11 Things to do in Varanasi in 2026 : A glimpse of Culture, Spirituality & Traditions!
"Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." — Mark Twain
Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi welcomes you with open arms and heart to witness the beauty of sacred river Ganges, narrow but aesthetic lanes, splashing colors, bustling ghats, vibrant bazaars and a feeling that is surely unforgettable. It is correctly said that ‘Banaras isn’t just a place, it’s an emotion’ . Maybe that’s why travel freaks from different parts of the world visit this oldest city, just to dive deep into the authentic and original culture of Varanasi.
Every corner of this city looks surreal and feels lively. This city narrates the glorious history of India, spirituality, enlightenment and of course a tradition which is and would be followed by millions. It is true that if you visit Banaras, it wouldn’t be like a normal traveling experience but eventually a core memory that you wouldn’t like to forget. Here in this blog, you can find the long-list of things to do in Varanasi, go through this blog.
Few Interesting things to know about Varanasi!
Before you plan your trip to Varanasi, it is important for you to find out why this city is so famous, famous places to visit here and most importantly things to do in Varanasi. Check out the details here:
- It is one of the oldest living cities of the world
- The city popularly has three names - Varanasi, Banaras and Kashi
- Located on the bank of River Ganges
- This city is a home to more than 80 ghats
- This is a major pilgrimage and Moksha destination
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple - One of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva
- This place is the birthplace of Banarasi Silk Sarees
- This is also an educational hub as one of the largest and renowned institute of Asia Banaras Hindu University - BHU
- Renowned musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan and Girja Devi are from Banaras
- It is a paradise for food fanatics - from Banarasi pan to kachori sabzi, all of these so delicious
- The city is extremely popular for its open-air cremations which takes place 24/7 and 365 days a year
Once you have information about the various places to visit in Varanasi, it would be easier for you to plan your sightseeing spots in a systematic way.
Best Time to visit Varanasi
No doubt, Varanasi is one of the most spiritual cities on earth but the weather keeps on changing significantly and this might have a wider impact on your experience.And so before you plan your trip, make sure you find out first the best time to visit Varanasi. To be precise, the best time to visit Varanasi is during winters or cooler months that is generally October to March as during this time the temperature is pleasant. Now, during the rainy season that is from May to August it is extremely hot and humid.
Few exciting Things to do in Varanasi at night
When it is said that the nightlife in Varanasi is extremely vibrant but not like Delhi or Mumbai. Here it is not at all about hustle-bustle but more about feeling peaceful, calm and rejuvenated. Here’s the list of things to do in Varanasi at night.
1. Experience the divine Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
This is one of the most iconic and stunning experiences of Varanasi. It is conducted during sunset and looks beautiful and feels surreal. This grand ritual also features priests who are dressed in traditional attire and perform aarti in sync with brass lamps. It is because of the devotional aura and illuminating riverbank, all of it starts to feel unrealistically beautifully. Indeed, witnessing the popular and stunning Ganga Aarti is one of the best things to do in Varanasi at night.
- Highlight: You can witness the beautiful evening aarti from a boat for an astounding, panoramic view.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March - Make sure you arrive at least 40-60 minutes before the sunset
- How to reach: There are many ways to go to Dashashwamedh Ghat which are dependent on your budget. You can either take an auto Rickshaw or private car. By Auto Rikshaw, you must go to ‘Godowlia’ and you have to pay Rs.20 approximately
Unquestionably, you can find innumerable temples in India, and to be precise the temples of Varanasi are one of the major reflection of extensiveness, deep-rooted spirituality, culture and tradition of India.
2. If you are a fan of Spirituality, history and photography, you must visit Kashi Vishwanath
Visiting Kashi Vishwanath Temple is eventually one of the must-do experiences in Varanasi. It is located in the heart of the old and ancient city of Kashi. This temple is one of the oldest and acclaimed Shiva temples in India and it is popular for its spiritual aura. People who love photography, you can enjoy old streets, traditional architecture and amusingly lit ghats of Varanasi.
- Highlight: You get to witness the spiritual aura of Kashi Vishwanath and get to explore the beautiful and historic lanes of the temple.
