Think of all the experiences, sights and sounds a trip to India conjures and then leave room for a lot more. For India will surprise you beyond your wildest imagination. With so much on offer, the idea of India, while enticing to some, can overwhelm others. The best way to plan a trip is to start with what appeals to you. There’s no right or wrong way to discover India. Begin and know that you will be back for more as India tugs at the heartstrings like a few other places do. From the mighty Himalayas and the majestic Taj Mahal to the bustling streets of Mumbai and the serene backwaters of Kerala, get ready to embark on your Indian adventure as we explore the must-visit tourist places through India’s vibrant tapestry.
First-time visitors can start with our story on some of the best places to visit in India in 2025.
Best time to visit India
In a country as vast as India, the weather differs from place to place, but it’s always a good time to visit. Time your visit according to the experience you are looking for. The southern peninsula, western and eastern parts, experience two monsoon periods. The west coast experiences heavy rainfall from June to early September. The east coast experiences the northeast monsoon, which lasts from October to early December and brings tropical cyclones. Summers in India can be brutal: hot and sticky on the coast and hot and baking dry inland.
Related Stories
The best time to visit is December to March when the rains are at bay and temperatures hover in the mid-to-late 20s (degrees Celsius). The best months to explore the mountains, particularly the Himalayan belt, are June to mid-November. During winter, many high passes close due to heavy snowfall.
Book your flight from hong kong to New Delhi
Here’s our detailed guide to decoding the best time to visit India.
Tourist places in North India
The northern part of the country, dominated by the mighty Himalayas and the fertile Gangetic plains, boasts several historical and natural wonders. The ever-popular Golden Triangle circuit features the cities of New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.
Related Stories
The capital city, New Delhi, feels like a sensory overload and can be rough around the edges, but it’s worth wrestling with to get a feel for both old and new India. A rapidly changing city, the past is always around the corner if you pause and look closer. Purani Dili, or Old Delhi, abounds with melancholic buildings and some of the best street food in the country and pulsates with an infectious energy.
Escape into a world of maharajahs, ranis, opulent palaces and mighty forts in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Known as the ‘Pink City ‘ because its buildings all sport a pink hue, it is a shopper’s paradise, particularly for Indian block-printed fabric and jewellery. From Jaipur, head out on a wildlife excursion to Ranthambore National Park to catch a sighting of the Royal Bengal tiger. Explore more desert delights, forts, palaces and beyond with this special Rajasthan itinerary.
Agra’s biggest draw is the ethereal Taj Mahal, a tomb built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. While most visitors only see it in daylight, it looks stunning on a full moon night. If time permits, explore Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, an hour’s drive away. Here’s our guide to exploring Agra in 48 hours.
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, Varanasi, known as Benaras, is one of India’s holiest sites. Its row of ghats is a flurry of activity throughout the day. Here, sadhus meditate, pilgrims bathe in the holy waters of the river Ganges, the evening Ganga Aarti takes place, and funeral pyres burn. Away from the ghats, a tangle of lanes entices with stalls dishing out an assortment of chaats, paan and lassi. To escape the chaos and mayhem, take a boat ride down the Ganges and view the city afar. Here’s a celebrity-inspired guide to exploring Varanasi.
Tourist places in South India
Book your flight from hong kng to mumbai
The southern states share geographical borders, but each offers visitors a variety of experiences, be it landscapes, food, or culture. Kerala and its many tourist places lure visitors with palm-fringed beaches, a labyrinth of backwaters, and heady spice gardens. Of its many cities, Kochi stands out with its Old Town, which has a fresco-lined palace and timeworn churches. It’s particularly exciting during the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a contemporary arts festival that attracts artists and creatives from around India and the world.
Neighbouring Tamil Nadu boasts a centuries-old history and a highly nuanced culture. From the spellbinding Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur to the kaleidoscopic Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai to the serene Shore Temple at Mamallapuram, there’s a temple to fulfil every desire and wish.
