Things to do on a trip to India

India is one of the most striking destinations on the Asian continent, a rollercoaster of emotions driven by a very different culture. The country is too big to cover it all in one trip, so it’s often divided into two itineraries. On the one hand, the north, with the main cities such as New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and on the other, the south, with the country’s main national parks and most beautiful natural sites. There’s a lot to see in India, so it’s best to be prepared to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Although it is a very touristy country, there is a big culture shock compared to Europe, and sometimes it can be difficult to get around. That’s why we’ve prepared this post where, as well as telling you about the best places to visit in India, we give you other tips to make the most of your stay. Do you know the best way to get around the country? How to avoid scams? Have you heard about Indian cuisine? The country has a lot to offer, so take note and let’s get started.

What are the best places to see in India?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. Kerala, the paradise region to see in India

Kerala is a region located in the southeast of the country that is characterised by its tropical climate and paradisiacal nature. It is a large area, so several days are recommended. The main cities are Kerala and Kochi, from where you can organise excursions to the main points of interest.

The most beautiful things to see in Kerala are the backwaters, canals and navigable rivers in the middle of the wilderness, which you can explore by fishing boat, where you can also spend the night. Other must-sees are the tea plantations of Munnar and the 7 mountains of Wayanad, where you can go trekking. Kerala is also home to some of the best beaches to see in India; Kovalam and Varkala, and nature parks with elephants. In this post, we tell you more about the Kerala region: Things to do on a trip to Kerala

2. Varanasi, the most striking city to see in India

Varanasi, also known as the city of life and death, is one of the most striking destinations in the country. Built on the banks of the river Ganges, everything in the city revolves around this holy river. The most impressive part of the city are the ghas, long staircases surrounded by palaces that lead down to the river where cremations of the deceased take place, whose ashes are then thrown into the water. It’s an intense image, not for all sensibilities.

The best way to see the city is to book a boat trip on the river at sunrise, when the facades turn golden. Other must-sees include the Golden Temple and the silk factories in the surrounding area. In this post, we leave you more details about Varanasi: Things to do on a trip to Varanasi

3. Jaipur, the Pink City

Jaipur is one of India’s most impressive cities because of the distinctive pink colour of its facades. It also has a lot to offer, so it’s recommended that you spend at least a couple of days here. Must-sees in the city include the Hawa Mahal, the city palaces, the old palace, the Galwar Bagh Temple, and Amber Fort.

Strolling around the city is a real pleasure, so we recommend you to get lost in its narrow streets in search of its bazaars and curious shops. We are sure you will love the city, so we have prepared this post with more details: Things to do in Jaipur

4. Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal

Agra is probably the most famous city to see in India because of the Taj Mahal, one of the most visited monuments in the world throughout the year. This spectacular mausoleum is a must-see on your trip to India, so here are some essential facts.

The ticket costs €12 and can be purchased at the ticket office or on the official website (where you also save 50 cents). The ticket includes a bottle of water and shoe covers, and is good for the whole day, although two hours is enough to visit the building and gardens. Opening hours are from dawn to dusk, and on some days of the year it is open for a couple of hours in the evening. It is advisable to go early and if possible avoid the weekend.

In Agra you can also see the Ram Bagh Gardens, the Fort, and the Itimad-ud-Daulah Mausoleum. In this post you can read more about Agra: Things to do on a trip to Agra

5. New Delhi, the capital of India

New Delhi is usually the first stop on a trip to India as its international airport is one of the best connected to Europe. The city isn’t the prettiest, but it’s fine for a stopover and a day trip. The first impression everyone gets is that it’s a chaotic city, but once you get over the initial shock it has its charm.

In New Delhi you cannot miss the Red Fort, the tombs of Humayun’s Tomb and Safdarjung, the Jama Masjid Mosque and the Central Bazaar. Here is more information about the city: Things to do and see in New Delhi

6. Ellora Caves, a must-see in India

Nestled among the mountains of Charanandri in the inhospitable Deccan region are the Ellora Caves, a collection of monasteries of different religions carved into the rock. In total there are 34 caves of volcanic origin, most of which house Buddhist temples. The complex is so spectacular that it was named a World Heritage Site in 1983.

Visiting all the caves will take you a whole day, so if you are short on time we recommend visiting only Visvakarma, Kailasa, Ramesvara and the Jaina group of caves to get a general idea. In this post we tell you more about the caves: Things to do in Ellora Caves

How to get around India?

As India is such a large country and the journey from Europe is not exactly short, it’s worth travelling long distances within the country to see as much as possible. Luckily, the main cities are well connected and there are several options for getting around:

• Flight: There are local flights at very affordable prices that will get you to your destination in an hour or two. It’s the most efficient way to travel without wasting time.
• Train: The rail network is also very comprehensive, and there are plenty of options for overnight journeys to make the most of your time. The disadvantages of this mode of transport are the time, the journey can take up to 18 hours, and delays, which are quite frequent.
• Bus: Definitely not the most comfortable option, but the cheapest.
• Tuc tuc: Within the cities the tuc tuc is a good option for getting around. Find out the price beforehand so you can haggle, as by default they will try to charge you much more.

Gastronomy in India

Indian cuisine is one of the most famous cuisines in the world. Who hasn’t heard of curry or tikka malasa at least once in their lives? The most characteristic of its gastronomy are the spices and spicy flavours, however, its dishes have many more nuances that are worth knowing how to identify. The different cultures and religions that have passed through the country over the years have left their mark, which is why, for example, there are so many vegetarian options, due to the Hindu influence.

As mentioned earlier, the country is huge, so the cuisine varies from region to region. In the south, for example, we find fruitier dishes with more fish and seafood. In the north, on the other hand, you’ll find stronger meat-based dishes (such as lamb) due to the Muslim influence.

The most typical Indian dishes not to be missed on your trip are:

• Samosas: pasties with different fillings.
• Chicken tikka masala: this is a meat stew with a very spicy sauce.
• Tandoori chicken: roast chicken cooked in a cylindrical oven.
• Curries: there is a wide variety of curries to suit all tastes; fish, vegetarian, meat.
• Biryani: spiced rice with meat.
• Naan: a flatbread eaten as a side dish.
• Lassi: is one of the most typical drinks and is made from yoghurt.
• Gulab jamun: these are fried dumplings coated in honey and eaten as a dessert.

What should I consider before travelling to India?

• A visa is required to travel to India. It can be obtained online and is usually granted in less than a week. The cost is around €70.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The city is safe, but be careful and watch out for your belongings.
• The official currency of India is the rupee.
• The traffic is crazy, if you can avoid it, don’t drive.
• Driving is part of everyday life, so be prepared.
• Best to avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water.
• Don’t try to see the whole country in one trip, India is huge. If you have to choose, it’s best to start in the north.
• The climate varies a lot from one area to another. If you’re going to the mountains the best time is summer, but for the rest of the country, travel is recommended between December and March.
• Beware of scams, they are very common.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to India?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in India.

Frequently Asked Questions about traveling to India