The Best Places to Visit in India
India - The world’s most populous country with over 1.45 billion people and a place filled with color and vibrancy. It’s an intense destination for travelers, and there is always someone talking to you or standing around you. However, the country is so big it has such an amazing mix of EVERYTHING. There are 6 major religions, and over 121 major languages spoken. And in terms of the country’s dynamic, there are beautiful green landscapes, serene beaches, and Himalayas all in the same place as some of the worlds largest and busiest cities. There is endless things to experience in India, which is where the appeal comes from. It can get overwhelming for sure, but a trip to India is a once in a lifetime experience.
Capital: New Delhi
Currency: Rupee
Language: Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali (+19 more)
When to visit: December to March
1) Agra
Agra is a historic city in northern India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, best known as home to the Taj Mahal, one of the worlds incredible seven wonders. It’s a classic chaotic Indian city with a population of around 2 million, so it can definitely feel overwhelming in areas. It’s a place which is still filled with history, not just the Taj Mahal (which is definitely not representative of Agra’s dynamic).
Things to do:
You actually don’t need too long in Agra to see the main sites. Of course the big one is the Taj Mahal, which was built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Don’t miss the Taj Museum too, whilst you’re there. Across the river is Mehtab Bagh, the garden across the river giving incredible views of the monument. Besides that, you have to go to Agra Fort during your visit. It’s a massive red sandstone fort built by Akbar complete with museums and religious sites. Further along the river bank is Itimad-ud-Daulah, a place nicknamed ‘Baby Taj’ for its similar architectural style. And to put the buildings aside, Kinari Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar are the best for ‘shopping.’
How to get there:
The easiest way is to take one of the trains from either Delhi or Jaipur, both of which are in the iconic Golden Triangle route.
2) Delhi
Delhi (and more notably New Delhi which is inside the Delhi territory) is India’s giant capital city with population estimates going as high as 33 million. It’s crowded, loud, lively and unforgiving. History is rich here, with so much to see and experience for tourists who will get that extreme feeling of ‘India’ as soon as they step out into the streets. There is so much color and vibrancy to Delhi, and many will tell you it’s not for the weak.
Things to do:
Delhi is massive, so we have to just go through the highlights, starting with Old Delhi, the historic core of the city. The Red Fort is a very iconic structure of the city, and was actually built by the same man who created the Taj Mahal. It’s a popular place for sure. Not far down the road is Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque which is incredible to see and a must visit in Delhi. The area of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi is a busy shopping area known for spice trading, fruit, jewelry, etc. And the last mention in Old Delhi is going to be Raj Ghat, a monument at the very spot Gandhi was cremated. Over to New Delhi, start with India Gate and Rajpath, which is essentially the Arc de Triomphe area of India. South of that is Humayun’s Tomb, another red sandstone building with serene lawns and a beautiful design. Cross the Yamuna River and you’ll find probably THE coolest building in Delhi, Swaminarayan Akshardham. It is a giant Hindu temple which over 11,000 artisans worked on creating, and an impressive house of worship. Further south back on the east side of the river is also the Lotus Temple, which also has Hauz Khas Village further west of that (a cool trendy area). Overall, you basically have unlimited things to see here in Delhi/New Delhi.
How to get there:
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) handles most the foreign flights, and has a decent connection around the world.
You can also train from other major Indian cities, like Jaipur, Agra, and other surrounding ones.
3) Jaipur
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, and nicknamed the Pink City because many buildings were painted pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. It has a more grand and royal feel compared to some of its Indian counterparts, and has a strong Rajasthani culture relating to music and crafts. While their is still an abundance of tourists, it is for sure calmer when you compare it to a place like Delhi and it has a lot to see.
Things to do:
Slightly outside the city is the breathtaking Amber Palace and Fort. The whole area is very very cool, and there is a lot more to see besides just the building. On the south of that same hill is Nahargarh Fort, which has sweeping views of Jaipur down below too. Inside the city is Hawa Mahal, AKA the Palace of Winds, which is an iconic five-story pink facade with 953 small windows. About two roads away from that is City Palace, a royal residence still partially used by the family. The last building on my list is the Jal Mahal, which sits in the middle of a lake east of the hill, and is heavily submerged nowadays. Jaipur is also no stranger to bazaars, with the best of the bunch being Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar.