Explore Kumbakonam, a temple town in Tamil Nadu brimming with beauty and spirituality.
To partake in the best of classical music and dance, plan a visit during the annual Margazhi season held every December when dance and music mania grips Chennai, the state capital. India’s extensive coastline has drawn traders and explorers from far and wide, and along its coast, explore former trading posts and towns with unique subcultures.
Puducherry (or Pondicherry), an erstwhile French colony, enthrals with its Creole food and French quarter with wide boulevards. Running through parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, what the Nilgiri mountains lack in size, they make up for in biodiversity. With cinematic valleys and a clutch of misty hill stations, spending a few days exploring the mountains is the perfect antidote to the relentless heat characteristic of the southern states.
Related Stories
Tourist places in the west of India
The western states of India beckon travellers with their mosaic of cities, beaches, crafts and heritage. The poster child of India’s beaches, Goa — one of the country’s smallest states — packs a punch with its laid-back vibe, roaring surf, thriving culinary scene, and distinct culture, primarily influenced by 450 years of Portuguese rule.
India’s first urban UNESCO World Heritage site, Ahmedabad, draws visitors with its rich history, food, and penchant for design. Explore its unique pols, walled housing clusters, the excellent Calico Museum of Textiles, and intricately carved step-wells, or find a moment of calm in Mahatma Gandhi’s serene Sabarmati Ashram. Come early January, and the skies across the city are crowded with kites as part of the Uttarayan festival. Further west, the Rann of Kutch enthrals with its lunar landscape, rich crafts, and hospitable people.
The annual Rann Utsav festival during the winter months is a great time to visit with its tented camps and carnival-like atmosphere. Wildlife enthusiasts can look forward to some unusual sightings, from spotting Asiatic lions in the deciduous forests of Gir National Park to wild asses in the Little Rann of Kutch. Here’s your ultimate guide to exploring Kutch, India’s salt-kissed desert.
Related Stories
Mumbai, the largest city, can feel like an assault on the senses, but it rewards travellers with plenty of cultural and culinary experiences. Watch for its rich Art Deco heritage, robust performance schedule, arts calendar, and rock-cut caves.
Tourist places in the east of India
From mangrove forests where tigers roam, exquisite craft villages, nuanced culinary traditions, carved temples, mist-draped hill stations and cinematic sunrises, the eastern states of India are a treasure chest for nature and culture fiends.
The best way to experience Kolkata is to dive into its chaotic streets and crowded bazaars. Majestic Victoria Memorial flanking the beautiful Maidan – an open space that residents flock to for a game of cricket, fresh air or adda (the Bengali concept of hangout) – is a stunning example of the distinctive Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Near Park Street is the place to be seen with trendy boutiques, well-stocked bookstores, time-tested restaurants and hole-in-the-walleateries. The five-day Durga Pujo festival is a special time to visit the city when all activity comes to a grinding halt, and everyone partakes in the festivities, including feasting, pandal (venue of the Pujo) hopping and cultural events.
Odisha offers plenty of cultural excursions for the curious-minded traveller. The intricately carved Sun Temple at Konark is a splendid example of Kalinga architecture and a backdrop for the Konark Dance Festival. Towering Jagannath Puri Temple draws devotees from across the country but is a riot of crowds, colour and religious fervour during the annual Rath Yatra, in which the three main idols of the temple are taken out in a grand procession. Odisha also has some unusual and well-preserved art forms practised by generations of the same family.
In the Raghurajpur Artist Village, visitors can visit galleries run by local folk artists and watch live demonstrations of pattachitra painting, traditional masks, palm leaf engravings, and more. Unusual wildlife experiences are also offered, such as spotting saltwater crocodiles on a boat ride in Bhitarkanika and the endangered Olive Ridley turtle in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
Related Stories
Tourist places in India’s northeast
The eight states that make up India’s northeast are culturally and linguistically unique, making them a treat to explore. Cloaked in colourful rhododendron blooms, Sikkim offers easy access to high-altitude lakes, serene Buddhist monasteries and tranquil rural life. Most Sikkim explorations start from the capital city, Gangtok, with its lively pedestrianised Mahatma Gandhi Marg.
