Best vacation places in india
Best vacation places in india India is a huge country, with a complex cultural heritage. You could spend months exploring the many different facets of the country, the diverse cultures and its many religions. There are lots of reasons to visit India; here is our selection of some of the best places for you to relax or get on an adventure.
tourists from all over the world have searched for places to go for their vacations, some prefer a place with a nice beach and warm sun, others love places with a lot of historical significance like temples. india is a huge country, there are so many places you can visit if you come visit us, you won’t be disappointed. here are 15 of the top vacation destination places in india.
Traveling is an enjoyable part of life but planning a holiday can be challenging. There are plenty of things to consider like the budget, distance, enjoyment and more. One of the most crucial things is finding cheap holidays which should not cost you a fortune but at the same time should give you a memorable trip. If you are financially restricted then booking low cost vacations in india would be the solution.
India is a country of diverse cultures, traditions, and religions. It is also home to some of the most scenic destinations in the world.
The country has a wide range of holiday destinations that offer everything from beaches to mountains, from deserts to lush forests. You can choose from hill stations to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. There are places for every taste and budget. You can either go for luxury resorts or backpackers’ hostels depending on your preference.
Best Vacation Places In India:
Vacation is an essential part of life and we all need to have a good time once in a while. But where do you go? Is there somewhere that you can just relax and enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life?
India has many places that you can visit for a break but here are some of the best vacation places in India that you should definitely consider.
1. Agra
![Taj Mahal in Agra](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-agra.jpg)
If there was just one symbol to represent all of India, it would be the Taj Mahal. The monument inspires millions of tourists to make the trip to Agra every year, waking up before dawn to see magnificent structure radiate at sunrise. But Agra tops the list of the best places to visit in India for reasons that go beyond India’s most famous attraction.
The city in Uttar Pradesh is chock-full of marvelous Mughal monuments, like Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb and Akbar’s Mausoleum, decked out in hypnotic inlaid marble designs from top to bottom. Plus, tourists can also see another UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Agra Fort. With so many wonders in just one place, Agra is a must-visit city for tourists in India.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Agra
2. New Delhi
![Humayun's Tomb](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-new-delhi.jpg)
Despite its crowds and chaos, New Delhi offers tourists a lot to love. The colorful capital of India is the perfect marriage of heritage and modernity. Old Delhi contains some of the country’s most treasured attractions, including the Jama Masjid, Red Fort, and Chandni Chowk shopping thoroughfare. But throughout the sprawling city, tourists can explore countless other sites of spiritual and cultural importance.
Top tourist attractions in New Delhi include the Lotus Temple; India Gate; Humayun’s Tomb; and India’s tallest minaret, Qutub Minar. Fill your days exploring these mesmerizing sites, and refueling at street-side chai stalls and high-end restaurants.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Delhi: Best Areas & Hotels
3. Mumbai
![The Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-mumbai.jpg)
Want to see a more cosmopolitan side of India? Head to the energetic, coastal city of Mumbai–home to ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs and the hottest Bollywood actors. Tourists are never far from five-star hotels or gourmet restaurants in this luxe city. And even if those activities are out of budget, a cruise down the beloved Marine Drive will make you feel like royalty as you catch a glimpse of the scenic coast and glamorous Art Deco buildings.
You can also see a more authentic, local side of Mumbai in the bustling “Thieves Market” or at the Churchgate railway station, where hundreds of thousands of homemade lunches are packed up for delivery to the city’s office workers every day.
Make sure you devote a day to checking out Sanjay Gandhi National Park and exploring the 2,000-year-old Kanheri Cave carvings.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Mumbai
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Mumbai
4. Rajasthan
![Gadi Sagar Temple in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-rajasthan.jpg)
Translated to “Land of Kings,” Rajasthan brims with remnants of the kings and queens of past centuries. Between its glittering palaces, stately forts, and lively festivals, this western state deserves a starring role in your trip to India.
Jaipur, part of the Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit, which also includes Agra and New Delhi, is one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan. Dubbed “The Paris of India,” it’s known for its characteristic pink buildings, lavish City Palace, and jewelry stores galore.
The “Blue City,” Jodhpur, offers tourists an equally unforgettable experience in its hilltop Mehrangarh Fort.
Udaipur oozes romance with its flower-lined streets and fantastic City Palace Complex, where the royal family still lives today.
And Jaisalmer looks like an Arabian Nights fairy tale brought to life, with its yellow sandstone structures and historic havelis (mansions). No matter where you end up in this desert state, you’ll be captivated by the magic of Rajasthan.
5. Rishikesh
![Rishikesh](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-rishikesh.jpg)
Rishikesh has been on the radar for spiritually minded travelers since the late 1960s, when the Beatles spent time in Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram–now an abandoned site that has become an off-the-beaten-path tourist attraction for fans.
The town is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the holy Ganges River, and serves as a center for yoga and pilgrimages. Take part in the action, or just enjoy the sounds of the temple bells and sightseeing from Rishikesh’s two suspension bridges, often guarded by assertive families of monkeys. Keep your distance.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Rishikesh
6. Varanasi
![A holy person on the Ganges River in Varanasi](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-varanasi.jpg)
One of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi is arguably the holiest place in India. The spiritual activities take place along the sacred Ganges River, where pilgrims bathe and mourners cremate recently deceased relatives in plain view of passersby.
Tourists, on the other hand, find their own flavor of spiritualism taking sunrise boat rides, releasing floral blessings that float on the river, and watching the fire-filled Hindu chanting ceremonies from the steep ghats.
