Places to Visit and Things to Do in Varanasi

Varanasi is not a city you experience by simply ticking attractions off a list. Its character comes from the contrast between ancient temples, busy old-city lanes, peaceful mornings on the Ganges, evening rituals at the ghats and everyday local life happening around you.

For a first trip, however, it can be difficult to know what is actually worth your time. Should you start with Kashi Vishwanath, spend more time at the ghats, take a sunrise boat ride, visit Sarnath or explore the old city?

This guide brings together the most important places to visit and things to do in Varanasi, with a focus on experiences that are genuinely useful for first-time visitors. You will find the city's major temples and ghats, river experiences, old-city walks, local food and markets and Sarnath, along with practical context to help you decide what deserves a place in your trip.

If you're planning your first visit, our Varanasi Travel Guide covers the wider trip planning details, including where to stay, how to get around, costs and itinerary planning. 

Top Places to Visit & Essential Things to Do in Varanasi

The sections below explain what makes each experience worth including and how to approach it without trying to fit every attraction into a single trip. 

Before planning your dates, check our guide to the Best Time to Visit Varanasi for seasonal weather, festivals and travel considerations. 

Kashi Vishwanath Dham & Temple

For many visitors, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most important stops in Varanasi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and located in the heart of the old city, the temple is one of the city's most significant religious landmarks.

The surrounding Kashi Vishwanath Dham has also made the temple area easier to access and explore, connecting the temple complex with the riverfront near Lalita Ghat.

What to Expect

A visit to Kashi Vishwanath is primarily a religious experience rather than a sightseeing stop. Expect security checks, crowds and restrictions on what you can carry inside the temple premises.

The official temple guidelines state that electronic gadgets and bags are not permitted inside the temple premises and lockers are available for visitors. It is therefore better to plan your visit without carrying unnecessary belongings.

For visitors who want a more organized darshan experience, Sugam Darshan is an available option. The current official schedule lists Sugam Darshan at ₹250 per person, although timings and arrangements can change on special occasions.

How to Plan Your Visit

• Keep your belongings to a minimum before entering the temple area.
• Check the official temple schedule before visiting, particularly during festivals or special religious occasions.
• Allow additional time for security checks and crowds.
• Combine your temple visit with the nearby old-city lanes and riverfront rather than treating it as an isolated attraction.
• If you are visiting Varanasi for religious reasons, leave enough flexibility in your day rather than scheduling several attractions immediately afterward.

Best for: First-time visitors, pilgrims and travelers interested in Varanasi's religious heritage.

Nearby experiences: Vishwanath Gali, old-city lanes, Lalita Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat and local markets.

Dashashwamedh Ghat & Ganga Aarti

Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most prominent ghats on the Ganges and one of the main places first-time visitors experience in Varanasi. Its central location also makes it convenient to combine with Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vishwanath Gali and the surrounding old-city lanes.

The ghat is particularly known for the Ganga Aarti, an elaborate evening ritual performed on the riverfront. As lamps, chants, bells and devotional music fill the ghat, the ceremony creates one of the most recognizable experiences associated with Varanasi.

What to Expect

Dashashwamedh Ghat can become extremely busy around the evening Aarti, especially during weekends, festivals and peak travel periods. The atmosphere is part of the experience, but visitors should expect crowds and limited personal space.

You can experience the Aarti from the steps of the ghat or from a boat on the Ganges. A boat offers a different perspective of the ceremony and the illuminated riverfront, while staying on the ghat puts you closer to the ceremony itself.

How to Plan Your Visit

• Arrive well before the evening Aarti if you want a place on the ghat steps.
• Keep valuables secure because the riverfront can become crowded.
• If you choose a boat, confirm the fare and duration before boarding.
• Consider visiting Dashashwamedh Ghat during the daytime as well, when you can explore the riverfront without the evening crowds.
• Combine it with Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the old city since these experiences are within the same broader area.

Best for: First-time visitors, travelers interested in religious and cultural experiences, and anyone wanting to experience Varanasi's iconic riverfront atmosphere.

Nearby experiences: Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Vishwanath Gali, Man Mandir Ghat, Lalita Ghat and the old-city markets.

Assi Ghat & Subah-e-Banaras

Assi Ghat offers a different atmosphere from the busy central ghats around Dashashwamedh. Located toward the southern end of the main riverfront, it is known for its early-morning atmosphere, riverside views, cultural activities and the Subah-e-Banaras program.

