Things to do in Varanasi

Varanasi, which people also refer to as Kashi or Banaras, remains one of the world’s oldest surviving cities. The city sits on the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh, drawing travellers, pilgrims, and culture vultures. The city blends spirituality, tradition, history, and learning. Visitors go to Varanasi for its temples, ghats, markets, and cuisine. Each visitor discovers something special to look for, whether in the form of visiting the evening Ganga Aarti, going on a boat ride, or strolling through narrow alleys steeped in centuries of history. You must have a plan to visit Varanasi and know what to do and when to do it. Here is a comprehensive list of ten things you can do in Varanasi, with travel details like timings, entry fees, and best visit times. For comfortable, longer stays, consider one of the many service apartments in Varanasi.

Fun Things to do in Varanasi

1. Boat Ride on the Ganga River

   

   Ganga River in Varanasi

   A boat trip along the Ganga River stands as one of the most significant activities in Varanasi. You can go for a boat trip early in the morning to witness the sunrise and the ghats packed with pilgrims carrying out rituals. The sight of temples, ancient houses, and activities along the river provides an experience you won’t forget. You can also go for evening boat trips to observe the Ganga Aarti from the river.

   Travel Tips:

   The ideal time for a boat ride remains at sunrise, between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Sunset rides work perfectly at 6:00 PM for the Aarti. Bring a shawl or jacket in winter because mornings can get chilly. Bargain with the boatman before the ride.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   Boat tours run from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Fees differ based on the boat type. A public rowboat costs approximately ₹100–150 per person, whereas a personal boat will cost ₹500–1,500, depending on the duration and capacity.

2. Watch the Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

   

   Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi

   The Ganga Aarti in the evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat provides a strong spiritual experience. Priests in traditional attire conduct rituals using lamps, incense sticks, and chanting. Hundreds of tourists sit on the ghat steps or in boats to witness the ritual. The fusion of light, sound, and prayers generates an uncommon ambience.

   Travel Tips:

   Arrive at least an hour in advance to sit in a good spot. You get the most scenic view from boats moored in front of the ghat. Bring drinking water and sit comfortably as the Aarti takes around 45 minutes. Do not bring big bags because space remains limited.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   The Ganga Aarti runs every day at 6:30 PM in winter and 7:00 PM during summer. You enter free, but boat rides or booked seats on adjacent platforms cost money, typically between ₹100 and ₹300 per person.

3. Visit the Ghats of Varanasi

   

   Ghats of Varanasi

   Varanasi has over 80 ghats that line the river, and each has its own background and function. Dashashwamedh Ghat remains the most crowded, and Assi Ghat draws students and tourists. Manikarnika Ghat houses the central cremation ground, and Harishchandra Ghat also conducts funeral ceremonies. Moving along the ghats gives you an idea of how the city relates to the Ganga.

   Travel Tips:

   Wear comfortable footwear as you have to walk for long distances. Mornings and evenings are pleasant with fewer crowds. Be considerate of local traditions, particularly at cremation ghats, and refrain from snapping photographs without permission. Take a bottle of water as facilities remain scant.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   You can go to the ghats at any time, but mornings between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM provide the best experience. You pay no entry fee. Locally guided walking tours cost anything between ₹200 and ₹500 per person.

4. Go to Kashi Vishwanath Temple

   

   Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi

   Kashi Vishwanath Temple remains among the most significant temples in Varanasi, a temple of Lord Shiva. The golden-domed temple receives thousands of pilgrims daily. People believe that worshipping in this temple provides spiritual satisfaction. One can witness rituals done inside the sanctum and stroll around the temple campus.

   Travel Tips:

   You must carry a valid ID as security checks remain strict. Authorities do not allow mobile phones, cameras, or bags inside, so use the lockers available nearby. Visit early in the morning between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM to avoid long queues. Wear simple clothes suitable for temple visits.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   The temple remains open from 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM every day, with priests conducting rituals at various times. You enter free, but special darshan tickets cost between ₹300 and ₹600 per individual.

5. Walk Through the Narrow Lanes of the Old City

   

   Narrow Lanes of the Old City

   The ancient lanes of Varanasi depict the culture and lifestyle of the city. You can stroll through streets lined with shops that offer silk sarees, wooden toys, sweets, and puja materials. The streets also feature small temples, shrines, and ancient houses. Walking through these streets reveals local ways and day-to-day activities.

   Travel Tips:

   Wear casual shoes since the lanes are busy and uneven. Take the bare minimum, as the streets do not allow easy movement with heavy bags. Early morning provides a peaceful experience. Taste local treats like kachori-sabzi and jalebi from the street stalls.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   You may walk through the ancient streets from early morning to late evening. Admission is free. Guided heritage walks for around ₹300–500 per head offer more details regarding the history.

