Top 15 Travel Destinations in Varanasi: Explore the Spiritual Heart of India 

Discover the Divine Essence of the Holy City

Varanasi — one of the world’s oldest living cities — stands as the spiritual capital of India. Located on the banks of the sacred Ganga River, this ancient city welcomes millions of devotees, pilgrims, and travelers from across the globe. From sacred ghats to grand temples and mouth-watering street food, every corner of Varanasi has a story to tell.

Here are the Top 15 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Varanasi — with distances, timings, and key highlights.

1️⃣ Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The Spiritual Soul of Varanasi

• Famous For: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 25 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 5 km
    
    

• Timing: 3:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Kachori-Sabzi and Jalebi at Kachori Gali
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Ancient temple with gold-plated spire
    
    

  • Darshan of Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
    
    

  • Ganga Aarti experience at nearby Dashashwamedh Ghat
    
    

2️⃣ Dashashwamedh Ghat

The Ghat of Ten Horse Sacrifices

• Famous For: Evening Ganga Aarti and River Boating
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 26 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 5.5 km
    
    

• Timing: Open 24 hours (Aarti at 6:30 PM)
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Tamatar Chaat and Banarasi Paan
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Iconic evening Ganga Aarti view
    
    

  • Boat rides at sunrise and sunset
    
    

3️⃣ Assi Ghat

The Confluence of Spirituality and Serenity

• Famous For: Subah-e-Banaras morning rituals and yoga sessions
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 28 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 7 km
    
    

• Timing: 24 hours
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Lassi and Chana Chaat
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Early morning cultural programs
    
    

  • Ideal for photography and sunrise views
    
    

4️⃣ Manikarnika Ghat

The Eternal Cremation Ghat of Salvation

• Famous For: Moksha (Salvation) beliefs
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 25 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 5 km
    
    

• Timing: Open 24 hours
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Malaiyyo (winter sweet)
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Sacred cremation rituals
    
    

  • Oldest and most mystical ghat
    
    

5️⃣ Tulsi Manas Mandir

Where Ramcharitmanas Was Written

• Famous For: Marble inscriptions of Ramcharitmanas
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 27 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 6 km
    
    

• Timing: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Golgappa and Kulfi
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Dedicated to Lord Rama
    
    

  • Beautiful marble carvings
    
    

6️⃣ Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

Temple of Lord Hanuman’s Blessings

• Famous For: Tuesday & Saturday Aarti
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 27 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 6 km
    
    

• Timing: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Laddoo and Kachori
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Major pilgrimage for Hanuman devotees
    
    

  • Peaceful and powerful atmosphere
    
    

7️⃣ BHU & New Vishwanath Temple

A Blend of Education and Spirituality

• Famous For: Replica of the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 27 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 8 km
    
    

• Timing: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Lassi and Pav Bhaji at Lanka Market
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Peaceful campus walk
    
    

  • Grand modern architecture
    
    

8️⃣ Sarnath

Land of Buddha’s First Sermon

• Famous For: Dhamek Stupa, Mulgandha Kuti Vihar, and Buddhist museums
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 29 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 10 km
    
    

• Timing: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Momos, Spring Rolls, and Litti Chokha
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
    
    

  • Key destination in the Buddhist Circuit
    
    

  • Peaceful gardens and ancient ruins
    
    

9️⃣ Swarved Mahamandir Dham

The Temple of Meditation and Enlightenment

• Famous For: Asia’s largest meditation center
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 17 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 10 km
    
    

• Timing: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Tea and Samosa near Umraha
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Based on “Swarved” scripture
    
    

  • Ideal for inner peace and meditation seekers
    
    

🔟 Ramnagar Fort

The Royal Residence of Kashi Naresh

• Famous For: Museum and Dussehra Festival
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 32 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 15 km
    
    

• Timing: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Chaat and Pakodi
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Vintage cars, weapons, and royal artifacts
    
    

1️⃣1️⃣ Ganga Mahal Ghat

Serene Beauty Beside the Flowing Ganga

• Famous For: Peaceful views and heritage buildings
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 27 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 6 km
    
    

• Timing: Open 24 hours
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Masala Chai and Sandwich
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Ideal for calm river moments and photography
    
    

1️⃣2️⃣ Alamgir Mosque

The Mughal Charm Overlooking the Ganga

• Famous For: Blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 26 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 5 km
    
    

• Timing: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Rabri and Jalebi
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Built by Aurangzeb
    
    

  • Offers panoramic views of Ganga
    
    

1️⃣3️⃣ Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum

The Cultural Treasure of BHU

• Famous For: Ancient paintings, sculptures, and textiles
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 27 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 7 km
    
    

• Timing: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Pav Bhaji and Chole Bhature
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Artifacts from Gupta and Mughal periods
    
    

  • Great for history lovers
    
    

1️⃣4️⃣ Godowlia Market

The Shopping Heart of Banaras

• Famous For: Banarasi Sarees, brassware, and handicrafts
  
  

• Distance:
  
  

  • From Airport: 25 km
    
    

  • From Railway Station: 3 km
    
    

• Timing: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Thandai, Chaat, and Paan
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • Perfect for souvenir shopping
    
    

  • Local crowd experience
    
    

1️⃣5️⃣ Gaya (Buddhist Circuit Extension)

The Land of Enlightenment and Salvation

• Famous For: Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, and Vishnupad Temple
  
  

• Distance from Varanasi: 260 km (approx. 5–6 hrs drive)
  
  

• Timing: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  
  

• Nearby Street Food: Litti-Chokha and Sattu Drinks
  
  

• Highlights:
  
  

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
    
    

  • Major Buddhist pilgrimage site

🌿 Summary

Why Visit Varanasi:

• Blend of Hindu and Buddhist heritage
  
  

• Famous Ganga Aarti & spiritual temples
  
  

• Mouth-watering street food
  
  

• Perfect for pilgrims, explorers, and photographers