Rain-soaked Meghalaya boasts some of the wettest places on Earth, so expect thundering waterfalls, meandering streams and lush forests. A highlight is the astounding massive living root bridges that Khasi villagers have trained over streams.
Also read | Best Things To Do In Meghalaya, The Abode Of Clouds And Wild Wonders
The largest of eight states, Assam is synonymous with the high-quality tea grown there. Tourists can visit tea plantations and take a course on how the beverage is grown, picked, and processed. Assam is also well known for its vast rhinoceros and elephant populations. Kaziranga National Park offers a chance to see these creatures and soak in the state’s primaeval natural beauty.
Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, the far-flung frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh rewards those who venture forth with dense forests, rich birdlife and a chance to interact with its magnificent hill tribes and experience their age-old customs and traditions.
Related Stories
Beach destinations in India
With over 7,500 kilometres of coastline, India has no shortage of sandy beaches or roaring surf to add to its tourist places. Goa on the western coast gets all the attention but also sees the largest crowds. Further south, seek out lesser-known stretches such as Gokarna in Karnataka and Bekal in Kerala. Chennai is one of the only metro cities with wide sandy beaches and a budding surf culture. If the city’s beaches feel too stuffy with their food stalls and games, head towards Puducherry on the East Coast Road and soak in the sun at a handful of luxury hotels.
Related Stories
Islands to visit in India
Off the east coast of India, the patchwork of Andaman and Nicobar Islands offers forest-wrapped islands, strands of
sandy beaches, aquamarine waters and robust marine life. Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island is among the best open to visitors. Off-grid until a few years ago, the Andamans have become increasingly popular with better connectivity and more hotel options. In comparison, Lakshadweep, off the western edge of the Indian mainland, continues to be off the radar. For those who make the effort, the islands reward them with silken sand beaches and startlingly clear waters.
Also read | Lakshadweep Vs The Andamans: Comparing India’s Tropical Island Paradises
Best places for adventure in India
- India’s tourist places offer adventure seekers plenty, including the mighty Himalayas, a long coastline, meandering rivers, and dense forests. While planning an adventure-based holiday, it’s essential to pick established operators who have the required certifications and adhere to strict safety regulations.
- India’s sunshine state is known for its beaches and party vibe, but a lesser-known way to explore Goa is to set off on a kayak through its mangroves and backwaters.
- Lace up your hiking boots and set off on treks to remote mountain villages and high-altitude passes across the Himalayas. Motorbiking trips are also popular ways to explore the highlands.
- There are plenty of trekking trails through the biodiverse-rich Nilgiri mountains.
- For deep sea divers, both beginners and advanced, the ocean around the Andamans has plenty of treasures, including vibrant corals and an array of sea creatures.
Related Stories
Food in India
India’s diversity is best reflected in the food eaten across its mosaic of states and union territories. Food is an important aspect of Indian culture and an integral part of festivals and celebrations. Here are popular dishes to try:
- Chaat: A cornucopia of flavours, textures, and ingredients, chaat is best eaten on the streets and is made in front of you by stalls or street vendors. Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Varanasi and Jaipur are good places to try a variety of chaats.
- Thali: This meal consists of different dishes served with rice and roti. Variations exist depending on where you eat it. Gujarati thali includes fried or steamed snacks. In a Goan thali, expect fried fish, other seafood, and curries with distinct souring agents. A festive Sadya meal in Kerala includes various vegetables and grated fresh coconut.
- South Indian breakfast: Crispy dosas, fluffy idlis, and crunchy vadas served with hot sambar and chutneys have become popular breakfast options nationwide.
