When we think about traveling, dozens of places come to our minds that we want to visit in the future. One of them is India. It is a land of beautiful places. You will find unique cultural destinations here along with international-styled ones. There are various destinations that you would love to visit either on a backpacking trip or with family. To make your work easier, we have finalized a list of the top 10 places in India, the best destinations to visit when you are in the beautiful country of India. Here’s the list.
1. Delhi- The Capital of India
First of all, let’s start with the Capital of India, i.e. Delhi. It is a land of various cultural sites along with party places. From heritage monuments to mouth-watering street food, you will enjoy everything in the capital.
If you want to feel the Indian culture, visit Red Fort which was once the primary residence of the Mughal Emperors, and after that Chandni Chownk. Just 1km from there lies the famous market of Chandni Chownk. Here, you can go shopping, and try different kinds of food. There are numerous shops selling spices, jewelry, Indian sarees, etc. This market has been running for more than 100 years and shows the unique Indian culture. Try the lip-smacking chaats and shop in the Sarojini Nagar. Go for the heritage walk to Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, visit the 700-year-old ‘Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah’ and relax at the lakeside café in the ‘Hauz Khas Village.
2. Agra- For its unique Mughal Magnificence
Approx. One hundred forty-five miles from Delhi, lies the beautiful city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. It is a major tourist destination due to its Mughal-era buildings along with various UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. As it is the only city in the world with three world heritage sites, Agra makes up the list of popular tourist destinations in India. Get the most authentic and traditional Mughlai flavors, and shop the marble handicrafts and the leather items in this beautiful place.
3. Varanasi- For its Spirituality
As India is the land of culture, spirituality, and various religions, a trip to the holiest city in India is a must for every tourist. Yes, we are talking about Varanasi here.
A land that holds much importance to Hindus is situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganga. You will find various temples and holy Ghats here, along with thousands of people performing different kinds of rituals and prayers. Taking a dip in the sacred waters of river Ganga to release yourself from the sins, getting yourself to indulge in the Ganga Aarti during the evening time, etc. is what you can do here! And yes, don’t forget to try the famous ‘Benaras ki Chaat’ and shop the ‘Benaras Silk Sarees’ when you are in this spiritual destination of India.
4. Rajasthan- The Land Of Kings
The state of Rajasthan introduces you to the various cultures of India as well. Rajasthan is known by the name of Rajputana or the Land of Kings. It houses multiple mesmerizing arts, folk dances, and the Rajasthani Thali. Multiple cities like Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur etc. are the top tourist destinations in Rajasthan as well as India.
Jaipur
Let’s start with Jaipur. Known as the ‘Pink City’ due to the pink color of the buildings, Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan. It was founded in 1727 by the Kachwaha Rajput Ruler Sawai Jaisingh II, who was then the ruler of Amber. It has a lot to offer starting from Forts, Museums to various markets. People from across the globe come here to experience the food and culture of this place.
Udaipur
Udaipur is known as the ‘City of Lakes’ due to various magnificent natural and human-made lakes. In a few texts, it is also known as the ‘Venice of the East. It was the capital of the Sisodiya Rajputs of Mewar. Udaipur is famous for its Rajputana Style architecture, ‘lal maas’ dish, and much more. It was founded in 1553 by the Sisodiya Rajput Ruler Maharaja Udai Singh II. Situated at the foothills of Aravalli mountains, it is home to various forts, museums, and beautiful lakeside restaurants. Just sit at the lakeside during the evening and enjoy the lake views which seem like a scene from movies.
Jaisalmer
How can we forget the ‘Golden City’ when in Rajasthan? Yes, Jaisalmer is known as the golden city due to the golden sands in the deserts and the golden color of the buildings here. This place lay in the heart of the Thar Desert and was founded by Bhati Rajput ruler Maharawal Jaisal Singh in 1156 AD. It is also a famous tourist spot due to its magnificent architecture and different arts and crafts. Try the different Italian and French cuisines at the fort here!
