Debating whether to add Varanasi to your India itinerary? Wondering if it really is as intense as it sounds? It is intense, raw, unashamedly chaotic, and deeply spiritual in a way you will never have seen before. But there are more than a few interesting things to do in Varanasi that make it worth braving accepting the intensity to experience.
Having visited India seven times – firstly as a young backpacker with my sister and later six times as a family with Gavin and our boys – we have experienced Varanasi from almost every angle, including traveling entirely solo as a young female backpacker and visiting twice with our kids!
There is a totally unique energy here that hits you the moment you arrive. But it is fascinating; to say the least! Here is our guide to the top 10 things to do in Varanasi, how to survive the sensory overload, and exactly how to plan your journey.
What is Varanasi Really About?
To enjoy Varanasi, you have to understand what it represents. This is not a standard sightseeing destination packed with manicured monuments. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, and to Hindus, it is the centre of the spiritual universe.
People come here to bathe in the holy Ganges to wash away their sins, and the elderly come here to die, believing that passing away in Varanasi breaks the eternal cycle of rebirth (moksha). It is a place of deep devotion, ritual, and constant transition.
As a visitor, a lot of the things to do in Varanasi are the chance to observe and learn about what makes it so special. Which is plenty to take in; trust me!
Getting There and Getting Around
Varanasi is one of India’s most accessible spiritual hubs, so there are plenty of trains and planes connecting domestic tourism to the city. For international tourists, it is also well-connected to the Golden Triangle and beyond.
Getting There:
- By Train: Varanasi Junction (BSB) is a massive, bustling rail hub tightly connected to the rest of India. We have taken the classic overnight AC sleeper trains directly from both Agra and Kolkata to Varanasi, and they are all popular routes.
- By Plane: If you are short on time, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) is located just 25 kilometres outside the city and there are quick, cheap daily flights directly from Delhi.
Getting Around in Varanasi:
The old town of Varanasi is a tightly packed, car-free maze of tiny alleys. So the only way to explore it is on foot.
For longer distances between the train station, the old city, or the modern Cantonment area, hopping into an auto-rickshaw or taxi is your best bet – just remember to negotiate a fair price before you step inside!
Why You Need a Guide (Meet Ravi Gaur)
Navigating the chaotic streets and dense crowds of Varanasi on your own on day one can be completely overwhelming. To skip that stress, and start with a good connection, we always recommend hiring a trusted local guide.
We recommend our dear friend and guide, Ravi Gaur (WhatsApp: +91 85769 16590).
Booking Ravi for a guided walking tour or an introduction to the riverfront makes the city’s complex religious rituals and ancient history click into place.
He can even arrange to pick you up directly from the train station! Once Ravi has guided you through the logistics for a day, navigating the city independently becomes much easier.
- Contact: You can reach Ravi directly via WhatsApp at +91 85769 16590.
- Tip: Send Ravi a message a few weeks before you arrive with your travel dates. He can help coordinate your arrival logistics to save you the hassle of navigating the station crowds alone.
10 Top Things to Do in Varanasi
Read on for the most interesting things to do in Varanasi.
1. Take a Sunrise Boat Tour on the Ganges
This is the ultimate, non-negotiable Varanasi experience. You can get a boat out onto the Ganges at any time of day. But it is particularly interesting at sunrise. Watching the golden morning light and observing thousands of pilgrims bathing and praying along the steps (ghats) is breathtaking. (In a totally unique way!).
2. Witness the Evening Ganga Aarti
Every single evening at sunset, Dashashwamedh Ghat transforms into a powerful spiritual stage. Young priests perform the Ganga Aarti – a mesmerising ritual of fire, incense, heavy brass lamps, and rhythmic chanting to offer thanks to Mother Ganga.
The best place to watch this is from the river on a boat. Which is well worth booking early to make sure you secure a seat on a boat facing the ghat early to get the best view!
3. Get Lost in the Historic Alleys
I always recommend that for Varanasi it is best to start your first day with a guide. But once you have found your feet and have been introduced to some of the major things to do in Varanasi, there is time for just wandering.
It is a city that is full of tiny alley ways and narrow lanes. These tiny paths are packed with hidden shrines, silk weavers, tiny spice shops, roaming holy cows, and incredible street life. I’m claiming that getting lost is half the fun!
4. Observe Manikarnika Ghat (The Burning Ghat)
Manikarnika is the main crematorium ghat where traditional open-air funeral pyres burn 24 hours a day. Observing this from a respectful distance is a humbling, and again, a totally unique experience.
Note: Never take photographs here out of respect for the grieving families.
5. Take a Day Trip to Sarnath
When you need a break from the energy of the things to do in Varanasi city, you can head 10 kilometres north to Sarnath. This is a peaceful, green archaeological park and is the sacred site where Gautama Buddha gave his very first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
6. Walk the Entire Stretch of Ghats
There are over 80 distinct ghats lining the river. It is easy to spend a slow afternoon walking continuously along the stone steps from Assi Ghat all the way down to the northern sectors. Each ghat has its own unique vibe, history, and community gathering spots.
