Things to do in Varanasi

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

A river with boats and a historic building in the background.
A hand holding a lit candle, with a blurred background of lights.
A man sitting by the riverbank, a boat named 'RUDRA GROUP' in the foreground, and a brick building with signs in the background.
A row of colorful boats docked at a calm water body.
A man standing in calm water, holding a cup, with a reflective surface and a distant shoreline.

Things to do

Explore Varanasi’s heritage

Explore Varanasi’s heritage

￥3,157
per adult
Explore Varanasi’s heritage
Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals

Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals

￥7,964
per adult
Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals
Varanasi tour in one day

Varanasi tour in one day

￥20,318
per adult
Varanasi tour in one day
Banaras Wala Tours

Banaras Wala Tours

￥6,502
per adult
Banaras Wala Tours
Our guest enjoying boat tour on the banks of ganges river.

The Ultimate 3 Days in Varanasi - How to Spend 39 Hours - For First Timers

￥19,625
per adult
The Ultimate 3 Days in Varanasi - How to Spend 39 Hours - For First Timers
Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour with Chai & Arti Ceremony

Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour with Arti Ceremony

￥4,877
per adult
Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour with Arti Ceremony
Avikarma Herbal Body Massage

Avikarma Herbal Body Massage

￥6,826
per adult
Avikarma Herbal Body Massage
Tourist Guide English & Spanish Varanasi/Benares

Tourist Guide English & Spanish Varanasi/Benares

￥3,584
per adult
Tourist Guide English & Spanish Varanasi/Benares
A Journey of A lifetime

A Journey of A lifetime

￥3,576
per adult
A Journey of A lifetime
See all activities in Varanasi
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Most popular activities in Varanasi

Tours & day trips

See all 265 activities
Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals

Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals

Activity duration is 11 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 43 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥7,713 per adult*
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Spa & wellness

See all 91 activities
Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti & Boating

Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti & Boating

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 6 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥3,300 per adult*
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Classes & workshops

See all 24 activities
Varanasi: Evening Ganga Aarti with Boat Ride: TOP RATED TOUR

Varanasi: Evening Ganga Aarti with Boat Ride: TOP RATED TOUR

Activity duration is 6 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥10,332 per adult*
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Water activities

See all 8 activities
2 Hours Walk & Explore The Ghats Of Varanasi With Guide

2 Hours Walk & Explore The Ghats Of Varanasi With Guide

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥3,630 per adult*
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 8 activities
Explore Varanasi’s heritage

Explore Varanasi’s heritage

Activity duration is 4 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 6 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥3,053 per adult
Explore Varanasi’s heritageOpens in new tab

What to do in Varanasi

Stay near popular Varanasi attractions

A large temple with a tall spire and multiple smaller domes.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

9.4/10 (211 reviews)
One of Hinduism's twelve sacred Jyotirlingas, Kashi Vishwanath Temple stands crowned with a gold-plated spire in Varanasi. Arrive at dawn for the transcendent Mangala Aarti when chants and incense create the most
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Where to stay in Varanasi

Find the best Varanasi areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Varanasi
Learn more about Varanasi
A bustling riverside market with boats and people.

Godaulia

While Godaulia isn't home to many top sights, JVH Mall and Hanuman Ghat are some notable places to visit nearby.

A riverside cityscape with boats, buildings, and a temple.

Sigra

When in Sigra, you can plan a visit to Dasaswamedh ghat and Hanuman Ghat, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

A river with boats and people. There are steps leading up to a building with a dome.
Photo by Tracy Glenn
Open Photo by Tracy Glenn

Varanasi Nagar Nigam

While Varanasi Nagar Nigam might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like JVH Mall and Dasaswamedh ghat.

A temple with a white roof, colorful murals, and a red entrance.

Lanka

Though Lanka might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Sant Ravidas Ghat.

A riverside cityscape with colorful buildings and boats.

Mahmoorganj

Though Mahmoorganj might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Hanuman Ghat and Tulsi Ghat.

Popular day trips from Varanasi

A historic temple with a central entrance flanked by colorful flags, surrounded by lush greenery.

Sarnath

A multi-tiered waterfall cascading over rocky terrain with people observing from the top.

Mirzapur

A row of lit candles in glass holders on a reflective surface.

Bhadohi

A bull on a sandy beach with boats and a building in the background.

Chandauli

Frequently asked questions

Is Varanasi worth visiting?
Whether you're planning to discover the local charm and cultural highlights or sample unique foods and venture into nature, there are plenty of things to do in Varanasi.
How do I spend a day in Varanasi?
Archaeological Museum and Kashi Vishwanath Temple are two excellent places to kick-start your vacation adventures. Remember to check out the dining and retail options in Varanasi while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Varanasi?
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the top tourist attractions in Varanasi and should feature high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Varanasi?
You can easily tour popular attractions like Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Assi Ghat and Hanuman Ghat with a three-day getaway in Varanasi. On average, most travelers plan three days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stay a bit longer and head to Chandauli.
Is Varanasi a walkable city?
Some leading attractions in Varanasi, like Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Assi Ghat, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Just 2 kilometers from the city center of Varanasi is Sigra and Mahmoorganj is 2 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Varanasi with kids?
If you're searching for tours and attractions for all ages, have a look at these awesome ideas for what to do in Varanasi with kids.

What to do in Varanasi for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or fan of nature, there are plenty of things to do in Varanasi for adults including Sant Ravidas Ghat and Alamgir Mosque.
Are there free things to do in Varanasi?
From checking out parks to wandering around hip neighborhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Varanasi. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for recommendations. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is a top spot for anyone wishing to save on their travel adventures.

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