Varanasi is a vibrant city filled with a rich historical and cultural heritage that leaves even regular travellers awestruck when they find something totally new they could never see in Kashi. In addition to the ghats, Banaras also features a range of activities and ancient and modern temples, which can make your trip to the Spiritual Capital of India divine. Top Things to Do in Varanasi, the City of Lights, with TaxiYatri’s best taxi service in India. All you need to do is dial 8377-809-809 and talk to our booking consultant to book a cab in Varanasi. They will guide you with the perfect itineraries and make your trip to Varanasi a memorable one.
Although there are hundreds of things to do in Kashi, we have highlighted the top 10 things to do in Varanasi for your safe and comfortable travel around this historic city. Try our famous Banarasi Paan, Malaiyo (only during the winters), and a number of sweets and Fast Food available to suit your taste buds. We have also included the best tips to ensure your comfort, safety and convenience while travelling in Varanasi, the City of Temples. If you are travelling from a nearby city, say Prayagraj, you can also book a cab to reach Varanasi from Prayagraj comfortably with your loved ones.
Top Things to Do in Varanasi
Here are some of the best things you can do, and the top activities in Kashifor a memorable time in the city of Lights.
Witness the Beautiful Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
The beautiful city’s evenings become more enriched with the beautiful and charismatic Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat, among others. Participate in this high-energy event that occurs every evening around sunset (6 PM). People from different parts of Varanasi and the world come to visit this sacred practice on these ghats.
Take a Calm Boat Ride
Enjoy a peaceful boat ride in one of the holiest rivers of India, the Ganges. For the best experience, it is recommended to hire a small personal manually-pulled boat to cover the major areas at a peaceful time. It will help you relax without any noise or pollution from the motor, calmly floating near the ghats of Varanasi. In addition, you can also hire a local musician to sing you a few songs, which you can enjoy as you steer through the mighty Ganga River. Alternatively, get a tour guide who could help you learn a few unknown and popular facts about this holy city.
Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, you can visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple to witness spiritual energy in the most important religious pilgrimage site in Varanasi. The name ‘Vishwanath’, or ‘Vishweshwar’, refers to Lord Shiva as the ‘Ruler of the Universe’. The temple was destroyed earlier by Aurangzeb, which was later reconstructed by Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the Queen of the Malwa Kingdom (Indore). Remember to avoid touts, scammers and false guides and travel responsibly to embrace the divinity of this sanctum. Book a cab in Varanasi with TaxiYatri and comfortably travel around the top temples in Kashi with a local expert.
Engage in the Ghat Walks
Walk along ghats getting up and down the steps beside the Ganges River to witness a number of beautiful, picturesque locations on the Ghats of Varanasi. If you are still wondering what to do in Varanasi, just strolling along the ghats will do. Try sitting at some calm ghat like the Prabhu Ghat or a happening ghat like the Dashashwamedha Ghat/Manikarnika Ghat, among the top Varanasi tourist attractions, and you can experience the changing nature of this city in every few steps.
Embrace the beauty of the ghats, added by the artists and musicians showing off their skills and practising mostly during the evenings. Don’t forget to try out the lemon chai and throw the empty cups in the dustbins to help the city clean.
Discover the Land of Lord Buddha: Sarnath
Apart from the serene Ghats, you can also experience peace and tranquillity in Sarnath, the place where Lord Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon. You can find a number of ancient relics and ruins from the time of Buddha. You won’t find the level of peace anywhere else in the world. Sarnath is popular for its iconic Ashok Chakra, which achieved the status of National Emblem on 26th of January, 1950.
There is also a Deer Park in Sarnath showcasing a few birds, deer, and crocodiles in a closed and bare enclosure. For the best experience, it is advisable to book an affordable Varanasi to Sarnath tempo traveller with TaxiYatri with additional discounts. This travel is included in the local sightseeing cab with TaxiYatri, so you do not have to pay for an intercity cab for this distance.
Savour the Local Delights and Street Food
Banaras is filled with a number of top places to eat, including popular restaurants and street food. Try out Malaiyo, a local dish made only during the 3 months of winter with the fresh dew directly from nature. In addition, you can try out the popular lassi, South Indian, Bengali, North Indian and Italian cuisines in some of the best restaurants in Varanasi.
Visit the Cultural Performances, especially the Subah-e-Banaras
Kashi is filled with a number of artists, cultural events and educational institutes, which make it the cultural capital of India. With the influence of the Banaras Gharana in the Hindustani Classical Music of India, you can find a range of maestros, from Padmashree to Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, who have lived their entire lives in these crowded ‘Banaras ki Galliyan’. So if you love bright mornings, visit Assi Ghat and witness the Morning Aarti, along with the Subah-e-Banaras featuring a range of artists in different cultural events, including music and dance. However, there are other places you can check out for cultural events.
Enjoy Shopping in the Tight Alleys of Varanasi
Some of the top shopping places in Varanasi include the Godowlia Chowk area, where you can find a range of jewellery, leather goods, and carpets. The Vishwanath Gali is popular for silk sarees and wooden toys. The narrow lanes of Varanasi are going to bring a range of stores for shopping, where you can buy from a variety of Banarasi Sarees, handicrafts, Puja Items and musical instruments in Kashi. Get a Varanasi city tour by taxi from TaxiYatri and get assured discounts on your rides, so that you can comfortably spend time and money on your precious shopping experience.
