Varanasi Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Life in Varanasi revolves around the river, where ritual, devotion and daily routine unfold along dozens of ghats.

• Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat — Watch the evening fire ceremony with chanting, bells and lamps on the riverbank.
• Sunrise boat ride — Drift along the Ganges at dawn as pilgrims bathe and pray on the ghats.
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple — One of Hinduism’s most important Shiva temples, reached through a redeveloped corridor from the river.
• Assi Ghat — A lively southern ghat with morning rituals, music and cafés nearby.
• Sarnath — Visit the deer park where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with the Dhamek Stupa and an archaeological museum.
• Banaras Hindu University — Explore the large campus and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum of art and archaeology.
• Banarasi silk — Discover the city’s renowned silk weaving tradition in established shops and workshops.

Varanasi has a humid subtropical climate. Summers from about April to June are extremely hot, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from July to September, when the river rises and some ghats may be flooded. Winters, from November to February, are dry and pleasant by day but can be cold and foggy at night and in the early morning.

October to March is the best time to visit. Dev Deepawali, held on the full moon of Kartik around November, sees the ghats lit by countless oil lamps, while Diwali and Holi are also celebrated with great energy. Pack warm layers for winter dawn boat rides.

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is at Babatpur, north-west of the city, and the drive to the ghats usually takes around an hour depending on traffic. It handles domestic flights and a small number of international routes.

Prepaid taxis and app-based cabs are the most convenient options, and many hotels arrange pick-ups. Vehicles cannot reach the narrow lanes near the river, so you may need to walk the last stretch to riverside guesthouses or take a cycle-rickshaw; ask your hotel where to be dropped off.

Where you stay in Varanasi shapes your experience, from atmospheric riverside guesthouses to calmer hotels inland.

• Dashashwamedh and Godowlia — The bustling heart of the old city, close to the main ghats and temple; ideal for immersion.
• Assi Ghat — Slightly calmer, with guesthouses, cafés and yoga centres; popular with longer-stay travellers.
• Riverside ghats — Heritage hotels with river views, suited to travellers wanting a special stay.
• Cantonment — Quieter and greener, with larger modern hotels and easier road access.

• Money: Carry cash for boats, rickshaws and small shops; cards and mobile payments work in hotels and larger stores.
• Etiquette: Dress modestly, remove shoes at temples, and never photograph cremations at the burning ghats.
• Boat rides: Agree the route, duration and price with the boatman before setting off.
• Safety: Avoid swimming in the Ganges, watch your step on wet ghat stairs and be wary of unsolicited guides.
• Temple visits: Security is strict at Kashi Vishwanath, and items such as phones may need to be left in lockers.