By Quick answer: Start with Varanasi: a sunrise boat ride on the ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh, and Sarnath (about 10 km away). Then add Vindhyachal and Chunar (Mirzapur), the waterfalls of Mirzapur, Chandauli and Sonbhadra, Kushinagar and Gorakhpur for the Buddhist and Nath traditions, and day trips to Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The best time is October to March. Plan your trip with local operators.
Varanasi: the essentials
| Place | Why go | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Ghats (Dashashwamedh, Assi, Manikarnika, Panchganga) | The heart of Kashi | Take a boat at sunrise for the best light |
| Kashi Vishwanath Dham | One of the twelve Jyotirlingas | Phones and bags are not allowed inside; use the lockers |
| Ganga Aarti | Evening ritual at Dashashwamedh and Assi | Reach early or watch from a boat |
| Sarnath | Where the Buddha gave his first sermon | The archaeological museum is closed on Fridays |
| Sankat Mochan and Durga Kund | Beloved temples of the city | Combine with a BHU visit |
| BHU campus and Bharat Kala Bhavan | Museum and the New Vishwanath Temple | Check museum timings |
| Ramnagar Fort | Fort and museum across the Ganga | Famous month-long Ramlila in autumn |
| Old city lanes | Food, temples, silk shops | Walk with a local guide |
See the one-day Varanasi sightseeing tour, boat ride and Ganga Aarti booking and the Sarnath half-day tour.
Mirzapur: Vindhyachal, Chunar and waterfalls
Vindhyachal (about 70 km from Varanasi) is home to the Maa Vindhyavasini temple, and pilgrims complete the trikon parikrama with Ashtabhuja and Kalikhoh. Chunar Fort, about 40 km from Varanasi, stands over the Ganga. After the monsoon, waterfalls such as Lakhaniya Dari, Wyndham Fall and Siddhnath ki Dari fill up. See the Vindhyachal darshan tour and Mirzapur waterfalls and Chunar trip.
Chandauli and Sonbhadra: nature and history
In Chandauli, Rajdari and Devdari waterfalls in the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary near Chakia make a popular picnic trip. Further south, Sonbhadra offers Salkhan Fossils Park, Vijaygarh Fort, the Rihand Dam and forest waterfalls. See Rajdari and Devdari picnic trips and the Sonbhadra nature tour.
Gorakhpur and Kushinagar
Gorakhpur is known for the Gorakhnath Temple, Ramgarh Taal and Gita Press. About an hour away, Kushinagar is where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana; visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Ramabhar Stupa and international monasteries. Lumbini in Nepal, the Buddha's birthplace, is reached via the Sonauli border. See the Gorakhpur tour package and Kushinagar pilgrimage tour.
Other districts worth a stop
| District | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Jaunpur | Atala Masjid, Shahi Qila and the Shahi Bridge over the Gomti |
| Ghazipur | Ganga ghats, Lord Cornwallis's tomb, Gahmar village |
| Ballia | Bhrigu Ashram, the Dadri Mela, Surha Tal bird sanctuary |
| Azamgarh | Nizamabad black clay pottery |
| Bhadohi | India's carpet city and Sita Samahit Sthal at Sitamarhi |
| Mau | Handloom weaving town on the Tamsa |
| Deoria | A convenient base between Gorakhpur and Bihar |
Beyond Purvanchal, easy from Varanasi
- Prayagraj (about 120–130 km): the Triveni Sangam, Magh Mela and Kumbh.
- Ayodhya (about 200–220 km): the Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi.
- Bodh Gaya (about 250 km): the Mahabodhi Temple.
- Chitrakoot: Ramghat, Kamadgiri and Hanuman Dhara. See the Chitrakoot tour from Varanasi.
Best time to visit
October to March is pleasant, with Dev Deepawali on Kartik Purnima (usually November) the most spectacular night of the year. April to June is very hot. July to September brings the monsoon: ghats can flood and boats may stop, but waterfalls are at their best from August to October.
Getting around
Pre-book a taxi or outstation cab in Varanasi or a tempo traveller for groups. Read our guide on how to reach Varanasi and travel around Purvanchal.
Travel tips for Varanasi and Purvanchal
- Dress and etiquette: dress modestly at temples, remove shoes where asked, and ask before photographing people, especially at cremation ghats such as Manikarnika, where photography is not appropriate.
- Safety on the river: use registered boats with life jackets; boating may be suspended when the Ganga is in flood.
- Heat and health: carry water, a cap and sunscreen from April to June; in winter, mornings on the river are cold and foggy.
- Money: UPI is widely accepted, but keep some cash for boats, small shops and temple offerings.
- Touts: politely decline people who offer "special darshan" or insist on taking you to particular shops.
Where to stay
Stay near the ghats (Assi, Dashashwamedh, Godowlia) for atmosphere, or in Cantt and Sigra for easy car access, larger hotels and the station. In district towns, stay in the city centre for easy transport.
Find it in your district
- Hotels and homestays in Varanasi
- Hotels and homestays in Chandauli
- Hotels and homestays in Ghazipur
- Hotels and homestays in Jaunpur
- Hotels and homestays in Azamgarh
- Hotels and homestays in Mau
- Hotels and homestays in Ballia
- Hotels and homestays in Mirzapur
- Hotels and homestays in Sonbhadra
- Hotels and homestays in Bhadohi
- Hotels and homestays in Gorakhpur
- Hotels and homestays in Deoria
- Hotels and homestays in Kushinagar
Key takeaways
- Varanasi's ghats, Kashi Vishwanath, Ganga Aarti and Sarnath come first.
- Add Vindhyachal, Chunar and waterfalls in Mirzapur, Chandauli and Sonbhadra for nature and pilgrimage.
- Gorakhpur and Kushinagar cover the Nath and Buddhist heritage; Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Bodh Gaya are easy extensions.
- Visit between October and March; waterfalls are best from August to October.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the must-see places in Varanasi?
The ghats by boat at sunrise, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh, Sarnath, Sankat Mochan, BHU and Ramnagar Fort.
What is the best time to visit Varanasi?
October to March. Dev Deepawali in November is special; summers are very hot and the monsoon can flood the ghats.
Which waterfalls are near Varanasi?
Rajdari and Devdari in Chandauli, Lakhaniya Dari, Wyndham Fall and Siddhnath ki Dari in Mirzapur, and forest falls in Sonbhadra. Avoid swimming near falls.
How far is Sarnath from Varanasi?
About 10 km from the city centre, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road depending on traffic.