Away from the water, the streets of the old town twist and turn like an endless maze. Legend has it that there’s still no accurate map of Varanasi, and once you experience the labyrinthine city for yourself, you’ll be inclined to believe it.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Varanasi
7. Amritsar
![The Golden Temple in Amritsar](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-amritsar.jpg)
Amritsar, the “Jewel of Punjab,” has made its claim to fame with its remarkable Golden Temple. One of the holiest places in the world for Sikhs, the gilded structure is a sight to behold, glistening in the sun and reflecting into the large pool that surrounds it.
The attraction also boasts the world’s largest community kitchen, which serves 100,000 diners (including curious tourists!) lentils and curries every day.
While in Amritsar, plan to spend an afternoon at the border of Pakistan to see the Beating Retreat Ceremony. Goose-stepping guards from long-term rivals India and Pakistan open and close the border gates at dusk in an over-the-top ceremony you’ll never forget. Get there early to dance to blaring Bollywood music with locals in the streets.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Amritsar
8. Goa
![Palolem Beach, South Goa](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-goa.jpg)
India’s not just full of big cities and holy sites–it also has incredible beaches down south in Goa. Its stretches of golden sand along the Arabian Sea offer something for every type of tourist, whether you’re interested in hanging out with the backpacker crowd in laid-back beach huts or having a ritzy tropical getaway at a five-star resort.
One unique part of Goa is its blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures. You’ll experience the fusion throughout the destination, from its Baroque architecture and cathedrals to its spicy vindaloo curries and seafood dishes.
9. Kerala
![Houseboat in Kerala](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-kerala.jpg)
Head south of Goa, and you’ll trade beaches for tranquil backwaters in Kerala. Nothing beats the experience of hopping aboard a traditional thatched-top houseboat in Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha) and slowly floating through palm-fringed lagoons and rivers, either as a day trip or overnight adventure. You’ll enjoy freshly cooked Indian cuisine on the water and breathtakingly beautiful natural sights and wildlife.
Easygoing Kerala is like a breath of fresh air from the intensity of cities like New Delhi and Jaipur up north. Schedule some time here when you’re in need of a break from the chaos.
10. Ajanta and Ellora Caves
![Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-ajanta-ellora-caves.jpg)
Time travel isn’t a reality for travelers quite yet, but you can get pretty close at the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra. Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the caves feature intricate carvings from at least 1,500 years ago.
The Ajanta Caves are the oldest of the two attractions, featuring around 30 Buddhist cave monuments cut into the rock as far back as the 2nd century BC.
Around 100 kilometers southwest, the Ellora Caves contain nearly three dozen Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu carvings, the most famous of which is the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), a massive structure devoted to Lord Shiva that features life-size elephant sculptures. The magnificent carvings at both sites will leave you filled with wonder.
11. Darjeeling
![Darjeeling with snow-capped Khangchendzonga Mountain in the distance](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-darjeeling.jpg)
Sightseeing in India doesn’t get much better than what you’ll discover in Darjeeling. The hill station in West Bengal is beloved for its lush green tea plantations, awe-inspiring snow-capped peaks (including Khangchendzonga, the world’s third-highest mountain), and serene Buddhist monasteries. This is the perfect place to arrange a mountain trek or mountain biking adventure.
One of the most popular things to do in Darjeeling is taking a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Powered by an antique steam locomotive, the 140-year-old “Toy Train” takes tourists on two-hour fun rides from Darjeeling to Ghum–a journey that’s regularly counted as one of the most scenic train rides in the world.
12. Kolkata
![The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-kolkata.jpg)
India’s third-largest city, Kolkata, is a decaying masterpiece of former British India, brimming with colonial-era architecture. The top things to do in Kolkata include seeing the Victoria Memorial, a white marble monument that features a museum with dozens of galleries, and Park Street, a famous thoroughfare with shops and restaurants that bustle 24/7, especially during the holidays.
But Kolkata is as much about the sites as it is about the emotions. This is a city that will somehow induce every one of your emotions with the highs and lows of life taking place in plain view on every street. Brace yourself, and be open to the experience.
13. Ahmedabad
![The elaborately carved Adalaj Stepwell on the outskirts of Ahmedabad](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-ahmedabad.jpg)
The largest city in Gujarat, Ahmedabad is a noisy, overwhelming metropolis that somehow wins over the tourists who make their way here. The historic city of Ahmedabad earned the coveted title of India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City in 2017 for its rich architecture, walls and gates, and significant Hindu and Jain temples.
On the western bank of the Sabarmati River, tourists can wander around Sabarmati Ashram, Gandhi’s headquarters from 1917 to 1930. Its museum talks about the life of the Indian hero, and displays his iconic spectacles and spinning wheel. While you’re in the city, sample the street food–some say it’s the best in all of India.
14. Shimla
![Shimla](https://www.planetware.com/wpimages/2019/11/india-best-places-to-visit-shimla.jpg)
When the temperatures skyrocket in New Delhi and other cities in North India, tourists and locals alike make their way to cooler climates in the hill stations, the most popular of which is Shimla. The cloudy weather and forested hillsides make for a satisfying escape from the heat, as well as a placid place to spend a weekend or more. The atmosphere in the hilly central part of town, where traffic is banned, is just as pleasant as the scenic outskirts.
While you’re in the area, make a reservation on the Kalka-Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 96.6-kilometer-long railroad, which has been running for over a century, is renowned for its stunning views and authentic vintage experience.