For first-time visitors, Assi Ghat is particularly worth including if you want to experience Varanasi early in the day rather than seeing the city only through its evening rituals.

What to Expect

The ghat begins to come alive early in the morning, with visitors gathering for prayers, yoga, cultural performances and views of the Ganges. The atmosphere is generally more relaxed than the evening crowds around Dashashwamedh Ghat.

You can also use Assi Ghat as a starting point for a morning walk along the riverfront or a sunrise boat ride. Spending some time here without rushing to the next attraction can be one of the more enjoyable ways to experience the slower side of Varanasi.

How to Plan Your Visit

• Visit early if you want to experience the morning atmosphere and Subah-e-Banaras.
• Check the current schedule before planning around a specific program or performance.
• Combine Assi Ghat with a sunrise boat ride or a walk along nearby ghats.
• If you have limited time, Assi Ghat works particularly well as part of an early-morning Varanasi experience.

Best for: First-time visitors, early risers, cultural experiences, sunrise views and travelers who prefer a calmer riverfront atmosphere.

Nearby experiences: Tulsi Ghat, Chet Singh Ghat, morning boat rides, riverside walks and the southern stretch of Varanasi's ghats.

Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most significant ghats in Varanasi and one of the city's most distinctive places to visit. It is traditionally associated with Hindu cremation rites and remains an active cremation site on the Ganges.

Unlike the more visitor-oriented ghats, Manikarnika should not be approached as a conventional tourist attraction. Its importance comes from understanding its role in Varanasi's religious traditions and the way death and cremation are integrated into the city's spiritual landscape.

What to Expect

Cremations take place here throughout the day, so visitors may witness funeral rituals while exploring the surrounding riverfront. The experience can be confronting, particularly for first-time visitors, and it is important to remain respectful of grieving families and those performing the ceremonies.

The ghat can be observed from the river or from nearby public areas without interfering with the rituals taking place.

How to Visit Respectfully

• Do not photograph or record cremation ceremonies or grieving families.
• Do not enter restricted areas or approach funeral pyres.
• Avoid intrusive questions or conversations with families and workers.
• Be cautious of unsolicited individuals offering to arrange special access or requesting money in connection with cremation ceremonies.
• Treat the ghat as a place of religious significance rather than a photo opportunity.

Best for: Travelers interested in understanding Varanasi's religious traditions and the cultural significance of its ghats.

Nearby experiences: Ganga boat rides, Man Mandir Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Vishwanath Gali and the old city.

Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges

A sunrise boat ride on the Ganges is one of the simplest ways to see Varanasi from a different perspective. Instead of exploring the ghats from the steps and lanes, you get to see the riverfront unfold from the water as the city begins its day.

The early morning is particularly appealing because the riverfront is generally calmer than during the busy evening hours. As the boat moves past the ghats, you can see temples, riverside rituals, pilgrims and everyday activity along the waterfront.

What to Expect

Most rides follow a stretch of the river that passes several important ghats. Depending on the route and type of boat, the experience can range from a short shared ride to a more private outing.

Boat prices vary based on the type of boat, duration, route and whether you book a shared or private ride. It is best to confirm the total price, duration, route and whether the quoted fare is per person or for the entire boat before boarding.

How to Plan Your Ride

• Start early enough to be on the river around sunrise.
• Confirm the fare and duration before getting into the boat.
• Ask where the boat will start and finish, particularly if you have another activity planned afterward.
• A private boat gives you more flexibility to spend time at the ghats, while a shared boat can be a simpler option for budget travelers.
• Carry a light layer during cooler months because it can feel colder on the river in the early morning.

Best for: First-time visitors, photographers, couples and travelers who want to experience Varanasi from the Ganges rather than only from the ghats.

Pairs well with: Assi Ghat, a morning walk along the riverfront and exploring the old city after the boat ride.

Varanasi Old City & Vishwanath Gali

Walking through Varanasi's old city is an experience in itself. The narrow lanes around Kashi Vishwanath are filled with small temples, traditional shops, food stalls, residences and everyday activity, giving you a side of the city that you cannot fully experience from the riverfront.

Vishwanath Gali is one of the best-known lanes in this area, with shops selling religious items, sweets, snacks, handicrafts and other local products.