6. Sarnath Visit

   

   Sarnath in Varanasi

   Sarnath, which sits about 10 kilometres from Varanasi, is important as the site where Lord Buddha delivered his very first sermon. You find the Dhamek Stupa, monasteries, and the Archaeological Museum containing significant Buddhist relics here. Sarnath draws tourists as well as devotees from all over the world.

   Travel Tips:

   Take an auto-rickshaw or taxi from Varanasi to Sarnath. Take a hat, sunglasses, and water, particularly in summer. October to March provides the best time to visit, when the climate remains pleasant. You should spend a minimum of three to four hours visiting monuments and the museum.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   The Archaeological Museum operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days except Fridays. The cost of entry is ₹25 for Indians and ₹300 for foreign tourists. Indians pay ₹5 for entry into monuments, while foreign nationals pay ₹100.

7. Visit Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum

   

   Banaras Hindu University and Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum in Varanasi

   Banaras Hindu University (BHU) stands as one of Asia’s biggest residential universities. The campus covers an area of 1,300 acres and has the Vishwanath Temple, which people also know as the New Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum within BHU has a vast repository of paintings, sculptures, and historical relics.

   Travel Tips:

   You can walk or rent a cycle rickshaw within the campus. Dress comfortably and bring water, as the campus is vast. The ideal time to visit remains in the morning or the late afternoon. The museum might prohibit photography within its walls.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   The museum opens from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding Sundays and university holidays. Admission fees cost approximately ₹20 for Indians and ₹250 for foreign tourists. You enter the campus and temple for free.

8. Try Local Cuisine in Varanasi

   

   Local Cuisine in Varanasi

   Varanasi provides a variety of traditional food offerings. People love items like kachori-sabzi, chaat, tamatar chaat, lassi, thandai, and sweets such as malaiyo (which you can find during winter). Street food corners in the old city, Godowlia, and Assi Ghat remain the choice among locals and tourists.

   Travel Tips:

   Select stalls that look clean. Drink water from bottles or filtered water to prevent stomach problems. Keep cash handy, as most small vendors do not have digital payment facilities. Night hours provide you with the maximum variety of street food.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   Food stalls operate from early morning till late at night, depending on the location. Prices remain reasonable, generally between ₹30 and ₹100 per serving.

9. Buy Silk Sarees and Handicrafts

   

   Silk Sarees and Handicrafts in Varanasi

   Varanasi remains renowned for its Banarasi silk sarees that consist of elaborate weaving and patterns. You may shop for sarees, scarves, and fabrics in places like Chowk, Thatheri Bazaar, and Vishwanath Gali. The city also sells wooden toys, brassware, and other handicrafts.

   Travel Tips:

   Purchase from reliable stores to prevent imitation products. Search for government-authorised stores that offer quality guarantees. Haggling works well in local markets but not in fixed-price stores. Use cash for petty buys.

   Timings and Entry Fees:

   The markets operate between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM. You enter for free. The prices of Banarasi sarees range between ₹2,000 and more than ₹50,000 based on quality and design.

10. Ramnagar Fort and Museum

    

    Ramnagar Fort and Museum in Varanasi

    Ramnagar Fort sits approximately 14 kilometres from Varanasi, with the Ganga River in between. Construction workers built Ramnagar Fort in the 18th century; it contains a museum that features vintage cars, royal attire, arms, and documents. Ramnagar Fort also contains a temple for Ved Vyasa.

    Travel Tips:

    Hire an auto or taxi to reach the fort. The best time to visit remains in the morning when the museum is less crowded. Carry water and wear comfortable shoes for walking inside the fort. Combine your visit with a sunset view from the fort walls.

    Timings and Entry Fees:

    The museum and fort open between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Indian tourists pay ₹20, and foreign tourists pay ₹150 as an entry fee. People spend around two to three hours here.

Conclusion

These things to do in Varanasi presents tourists with a total combination of cultural, spiritual, historical, and food experiences. You may start with the morning boat ride along the Ganga and conclude the evening with the Aarti. You can walk the ghats, see the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and stroll down the old streets. Sarnath offers a serene retreat, while BHU and the museum depict the cultural and educational heritage. Food and shopping provide a flavour of the city’s everyday life, and the Ramnagar Fort brings you close to history. Each of these ten activities has definite timings, entry information, and travel advice, which enable you to plan. A Varanasi tour becomes more meaningful when you juxtapose rituals against exploration, shopping against learning, and history against contemporary experiences.