If cities had personalities, Varanasi would be that old soul who’s seen everything, judges nothing, and still knows how to surprise you. Varanasi doesn’t ease you in — it throws you straight into ringing temple bells, drifting incense smoke, chanting priests, honking autos, and the slow, steady rhythm of the Ganga. This is my experienced-traveler take on building a meaningful Varanasi itinerary that goes deeper than the usual highlights. I am sharing best things to do in Varanasi, allowing you to build a well-rounded Varanasi itinerary.

Want the full blueprint? Dive into my Varanasi travel guide, where I break down when to go, where to stay, how long to spend, and how to experience the city beyond the surface.

Varanasi History: A Brief Introduction to the World’s Oldest Living City

Varanasi is widely believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world — and honestly, once you’re here, that feels believable. Every corner carries layers of devotion, philosophy, trade, and everyday life that have been unfolding for thousands of years.

Its original name was Kashi, mentioned in the Vedas and ancient texts. During British times, Banaras became the popular name, especially under the Kingdom of Banaras. Varanasi is the more widely used name, referring to the land between the Varuna and Assi rivers.

Three names. One city. Thousands of years of stories.

Famous Temples in Varanasi to Include in Your Itinerary

Temples here aren’t quiet monuments — they’re active participants in daily life. Make sure to include some of these temples in your Varanasi itinerary to truly feel the city’s spiritual rhythm.

Start with Kaal Bhairav Temple, considered the guardian of the city. Locals believe no visit to Varanasi is complete without seeking his permission. It’s also famously unique for its alcohol offerings, something you won’t see elsewhere in India.

The spiritual heart is Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva (12 sacred Shiva shrines across India). Devotees believe praying here grants moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Afterward, walk to Shree Annapurna Mandir to complete the traditional pilgrimage circuit. Folklore says Goddess Parvati became Annapurna after Kashi faced famine, personally feeding Shiva—why devotees complete their Vishwanath visit at Shree Annapurna Mandir and believe no one leaves Varanasi hungry under her grace.

Add Bharat Mata Mandir to your temple hopping, unlike traditional temples, this one honors the nation itself, featuring a striking marble relief map of India instead of idols. Built to inspire unity and civic pride, it blends spirituality with patriotism in a uniquely Varanasi way.

End at Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, a beloved local favorite dedicated to Hanuman, famous besan laddoos offered as prasad—many come here seeking relief from life’s troubles, true to its name (“remover of obstacles”).

Varanasi has countless temples—often more than one in every lane—and while these are some of the most famous ones, wandering through the city’s narrow streets will reveal many hidden ones woven into everyday life.

Varanasi Ghats: Which Ghats to Visit and What Makes Each One Special

Varanasi’s ghats are where life happens — prayers, laundry, yoga, funerals, and festivals all share the same riverfront. Varanasi is home to over 80 ghats, each with its own unique rhythm and stories. A ghat is a basically stepped riverbank leading down to the Ganges. These riverfront steps are the soul of Varanasi, and exploring a few of them is essential for any Varanasi itinerary.

Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most vibrant and central ghat. It is famous for its nightly Ganga Aarti, where priests perform synchronized rituals with fire lamps and chants.

While Assi Ghat feels calmer and youthful, especially at sunrise. Its favorite among students and travelers, Assi Ghat feels younger and more relaxed. Sunrise Ganga Aarti, morning yoga sessions, acoustic music make it ideal for slow mornings and reflective walks.

Manikarnika Ghat is among the most sacred cremation sites in Hinduism, believed to grant moksha to souls cremated here. This is one of Hinduism’s holiest cremation grounds, Manikarnika burns day and night. Locals believe souls cremated here attain moksha, making it a powerful—if confronting—place to witness Varanasi’s deep relationship with death and liberation. Nearby Harishchandra Ghat carries similar spiritual weight but with fewer crowds.

Visit Namo Ghat, a newer, modern addition to the riverfront, Namo Ghat stands out with its wide promenades, clean design, and illuminated “NAMO” installation. It’s a striking contrast to the ancient ghats and great for sunset photos.

Walking along these ghats feels like flipping through chapters of human life—birth, prayer, routine, and farewell—and often teaches you more about India than any guidebook ever could.

Ganga Aarti in Varanasi: Best Ghats, Timings, and What to Expect

Ganga Aarti is a daily river-worship ceremony dedicated to the sacred Ganges River, where priests offer fire, flowers, incense, and rhythmic chants to honor the river as a living goddess. It takes place at several ghats across Varanasi, but the most iconic ceremonies happen at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening and Assi Ghat at sunrise. Both are worth building into your Varanasi itinerary.

The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is dramatic and tightly synchronized—priests move in unison with blazing fire lamps, bells echo across the river, crowds gather shoulder to shoulder, and devotion fills the air. It feels ceremonial, powerful, and almost theatrical, like a spiritual performance staged on the banks of the Ganga.

For contrast, attend the morning Aarti at Assi Ghat, which actually begins before sunrise. It’s softer and more intimate, with gentle chants drifting over the water and the rising sun reflecting off the river, while locals stretch, sip chai, and ease into their day—giving the ritual a calm, community feel.

