Things to do on a trip to Varanasi

Varanasi is India’s most important religious centre and one of the most striking cities without a doubt. Situated on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is one of the seven holy cities for Hindus and Jains. It is also believed to be where Buddha founded Buddhism. It’s definitely a worthwhile stop if you’re planning a trip to the country. There is so much to see in Varanasi, the city of life and death, that’s why we’ve prepared this post so you don’t miss a thing.

Some of the must-sees in the city include the Ghats, the Ganges River, crematoriums, temples and markets. We encourage you to explore the city and lose yourself in its neighbourhoods, discovering hidden corners and new aromas. Varanasi’s cuisine is worthy of our attention, and in the city itself you’ll find the best lassi in the country. However, the city is not for all tastes, it’s shocking and can offend the senses. Do you want to know why? Read on and we’ll tell you why.

What are the best places to see in Varanasi?

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. Boat ride on the Ganges at sunrise

One of the best things to do in Varanasi is to take a boat ride on the Ganges River at sunrise. The facades turn golden as the sun rises and the city awakens. It is recommended to take the boat at 5:30 am to see the spectacle at its peak. If you book a boat privately, you will have to haggle. The ideal price is €2. You can also book a private tour, but the price will increase.

2. Vishwanath, or Golden Temple, the temple to see in Varanasi

The Vishwanath temple is the most important temple in the city, so security is tight. You may be told that foreigners are not allowed to enter, but this is not true, it will just take a little longer, and you will have to have your details taken. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples in India where Shiva is worshipped and also houses a Hindu relic. It is therefore highly protected.

3. Gaths, a must-see in Varanasi

On the banks of the Ganges there are 87 steps leading down to the waters of the sacred river where all kinds of rituals take place. In the surrounding area there are small palaces and crowds of people washing their sheets in the river, bathing or watering their animals. This is very striking because the river is not exactly clean, nor does it smell good.

The most striking thing is that cremations of the deceased take place on the banks of the river, and their ashes are later thrown into the Ganges. It is also common to see dead bodies floating down the river. These are the bodies of poor families, the sick, children, pregnant women and saints. That is why we say that the city may not be for all tastes.

4. Varanasi silk mills

The silk factories are a little far from the city centre, but they’re easy to reach by tuc tuc. Many of them welcome tourists and explain the silk-making process. They’re fascinating and colourful, a stark contrast to the Ghats.

5. Holi, the festival to see in Varanasi

The Holi festival is the most colourful festival in the world, and an event not to be missed if you travel to India in spring. During the day, the streets fill with people laden with coloured powders called gulal, with which they dye the clothes and skin of friends and family. Each colour has a symbolism and conveys a message. For example, yellow stands for piety and orange for optimism. It is a beautiful and multitudinous festival that takes place on the banks of the Ganges. It is not to be missed.

What to see around Varanasi?

1. Ramnagarh Fort

This fort is located across the Ganges River from the university. The best way to get there is to hire a boatman to take you across the river. Entry costs 15 rupees and visiting hours are from 10am to 5pm.

The fort was built in the 18th century in the Mughal style and one part is still inhabited by the royal family of Varanasi today. The other visitable part is not in the best condition, but it’s worth a visit for the views of the river and the city.

2. Sarnath Deer Park

Sarnath is where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, so it is considered a sacred place for Buddhism, where thousands of pilgrims travel every year. Within the complex are several temples and the ruins of a 7th century monastery where 1500 monks lived. The entrance fee is 100 rupees and the opening hours are from 8:00h to 16:00h.

The park is on the outskirts of the city, so you can go by public transport or tuc tuc. It takes about 25 minutes by transport and 1.5 hours on foot.

What to see in 1 day in Varanasi?

It’s usual to spend a couple of days in the city, visiting the centre and the surrounding area, but one day is enough to make a good souvenir. Of all the sights to see in Varanasi, we recommend focusing on the ghats, by far the most interesting. There you can spend several hours walking along the banks of the Ganges River between palaces and crematoriums. You can also take a boat tour, which is available from dawn. It’s the best way to see the city in all its splendour and make the most of the hours.

After visiting the ghats, we recommend you go to Golden Temple, the most famous temple in the city, and lose yourself in the streets of the bazaar where you can buy souvenirs and enjoy the city in its purest form. The best way to get from one place to another are the tuc tucs, which are cheap and move well through the traffic. But you’ll have to haggle.

Where and what to eat in Varanasi?

Varanasi is one of the most authentic places to sample traditional Indian food. Forget your preconceptions and leave your European standards of hygiene behind (otherwise you won’t eat) and immerse yourself in the city’s fantastic gastronomic offerings. Here are a few of our favourite restaurants:

• Blue Lassi: This is one of the best places in the country to try the famous lassi, a yoghurt-based drink. It’s a small but cosy place with a wide variety of lassis in all flavours. Plus, the price is very moderate.
• Itihaas Alley Kitchen: is a traditional Indian restaurant. The place is cosy and very clean, and the value for money is unbeatable. Don’t miss the thali.
• Nice: is a small, friendly, family-run restaurant serving thalis of the best quality and price.

Where to stay in Varanasi?

Varanasi is a huge city with a wide range of hotels. However, we recommend staying on the left bank of the river, where the ghats and lodgings are located. From there you’ll be able to get to the points of interest without difficulty and escape the noise of the traffic, as you can’t drive between the ghats. Here are some recommendations for accommodation in Varanasi.

• Shivakashi Guest House: this is a very economical and well-connected option, where you’ll find single rooms from €8 a night.
• Shiva Guest House: this is a great place to stay. They have fully equipped private rooms for €20-30, or shared rooms for €4 a night. There are common areas, a rooftop terrace and a restaurant.
• Safarnama Varanasi: is a slightly higher quality accommodation. The price is around €40 a night, but the rooms are clean, well-kept and fully equipped. Breakfast is also included in the price.

How to get to Varanasi?

Getting to Varanasi is not complicated, as it is a very important city in the country, and therefore very well-connected. There are no direct flights from Spain, so you will have to go from a nearby city like New Delhi or Agra. Here’s how you can get there:

• Flight: There are regular and cheap domestic flights from all major cities. From Varanasi airport, which is 25km from the city, you can get to the centre by tuc tuc for €3 or taxi for €6.
• Train: From Agra and New Delhi there are frequent trains, but it’s best to take the night train. There are two stations in Varnasi; Varanasi Junction is the closest to the centre.
• Bus: Bus is the cheapest, but also the slowest and most complicated mode of transport. It takes 13h from New Delhi and 10h from Agra.

What should I consider before travelling to Varanasi?

• A visa is required for travel to Varanasi. It can be obtained online and usually takes 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 Varanasi?

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 places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Varanasi.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Varanasi