Varanasi, the oldest city of the world, is the biggest hub of spirituality, history, and culture. If you want to experience the true heritage of India in its rawest and purest form, then Baranas is the only place for you. Settled by the banks sacred River Ganga, Banaras offers a variety of places to visit and things to do. From ancient temples to vibrant ghats, Varanasi is a proper cultural immersion. So let’s dive deeper and find out about the top things to do in Baranas and must-visit places in Varanasi.
List of Top Things to Do in Varanasi in 2025
Whether you are a solo traveler, visiting with family & friends, Varanasi has something for everyone. Pray at the Vishwanath Temple, take a spiritual dip in the Ganga, explore the ghats, and much more. Here’s top things which will definitely make your Baranas travels a fun, exciting, and unforgettable experience.
1. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The first thing anyone does after arriving in Kashi is visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The oldest temple of Banaras and one of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, this is the most popular temple and tourist attraction. The temple is situated at the western bank of Ganga. The temple is named Kashi Vishwanath after the city name ‘Kashi’. Devotees from everywhere visit the temple to seek blessings from Lord Shiva every day; and that’s why this temple is always very crowded. As Kashi is considered as the biggest hub of ancient temples, then the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the top visited place in Varanasi.
Location: Lahori Tola, Banaras
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2. Walk Through the History
Interested to peep in history? Then visit the popular Ramnagar Fort, standing tall as the symbol of glorious history of this history-richthe city. The Fort is situated just opposite the Tulsi Ghat, which also among the popular places to see in Baranas. The ghat looks beautiful from the fort’s viewpoints. The fort has a brilliant architectural design inspired by Mughal style and it is built entirely with sandstones.
The fort was built by the renowned Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh in the year 1750. There is the Ved Vyas Temple within the complex dedicated to the Great Sage Veda Vyasa who wrote Mahabharata. Now the fort has been turned into a museum where visitors can take a closer look at our rich and intriguing history. The sacred Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple is also located here.
Location: Mirzapur – Varanasi Rd
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3. The Ever Living Ghats
Who doesn’t know about the eternal ghats of Varanasi. There are 84 ghats in Baranas, and among them is the Dashashwamedh Ghat. One of the most popular Banaras attractions, Dashashwamedh Ghat’s enchanting Ganga Aarti is a worth viewing spectacle. This ghat holds deep spiritual and religious significance as it is said that Lord Brahma created this ghat to welcome Lord Shiva. Some stories also say that this is the place where Lord Brahma performed the sacred Dasa Ashwamedha Yajna. The ghats of Banaras also serves as venue of several festival celebrations. Visiting during festivities will give you a memorable experience. The ambiance of the ghats during festivals are nothing short of divine and mesmerizing.
As for the historic background of this ghat, it was built by the Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in 1748. The ghat was later rebuilt by the Rani Ahilya Bahi Holkar of Indore in 1774. You can also visit the observatory at the ghat which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1737.
Location: Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, Godowlia, Varanasi
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4. Explore the Buddhist Culture
Buddhism is deeply rooted in Banaras. Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon in Baranas after gaining enlightenment here. Different Buddhist Kings and believers have preserved, rebuilt and constructed various Buddhist monuments. One such monument is the Dhamek Stupa which is in Sarnath, which is considered a sacred Buddhist pilgrim destination. The stupa was originally a pre-Buddhist tumuli in the chaitya position. The stupa is located exactly where Buddha got par Nirvana or liberation. His remains were said to be cremated and the ashes were divided into eight mounds.
According to its stone inception, the stupa dates back to 500 CE which was commissioned by the great King Ashoka of the Mauryan empire. Sarnath has other such Buddhist monuments and museums which is counted among the best things to see in Varanasi.
Location: Dharmapala Rd, Singhpur, Sarnath, Banaras
5. Spiritual Dip in Ganga
River Ganga of Baranas is one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism, which is believed to wash away all the sins of the person who takes a dip in its waters. If you want to know more about the spiritual significance of the Ganga, visit the Banaras ghats. You will see people chanting prayers to get Maa Ganga’s blessings, priests performing different rituals and ceremonies, and so on. As the symbol of purification and liberation, thousands of devotees visit the Ganges every day to take a spiritual dip.
People from all over the world come here to cleanse their souls and be liberated from the eternal cycle of life and death. You can visit any of the 84 ghats to experience this religious ritual. You can also enjoy spectacular sunrise views from the ghats.
Location: Varanasi ghats
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6. Breathtaking Sunset Views
The beautiful sunrise and sunset backdrops from the ghats shall be the perfect backdrop for your reels and photos. The ghats of Banaras are so rightfully set that they give stunning and magnificent views. You can take a stroll along the ghats to witness the beautiful sunset views and the preparation of Ganga Aarti with your loved ones.
