India travel guide
What to see in Varanasi
The holy city on the Ganges, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides
- 5 must-see places
- Best time: from October to March
Varanasi highlights
The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.
- Ghats
Stone steps down to the river where people bathe.
- Ganga Aarti
The fire ceremony held every evening at sunset.
- Boat trip at sunrise
The best way to see the ghats.
- Manikarnika Ghat
The cremation ghat; watch with respect.
- Sarnath
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon.
Day trips from Varanasi
We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.
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When to travel to Varanasi
The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Varanasi are from October to March. If you can, avoid from April to August (extreme heat, monsoon).
- Jan no warnings
- Feb no warnings
- Mar no warnings
- Apr with strong warnings
- May with strong warnings
- Jun with strong warnings
- Jul with strong warnings
- Aug with strong warnings
- Sep with warnings
- Oct no warnings
- Nov no warnings
- Dec no warnings
- from April to June
Extreme heat
From April to June temperatures top 42–45 °C: sightseeing outdoors at midday is dangerous.
What to do: Visit at sunrise (the Taj Mahal opens at dawn), use an air-conditioned car and rest from noon to 5 pm.
- from June to September
Monsoon
From June to September it rains heavily, especially in Kerala, Goa and Mumbai; roads get cut off and trains run late.
What to do: If you travel then, Rajasthan gets less rain, and Ladakh is at its best.
Where and what to eat
To eat like a local: the dhaba. The dishes you can’t miss are in the India guide.
Frequently asked questions about Varanasi
What to see in Varanasi?
Ghats, Ganga Aarti, Boat trip at sunrise, Manikarnika Ghat and Sarnath.
What to see in Varanasi in one day?
Don’t miss Ghats, Ganga Aarti, Boat trip at sunrise, Manikarnika Ghat and Sarnath. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.
What’s the best time to travel to Varanasi?
The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Varanasi are from October to March. If you can, avoid from April to August (extreme heat, monsoon).
What day trips can you take from Varanasi?
Boat at sunrise.
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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.