Top things to see and do in Varanasi
1. Dashashwamedh Ghat and the evening Ganga Aarti. The most famous ghat in the city, Dashashwamedh is the stage for the nightly Ganga Aarti, a choreographed fire-and-sound ceremony performed by young priests at sunset. Standing in a row, they raise tiered brass lamps blazing with flame, swing them in unison to the beat of drums, bells and chanted hymns, and offer light, incense and flowers to the river. It lasts around 45 minutes and is genuinely mesmerising. Timings shift with the season — broadly early evening after sunset, earlier in winter and later in summer — so treat any stated time as approximate and verify locally before visiting. Arrive well ahead (an hour or more) for a good spot, or watch from a hired boat on the water, which many find the finest vantage of all.
2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Vishwanath Dham corridor. The spiritual epicentre of the city, this temple enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and is among Hinduism's holiest shrines. In December 2021 it was reconnected to the Ganga by the grand Vishwanath Dham corridor — a wide processional avenue linking the temple directly to the riverfront, dramatically expanding the once-cramped precinct. Darshan is possible across a long daily window (the complex opens very early, well before dawn, and closes late at night), with special aartis at fixed hours; expect security checks, long queues on festival days, and restrictions on bags, phones and cameras inside. Confirm current entry rules, timings and any online-booking or fast-track options before you go.
3. A sunrise boat ride on the Ganga. If you do only one thing in Varanasi, do this. Set out before first light in a small rowed or motorised boat and drift along the ghats as the sun rises over the far bank, turning the river gold and silhouetting temples, palaces and bathing pilgrims. It is quiet, cool and unforgettable, and it lets you take in the full sweep of the ghats from the water. Hire boats at Dashashwamedh, Assi or other ghats; agree the price before boarding, and consider sharing a boat to reduce cost. Rates vary with season, demand and boat type — ask a couple of operators and verify current pricing on the day.
4. Manikarnika Ghat (the cremation ghat). Manikarnika is the principal cremation ground of Varanasi and one of the holiest places in the Hindu world to be cremated, for death here is believed to bring liberation. Pyres burn here around the clock. This is not a tourist attraction but a place of grief and profound ritual, and it must be treated with the utmost respect. Do not photograph or film the pyres, the bodies or the mourners under any circumstances, do not approach the burning platforms, and be wary of "guides" who lead visitors to upper viewing spots and then demand large "donations" for the cremation grounds. Observe quietly from a respectful distance, or view it from a passing boat. Nearby Harishchandra Ghat is a second, smaller cremation ghat where the same rules apply.
5. Assi Ghat. The southernmost of the main ghats and traditionally the boundary of the sacred city, Assi is calmer and more open than the crowded central ghats, popular with students, backpackers and long-stay travellers. It is associated with the poet-saint Tulsidas, who is said to have lived and worked nearby. Assi hosts Subah-e-Banaras, a free daily sunrise programme of Vedic chants, a morning aarti, yoga and classical music begun by the state in 2014 — a serene counterpart to the busier evening ceremony downstream. It's an excellent base and a fine place to sit with a chai and watch the river wake up.
6. Sarnath. About 10 km from the city, Sarnath is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, setting the wheel of dharma in motion and expounding the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The site is dominated by the towering Dhamek Stupa (about 43.6 m high), marks the spot associated with that first teaching, and preserves the ruins of ancient monasteries and an Ashokan pillar. The adjacent Sarnath Archaeological Museum holds the original Lion Capital of Ashoka — the sculpture that is India's national emblem. It's a peaceful, green, deeply significant half-day trip and a striking contrast to the intensity of the ghats. Note that ASI museums are typically closed on Fridays; verify timings and any ticket details before going.
7. Banaras Hindu University and the New Vishwanath Temple. BHU, one of India's largest and most historic universities, has a vast, leafy campus that makes a pleasant escape from the crowded core. On it stands the New Vishwanath Temple (the Birla Temple), a modern marble Shiva temple famous for its exceptionally tall shikhara. The campus also houses the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, with a notable collection of miniature paintings, sculpture and artefacts. It pairs naturally with a visit to Assi Ghat and the southern end of the city.
8. Ramnagar Fort. Across the Ganga, about 14 km from the university side of town, this eighteenth-century sandstone fort was the seat of the Kashi Naresh, the traditional king of Banaras. Its faded museum displays vintage cars, royal palanquins, arms, costumes and an astronomical clock. The fort is also the setting for Ramnagar's month-long Ramlila, among the most famous in India. Reach it by road across the bridge, or by boat.
9. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. One of the city's most beloved temples, dedicated to Hanuman as the "reliever of troubles," founded in association with Tulsidas. It is a lively centre of devotion, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and hosts an important annual classical music festival. As at many temples, expect restrictions on phones and cameras inside; verify timings locally.
10. Durga Temple and Tulsi Manas Temple. Close together near Durga Kund in the south of the city, these two make an easy pair. The red-hued Durga Temple, dedicated to the goddess and popularly called the "Monkey Temple" for its resident macaques, is a striking example of North Indian temple architecture. Beside it, the marble Tulsi Manas Temple stands where, by tradition, Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas, his Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana; verses from the epic are inscribed on its walls.
11. The silk-weaving quarters. Varanasi has been famous for centuries for its handwoven Banarasi silk brocade. In neighbourhoods such as those around Madanpura and the wider old city, you can (with a trusted contact or a reputable outlet) see weavers at work on the intricate zari saris that carry a Geographical Indication tag. Buy with care — see the Food and Culture sections below for guidance on avoiding imitations.
12. Ghat-walking the riverfront. Beyond the marquee sites, one of the great pleasures of Varanasi is simply walking the continuous ribbon of ghats on foot in the cool of morning or late afternoon, from Assi in the south toward Dashashwamedh and beyond — past bathing pilgrims, wrestling akharas, painted palace facades, yoga practitioners and boat-builders. Each ghat has its own character and legends. Go slowly, and let the city set the pace.