- Best Time to visit: October to March
- How can I reach: You can simply take an auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw or taxi to the Godowlia area which is followed by a short walk towards the beautiful temple.
3. If you are fan of ancient stories and peaceful vibe x Spirituality, choose Sarnath
It is one of the must-visit places in Varanasi which is located approximately 10km from Varanasi. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon just after attaining enlightenment. Get to explore the ancient ruins such as Dhamek Stupa, various monasteries, archaeological museums and much more. It is surely one of the best things to do in Varanasi for travelers who wish to blend history, culture and spirituality.
- Highlight: Get to explore the beautiful Dhamek Stupa, ancient ruins and calming Buddhist monasteries
- Best Time to visit: October to March
- How to reach: You can take an auto rickshaw, e-rickshaw or even taxi from Varanasi city to Sarnath which is almost 10km away
4. Try Boat ride on the Ganga River
The wonderful boat ride on River Ganges is one of the adventure activities in Varanasi that is surely one of the famous activities during night. The city is located on the banks of the divine River Ganges and so going for a boat ride and witnessing something surreal is the best choice. Enjoy a slow rowboat ride and get to witness the charming and glowing ghats of Varanasi. The water stays extremely calm and the ghats glow , you can also witness the Manikarnika ghat, surely this is one of the most amazing experiences of your life. You should negotiate just before boarding - ₹500–₹1,000 for 1 hour, private. The perfect time to do this activity is 8:30 - 10pm as there is almost less rush
- Highlight: You get to enjoy amazing boat ride and witness the LIT ghats of Varanasi
- Best Time to Visit: October to March - 6:30pm - 8:30 pm , just after the sunset and even during Aarti. You must plan your Varanasi
- Very carefully so that you don’t miss out these significant activities.
- How to reach: You can ask an Auto-Rickshaw, e-rickshaw or taxi driver to drop you to Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat. You can also book the boat to these ghats.
5. If you are a fan of photography, it’s the best time to capture
This is surely one of the must-do activities in Varanasi if photography is your thing. You can literally capture the slow, low-light photography along the riverfront. The long exposure shots of boats, reflection of lamps on water and Aarti, makes this destination a perfect match for photography. No doubt, it is one of the best things to do in Varanasi but make sure you carry all your equipment and don’t click pictures of strangers without their permission. Indeed, Varanasi is one of the best winter places to plan your trip so that you can entirely focus on the destination and its beauty, not just get exhausted by the weather.
- Highlight: You can capture the illuminating and beautiful ghats of Varanasi
- Best Time to Visit: October to March - 6:30pm - 8:30 pm , just after the sunset and even during Aarti.
- How to reach: You can ask an Auto-Rickshaw, e-rickshaw or taxi driver to drop you to Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat.
Amazing Things to do in Varanasi with Friends
Varanasi is a vibrant place and maybe that’s why no matter there are always sufficient things to do in Varanasi even with friends. Here’s the list of things that you can try with your friends in Varanasi. Check it out.
6. Attend the festival called ‘Dev Deepawali’ & ‘Ganga Mahotsav’
Celebrated just after 15 days of Deepawali, this is a spectacular festival which honors the deities of the river Ganges. The city illuminates with thousands of diyas and it looks dazzling, sparkling and extremely stunning. The ghats look extremely beautiful with flickering lights and locals also gather to witness the amusing views of Ganga Aarti. Indeed, this is one of the best things to do in Varanasi at night. Along with that, if you are visiting Varanasi with your friends, you must also witness the beautiful Ganga Mahotsav. This is a one-week long festival which is dedicated to the Ganges River. This event showcases the cultural richness of Varanasi through many traditional performances including music, dance and folk art.
7. Taste the delicious and mouth-watering cuisine of Varanasi
To be honest, if you are ever visiting Varanasi make sure you taste the delicious, mouthwatering local cuisine of Varanasi. From the delicious Banarasi Chaat to the popular Banarasi Paan, every bite throws light on the iconic culinary taste of this beautiful and iconic destination. Undeniably, Varanasi is one of the best places to visit in India because of its history, culture, tradition and vibe. Few of the must try dishes include chaat, crispy fried dough, tangy tamarind chutney. If you are a fan of Chaat, you must go to Chaat gali as here you can taste the different variations with an exclusive twist.