- Sweets: Every part of India has unique sweets, some dairy-heavy and others with dry fruits as the main ingredients. Gulab jamuns, ladoos, halwa, kaju katli and kheer, are some popular sweets to try.
Related Stories
Shopping in India
With varied and robust craft traditions, India is a shopper’s dream come true. You’ll find it all here: eclectic boutiques, high-end ateliers and workshops, and street stalls. Even if you aren’t looking to shop, a trip to a local bazaar is worth the experience of taking in the explosion of colours, sounds, and activity. While these local markets are busy throughout the year, they are particularly lively during festivals. Here are a few highlights:
- Navigating Chandni Chowk’s crowded streets is part of the shopping experience in this centuries-old part of Delhi. From silver jewellery, spices and bangles to embroidered Indian outfits, the best way to browse at the shop is to take plenty of food and drink breaks in between.
- Goa’s night markets are captivated by their hippie vibe, while markets at Mapusa and Panaji are worth scouring for souvenirs.
- Lose yourself in Jaipur’s melange of bazaars, with entire lanes dedicated to one particular item, such as Johari Bazaar for jewellery and Bapu Bazaar for textiles.
- From street stalls selling costume jewellery, trinkets and handmade Kolhapuri chappals, wander down Mumbai’s Colaba Causeway, stopping for a cold beer at Cafe Mondegar or Leopold Cafe.
Also read | Your Definitive Guide To Wedding Shopping In Chennai, India
Insider tips for visiting India
- As people, Indians are very welcoming, hospitable and friendly. However, the country continues to challenge travellers, especially solo women. It’s best to do extensive research, read traveller reviews and choose accommodation in safer neighbourhoods in big cities.
- Internet data packages are reasonably priced, and it’s best to have mobile data and internet access to stay in touch with friends or local hosts and seek help if needed.
- It’s best to avoid walking or travelling alone to India’s tourist places after dark.
- Avoid drinking tap water throughout your travels. It’s best to drink filtered water (where you know it has been done correctly) or stick to bottled water.
- Feasting on India’s incredible food is part of the travel experience, but to be safe, avoid eating raw and fresh vegetables and opt instead for freshly cooked food.
Shop the best travel experiences here
(Feature image credit: Rini Kothari/Flickr)
Related | Exploring Historical Sites And Sun-Kissed Shores: Exciting Things To Do In Varkala, India
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you shop through links on our site.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
There are 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across India.
Here are things to avoid: drinking water from the tap, accepting food and drinks from strangers, carrying all your money, and carrying your passport while sightseeing.
There are many places sprinkled throughout the Himalayan range in the north and northeast: Landour, Kasauli, McLeod Ganj, and Darjeeling are a few. In the Western Ghats, there are Kodaikanal, Ooty, Coonoor, Coorg, and Matheran.
The dry months of October to February are the best months to visit the Taj Mahal. Summers start in the middle of March, and high daytime temperatures are observed.
The Golden Triangle is best visited from October to February when daytime temperatures hover around the early 20s.
Depending on your interest, there's something for everyone in India, from exploring its ancient architectural marvels, extensive national parks, craft villages, and other activities to immersing yourself in the country's rich music and dance heritage.
Many northeastern states and Lakshadweep require a special Inner Line Permit.
Exploring India on a shoestring budget or enjoying a lavish holiday with stays at luxury hotels and resorts is possible.
India has many countries within one country, and it's nearly impossible to see it all. The best way to explore India is to start with small parts or regions that interest you.
The bigger cities are well connected by rail and air, making it easy to travel from one part of the country to another. India's extensive road network also means large parts of it can be explored on driving holidays, but it's recommended to do this with a local driver. Trains are an exciting and affordable option for travelling across the country, but they must be booked well in advance to ensure you get reserved seats in a class of your choice.
Written By
Chaitali Patel
Chaitali Patel is happiest under a tree. She's passionate about all things travel and the environment. ..Read More
