Famous places in Varanasi draw millions of travellers each year for their deep spirituality, ancient history, and vibrant street life, and they make the city one of the most unforgettable destinations in India. Exploring these famous places in Varanasi becomes even more meaningful when you stay at a calm, thoughtfully designed boutique space like Stay Banaras, which gives you a serene base after intense days on the ghats and in the bustling old lanes.
Varanasi is regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the seven holiest cities in Hinduism. This spiritual reputation is the main reason so many travellers search for famous places in Varanasi on their first India itinerary.
The sacred River Ganga forms the lifeline of the city and is lined by dozens of ghats where pilgrims perform rituals, bathe, and cremate their dead. Experiencing these riverfront rituals at different times of day is often what travellers remember most when they think about famous places in Varanasi.
Temples are at the heart of the most famous places in Varanasi, and no visit feels complete without discovering a few of its iconic shrines.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, making it the spiritual epicenter of the city. The recently developed Kashi Vishwanath Corridor connects the temple directly to the ghats, streamlining pilgrim flow and reinforcing its place among the top famous places in Varanasi.
Located inside Banaras Hindu University, the New Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a modern marble structure inspired by the original shrine. Its clean lines, peaceful campus setting, and tall shikhara make it one of the most photogenic famous places in Varanasi for contemporary travellers.
Built in the 16th century, Sankat Mochan Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is widely visited by devotees seeking relief from troubles. The constant chanting and offering of ladoos create a devotional atmosphere that earns it a spot among the living, breathing famous places in Varanasi.
Durga Temple, often called the “Red Temple” because of its striking colour, dates back to the 18th century and sits beside a sacred pond known as Durga Kund. The fusion of Nagara-style architecture and lakeside reflections makes it one of the visually distinctive famous places in Varanasi.
Tulsi Manas Temple is known for its white marble façade and walls engraved with verses from the Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi retelling of the Ramayana. For culturally inclined visitors who want to understand epic literature, this shrine stands out among famous places in Varanasi as a temple of both devotion and storytelling.
Unlike other temples dedicated to deities, Bharat Mata Mandir worships Mother India through a marble relief map of the country. Its patriotic theme adds a unique dimension to the usual checklist of famous places in Varanasi for history and culture enthusiasts.
The ghats along the Ganga form an open‑air theatre of life and death, and they are among the most famous places in Varanasi for visitors from around the world.
Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ceremonial ghat of the city and is renowned for its grand evening Ganga Aarti, where priests perform synchronized rituals with fire and chants. As the river glows with floating lamps, many travellers consider this ghat one of the unmissable famous places in Varanasi at sunset.
Assi Ghat marks the confluence of the Assi and Ganga rivers and serves as a relaxed, youthful corner of the city with cafes, yoga sessions, and morning Aarti. Sunrise boat rides starting from Assi Ghat have become a staple recommendation in guides listing famous places in Varanasi for first‑time visitors.
Manikarnika Ghat is the principal cremation ghat, where funeral pyres burn almost continuously as families perform final rites. Observing this raw confrontation with mortality is intense but profoundly moving, making it one of the most emotionally charged famous places in Varanasi.
Scindia Ghat is known for its partially submerged Shiva temple, which leans at the water’s edge and hints at the shifting river over time. Nearby Darbhanga Ghat, flanked by an old palace façade, offers a regal backdrop that draws photographers focused on capturing the architectural side of famous places in Varanasi.
Tulsi Ghat is associated with Tulsidas, the poet-saint who composed the Ramcharitmanas, and is quieter than the main ritual hubs. At Pandey Ghat, life feels more everyday, with washermen, barbers, and priests working along the water, giving a grounded view of the famous places in Varanasi beyond postcard scenes.
Beyond the riverfront, Sarnath forms another pillar of the famous places in Varanasi and is crucial for understanding the city’s multi‑faith history.
Sarnath is where Lord Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon after enlightenment, and the Dhamek Stupa marks this sacred spot. Together with the surrounding Deer Park, it anchors Sarnath’s identity among the famous places in Varanasi for travellers interested in Buddhism.
Sarnath is home to temples and monasteries built by Buddhist communities from Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and other countries. These diverse architectural styles, including Thai, Japanese, and Tibetan designs, create a global spiritual campus that stands apart from other famous places in Varanasi.
