Sarnath (nearby)

Varanasi, India

The serene site a short drive away where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with stupas, monasteries and a museum. A tranquil Buddhist counterpoint.

Explore Varanasi

Varanasi — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Varanasi — TL;DR

Varanasi — Kashi, Benares — claims to be among the oldest continuously living cities on earth, and Hinduism's holiest, where pilgrims come to bathe in the Ganges and, in time, to die.

Varanasi at a glance

What are the best things to do in Varanasi? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Varanasi trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Varanasi? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Varanasi — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Varanasi? October to March for cooler, comfortable days; the Dev Deepawali festival in November, when the ghats fill with lamps, is extraordinary.
Where should I stay in Varanasi for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Varanasi? The old-city lanes are a pedestrian maze — no vehicles fit — so walk, and expect to get lost (part of the experience).

Varanasi overview

October to March for cooler, comfortable days; the Dev Deepawali festival in November, when the ghats fill with lamps, is extraordinary. Avoid the extreme summer heat; the monsoon can flood the lower ghats.
The old-city lanes are a pedestrian maze — no vehicles fit — so walk, and expect to get lost (part of the experience). Boats are the best way to see the ghats; auto-rickshaws and app cabs serve the wider city. Dawn is the time to be on the river.
Indian Rupee (₹)
Hindi and Bhojpuri. English is understood in tourism.
IST (UTC+5:30)
A wave of stylish ghat-side cafés and rooftop restaurants with river views; boutique heritage stays in restored riverfront havelis; a growing wellness and yoga scene around Assi Ghat; and the vast new Kashi Vishwanath corridor reshaping the temple district.

Where to eat, drink & do in Varanasi

Varanasi neighborhoods

The Ghats (Dashashwamedh to Manikarnika) The sweep of stone steps down to the Ganges, the living heart of the city, from the great Aarti at Dashashwamedh to the cremation fires of Manikarnika. Endlessly moving.
Assi Ghat The southern, calmer ghat, a hub for students, yoga, cafés and a gentler morning aarti. The most relaxed and traveller-friendly base.
The Old City (Vishwanath Gali) The dense lanes behind the ghats around the Kashi Vishwanath temple, packed with shrines, shops and street food. Chaotic and sacred.
Sarnath (nearby) The serene site a short drive away where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with stupas, monasteries and a museum. A tranquil Buddhist counterpoint.

Practical info for Varanasi

Getting around in Varanasi? The old-city lanes are a pedestrian maze — no vehicles fit — so walk, and expect to get lost (part of the experience). Boats are the best way to see the ghats; auto-rickshaws and app cabs serve the wider city.
When to go in Varanasi? October to March for cooler, comfortable days; the Dev Deepawali festival in November, when the ghats fill with lamps, is extraordinary. Avoid the extreme summer heat; the monsoon can flood the lower ghats.
What's changing now in Varanasi? A wave of stylish ghat-side cafés and rooftop restaurants with river views; boutique heritage stays in restored riverfront havelis; a growing wellness and yoga scene around Assi Ghat; and the vast new Kashi Vishwanath corridor reshaping the
Seek out Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat in Varanasi? A daily dawn programme of Vedic chanting, classical music and yoga on Assi Ghat as the sun rises over the river. A gentle, uplifting start to the day.
Base yourself in The Ghats (Dashashwamedh to Manikarnika) in Varanasi? The sweep of stone steps down to the Ganges, the living heart of the city, from the great Aarti at Dashashwamedh to the cremation fires of Manikarnika. Endlessly moving. Known for river rituals, aarti, cremation ghats.

Frequently asked questions about Varanasi

What are the best things to do in Varanasi? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Varanasi trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Varanasi tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Varanasi? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Varanasi — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Varanasi? October to March for cooler, comfortable days; the Dev Deepawali festival in November, when the ghats fill with lamps, is extraordinary. Avoid the extreme summer heat; the monsoon can flood the lower ghats.
Where should I stay in Varanasi for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Varanasi? The old-city lanes are a pedestrian maze — no vehicles fit — so walk, and expect to get lost (part of the experience). Boats are the best way to see the ghats; auto-rickshaws and app cabs serve the wider city. Dawn is the time to be on the river.

Practical notes for Varanasi

Best time to visit: October to March for cooler, comfortable days; the Dev Deepawali festival in November, when the ghats fill with lamps, is extraordinary. Avoid the extreme summer heat; the monsoon can flood the lower ghats.
Getting around: The old-city lanes are a pedestrian maze — no vehicles fit — so walk, and expect to get lost (part of the experience). Boats are the best way to see the ghats; auto-rickshaws and app cabs serve the wider city. Dawn is the time to be on the river.
Currency: Indian Rupee (₹)
Language: Hindi and Bhojpuri. English is understood in tourism.
Timezone: IST (UTC+5:30)
Current trends: A wave of stylish ghat-side cafés and rooftop restaurants with river views; boutique heritage stays in restored riverfront havelis; a growing wellness and yoga scene around Assi Ghat; and the vast new Kashi Vishwanath corridor reshaping the temple district.

Other neighborhoods in Varanasi

The Ghats (Dashashwamedh to Manikarnika) — The sweep of stone steps down to the Ganges, the living heart of the city, from the great Aarti at Dashashwamedh to the cremation fires of Manikarnika. Endlessly moving.
Assi Ghat — The southern, calmer ghat, a hub for students, yoga, cafés and a gentler morning aarti. The most relaxed and traveller-friendly base.
The Old City (Vishwanath Gali) — The dense lanes behind the ghats around the Kashi Vishwanath temple, packed with shrines, shops and street food. Chaotic and sacred.

Read the full Varanasi guide