Jodhpur
Welcome to the ‘Blue City’ of India. This name knows due to the beautifully crafted buildings with blue color here. It is the second-largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. The town was founded in 1459 by the Rathore Rajput Ruler, Rao Jodha Singh of Marwar. Jodhpur experiences sunny weather all year around. It lies in the center of Rajasthan and is thus one of the most popular destinations in Rajasthan and India. The forts and palaces are some of the attractions when you are in this astonishing city.
There are various more places in Rajasthan like Pushkar is known for the best Holi festival in India, Bikaner is known for its food etc.
5. Goa- The Party Hub of India
Apart from the cultural destinations, India is home to some of the party destinations also. Goa is one of them. The most popular international styled destination in India hosts various pool parties, rave parties from October to March. Just sit at the shacks, grab some beers and enjoy the sunset
Every Wednesday, the Anjuna Flea market is there, which is the oldest flea market of Goa. Go and grab some new kinds of stuff for the shopping. Apart from the beaches, casinos, and clubs, Goa is also home to some of the oldest churches in India.
6. Hampi- Famous for its carved monuments
This city dates back to the 14th and 16th centuries and is one of the top-rated destinations in India. It is home to various ancient ruins and numerous beautiful monuments that tells you about the Vijayanagara Empire. Explore the magnificent ‘Virupaksha Temple’, discover the carved pillars of the ‘Achyutaraya Temple’ etc. Visit this city during the time of ‘Hampi Utsav’ and experience the live cultural dance performances in the splendid ruins.
7. Kerala- Alleppey Backwaters and the Greenery
Do you want to sit outside a shack in the lush green tea plantations which are covered with hills? Then Kerala is the place you must visit! It is home to beautiful coconut fringed beaches and colorful festivals. Rejuvenate yourself with the Ayurvedic massage and much more in God’s Own Country, i.e. Kerala. It is one of the most popular destinations in India with thousands of tourists every year. Located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala has been blessed with immense natural beauty. Stay at houseboats on the backwaters of Alleppey, walk via the lush green slopes, and the tea gardens of ‘Munnar’.
Moreover, take the adventurous elephant rides at the ‘Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary’, try the Kerala food on the banana leaves, and watch fishing nets in Kochi, etc., Kerala has a lot to offer!
8. Manali- The beautiful hill station
India has various mesmerizing hill stations like Leh, Manali, Kasol, McleodGanj, and much more.
One of the top-rated ones is Manali. It is located in Himachal Pradesh with backdrops of the soothing Himalayas offers a mix of tranquillity and adventure that makes it one of the most popular hill stations of northern India. Go trekking, drink at the cafés in Old Manali, shop at the mall road or discover the place with the bird’s eye while doing paragliding etc. Manali has fresh cool pine trees and the Beas river which keeps this place cool throughout the year. Around 53 km away from Manali lies the Rohtang Pass which offers breathtaking views of the glaciers and peaks.
9. Amritsar- Pray at the Golden Temple
About 17 miles from the Pakistan border, lies the city of Amritsar. It has various historical places to visit like the Golden Temple, which is situated at the center of the town and is the holiest gurudwara (religious complex) of the Sikh religion. Moreover, Jallianwala Bagh is also a historical must-visit place that is at walking distance of the Golden temple. Here, thousands of innocent were brutally killed by the British troops on 13th April 1919 when the innocents were celebrating the Baisakhi festival.
You can also visit the Wagah border where the Beating Retreat Ceremony takes place every evening, which marks the closing of the borders of India and Pakistan.
10. Rishikesh- The Yoga Capital of India
The last one, from the list of top 10 places in India, the vibrant city, of Rishikesh has a lot to offer. It is known as the ‘Yoga Capital of India.’ This city is known for its sanctity and adventure options like rafting, Bunjee jumping, camping etc. It is one of the most ancient cities of India and thousands of tourists from across the globe come here to learn Yoga. There are sacred temples, pious Ghats, various ashrams for meditation etc. So, visit Rishikesh and experience a completely different life here
These are the top 10 places in India, but there are many more top destinations to visit, like Mumbai, Pondicherry etc. these destinations should be on the list of every traveler.
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