Top places to visit in Varanasi

• Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath

  buddhist-stupa · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹300

  Massive 5th-century Buddhist stupa marking the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment; the spiritual heart of the Sarnath complex.

• Ramnagar Fort

  palace-museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹200

  18th-century sandstone fort and palace of the Maharaja of Banaras on the eastern bank of the Ganges, with a quirky museum of vintage cars, palanquins and an astronomical clock.

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple

  temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · free entry

  One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and Hinduism's holiest Shiva shrine, recently expanded with the grand Kashi Vishwanath Corridor connecting it to the Ganges.

• Dashashwamedh Ghat

  ghat · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most famous and central ghat of Varanasi on the Ganges, site of the spectacular nightly Ganga Aarti — a fire-and-chant ceremony performed by priests at dusk.

• Assi Ghat

  ghat · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The southernmost main ghat, popular with students and travellers for its relaxed vibe, morning Subah-e-Banaras aarti, yoga and riverside cafes.

• Manikarnika Ghat

  ghat · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The principal cremation ghat of Varanasi, burning around the clock; a profound and solemn place where Hindus believe cremation brings moksha (liberation).

• Durga Kund Temple (Durga Mata)

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  18th-century red-ochre temple to goddess Durga beside a sacred tank (kund), famous for its resident monkeys and intense Navratri celebrations.

• New Vishwanath Temple (BHU)

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Serene modern marble Shiva temple inside the leafy Banaras Hindu University campus, built by the Birla family and open to people of all faiths.

• Tulsi Manas Mandir

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  White-marble temple dedicated to Rama, built on the spot where the poet Tulsidas is said to have composed the Ramcharitmanas, whose verses adorn the walls.

• Vishwanath Gali Market

  bazaar · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The bustling lane leading to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, packed with shops selling Banarasi silk, rudraksha, brassware, sweets and pooja offerings.

• Sarnath Archaeological Museum

  archaeology · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹5

  India's oldest site museum, home to the original Lion Capital of Ashoka — the national emblem of India — and exquisite Mauryan and Gupta-era Buddhist sculpture.

• Man Mandir Ghat & Observatory

  ghat · 4.3 rating · about 0.7 h · entry ₹300

  A historic ghat with the Man Singh palace and an 18th-century Jantar Mantar observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, offering fine views over the riverfront.

Things to do

• Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges Boat · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person
• Evening Ganga Aarti Boat Experience Cultural · 1.5 h · from INR 600 per person
• Varanasi Street Food Evening Walk Food Tour · 3 h · from INR 1,200 per person
• Old Varanasi Heritage & Temple Walk Walking Tour · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
• Sarnath Buddhist Heritage Half-Day Tour Sightseeing Tour · 4 h · from INR 1,800 per person
• Sunrise Yoga & Meditation at Assi Ghat Wellness · 1 h · from INR 500 per person
• Banarasi Silk Weaving Workshop Visit Arts Crafts · 2 h · from INR 1,000 per person
• Banaras Classical Music Evening Show · 1.5 h · from INR 800 per person

Day trips and tours

• Evening Ganga Aarti & Boat Tour 3 h · from INR 1,200
• Sunrise Boat Ride & Old City Heritage Walk 4 h · from INR 1,500
• Full-Day Varanasi & Sarnath Tour 8 h · from INR 2,800

Where to stay in Varanasi

• Dasaswamedh Ghat about INR 1,500 per night

  Spiritual heart with view of the iconic ghat, budget guest houses

• Godowlia about INR 2,500 per night

  Central market area with mid-range hotels and access to main attractions

Hotels

• The Girdhari Varanasi 3-star · INR 1,584 to INR 2,400 per night
• BrijRama Palace 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 42,000 per night
• Kapoor Sahab Homestay 3-star · INR 1,721 to INR 2,600 per night
• TEMPLE TOWN HOMES Assi Ghat Varanasi 3-star · INR 1,499 to INR 2,200 per night
• Taj Ganges Varanasi 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 18,000 per night
• Suryauday Haveli 4-star · INR 7,000 to INR 14,000 per night

