Tourist Places and Things to do in Varanasi

Varanasi is one of the oldest and most religious destinations in India boasting a long storied past and rich cultural heritage. The best places to visit in this city include ghats such as Dashashwamedh, Assi, and Manikarnika and mandirs like Kashi Vishwanath, New Vishwanath, Birla, Durga Kund, and Bharat Mata. Historical places including Alamgir Mosque, Gyan Vapi and Ramnagar Fort are also a must-visit when in this holy city. Besides, there are some other things to do in Varanasi without which your trip would be deemed incomplete: attending the evening aarti and enjoying a boat ride on the Ganges.

The shopping experience in Varanasi is quite extraordinary with local bazaars selling everything from the iconic Banarasi sarees and brocades to gold jewellery, brassware, copperware, wooden toys, and hand-knotted carpets. Thatheri Bazaar, Chowk, Vishwanath Gali, Lahurabir and Godowlia are among the best shopping centres in Varanasi. Don’t forget to gorge on local delicacies like chena dahi vada, tamatar chaat, kachori sabzi, choora matar, bati chokha, and thandai at street-side eateries or head to any of the prominent restaurants and bars in the city for a fine dining and nightlife experience.

Other cities near Varanasi like Ayodhya and Allahabad are perfect for short weekend getaways.