8. Try Adventurous activities like River sports and Cycling Tours
If you wish to try any adventure activities in Varanasi, you can find innumerable options. You can try cycling tours and other river sports too on the bank of river Ganges. Along with that, you can also try amusing activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.
Hidden & Offbeat things to do in Varanasi
Before you start exploring the Varanasi tour packages, make sure you include all of these offbeat activities in your list to make it more fun. From the artisan workshops to bustling local markets, these hidden gems offer an exclusive perspective of the city`s bustling culture.
9. Explore Artisan Workshops
If art excites you then this is surely one of the must-do activities in Varanasi. You can visit the local artisan workshops and check out the intricate work of craftsmen at work who create beautiful silk sarees, detailed brassware and amusing pottery. You can participate in a workshop and witness the traditional techniques and creativity.
10. Do not forget to explore the bustling local markets
If you wish to shop something for your wedding or any one else`s, nothing could beat the charm of Varanasi sarees, Jhumkas and traditional attires. Along with that, you can stroll through the beautiful lanes of Varanasi where you can find authentic spices and handcrafted jewellery.. You can also bargain in this market and get it at the best price. Make sure you include this activity in your things to do in Varanasi list.
11. You can also participate in Yoga and Meditation Retreats
Varanasi is also a popular hub of spiritual seekers and if you wish to rejuvenate, you can also join any of the Yoga and Meditation Retreats. All of these retreats ensure stunning views of river Ganges which provide a breathtaking backdrop. You can also participate in meditation sessions with the help of loca gurus. Indeed, this is one of the best things to do in Varanasi.
Amazing Things to do in Varanasi as a couple
You would be surprised to know but yes, Varanasi is an amazing choice if you want to visit with your partner. The list of things to do in Varanasi as a couple is endless, check out the list here.
Watch the beautiful sunrise from a boat: Get ready for a stunning and magical experience with your partner on the boat ride. Witness the rays of sunlight fall on the dazzling Ganga river while the birds fly across the river.
- Best Time: 5:30 am - 7:00 am
- Highlights: Calm and peaceful atmosphere, and picture-worthy scenes
Get to enjoy delicious Banarasi cuisine at the beautiful Assi Ghat: You can find many hotels in Varanasi just on the ghats and to be precise Assi ghat is extremely popular and so finding an accommodation or cafe wouldn’t be a big challenge. The cafes near Assi Ghat ensure a rejuvenating vibe which would ensure a perfect vibe.
Don’t miss: The local chai, Fresh Lassi and Banarasi Snacks.
Make sure you do a couple photoshoots at the ghats: The backdrop of ghats presents an astounding vibe. Ancient steps, beautiful boats, temples and ghats, makes this destination an unmatchable choice for couple photography.
Additional options of things to do in Varanasi as a couple.
- Release the floating diya with your partner in Ganga only if you permission
- Get up early in the morning for Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat
- Evening walk on the ghats
- Matching handcrafted souvenirs
- Taste the authentic Banarasi Paan
|
Things to do at night |
|
|
Things to do with family and friends |
|
|
Things to do offbeat and rare |
|
|
Things to do as a couple |
|
Conclusion
Varanasi isn’t just a destination, it’s beyond that. Full of unforgettable memories, mesmerizing Ganga aarti and peaceful boat ride are few of the highlights. The list of things to do in Varanasi is endless, however we have enlisted the amazing activities here. Hopefully reading this blog was worth the time and effort you have spent. There are many things to see in Varanasi but to create a list and finalize it is the most challenging task.
FAQs
What are a few of the best things to do in Varanasi?
Get to witness Ganga Aarti, enjoy boatride, visit Kashi Vishwanath temple, explore ghats and taste authentic food.
What is the best way to reach Varanasi?
It has its own airport and there are regular flights. It is well-connected by train and bus services.
Is Varanasi a safer option for tourists?
Yes, it is safe
What should I wear while visiting Varanasi?
Dress modestly especially in temples.
How many days are enough to explore Varanasi?
2-3 days is enough for Varanasi.