The Sarnath Museum houses sculptures and artefacts, including the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which inspired India’s national emblem. Nearby, the remains of the Ashokan Pillar and other ruins give archaeological depth to the list of famous places in Varanasi and its surroundings.
Famous places in Varanasi are not limited to religious sites; everyday spaces also show how the city lives and evolves.
Founded in 1916, BHU is one of Asia’s largest residential universities and features tree‑lined avenues and a calm campus atmosphere. Walking or cycling here offers a refreshing change of pace from the old city’s congestion, making it an underrated entry among famous places in Varanasi.
The maze-like alleys around Vishwanath Gali and Godowlia are filled with shops selling silk saris, wooden toys, rudraksha beads, and street food. For many travellers, simply getting lost here becomes a core memory that rivals more formal famous places in Varanasi, especially when chai stops and temple bells set the soundtrack.
Varanasi is known for lassi, kachori-sabzi, tamatar chaat, and paan, which you can sample at tiny eateries and carts across the city. Sampling these dishes during an evening stroll along the ghats or through the bazaar lets you taste the everyday side of famous places in Varanasi, beyond guidebook checklists.
Choosing the right stay is crucial for enjoying the famous places in Varanasi without feeling overwhelmed by crowds and noise.
Stay Banaras is set in a 60‑year‑old heritage home that blends Indian aesthetics with clean, contemporary elements. Minimalistic rooms with subtle golden‑yellow accents and modern amenities offer a comfortable refuge after exploring the busiest famous places in Varanasi.
The property features a lush green courtyard where guests can relax in hammocks or sit under trees to read and unwind. This calm environment contrasts beautifully with the sensory overload of ghats and markets, which is why many repeat guests describe it as a sanctuary within reach of famous places in Varanasi.
The in‑house diner “Behind Yellow Doors” serves curated meals in a warm, contemporary setting that reflects the hotel’s artistic flair. Having such a space on‑site means you can eat well without stepping out after a long day of visiting famous places in Varanasi, from temples to Sarnath.
Stay Banaras is located in the Sigra–Chhitupur area, providing good connectivity to the old city, ghats, and main roads. This location makes it efficient to plan day‑wise itineraries that group famous places in Varanasi together without spending hours stuck in traffic.
Staying at Stay Banaras lets travellers structure their trip so they can cover multiple famous places in Varanasi at a comfortable pace.
Start before sunrise with a boat ride from Assi Ghat to Dashashwamedh Ghat, watching morning rituals unfold along the riverfront. After breakfast back at Stay Banaras, head to Kashi Vishwanath Temple and nearby lanes, ending your evening with the spectacular Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, all core famous places in Varanasi.
Reserve the morning for Sarnath, visiting Dhamek Stupa, the Deer Park, monasteries, and the museum. In the late afternoon, loop back via Durga Mandir, Tulsi Manas Temple, and Sankat Mochan, then return to Stay Banaras to relax in the courtyard after this full circuit of famous places in Varanasi.
A few simple habits will help you enjoy the famous places in Varanasi more deeply and respectfully.
Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples and attending Aarti, to match local expectations at holy sites. This consideration is particularly important at core famous places in Varanasi like Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the major ghats.
Hire licensed local guides or boatmen to gain context and stay safe while moving around crowded ghats. Locals often share stories and legends that turn standard sightseeing into richer experiences at famous places in Varanasi.
Avoid photographing close‑up cremation rituals at Manikarnika Ghat, since many families seek privacy during final rites. Observing from a distance with sensitivity preserves the dignity of one of the most solemn famous places in Varanasi.
For digital workers and entrepreneurs, combining a relaxed stay with efficient visits to famous places in Varanasi is entirely possible.
Stay Banaras offers Wi‑Fi, comfortable common areas, and calm corners in the courtyard where guests can work or read between outings. This setup is ideal for people who want to balance remote work sessions with short, focused trips to famous places in Varanasi morning and evening.
Planning themed blocks—such as “old city and ghats,” “Sarnath and Buddhist sites,” or “southern temples and BHU”—helps avoid repetition. This structure lets travellers make the most of their time while ensuring each cluster of famous places in Varanasi gets adequate attention.
After absorbing crowded streets, intense rituals, and emotional moments at cremation ghats, returning to a quiet room and green courtyard has genuine restorative value. That contrast between the city’s intensity and the hotel’s serenity is what makes Stay Banaras such a strategic hub for exploring famous places in Varanasi without burning out.
