Varanasi is intense, crowded and unlike anywhere else. Watch the city wake from a boat at sunrise, wander the lanes behind the ghats, and join the crowds for the evening Ganga aarti. It’s one of the most spiritual places in India: approach it with respect.
Highlights
- Sunrise boat ride along the ghats
- Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor
- Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon
- The old city’s lanes and silk-weaving workshops
What to eat
- Kachori sabzi for breakfast
- Banarasi paan
- Malaiyo (winter-only milk foam)
- Lassi at the ghats
Where to stay
Guesthouses on the ghats (Assi to Dashashwamedh) for atmosphere; Cantonment hotels for calm.
Getting there
Varanasi airport has flights from major cities; overnight trains run from Delhi.
Tips
- Don’t photograph cremations at Manikarnika Ghat.
- Dev Deepawali (the full moon after Diwali) lights every ghat with lamps.
- Monsoon floods can close the ghats (July to September).
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Varanasi
- Kashi Vishwanath Shiva; one of the 12 Jyotirlingas
- Sarnath Where the Buddha gave his first sermon
Places to see in and around Varanasi
45 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Sarnath World Heritage Site, 7 km
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple Temple, 1 km
- Dhamek Stupa Monastery, 7 km
- Gyanvapi Mosque Mosque, 1 km
- Chaukhandi Stupa Monastery, 6 km
- Ramnagar Fort Fort, 6 km
- Alamgir Mosque Mosque, 1 km
- Taj Nadesar Palace Palace hotel, 0 km
- Sarnath Museum Museum, 7 km
- Assi Ghat Ghat, 3 km
- New Vishwanath Temple Temple, 6 km
- Dashashwamedh Ghat Ghat, 1 km
- Manikarnika Ghat Ghat, 1 km
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple Temple, 4 km
- Durga Mandir, Varanasi Temple, 4 km
- Tulsi Ghat Ghat, 3 km
- Vishalakshi Temple Temple, 1 km
- Tulsi Manas Mandir Temple, 4 km
- Bharat Mata Mandir Temple, 2 km
- Scindia Ghat Ghat, 1 km
- Nepali Mandir Temple, 1 km
- Ratneshwar Mahadev temple Temple, 1 km
- Lalita Ghat Ghat, 1 km
- Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, 6 km
And 21 more on our Uttar Pradesh map.
Food to try in and around Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh favourites to look out for.
- Dum biryani
- Kebabs
- Nahari kulcha
- Sheermal
- Roomali roti
- Warqi paratha
- Samosa
- Kachori
- Chaat
- Sheer qorma
- Zarda
- Hathras Hing GI: spice or chilli
The full food passport, state by state.
Is a place near Varanasi missing? Suggest it
Have you been to Varanasi?
Tips from travellers
Been to Varanasi? Share one tip that would help the next person. The first good one goes right here.
Share a tip
Questions from readers
Got a question about Varanasi? Ask it here. We answer the useful ones on this page.
