one of the best real cups of coffee in all of India, as well as some tasty dishes. The place also boasts a nice rooftop that’s open-air and has comfy cushions for seating.
Blue Lassi is a Varanasi favorite and you absolutely must visit – I promise you it’s worth all the hype and TripAdvisor reviews. It’s a pretty small shop located down a narrow lane leading to the Ganges River, but from the cafe you still see a lot of goings on.
Pahalwan Lassi is a famous joint that serves up classic Indian street lassi. It’s thick and creamy with the classic slightly separated top, has a hint of rose and is cheap cheap cheap. This is the true authentic lassi experience.
Brown Bread Bakery is another place that caters well to tourists. They offer vegan/vegetarian options, classic Indian meals and a German-style bakery with some goodies. There’s a guesthouse above the bakery and the building has a cool rooftop for those cooler days.
How to Get to Varanasi From Delhi
Flying from New Delhi to Varanasi
Varanasi is quite far from Delhi, about 861,km (534 miles) to be exact, which means you’ll need a bit of time to travel there. If you’re short on time in India, flying from Delhi to Varanasi is the most convenient option and is generally pretty affordable. A direct flight typically costs around $100 and has a 1.5 hour flight time.
Train from New Delhi to Varanasi
Taking the train from New Delhi to Varanasi is the most exciting and authentic travel experience in India and I highly recommend it if you have the time. And since Varanasi is such a popularly visited city both by tourists and locals, finding train times and routes from anywhere in India is fairly easy.
The train ride to Varanasi from Delhi is typically about 10 hours, but it will vary on the route. Ticket prices vary drastically depending on the car and “class” you opt to take, but start as low as $5 up to $40 for an AC Exec car. You can check out the exact routes on the Indian train station’s website at www.irctc.co.in.
Some quick tips for taking the train in India; book third-tier sleeper class for the most comfortable budget option, book busy routes a couple of days in advance, set up your Indian train account before arriving in India and be prepared for a crappy website experience as it often glitches!
Bus from New Delhi to Varanasi
Taking the bus in India is a very unique experience as well. It is the least comfortable way to travel in India, but depending on where you’re leaving from may be your only option. You can check out bus routes on Red Bus or visit your nearest bus station to see your options.
Varanasi Travel Tips.
While I’ve covered most of the bases in my 30 India Travel Tips post, I also wanted to share a few other important things to know in Varanasi.
- Varanasi has scams galore. There are many people in Varanasi looking to make a quick buck and take advantage of the hordes of tourists there, so stay vigilant. You may encounter a parking ticket scam at train station, religious men performing ceremonies and demanding money, pickpockets etc.
- Varanasi is a holy city, which means no alcohol. You can find cocktails and beer but just know that it can be sparse and on special holy days liquor stores and bars are closed. And there’s a lot of holy days.
- Prepare for culture shock. Varanasi has burning bodies right in the open, naked men wandering the streets, religious ceremonies, dead bodies being carried in the street, etc. Come with an open mind.
- Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and don’t be disrespectful at the temples.
- Respect the burning ghats and don’t take photos. It’s not allowed and we should honor the wishes of the family. These are real people being cremated, and not material for your social media feed.
Where to Go After Varanasi: The Best Places to Visit Near Varanasi
While Varanasi is a major tourist attraction in India, it’s quite far from the other popular tourist destinations. So after you’ve made the long journey and you’ve seen the best of this holy city, where to go after Varanasi?
Here are a few recommendations for where to visit next! These destinations are considered the best places to visit near Varanasi, but do require a bit of travel time to get there – India is a massive country after all!
- Darjeeling: rolling green tea fields and pretty mountains
- Kolkata: home of the East India Company trading post and colonial buildings
- Sundarbans National Park Tour: word’s largest mangrove forest and royal Bengal tigers
- Singalila National Park: Mountainscape and famous hiking trails
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There you have it! An ultimate guide sharing the best places to see in Varanasi. I hope it helps you on your exciting India adventure. Comment below any tips or questions!
Thank you for the valuable information. Love ya!
beautifully summed up!