Where to eat

• Kashi Chat Bhandar Street Food, Chaat, North Indian · about INR 120 per person
• Baati Chokha North Indian, Awadhi, Bihari · about INR 450 per person
• Blue Lassi Shop Cafe, Desserts, Beverages · about INR 100 per person
• Keshari Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
• Deena Chaat Bhandar Street Food, Chaat · about INR 120 per person
• Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe Italian, Continental, Cafe · about INR 500 per person
• Tadka Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Continental · about INR 300 per person
• Canton Royale North Indian, Continental, Chinese · about INR 700 per person

Getting to Varanasi

Airport: Varanasi (VNS)

How visitors arrive in Varanasi

• Train to Varanasi By train from Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai · common

  Three main stations serve the city: Varanasi Junction, Banaras and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, with long-distance links across north India. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight to Varanasi airport By air from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata · common

  Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport is northwest of the centre with domestic and some international flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• State bus By road from Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj · possible

  Government buses connect Varanasi with nearby cities in Uttar Pradesh and beyond. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi or auto-rickshaw from VNS

  The airport is northwest of the centre; taxis and auto-rickshaws are the ways into the city. Source: aai.aero

From the railway station to the centre

• Auto-rickshaw from Varanasi Junction or Banaras

  Both stations are close to the ghats; auto-rickshaws link them to the riverfront. A pre-paid auto stand is noted at Varanasi Junction. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Auto Rickshaw main way to get around

  Auto rickshaws and e-rickshaws are the most widely available public transport in Varanasi's old city, though some restrictions apply there.

• Cycle Rickshaw

  Cycle rickshaws are among Varanasi's local transport options, with certain restrictions applying in the old town area.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

• Fake "free" funeral wood donation

  Manikarnika & Harishchandra cremation ghats

  Touts pose as helpers or "Dom" workers, guide tourists to a viewpoint, then aggressively demand large "donations" for wood to cremate the poor — money rarely reaches anyone.

  How to avoid it: Cremation ghats are not tourist attractions; observe respectfully from a distance, never photograph, and refuse organised "donation" pitches.

• Overpriced boat rides

  Dashashwamedh & main ghats

  Boatmen quote a low price then demand far more mid-river, or pack extra passengers; sunrise/aarti rates are inflated for tourists.

  How to avoid it: Agree the total price, duration and per-boat (not per-person) terms in writing before boarding; use UP Tourism or hotel-arranged boats.

• Banarasi silk "factory" commission shops

  Old city & on the way from station

  Rickshaw/guides take you to "government" or "weaver direct" silk emporiums selling power-loom or synthetic silk as pure handloom Banarasi at 3-5x prices.

  How to avoid it: Buy from reputed fixed-price showrooms or certified weaver co-ops; real handloom Banarasi has a GI tag and a higher, consistent price.

• Bhang / "special" lassi spiking

  Godowlia & ghat-side lassi shops

  Some shops serve bhang (cannabis) lassi to unsuspecting tourists, leading to disorientation and vulnerability to theft.

  How to avoid it: Ask explicitly whether a lassi/thandai contains bhang; avoid "special" drinks from unknown vendors.

• Pushy self-appointed temple "guides"

  Kashi Vishwanath & temple lanes

  Strangers offer to "help" skip queues or store shoes/phones near the temple, then demand payment or disappear with belongings.

  How to avoid it: Use only official cloakrooms and queues; phones/leather are banned inside Kashi Vishwanath — leave them at your hotel.

Best time to visit Varanasi

• Jan 22°C
• Feb 27°C
• Mar 33°C
• Apr 39°C
• May 40°C
• Jun 39°C
• Jul 34°C
• Aug 33°C
• Sep 33°C
• Oct 33°C
• Nov 29°C
• Dec 24°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Udaipur

Frequently asked questions about Varanasi

What are the top-rated places to visit in Varanasi?

The highest-rated places in our Varanasi guide are Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath, Dashashwamedh Ghat, New Vishwanath Temple (BHU), Assi Ghat.

Where should I stay in Varanasi?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Varanasi: Dasaswamedh Ghat, Godowlia.

How do I get around Varanasi?

Ways to get around Varanasi covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Varanasi?

Scams reported to us for Varanasi include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"; Fake "free" funeral wood donation; Overpriced boat rides. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Varanasi?

Average daytime highs in Varanasi run from 22°C in Jan to 40°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Varanasi?

The nearest airport to Varanasi has the code VNS.