7. See the Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath)
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the country. The temple features massive spires plated in pure gold.
However, the security here is tight and lines can be long. But if you have time, I do recommend it. Stepping inside provides an intense insight into true Indian devotion…
8. Meet the Kushti Wrestlers of Varanasi
Another curious highlight of things to do in Varanasi that we would never have found on our own is visiting a traditional Akhara (wrestling gym) at Tulsi Ghat. We went with Ravi on a first day tour of Varanasi.
The gym is tucked away on the riverfront and is where local Kushti Wrestlers train using traditional methods, swinging heavy stone clubs of all shapes and sizes to build strength.
We learnt that it is more than just a sport here. The practice is a sacred Hindu tradition dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey god of might.
It is free to visit during their busy morning and evening training sessions, though we highly recommend bringing a guide along to help navigate the space and explain the rituals.
9. Lolark Kund: Things To Do in Varanasi
Another fascinating site of worship hidden near Tulsi Ghat is Lolark Kund, one of Varanasi’s oldest and most sacred stepwells.
This one goes 15 meters below ground level, and is dedicated to Lord Surya, the sun god; its name translates to “trembling sun,” reflecting the way his image wavers beautifully across the water.
Local legends claim the pool holds powerful properties of fertility, drawing hopeful couples who come to bathe in the waters in the blessings of a child. It is completely free to visit and open daily from sunrise to sunset.
10. Shop for Authentic Banarasi Silk
This is one of the fun shopping things to do in Varanasi! Varanasi is world-famous for its exquisite hand-woven silk sarees and textiles.
Ask your guide (Ravi) to take you to a genuine weaving cooperative where you can watch families operate traditional wooden handlooms before browsing the beautiful fabrics.
Where to Stay & Where to Eat in Varanasi
- Where to Stay: For peace and family comfort, stay in the Cantonment area. It offers modern, Western-style hotels with quiet gardens to escape the noise. If you want riverside atmosphere, choose a heritage property near Assi Ghat – it is much wider and calmer than the central ghats.
- Where to Eat: For a reliable, traveller-friendly sanctuary in the heart of the old town, go to Mona Lisa Cafe. It’s a classic backpacker haunt serving coffee, cheap comforting breakfasts, pizzas, and good local thalis in a relaxed environment.
Varanasi with Kids: Is it Doable?
Yes, absolutely! We have brought our boys, Harry and Oscar, to Varanasi twice, and they did really well taking it all in. While it is loud and visually raw, travel kids are naturally resilient and find the boat rides, the fire rituals, and the wandering street cows plenty interesting enough.
I think the secret to conquering Varanasi with kids is pacing: don’t overschedule your days. Do also talk to them ahead of time about what Varanasi is about. There is a lot that is raw to see in the city (like the cremation Ghats). But there is no point trying to hide that from them and then rounding a corner onto the riverfront and there it is! Have a talk with them first so they know what to expect.
It is also worth booking a good hotel with an air-conditioned room to retreat to when the heat peaks. Use a trusted guide like Ravi to handle the street logistics, and keep plenty of packaged snacks on hand.
Safety and Best Time to Visit
Like anywhere in India, planning for the things to do in Varanasi does have a few logistics that make it better. And definitely hire a guide for the first day!
Is Varanasi Safe?
Yes, we feel safe here. I have navigated the city solo as a young backpacker and now alongside my family. Because it is a holy town, the general vibe is deeply spiritual and peaceful. Well, peaceful apart from the density of hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims!
Like any dense tourist hub, keep your wits about you in tight crowds to avoid pickpockets, ignore pushy boatmen or touts, and rely on trusted recommendations.
Worried How To Avoid Delhi Belly Travelling In India? We got ya.
Best Time to Visit
Aim for the cool, dry winter months between October and March.
At this time of year, the daytime weather is pleasant and sunny, making walking the ghats nice. Avoid the scorching summer (April to June) and the monsoon season (July to September) when the Ganges swells significantly, completely flooding the walking paths along the ghats.
Enjoy the Unique Things To Do in Varanasi
Varanasi can be a shock to the system, but it is an unforgettable adventure. Pack your patience, hire a great guide, and get ready to experience the absolute soul of India!
Questions answered and ready to plan your adventure? Check out our Ultimate Golden Triangle Itinerary to see how to link Varanasi with Jaipur and Agra!
Do you want a good driver for your first time in Delhi or a guide in Varanasi? Let us know in the comments if you connect with Sunny or Ravi!
Safe travels, adventurers!
Read More India Inspiration
- Our Detailed & Easy 2-Day Itinerary Of Jaipur.
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- 10 Things To Do In Mumbai.
- 10 Things To Do In Kochi & Kerala.
- Best Tourist SIM Card For India.
- What To Wear In India.
- 4-Day Kochi & Kerala Itinerary.
- Travelling India By Bus: Intercity, Tourist & Sleeper Buses.
Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Especially for your first time in India!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