Explore the other Top Places to Visit in Varanasi
There are many top attractions in Kashi, which include the Nav Durga Temples, Sankatmochan Temple, New Vishwanath Mandir at BHU, as well as the Swarved Mahamandir, which is the largest meditation centre in the world, located in Varanasi, known for its charitable works. In addition, you can also check out the top cities near Varanasi, which include Ayodhya, Lucknow and Prayagraj.
Explore the Festive Seasons in Varanasi
India, being a land of cultures, has various festivals occurring one after another. However, Varanasi is one of the ancient cities with a mixture of different cultures, traditions, food and festivals woven together. For instance, you can witness a bustling Mahashivaratri, Dusshera, Diwali, Janmashtami, Jagannath Rathyatra, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganga Mahotsav, Dhrupad Mela and the Panch Koshi Parikrama Pilgrimage, among other popular festivals.
However, the festival closest to the heart of Varanasi is Dev Deepawali, which is limited to its celebrations only in this city, devoted to the festival of lights for the god. This time also marks the beginning of Malaiyo, the traditional sweet milk-dew delight, which would be available till January. With our Luxury bus hire in Varanasi, you can easily take your friends and family on a comfortable tour to explore the city’s beauty.
If you are looking for some additional top activities in Varanasi, you can enjoy Birdwatching, photography, wedding shoots and much more in this city. Furthermore, the city is also one of the sacred places for Pind Daans before Gaya. So if you want to perform Pind Daan in Varanasi and then in Gaya, you can book a Varanasi to Gaya cab for Pind Daan with TaxiYatri and enjoy a discounted cab for your holy rituals.
Why Choose TaxiYatri for Varanasi?
Get the Cheapest taxi fare in Varanasi with TaxiYatri, and if it was not enough to convince you, here are some of our top-notch services.
- 24/7 Customer Support and Bookings
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Best Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors to Varanasi
Although Varanasi is one of the holiest cities in India, it can be challenging for even the most experienced travellers. The energy of this place is so intense that oftentimes you will find yourself in chaos instead of peace. Hence, if you are here for a peaceful exploration of the culture and heritage, it is recommended to avoid scammers, touts and random people on the street. Here are some additional tips to ensure your comfort, convenience and safety at all times in Kashi, one of the best places to visit in India.
- Respect local customs and culture
- Dress modestly, especially women, as this is one of the most conservative cities in India
- Book your accommodations and cabs in advance for a hassle-free touring experience
- Get a personalised Kashi tour packagewith TaxiYatri for all your travelling needs
- Avoid touching the Shivalinga if you are not a Hindu
- Get a Varanasi Tempo Traveller for an affordable travel with your group of friends/family
- Get a good tourist guide and use the government lockers for your bags, phones and cameras
So what are you waiting for? Dial 8377-809-809 for all your travelling needs.
FAQs
What to buy in Kashi?
You can do a lot of shopping in Varanasi, especially the Banarasi Sarees, which come in a range of varieties. There are also a number of handicraft products that you can buy, along with food, musical instruments and religious souvenirs.
What are some of the most famous places in Varanasi?
Some of the most popular sites in Varanasi are Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Sarnath and the Kaal Bhairav Temple.
Which is the Cheapest taxi in Varanasi?
TaxiYatri ensures the Cheapest taxi fare in Varanasi, along with anywhere else in India. Enjoy a flexible, comfortable and safe ride for local, outstation and airport transfers, anytime, anywhere, only with TaxiYatri.
Why is Banaras called Kashi?
Varanasi is called Kashi since it means shiny/luminous, depicting the beautifully lit nature of the city since ancient times due to lit diyas, Ganga Aarti and the houses around. In addition, this ancient city has also been the centre of education and culture, and hence, shines bright with its wisdom.
Are 2 days enough for Varanasi?
An eternity is not enough to explore everything in Kashi. However, two days is a decent amount of time for experiencing the popular activities and places to see in Banaras. Book a local sightseeing taxi in Varanasi with TaxiYatri and explore the top tourist attractions in this divine city comfortably.
Can I book a Prayagraj to Varanasi cab?
Yes. You can hire a Prayagraj to Varanasi taxi on rent with TaxiYatri to enjoy a comfortable, convenient and safe journey with one of our expert drivers in a well-maintained taxi/tempo traveller/bus. For more information, dial 8377-809-809 and book your cab within seconds.
What is famous in Varanasi?
Varanasi is famous for various things: Ganga Ghats, Temples, beautiful lights, and street food. Apart from these, one of the most popular things in Varanasi is its Malaiyo, which is found only in this city, for 3-4 months in a whole year.
With 7+ years of experience as a professional content writer, I specialise in blog and academic content writing. For me, writing is simply more than my profession—it’s a journey of self-discovery through spiritual exploration and soulful expression, often inspired by music and mindfulness.