What to Expect

The old city can feel crowded and confusing, particularly around the busiest temple and market areas. Walking is usually the easiest way to explore because many lanes are narrow and not designed for regular vehicle access.

Part of the experience is simply wandering through the lanes, noticing small shrines, traditional architecture, local businesses and the everyday rhythm of Varanasi.

How to Explore

• Explore on foot rather than trying to cover the area by vehicle.
• Combine the old city with your visit to Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
• Leave some time for unplanned stops at food stalls, shops and small temples.
• Be mindful of pedestrians, motorcycles and residents using the same narrow lanes.
• If you are shopping, compare prices and quality before making larger purchases.

Best for: First-time visitors, photographers, food lovers, shoppers and travelers who want to experience everyday Varanasi beyond its major attractions.

Nearby experiences: Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Dashashwamedh Ghat, local food stalls and traditional markets.

Varanasi Street Food & Local Markets

Exploring Varanasi is not complete without trying its local food and spending time in its traditional markets. The old city is filled with kachori-jalebi shops, lassi counters, chaat stalls, sweet shops and stores selling Banarasi textiles and handicrafts.

You do not need to plan an entire food tour. A few well-known local specialties can easily be added while exploring the old city.

What to Try

• Kachori sabzi: A popular breakfast choice, especially around the old-city market areas.
• Tamatar chaat: A spicy, tangy Varanasi specialty worth trying while exploring the city.
• Banarasi lassi: A thick, traditional lassi that is particularly popular around the old city.
• Malaiyyo: A seasonal milk-based dessert associated with Varanasi's cooler months.
• Banarasi paan: One of the city's most recognizable local specialties and a common after-meal experience.

Some recognizable places travelers may come across include Kashi Chat Bhandar, Ram Bhandar and Blue Lassi Shop. Rather than treating these as mandatory stops, use them as starting points if you want to explore Varanasi's local food scene.

Banarasi Shopping

Varanasi is particularly known for Banarasi silk, textiles, handicrafts, religious items and traditional products. Areas around the old city and traditional market neighborhoods are useful for browsing and comparing products.

If you are buying expensive silk or textiles, compare quality and prices before purchasing. For significant purchases, ask about the material, origin and authenticity rather than relying only on the seller's description.

Best for: Food lovers, shoppers, first-time visitors, and travelers who want to experience Varanasi beyond its temples and ghats.

Pairs well with: A walk through the old city, Vishwanath Gali, Kashi Vishwanath Dham and nearby market areas.

For a detailed breakdown of accommodation, food, transport, boat rides, and other expenses, see our Varanasi Trip Cost guide. 

Sarnath: A Worthwhile Addition to Your Varanasi Trip

Located near Varanasi, Sarnath offers a completely different experience from the city's ghats, temples, and crowded old-city lanes. It is closely associated with Buddhism and is an important destination for travelers interested in history, culture, archaeology and religious heritage.

For a longer Varanasi trip, Sarnath provides a useful change of pace from the city's busy riverfront and old city.

What to See in Sarnath

Dhamek Stupa is one of Sarnath's most important landmarks and a central part of the archaeological site. The surrounding ruins help visitors understand the historical importance of the area.

The Sarnath Archaeological Museum is worth adding if you want more context about the sculptures and archaeological discoveries associated with Sarnath.

Mulagandha Kuti Vihar is another notable stop, known for its Buddhist connection and distinctive architecture.

How Much Time Do You Need?

A half-day is generally practical for exploring Sarnath's main sights without rushing. It fits particularly well into a 3- or 4-day Varanasi trip.

If you have only one day in Varanasi, prioritize the city's ghats, Kashi Vishwanath, old city and Ganga Aarti before adding Sarnath.

Best for: History lovers, Buddhist travelers, culture enthusiasts and visitors with enough time to explore beyond central Varanasi.

Planning tip: Treat Sarnath as a separate outing rather than trying to combine it with several major Varanasi attractions in the same short time window.

If you're unsure how to fit these experiences into your trip, our Varanasi Itinerary covers practical 1 to 4-day plans. 

Planning Your Varanasi Trip?

Knowing what you want to see is the first step. Next, you can plan your travel dates, budget and day-by-day schedule around those experiences.

If you prefer a more organized trip, explore our Varanasi tour packages for curated itineraries and trip options designed to make planning your Varanasi visit easier.