Destination guide
Varanasi
India
Varanasi (वाराणसी Vārāṇasī), also known as Banaras (बनारस Banāras) or Kashi (काशी Kāshī), is a city at the banks of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, India. Being the most sacred city in Hinduism and Jainism, and important in the history of Buddhism, Varanasi is India's most important pilgrimage destination.
AI insights
AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page
When visiting Manikarnika Ghat, the primary cremation site, maintain absolute silence and refrain from taking photographs; be prepared for locals or guides to attempt various scams in this area.
Prioritize walking to explore the waterfront ghats, but expect to get lost in the labyrinthine alleys; keep a cycle or auto-rickshaw in mind for navigating the dense, chaotic streets between major landmarks.
Plan your visit to Dashashwamedh Ghat for the evening aarti ceremony, which commences immediately after sunset and lasts for around 45 minutes.
If you choose to dine at a bakery, verify the establishment's credentials; look for places that support local social initiatives, such as the Learn For Life society, rather than those mimicking charitable claims for tourist attention.
When choosing accommodation, research the specific surroundings of your hostel; while some alleyway locations like Stops Art Hostel offer a quieter retreat, others like Zostel Varanasi are situated in notably noisy areas.
How we vet these picks
Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
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Best time to go
Best window: December–February
April, May, June, July, August and September are the months to avoid — punishing heat and very heavy rain. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By car or taxi
While taxis and cars-for-hire do exist, you can hire them for airport/railway/bus station transfers and for major city tour specially for BHU,Sarnath and Ramnager tour.
By bicycle
Bicycle rental is available from many vendors. Inquire at your hotel.
By foot
Walking is the only way to see the waterfront and the ghats - but be ready to be hot, sweaty, and lost - locals are usually happy to point you in the right direction.
By rickshaw
The chaotic streets of Varanasi are sometimes too much to handle on foot. Therefore, it will often be convenient to travel by cycle rickshaw, E-rickshaw or auto-rickshaw.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Manikarnika Ghat
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
The main cremation ghat; a must-see, but remain quiet and avoid taking photographs (scams are plentiful here; see the "Stay Safe" section). There's a m 74
Vetted sources
Jantar Mantar
Terrace of Man Singh Ghat
Jantar Mantar literally means a combination of instruments and formulas (jantar = instrument and mantar = formula). It is an observatory consisting of a series of masonry architecture of unique form, each with a specialized function for…
Vetted sources
Ramnagar Fort
on the eastern bank of the river
The fort of the King of Kashi, built in 1750 in the Mughal style, is now a museum with a collection of ancient weapons and other artefacts. It was built by Raja Balwant Singh of Banaras of red sandstone and has a unique blend of Mughal and…
Vetted sources
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Known as the 'main' ghat, this is the site of the large evening aarti ceremony. The ceremony starts right after the sunset and lasts for around 45 minutes.
Vetted sources
Rajghat
(north of Malviya Bridge next to Rajghat)
This archaeological site was the result of a chance discovery in the 1940s when the Kashi Railway Station was extended. After a couple of excavations, a structure was unearthed dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
Vetted sources
Rani Laxmibai Janmasthali
Birthplace of Rani Laxmibai. It has been converted into a small gallery. A statue of Laxmibai riding a galloping horse welcomes visitors to the gallery.
Vetted sources
What to do
Punarnava Health
in front of Radio Station
Classes and treatments in Ayurvedic food habits, daily routine, massage, Shirodhara, steam bath, leech therapy, and Panchkarma.
Vetted sources
Siddharth Yoga Centre
below Lotus Lounge Restaurant
Small-group yoga classes with a view of the Ganges. Taught by Siddharth.
Vetted sources
Yoga Training Centre
near Meer Ghat
Run by Sunil Jhingan Kumar. Highly recommended.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Kashi Chat Bhandar
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Seventy-year-old Godowlia chaat shop known for tamatar chaat simmered in ghee for hours.
Vetted sources
Blue Lassi
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A tiny alley shop near Manikarnika Ghat pouring over 100 varieties of thick curd lassi.
Vetted sources
Yogik's Cafe
walking from ghat, turn left before Hotel Haifa
Warm and inviting interior. Smoothies and fresh juices. Set breakfast, salads, bread rolls, fruit salad. Thali and Indian dishes. Instant coffee only. Severely understaffed - very slow service. Free WIFI.
Vetted sources
Brown Bread Bakery
near Meer Ghat
A good bakery run by a German baker in Varanasi. Be wary of the Indian run bakery on the opposite side of the road who claims to be charitable but is just fake. Breads and pastries made from organically grown ingredients.
Vetted sources
Ganga View
Sita Guest House rooftop
One of the myriad guest house rooftop restaurants in Varanasi and not a particularly memorable one at that. Serves Indian continental and western food (non-veg not available).
Vetted sources
Nice cafe
near Mona Lisa, on turn off for Vishnu GH
Great food cooked only by mum and family. Home kitchen. Clean. Friendly and helpful owner. Very reasonable prices, except on festival days when hot chocolate is poured over everyone for a fixed price ofper person.
Vetted sources
Dolphin Restaurant
about a two minute walk north of Dashashwamedh Ghat
The food and service are good, not great, but the real reason to come here is for the rooftop overlooking the Ghats and the river. Also has free and fast WiFi.
Vetted sources
Spicy Bites
on Bangali Tola, an alleyway off Dashashwamegh Ghat (main Ghat)
One of a number of restaurants along Bangali Tola, this place is great for breakfast as they have a full on espresso machine and serve good food. Free WiFi.
Vetted sources
Where to stay
International Travellers' Hostel
5-min walk from Varanasi Junction station, opposite Gate #2 of Vidyapeeth University
A hostel run out of an ancestral family house. The owner lives in Germany and his staff manage the hostel. There are mixed and female dormitories available with 4-5 beds each.
Vetted sources
Stops Art Hostel
1.1km east of Hanuman Ghat, near the water tower. In an alleyway behind the Dolphin Hotel
Bright, airy, super modern hostel. Location in an alleyway makes it quieter. In a large, 3-floor house. Affordable organised activities all day including walking tours +transport), boat trips, cooking classes, yoga/mediation classes, movie…
Vetted sources
Ram Bhawan / Kautilya Society Residence
on the banks of the River Ganga
This is the study centre of an NGO that supports responsible development through dialogue that also offers rooms for students and scholars. The residence is similar to an Indian home with simple comforts and colonial teak furniture.
Vetted sources
Bhadrakali Guest House
Just off the main ghat
The guesthouse is a colourful, family-owned, music-oriented house with panoramic views of the city and of the River Ganga. A couple of the rooms in this cozy 7-room guesthouse also have balconies and river views. Highly recommended.
Vetted sources
Ganges Nirvana Free Hostel
Near Manduadih Railway Station· Free
The Ganges Nirvana Free Hostel a small hostel. It is very simple and work is underway to make it more homely. For example by painting the walls with graffiti. If you want to help out with any small thing, you are welcome to stay for free.
Vetted sources
Zostel Varanasi
near Mritunjai Mahadev Temple
A friendly hostel 20 minutes walk to the main ghat. Very noisy location, but a great place to meet people.
Vetted sources
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.