How to get there:
Of course, easily take one of the train connections from Delhi, Agra or another big city in that radius.
4) Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the spiritual heart of India, located in Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. It’s not the most known tourist destination in India, but that really adds to the special feeling of it, and by no means takes away from the attraction. It’s about 800km east of Delhi, and has over 1.3 million residents today. The ancient feel of the city is really what attracts tourists in India.
Things to do:
The city is known for its ghats (a word describing a flight of steps leading into water). The most famous is Dashashwamedh Ghat, which is full of life and color. If you can get up early, I also recommend a morning boat ride through the River Ganges, as you get to see stuff like pilgrims bathing, priests praying, laundry, cremations, and more. Some other ghats with their own unique vibe worth mentioning are Assi Ghat, Tulsi Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat. There is of course more to the city than the river, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a big temple worth seeing, and the streets of Varanasi in general are very old and filled with shops and more little temples.
How to get there:
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS), which is pretty well connected domestically to big Indian cities.
Overnight trains from Delhi are also an option, just be cautious.
5) Kerala
Kerala is not a city, but a state in the south of India along the Arabian Sea. It’s quite different to all the big chaotic Indian cities - it has a green, laid back vibe with regions filled with serene backwaters, coconut palms, tea plantations, and beaches. People are said to be super nice in Kerala, with great hospitality and the food is of course exceptional.
Things to do:
Kerala is a long and decently sized state, so I’ll give you some of the best places to base yourself. First is Kochi, home to the pleasant area of Fort Kochi, which is known for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture. It’s a good start in Kerala. Second is going to have to be Alappuzha, which features the more classic Kerala vibe - backwaters, canals and houseboats. It’s found south of Kochi, and people often stay in guesthouses with locals. Third, I’ll say Kovalam. It’s a much calmer fishing village further south with an iconic striped lighthouse and nice beaches such as Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. Of course, there is more to see in Kerala like Munnar or Varkala, but it depends on your time and style.
How to get there:
Cochin International Airport (COK) in Kochi has a lot of domestic options and options from the Middle East too.
You can also find overnight trains from other cities in India, but they are very long.
Buses from around Kerala are available too.
6) Goa
Goa is a small coastal state on India's western coast, famous for its beaches, Portuguese colonial history, and cool, laid-back party vibe. About 1.7 million people live in the state, and all the beautiful beaches inside lie on the Arabian Sea. It’s like the tropical paradise of India and feels a lot more international, many would describe it as.
Things to do:
Since the draw of the state is the beaches, here is a list of the best ones all over: Baga, Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator, Palolem and of course there is many more. The main hubs for travelers are Panaji, the capital of Goa and filled with culture, Calangute, the most touristy area with the nightlife, and also Anjuna, a nice sandy cove. There is a lot to explore overall in Goa, and it’s decently connected with public transport.
How to get there:
Goa International Airport (GOI) is connected domestically to cities all over India so you have a lot of options from inside.
You can also take overnight trains from places like Mumbai and Bangalore.
7) Mumbai
Mumbai is India’s financial capital, Bollywood’s home, and the biggest city in the country by population (nearly 13 million in the city proper). It is extremely chaotic and busy and the crowds are just unavoidable - locals joke that even the traffic has deadlines in Mumbai. The contrast of the city is crazy, you have slums next door to the penthouse apartments of millionaires and different types of architecture all over the city.
Things to do:
Your first stop should be seeing the Gateway of India, I’d go in the morning or late evening to beat the massive crowds. One of, if not THE coolest building in the city of Mumbai is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. It’s a historic railway station with UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its Victorian mixed with Indian style architecture. Also go and see the Haji Ali Dargah, which is a religious shrine that sits on an islet off Mumbai’s southern coast. Some of the best neighborhoods in Mumbai are Colaba and Bandra, both bringing the hip, good energy vibes to the city. You can also shop on the Colaba Causeway, too. Lastly, to experience something cultural, you could watch a show in Prithvi Theatre, or do a Bollywood studio tour if movies excite you.
How to get there:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) has direct flights from everywhere in India plus great international connectivity.
There are some popular train routes from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Goa, and more.
Support the Site
If these guides have helped your travels, consider buying me a coffee ~ it helps keeps the content free!
buymeacoffee.com/roamingideas