Full of culture and history, Varanasi is a city that stirs something inside you . Walking along its ghats in the early morning, you are swept up by the sound of chants and the sight of the river flowing beneath boats or watch locals performing their daily routines.
This kind of experience can bring about feelings that it is both overwhelming and calm at the same time, a paradox that is hard to put into words. If you are planning a trip here, staying at Orion Hotels Varanasi helps to ground you because it places you close enough to experience all the intensity and the rhythm of the city without having to return to chaos every evening, and that kind of balance matters more than you might think.
For those who are planning a trip, here is an overview of the top ten tourist places in Varanasi including all the famous attractions and offbeat spots as well as nearby destinations that gives you a more realistic picture of the city.
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple: The Spiritual Heart of Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is simply impossible to miss, you find its magnetic aura pulling you as soon as you step into the narrow lanes that surround it. With vendors shouting their wares, the smell of incense everywhere, and the occasional cow stepping delicately between pedestrians – it’s a scene that feels otherworldly.
Visiting in the early morning, before the crowds peak, you can take in the chants of the priests and watch as people make offerings of flowers and light candles. Its one of the best places to visit in Varanasi where time appears to stand still in the middle of the busiest part of the city.
2. Dashashwamedh Ghat: One of the Most Iconic Tourist Places to Visit in Varanasi
Dashashwamedh Ghat is chaotic and beautiful, and sometimes, it is hard to tell if you are mesmerized or completely consumed by the energy. The Aarti ceremony at night is a breathtaking experience to witness, when light from hundreds of lamps merges with the scented smoke of incense and flower offerings can be seen through the mist over the river.
But there is also a peaceful and serene vibe if you go early in the morning, when the boatmen push their boats gently into the water and locals perform rituals in small, almost unnoticed ways. This duality makes it one of the tourist places to visit in Varanasi that really captures both sides of the city — the spectacle that people write about in guidebooks and the everyday life that you see if you slow down and pay attention.
3. Manikarnika Ghat: Understanding Life and Death in Varanasi
Manikarnika Ghat is intense. Cremations happen here constantly, and it’s not something everyone can watch comfortably. But it’s central to the spiritual life of Varanasi. Observing it respectfully shows how deeply life and death are intertwined here, and how the city embraces mortality. It’s not about beauty—it’s about understanding the city and its people.
4. Sarnath: A Peaceful Nearby Place to Visit in Varanasi
Situated some 10 km away from the city, Sarnath will provide you with a peaceful environment along with an array of historical ruins and stupas and tiny little museums. The site marks where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and it offers a quieter environment compared to the busy ghats.
5. Assi Ghat: A Slower Side of Varanasi Worth Experiencing
Assi Ghat is quieter, and the preferred spot for morning yoga classes and drinking chai by the river. Guests can take things slowly, watch locals beginning their day and go for short boat rides. It’s perfect for those in search of a laid-back experience.
6. Tulsi Ghat and Sankat Mochan Temple: Hidden Places to Visit in Varanasi
Tulsi Ghat is one of the hidden places to visit in Varanasi. The narrow lanes around it are lined with old houses and tiny shops, giving off a hushed atmosphere that seems older than most of the city.
Nearby, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple reverberates with worshippers chanting and clanging bells. Even an hour spent wandering here is enough to gain a sense of Varanasi beyond the usual postcard snaps and Instagram moments; to see the small things that make up daily life in this city – the smell of spices, the jagged stone steps and warm greetings between locals.
7. Banaras Hindu University and Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum: Cultural Places to Visit in Varanasi
BHU is vast, green, and a place to slow down. Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum houses paintings, sculptures and textiles that provides an insight into the history of Varanasi beyond religion and ritual. The museum prompts the visitors to to view the city as a living culture, not merely as a tourist spot.
8. Ramnagar Fort: One of the Best Places to Visit Near Varanasi
Ramnagar Fort sits across the river on the eastern bank, and it is one of the nearby places to visit in Varanasi that gives perspective beyond the ghats. The architecture, the old carriages and the way sunlight plays light on the walls in late afternoon make it a worthwhile visit. You can almost imagine what life would have been like for the royal family who lived here a few centuries back.
9. Boat Rides Along the Ghats: A Classic Varanasi Experience
A boat ride is a must-have experience for sightseeing Varanasi. The early morning is the right time for going on a boat ride as the city gently wakes up, with priests conducting their rituals and washing drying over lines above the river, mingling the smell of incense with water. This is one of the top ten tourist attractions which you cannot see by foot in Varanasi. You notice things you would otherwise miss, like how some boats wobble slightly or how children dive into the river with fearless joy.
10. Hidden Alleys and Local Markets: Lesser-Known Tourist Places in Varanasi
Don’t miss the charm of strolling down the alleys. Chowk and Vishwanath Gali are full of life – food vendors cover the streets, small temples are tucked in alleys, and artisans’ shops offer a variety of handmade goods. These attractions surrounding Varanasi give the historic city a bustling, lived-in feel and genuine authenticity.
You might get lost, and probably will, but that is part of the charm. Stepping back into your room at Orion Hotels Varanasi after hours of sightseeing feels like a relief that is both simple and luxurious in its own way.
Why asar Varanasi Junction by Orion Hotels Is one of the Best Hotels in Varanasi
Varanasi can be a whirl of mayhem, colour, spirituality and fatigue, but Orion Hotels offer a peaceful sanctuary. You are near the top five sites to visit in Varanasi, hidden gems, and nearby attractions but you can go back to a room where noise fades and the day unwinds.
From early morning ghats to late-night alleys, asar Varanasi Junction by Orion Hotels is your gateway to experiencing Varanasi in all of its glory, with comfort, calm, and care waiting for you at the end of the day. Staying here makes Varanasi feel manageable, immersive, and entirely memorable, exactly as it should.
FAQs
What makes Dashashwamedh Ghat one of the most iconic tourist places to visit in Varanasi at night?
Dashashwamedh Ghat is chaotic and beautiful, and sometimes, it is hard to tell if you are mesmerized or completely consumed by the energy. The Aarti ceremony at night is a breathtaking experience to witness, when light from hundreds of lamps merges with the scented smoke of incense and flower offerings can be seen through the mist over the river.
Why is Manikarnika Ghat one of the most important tourist places to visit in Varanasi?
Manikarnika Ghat is intense and central to the spiritual life of Varanasi. Cremations happen here constantly, showing how deeply life and death are intertwined in the city. Observing the ghat respectfully helps visitors understand how Varanasi embraces mortality—it is not about beauty, but about understanding the city and its people.
What makes Sarnath a peaceful place to visit near Varanasi?
Situated some 10 km away from the city, Sarnath provides a peaceful environment along with historical ruins, stupas, and small museums. The site marks where Buddha delivered his first sermon and offers a much quieter experience compared to the busy ghats of Varanasi.
Why is Manikarnika Ghat one of the top 10 tourist places in Varanasi?
Manikarnika Ghat is intense, with cremations taking place constantly, and it is central to the spiritual life of Varanasi. Observing it respectfully shows how deeply life and death are intertwined here and how the city embraces mortality, offering a deeper understanding of Varanasi and its people.
What are some hidden places to visit in Varanasi for an authentic experience?
The hidden gems of Varanasi can be found by strolling down the alleys. Chowk and Vishwanath Gali are full of life – food vendors cover the streets, small temples are tucked in alleys, and artisans’ shops offer a variety of handmade goods. These attractions give the historic city a bustling, lived-in feel and genuine authenticity.
Also Read: Top 10 Must-Visit Places in Lucknow