If time permits, try to experience both. Morning shows you Varanasi’s quiet soul; night reveals its grand spectacle. Together, they feel like two completely different cities—and doing both adds a deeper, more balanced rhythm to your Varanasi itinerary.

Boat Ride on the Ganges in Varanasi: A Sunrise Experience You Shouldn’t Miss

After attending the sunrise Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat, hop straight onto a wooden boat for one of Varanasi’s most grounding experiences—and a highlight of any well-planned Varanasi itinerary.

A sunrise boat ride on the sacred Ganges River lets you watch the city wake up in real time: mist lifting off the water, priests finishing their rituals, locals bathing on the steps, children waving from the ghats, and chai vendors setting up for the day.

Fun fact: this is one of the rare stretches where the holy Ganga briefly flows south to north instead of its usual direction—making this quiet drift past centuries-old ghats feel even more special.

You can book boats directly at the ghat—just be sure to agree on a fixed price before stepping in and don’t hesitate to bargain a little. If you’d rather avoid early-morning negotiations and prefer a calmer start, book your boat ride ahead of time for a more peaceful, hassle-free experience.

Exploring Varanasi’s Streets, Lanes, and Local Art

Some of Varanasi’s best moments happen when you stop following maps. The tiny gallies twist endlessly, revealing hidden temples, old homes, spice shops, cows blocking traffic, and bursts of colorful street art.

This is where you’ll overhear prayers from open windows, stumble into sweet shops, and witness everyday life unfolding naturally. Give yourself time to wander — getting lost here is part of the experience.

Sarnath Near Varanasi: A Meaningful Day Trip into Buddhist History

Just a short drive from Varanasi, Sarnath offers a calm, contemplative contrast to the city’s intensity. This is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment marking the birth of Buddhism as a living tradition. Over time, Sarnath grew into one of ancient India’s most important centers of Buddhist learning. Emperor Ashoka helped shape the site by building stupas and pillars here.

The famous Ashoka Lion Capital—now India’s national emblem—was discovered in Sarnath and is preserved at the Sarnath Archaeological Museum.

Spend time walking through the open excavation fields, where the remains of monasteries and prayer halls hint at a once-thriving spiritual university. Don’t miss the massive Dhamek Stupa, believed to mark the spot of Buddha’s first teaching.

While you can explore Sarnath independently, it’s genuinely worth taking a Sarnath guided tour. Much of what you see—brick foundations, scattered ruins, weathered pillars—can feel understated without context. A knowledgeable guide connects the dots between Buddha’s first sermon, Ashoka’s architectural legacy, and the archaeological remains, turning silent stones into living history.

Unlike bustling Varanasi, Sarnath feels spacious and unhurried. More importantly, it serves as a powerful reminder that Varanasi’s spiritual identity extends beyond Hinduism. The city and its surroundings reflect centuries of coexistence between faiths, philosophies, and ways of seeking meaning.

Banaras Hindu University (BHU): What to See Inside the Campus

Banaras Hindu University feels like a city within a city. BHU was envisioned as a place where modern education and traditional Indian knowledge could exist side by side. Spread across vast green grounds with wide, tree-lined roads, the campus offers a refreshing contrast to the narrow, chaotic lanes of old Varanasi.

At the heart of the campus stands the New Vishwanath Temple, a serene white-marble shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, symbolizing the harmony between learning and spirituality.

Nearby, the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum houses an impressive collection of Indian art, manuscripts, and archaeological treasures.

Even without entering a single building, a simple walk around BHU feels rejuvenating—quiet, thoughtful, and reflective of Varanasi’s intellectual and cultural depth beyond its ancient ghats.

What to Eat in Varanasi: Famous Street Food and Local Specialties

From spicy kachoris to creamy lassis and legendary chaat, Varanasi is a food lover’s playground. Food here isn’t just about flavor — it’s woven into the city’s rituals, routines, and everyday conversations.

You’ll find unforgettable meals at humble street stalls as well as old shops that locals swear by. Whether it’s an early-morning kachori-sabzi, a mid-day thandai, or a late-night chaat stop near the ghats, every bite tells a story.

Varanasi Itinerary FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

Final Thoughts: How to Build Your Own Varanasi Itinerary

There’s no single “right” way to experience Varanasi, and that’s what makes planning a trip here so personal. Use the experiences in this guide as flexible building blocks to shape a Varanasi itinerary around your interests, energy levels, and the time you have.

At a fast pace, a minimum of 2–3 days is enough to cover the main highlights. If you prefer a more relaxed, immersive experience, 3–4 days allows you to slow down, revisit places that resonate with you, and absorb the city without rushing from one moment to the next. Feel free to add or remove activities based on what draws you in most.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to pause. Varanasi can feel overwhelming at times—and that’s okay. Step back, sit by the river, skip a plan, or simply rest. Slow down, breathe, and let the city come to you. Given time, Varanasi has a way of growing on you—quietly, deeply, and in its own rhythm.

📌 Pin this guide so you can come back to it when you’re ready to plan—and let the city meet you at the right moment.