Things to Do in Varanasi
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Varanasi, India, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Varanasi. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, show it some respect, one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, sitting on the banks of the Ganges, and a place of real, ongoing significance to Buddhism too, a short distance from where the Buddha is said to have given his first sermon. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Varanasi: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits deserve real quiet and respect. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Varanasi's Significance to Hinduism
Varanasi is considered one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, situated on the banks of the Ganges, pilgrims travel from across India to bathe in the river here, a place of deep, ongoing religious significance for millions, worth understanding this before you visit, this is a living, active pilgrimage destination, not a historical curiosity, and worth approaching with real sensitivity to the religious practices taking place around you.
Attending an evening Ganga Aarti ceremony, a ritual involving fire, chanting, and music performed along the riverbank, is worth doing if you want to see this devotion directly, worth watching quietly and respectfully rather than treating it purely as a photo opportunity.
Best time Evening for the Ganga Aarti ceremony
Address Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi
The Ghats
Varanasi's riverside steps, used for bathing, cremation, and religious ceremonies, are known as ghats, dozens of them line the riverbank, each with its own particular use and significance, worth a slow, respectful walk along a section of the riverfront to appreciate the range of daily religious and civic life taking place here.
Some ghats are used specifically for cremation, a sacred practice for Hindu families, worth observing these particular ghats with real sensitivity, quiet, respectful distance rather than close photography, this is sacred, private grief taking place in a public setting.
Best time Early morning for the quietest, most contemplative atmosphere
Address Varanasi ghats, along the Ganges
Sarnath
Varanasi is also significant to Buddhism, as the Buddha is said to have given his first sermon nearby at Sarnath, a short distance outside the city, marking a pivotal moment in Buddhist history, worth a proper half-day trip, the site includes ancient stupas, monastery ruins, and a museum covering this history in depth.
It's a properly calm, contemplative counterpoint to Varanasi's busier riverfront, worth allowing real time to sit and appreciate the site's significance rather than rushing through.
Hours Daily, roughly 6am–6pm
Getting there About 30 minutes from central Varanasi
Best time to visit Varanasi
October through March gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, cooler and drier than the rest of the year.
Summer brings serious heat, worth avoiding if possible, or planning sightseeing for very early morning if you do visit then.
Getting around Varanasi
Boats are the practical, essential way to see the ghats from the river, and walking covers the riverfront itself. Auto-rickshaws are the way to reach Sarnath and destinations further out.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Varanasi worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, one of the most spiritually significant cities anywhere in the world, worth visiting with real openness and respect for the religious life taking place throughout the city.
- How many days do you need in Varanasi?
- Two to three days covers the ghats, an evening Ganga Aarti, and a Sarnath day trip comfortably.
- Is Varanasi expensive?
- No, generally affordable, food, boat rides, and local transport all remain reasonably priced.
- What is Varanasi famous for?
- Being one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, its riverside ghats used for bathing and religious ceremonies, and Sarnath nearby, where the Buddha is said to have given his first sermon.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