Varanasi ghats are an absolute must-visit place to explore in Varanasi if you love sunsets. As there are many ghats, you can pick any to enjoy the mesmerizing sunset views. You can also pick ghats which are less crowded to get spend some time with your loved ones in solace while watching the beautiful sunset scenery. It’s definitely the best thing to do in Kashi, watching sunset by the bank of Ganga would make an everlasting memory.
7. Witness how Masterpieces are Weaved are Weaved
The weavers of Varanasi are famous all over the world for their excellent and masterful creations which are nothing short of masterpieces. Sarai Mohana Village is where all the hand weaved silk materials come from. The people of this village are exceptionally skilled in weaving silk, which they inherited from their ancestors. The Banarasi silk sarees they weave are popular across the world and considered to be the heart of Baranas.
The Banarasi silk sarees are popular for their intricate gold and silver Zari work, the embroidery, and best quality silk. Watching the entire process of weaving the sarees is also a unique kind of experience in its own. You can count this village as one of the Banaras tourist attractions as visitors are allowed. You can get detailed insight on how they weave the silk, how to make the brocade, how they do embroidery and more.
Location: Sarai Mohana village, Varanasi
8. Ganga Boat Ride
Another popular adventureis in Varanasi are Ganga boat ride. You can’t just end your Banaras tour without taking a mind-refreshing boat ride in the Ganges during sunset. It creates a magical scenery, basking in the glorious setting sun while transitioning through the interconnected ghats. You can copy those popular scenes from the Bollywood movies to get some wholesome videos with the ghats in the background. You can also watch the evening aarti from there.
Location: Ghats of Varanasi
9. Shopping in Varanasi
After Varanasi sightseeing, the second most popular thing to do is shopping. And what makes it so special, you ask? Well, there’s not just one thing. There are plenty of things that you can buy in Varanasi, from Banarasi sarees to handicraft souvenirs. Devotees bring back the water from Ganga to keep at their home. You can buy different religious items like Rudraksh Mala, Shiv Lingas, beads, and more. There are different malls and bazars in Banaras where you can go shopping for different stuffs.
Best Things to Buy: Chikankari, Banarasi silk saree, handicraft items, religious items, Ganga water
10. Mouth-Watering Street Cuisine
Varanasi is a literal heaven if you are a big foodie. There are literally infinite variety of lavishing street food in Varanasi that you will get tired just tasting them all, but still won’t be able to cover 50% of the food items. From delicious and spicy Kachoris to exotic desserts, you can find everything here. Continental, Chinese, South Indian, North Indian, and so on. Cuisine from all over the world gathered at one place. And the best part of this all is that the street foods are amazingly cheap.
Intrigued now? Why wouldn’t you be when you can get one plate aloo puri and kachori in just 10 rupees. There’s a saying that no one starves and sleeps empty stomach in Varanasi. And that’s true for sure. Make sure to add lots of food stalls in your list of must visit places in Varanasi.
Popular locations: Puran Das Rd, Gol Ganj, Kachori Gali, and more
Varanasi is a diverse tourist destination which is definitely worth the visit. Varanasi offers so much to its visitors, from religious landmarks, historical sites, to beautiful ghats. These stunning places fascinates and captivates every visitor. Plan the perfect Varanasi travel vacation with Chiku Cab and get to experience the fascinating beauty of this unique symphony which you can cherish forever. Their tour packages offer everything, from your hotel bookings to your transportation. You will have a seamless and hassle-free experience while traveling. They also provide reliable taxi service in Varanasi for instant transport for visiting to different places. Make sure to check them out if you want to get the most out of your Varanasi travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the top Varanasi sightseeing places?
A. The top places to visit in Varanasi are Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ramnagar Fort, Sarnath, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Sankat Mochan, and more. Every tourist attraction in Varanasi has its own significance and history.
Q. What is the best time to visit Varanasi?
A. It is recommended that you plan your Varanasi visit during the winter months, from October to March. The summer months can be very hot and not ideal for sightseeing. You can consider visiting during monsoon season as well.
Q. How to plan Varanasi 2 day itinerary?
A. You can explore all the most popular attractions of Varanasi in just 2 days. You can explore all the popular temples and do sightseeing. On second day, you can visit to nearby places like Sarnath and such. Do shopping, take a walking tour, attend Ganga Aarti, and more.
Q. What are the famous places to eat in Varanasi?
A. You can find mouth watering food at every street in Varanasi. Some of the popular places are Gol Ganj, Kachori Gali, and so on. You can also eat at local restaurants at cheap prices.
Q. What are the top things that makes Varanasi famous?
A. Banaras is famous for many things, such as the Banarasi silk saree, Ganga aarti, popular street foods, Banarasi Paan, Kachori Jalebi, Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, various old temples, and more.
Q. What is the time of Ganga Aarti in Varanasi?
A. Ganga aarti is done every morning and evening at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. Assi Ghat is another popular location to watch the aarti. The aarti starts at 6:00 PM and ends at 7:00 PM in the evening, and from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the morning.
I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.
