7 Best Places to Visit in India

Delhi is a wonder of India, where the contemporary pace contrasts the old-world ambiance of preserved historic quarters.

Steeped in history, pulsating with a relentless rhythm unlike anywhere else in the world, and brimming with a feast of culinary and artistic grandeur, Delhi can feel like a variety of cities rolled into one, with each new district revealing another layer of history.

With an abundance of monuments, arts venues, lively markets, and living heritage, Delhi’s ambiance can easily sweep you away and quickly provide a gateway to tour Northern India.

Highlights: The Red Fort • Qutub Minar • Gurudwara Bangla Sahib • The Lotus Temple • Chandni Chowk

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Agra embodies the legacy of the Mughal Empire. With bustling marketplaces, glistening mausoleums, and dramatic fortresses, Agra rises out of the banks of the Yamuna River to accentuate the most notable jewel of the city, the Taj Mahal.

With serene green spaces, from parks to wildlife projects, Agra displays the importance of the diverse heritage of India, with the city offering as grand an experience as the monuments themselves in the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

Highlights: Taj Mahal • Agra Fort • Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb • Mehtab Bagh • Fatehpur Sikri

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

Jaipur captures the spirit of colorful India. The Pink City blushes with color, decorating the historic buildings and bringing to light the remarkable heritage of artistic ingenuity found in the preserved designs that line the streets, all exemplifying a sense of India in luxury.

The vibrance can ebb and flow between the old lanes and new streets, as camels and cycle-rickshaws weave between food carts and bazaars pulse with energy. Historic walls separate newer corners, but they’re brought together by grandeur, wonder, and charm.

Highlights: City Palace • Jantar Mantar • Hawa Mahal • Amber Fort • Galta Ji • Johari Bazar

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Varanasi features the bright colors, antique structures, and energetic rhythm of life that create the image of India.

As the holiest site in Hinduism, as well as one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, Varanasi rises out of the sacred waters of the Ganges River to create a majestic ambiance.

Both intimate and intense, you can embrace the colorful light of the city and discover a powerful experience around every corner, demonstrated in our best India itineraries for first-timers.

Highlights: Ganges River • Dasaswamedh Ghat • Shamek Stupa • Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple •  Banaras Hindu University • Ruchika Art Gallery

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Wild and ancient describe, but don’t define, Ranthambore National Park.

One of the best places to spot Bengal tigers in the wild and surrounded by rocky ridges, the protected area features a dramatic historic fortress, lakes filled with crocodiles, and monuments covered in vines.

The atmosphere will make you feel as though you have entered an untamed sanctuary steeped in preserved history, where maharajas once roamed.

Highlights: Bird watching • Wildlife safari • Ranthambore Fort • Kachida Valley • Padam Talao

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

Udaipur is a romantic mountain retreat. The city edges the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola, where purple ridges, elegant palaces, and ornate mansions create an enticing ambiance in which you can wander.

The entire city feels timeless, steeped in history connected to maharajas and bazaars. Art shines in hidden galleries, horses clop along the edges of the lake, and heritage hotels provide a glimpse of the past between the winding lanes.

Highlights: Palace Complex • Lake Pichola • Durbar Hall •  Sajjan Garh • Jagmandir Island

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

Yellow sandstone and vibrant desert light create the brilliant shine that gives Jaisalmer its Golden City moniker. From historic mansions, dramatic gateways, and the distinctive walls of the Jaisalmer Fort, the entire city can feel as though it is rising, storybook-like, out of the sands.

The lanes twist and wind around vibrant shops displaying embroidery or jewelry. In Jaisalmer, the treasures of the past reveal a unique perspective of the present, from the Jain temples to sand dunes rolling across the Thar Desert.

Highlights: Fort Palace Museum • Jaisalmer Fort • Patwa-ki-Haveli • Baa Ri Haveli • Lodurva Temple • Laxminath Temple

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Ten days is a great amount of time in which to cover a single region of India or the main highlight, the Golden Triangle.

With 10 days, you have plenty of time to experience the popular highlights and several lesser-visited destinations, whether south India’s beautiful heritage, distinctive culture, architecture, and nature, or north India’s popular Rajasthan region and the unparalleled ambiance of Varanasi.

A 10-day India trip allows you to uncover the unique and authentic charm of the country.

Learn more: 10 Day India Itineraries

India captures the diversity of culture, heritage, and scenery, from the golden dunes of the Thar Desert to the bejeweled walls of the Taj Mahal. With canals, charming beaches, mountain escapes, and ancient temples, any destination only scratches the surface of the depth of must-see destinations. India bursts with experiences that can immerse you in new ideas and experiences.

Discover when to visit, what to do, and more with our India travel guide or discover new ways to explore by visiting our India tours and vacations.