Varanasi: Best Things to Do
SIGHTSEEING
No journey in Varanasi is complete without having the best sightseeing view of the Ganges River. It's a sacred place known to be personified of the goddess Ganga. Head to Dashashwamedha Ghat to get the best view of the Ganges River. It is the main ghat in Varanasi. Come to the ghat early in the morning and witness the beautiful view of the sunrise along the river. From the ghat, you will also see Vishwanath Temple. It's one of the most famous Hindu temples in Varanasi.
Dashashwamedha Ghat
DOWNTOWN
Explore the Ganges river from the ghats. Assi Ghat is one of the ghats that is most-visited by locals and tourists in the downtown. There are plenty of activities, from shopping to religious ceremonies, you can witness and participate. Alongside the ghat, there are boat facilities you can rent for a river tour. If you visit the ghat in the evenings, you can find some local talents performing here.
Assi Ghat
SHOPPING
Looking for souvenirs in Varanasi? Bala Ji Handicraft offers you a variety kind of authentic souvenirs to bring back home. Located near the Assi Ghat. You can find souvenirs like sarees, pashmina scarves, and handmade jewelry. Banarasi saree is the top-recommended souvenir you shouldn't miss to buy during your vacation in Varanasi.
Bala Ji Handicraft
FOOD & DRINK
Have a culinary tour in Varanasi. You can find a lot of tasty local food in the city. Kachori Sabzi or Kachori sabji is a recommended local food to try for breakfast. It is a cuisine of potato curry and deep-fried pastry stuffed with lentil. And for the authentic beverage in the city, you can try Lassi. It's an Indian traditional yogurt drink blend with water and fruit. It can taste sweet as well as salty.
CULTURE
As the cultural capital of India, Varanasi is blessed for its cultural richness. You will find the culture in the city unique and beautiful. There are a number of museums that present the city's uniqueness of art style and folk art. Also, because Hinduism and Buddism are the major religions, you will be amazed by the sacred worship and tradition held along the Ganges riversides.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
If you are looking for the best time with the best weather to visit Varanasi, it is best to visit the city in winter. It's from November to February. Around the time, you will find the most comfortable temperature to travel outside.
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
Get amazed by the beauty of the Ganga River and temples on the riverside. Varanasi's ghats offer you the best view to capture. Darbhanga Ghat is probably the most picturesque that you can find in Varanasi. You can picture the charming scenery of the Ganges river with the sandstone palace on the riverside. Another good place to capture in Varanasi is Ramnagar Fort. It's a sandstone fort with the style of 17th-century style fortification. You can spot antique weapons and a unique astronomical clock from the 19th century in the fort.
Darbhanga Ghat
Ramnagar Fort
HOTEL
Choose the most suitable place to stay in Varanasi based on your traveling budget and list of places that you want to visit. From luxury vacationers to budget, you can find various accommodations in Varanasi. If you want to save your budget for your trip, the Ganpati Guest House can be the option. Overlooking the River Ganga, it has easy access to Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Manikarnika Ghat. They provide guest rooms featuring Wi-Fi, en suite bathrooms, and air-conditioning. Some rooms also provide flat-screen TVs and balconies. But, if you are looking for the best value hotel in the city, Brijrama Palace is one of the top recommendations for you. Every room in the hotel is well decorated with silk furnishings, hand-painted ceilings, and some original arts that will amaze you. It features with sacred Ganga river. They provide 4 exclusive restaurants, a yoga site, and riverside prayer ceremonies.
Ganpati Guest House
BrijRama Palace
RESTAURANT
Have a fine dining experience in Canton Royale Restaurant. Decored in elegant heritage interior, this restaurant serves menus of Indian and international cuisines. While dining here, you can enjoy live music played in the background. But, if you are looking for a restaurant in a more local vibe, Baati Chokha Restaurant is where you go. With the traditional setting, this restaurant serves local cuisines and also a vegetarian menu. The desserts are worth trying. It's tasty!
Baati Chokha Restaurant
Canton Royale Restaurant
CAFE
Have a delightful breakfast at Ashish Cafe to fill your energy for traveling. Located near to the Assi Ghat, this cafe serves a wide option of breakfasts, lunch, and dinner with Indian and international menus. This cafe is known to specialize in serving Thali, an Indian food platter. But, if you are looking for a good place to drink coffee, Open Hand Shop And Cafe is where to go. Decorated in a modern style cafe, they serve a good selection of coffee and snacks.
Ashish Cafe
Open Hand Shop And Cafe
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
Looking for a place to drink in Varanasi? Trishna Pubs is one of the top recommendations for you. This bar offers you a place to drink with the old-style vibe and wood-accented decoration. This bar serves a wide selection of classic cocktails and liquor to refresh your mind and soul. But, if you want to drink in a more vibrant vibe, Tarang Bar is where to go. With the classy decoration, this bar is where you can enjoy drinking with good music in the background. They have a good selection of alcoholic drinks and wines.
Trishna Pubs
Tarang Bar
INTERESTING PLACE
Temple is the first word to come up if you ask for recommended attractions in Varanasi. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the famous temples in the city. Built-in 1780 by the Maratha monarch, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It's also known as Golden Temple because of its golden spires. Another interesting place to visit in Varanasi is Dhamek Stupa. It is a large Buddhist stupa that is known to represent the Rishipattana. It's a deer park, where Buddha gave the first message at. It has 28 meters of diameter and 43.6 meters in height made of stone and brick. The surrounding of the stupa is well-maintained by the government. Discover the interesting stories of Varanasi here!
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Dhamek Stupa
