10 Best Places to Visit in India

India is one of those places that at some time makes it onto every traveler's bucket list because of how deeply traditional it is while also never ceasing to surprise. They might have fantasies about visiting Agra to see the Taj Mahal in all its splendour or touring the other royal palaces dotted across Rajasthan. Others are drawn to Goa's picture-perfect beaches or the breathtaking scenery in Darjeeling and Rishikesh.

There are also the major cities of India, like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, each of which has a unique personality. Exploring the temples, shops, and vibrant streets of India's largest cities is never boring. Choosing just what to visit while travelling through India is the most difficult portion of the trip.

1. Agra

Taj Mahal in Agra

The Taj Mahal would be the ideal representation of all of India if there could only be one emblem. Every year, the monument draws millions of visitors who get up early to travel to Agra to watch the beautiful building radiate at daybreak. However, Agra is the ideal site to visit in India for reasons that go beyond the country's most well-known tourist destination.

The city in Uttar Pradesh is filled with magnificent Mughal structures, such as Itimad-ud-Tomb Daulah's and Akbar's Mausoleum, that are covered from top to bottom in mesmerising inlaid marble patterns. Additionally, visitors can visit the Agra Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Agra is a must-visit destination for travellers in India since it has so many wonders in one location.

2. New Delhi

Humayun's Tomb

New Delhi has a lot to offer visitors, despite the throngs of people and the mayhem. India's vibrant capital is the ideal fusion of tradition and modernity. Some of the most cherished landmarks in the nation may be found in Old Delhi, including the Jama Masjid, Red Fort, and Chandni Chowk market district. But there are innumerable other places of spiritual and cultural significance that visitors can visit all across the large city.

3. Rishikesh

Rishikesh

Since the Beatles visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in the late 1960s—an abandoned location that has since gained popularity as an off-the-beaten-path tourist destination—Rishikesh has been on the radar for visitors with a spiritual bent.

The town is a hub for yoga and pilgrimages and is located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River in the Himalayan foothills. Participate in the action or simply take in the sights and noises from Rishikesh's two suspension bridges, which are frequently manned by adamant families of monkeys. Take a step back.

4. Varanasi

A holy person on the Ganges River in Varanasi

Varanasi, one of the oldest towns still inhabited today, is regarded as India's holiest site. Along the holy Ganges River, devotees engage in spiritual practises like as bathing and publicly burying recently deceased family members.

On the other hand, visitors can discover their own brand of spirituality by going on sunrise boat excursions, scattering floral blessings into the river, and viewing Hindu chanting rituals from cliffside ghats.

Away from the ocean, the ancient town's winding alleyways resemble an infinite maze. Varanasi is said to have no reliable maps, and after seeing the maze-like city for yourself, you might start to believe this legend.

5. Amritsar

The Golden Temple in Amritsar

The impressive Golden Temple is Amritsar's claim to fame as the "Jewel of Punjab." The gilded building, one of the holiest places in the world for Sikhs, is a sight to behold as it glistens in the sunlight and reflects into the sizable pool that surrounds it.

The site is home to the largest community kitchen in the world, which serves lentils and curries to 100,000 customers each day, including curious tourists.

Spend an afternoon near the Pakistani border while you are in Amritsar to witness the Beating Retreat Ceremony. In an extravagant ritual you won't soon forget, goose-stepping guards from longtime rivals India and Pakistan open and lock the border gates at dusk. Arrive early to join the locals in dancing to loud Bollywood music on the streets.

6. Goa

Palolem Beach, South Goa

India offers wonderful beaches in Goa, down south, in addition to its abundance of large cities and sacred places. Whether you're interested in hanging out with the backpacker population in laid-back beach huts or having a ritzy tropical break at a five-star resort, its expanses of golden sand along the Arabian Sea provide something for every type of traveller.

Goa's fusion of Indian and Portuguese culture is one of its distinctive features. The combination is evident across the area, from the Baroque buildings and cathedrals to the spiciness of the vindaloo and seafood meals.

7. Kerala

Houseboat in Kerala

If you travel south of Goa, you'll leave the beaches for Kerala's serene backwaters. Nothing compares to the pleasure of taking a day excursion or an overnight adventure on a traditional thatched-top houseboat in Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha) and quietly cruising through palm-fringed lagoons and rivers. On the river, you may savour freshly prepared Indian food as well as breathtakingly magnificent fauna and scenery.

From the intensity of northern cities like New Delhi and Jaipur, the laid-back state of Kerala is like a breath of fresh air. When you need a respite from the chaos, plan some time here.

8. Darjeeling

Darjeeling with snow-capped Khangchendzonga Mountain in the distance

Darjeeling offers some of the best sightseeing opportunities in all of India. The West Bengal hill region is well-known for its verdant green tea plantations, majestic snow-capped peaks (including Khangchendzonga, the third-highest mountain in the world), and tranquil Buddhist monasteries. This is the ideal location to plan a mountain bike or trek excursion.

Riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is among the most well-liked activities in Darjeeling. The 140-year-old "Toy Train" transports visitors on two-hour enjoyable rides from Darjeeling to Ghum, a route that is frequently cited as one of the most gorgeous train rides in the entire world.

9. Kolkata

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata

The third-largest city in India, Kolkata, is a crumbling example of British India's colonial-era architecture. The Victoria Memorial, a white marble structure with a museum and numerous galleries, and Park Street, a well-known avenue with stores and restaurants that are bustling 24/7, especially during the holidays, are two of the top things to do in Kolkata.

However, both the sights and the feelings are important to Kolkata. The highs and lows of life are evident on every street in this city, which will somehow evoke all of your emotions. Be prepared and receptive to the experience.

10. Ahmedabad

The elaborately carved Adalaj Stepwell on the outskirts of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, is a chaotic, overwhelming metropolis that manages to draw in visitors. Ahmedabad, a mediaeval city, became India's first UNESCO World Heritage City in 2017 thanks to its impressive architecture, walls, gates, and important Hindu and Jain temples.

Tourists can roam around Sabarmati Ashram, which served as Gandhi's headquarters from 1917 to 1930, on the western bank of the Sabarmati River. In its museum, the Indian hero's life is discussed, and his recognisable eyewear and spinning wheel are on show. Try some of the street cuisine while you're in the city; some people claim it's the best in all of India.