Things to Do in Banaras: Ghats, Food, Culture and Beyond

Banaras can fill a day with a sunrise boat ride, temple visits and an evening by the Ganga. Stay longer, and there are weaving workshops, Buddhist monuments, art collections, classical music, neighbourhood markets and seasonal foods to explore.

The range of things to do in Banaras—also known as Varanasi and Kashi—makes it worth planning around your interests. You can build a trip around pilgrimage, food, photography, history, shopping or simply walking through different parts of the city.

This guide brings those possibilities together, from the familiar riverfront to experiences that need a little more planning. Choose a few for each day and leave time for travel, queues and unplanned stops.

Experience the Ganga and the ghats

1. Watch sunrise over the river

Reach the riverfront before sunrise and watch the boats, steps and buildings gradually emerge in the morning light. Assi is a useful starting point if you want to combine sunrise with a morning programme; a central ghat works well if you are staying near the old city.

You do not need to book an activity to enjoy this part of Banaras. A short walk and a place to sit can be enough.

2. Attend Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat

Subah-e-Banaras brings together morning aarti, Vedic chanting, classical music and yoga at Assi Ghat. It offers a way to experience several of the city’s traditions in one morning.

The programme begins early, with seasonal timings. Check the organiser’s current schedule and arrive before the part you most want to attend. Allow time afterwards for breakfast around Assi or Lanka.

3. Take a boat ride on the Ganga

A boat ride reveals the relationship between the river, the ghats and the buildings rising behind them. Choose a sunrise outing, a late-afternoon ride or an evening trip when services are operating.

Ask about shared and private options, the boarding and return points, total duration and the complete fare before agreeing. A longer journey towards Rajghat or Namo Ghat may be possible, but depends on the operator and river conditions.

Use a permitted operator, wear a life jacket and follow local restrictions. Boat services can be suspended because of high water, weather or administrative orders.

4. Watch the evening Ganga Aarti

Dashashwamedh Ghat is a major setting for evening Ganga Aarti, with lamps, chanting and coordinated rituals along the riverfront.

Arrive early if you want a clear view, especially on weekends and festival days. Watching from the steps and watching from a boat offer different perspectives; a boat does not automatically guarantee an unobstructed view. Confirm the day’s timing locally rather than relying on a fixed year-round hour.

5. Go on a ghat walk

Walking lets you notice details that pass quickly from a boat: small shrines, gateways, painted walls, tea stalls and changes in architecture.

Possible stretches include Assi towards Tulsi Ghat, or Kedar Ghat towards the central riverfront. Around Darbhanga and Man Mandir, pay attention to the buildings overlooking the steps. Explore Panchganga and the northern ghats on another outing if you have time.

Treat these as flexible walks. High water, silt, maintenance and restricted sections can interrupt the route, requiring a diversion through the lanes.

6. See a different riverfront at Namo Ghat

Namo Ghat offers a newer riverfront setting with prominent namaste sculptures. It is an option for an evening outing or for visitors interested in seeing how the city’s waterfront continues to change.

Plan it as a separate stop from Assi and the central ghats unless you have arranged suitable transport. Check access arrangements around large events.

7. Understand the significance of the cremation ghats

Manikarnika and Harishchandra are active cremation ghats. Visitors interested in understanding Banaras should approach them with discretion and respect for the people using these spaces.

Keep clear of funeral processions and working areas. Do not photograph or film cremations or grieving families. A knowledgeable guide can explain the cultural context without intruding on private mourning.

Explore temples and spiritual traditions

8. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is a central pilgrimage destination in Banaras. Allow sufficient time for security checks, queues and the walk to your entry point.

The temple trust prohibits electronic gadgets, including phones and cameras, inside the temple premises. Locker capacity is limited, so leave unnecessary belongings at your accommodation. Check official notices for access arrangements and book special services through the official channel.

9. Explore the temples of the old city

Build a temple walk around your interests rather than trying to visit every shrine in one outing.

Kaal Bhairav and Mrityunjay Mahadev need additional travel time beyond the immediate Vishwanath precinct. Follow each temple’s entry, photography and ritual rules.

10. Explore Durgakund, Sankat Mochan and Tulsi Manas

The southern part of the city offers another useful group of temple visits: Durga Mandir at Durgakund, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Tulsi Manas Mandir.

Combine selected stops with Assi or Lanka, allowing for road travel between them. Sankat Mochan also connects visitors with the city’s classical music traditions through its annual music festival; check the announced programme if that interests you.

11. Visit New Vishwanath Temple inside BHU

The New Vishwanath Temple on the Banaras Hindu University campus is a different destination from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the old city.

Include it in a BHU outing rather than treating the two temples as interchangeable. The surrounding campus also gives you a change of setting from the narrow lanes near the river. Respect campus rules and avoid entering academic or residential spaces without permission.

12. Follow a particular spiritual or architectural interest

Visitors with more time can explore beyond the main temple circuit.

Consider the Nepali Temple near Lalita Ghat for its wooden craftsmanship; Kabir Chaura Math for its association with Kabir; Shri Guru Ravidas Janm Sthan Mandir at Seer Govardhanpur; Baba Keenaram Ashram for an introduction to the Aghor tradition; Kardameshwar Mahadev for temple architecture; or Swarved Mahamandir near Umaraha for its meditation-oriented setting.

These are spread across different parts of Varanasi. Choose one or two, confirm visiting arrangements and give them a dedicated outing.

Eat your way through Banaras

13. Start with kachori-sabzi and jalebi

A breakfast of kachori-sabzi followed by jalebi is an easy introduction to the city’s food culture. Explore the old-city food lanes around Chowk and the wider Godowlia area, choosing a busy place serving fresh batches.

Keep breakfast modest if you are planning several food stops. Sharing portions helps you try more without turning the day into a race to finish dishes.

14. Plan a Banarasi street-food trail

Give food its own place in the itinerary. Different dishes suit different times of day and seasons.

Availability varies by shop and season. Choose freshly prepared food and safe drinking water, and ask about ingredients if you have dietary restrictions.

15. Learn about Banarasi paan

Paan-making is part of the city’s food and market culture. You can watch a paanwala assemble the leaves and fillings and ask how different preparations vary.

If you choose to taste one, specify the ingredients. Ask for tobacco-free and supari-free paan rather than assuming “meetha” excludes either. Watching the preparation is also a worthwhile stop.

16. Take a café break or a longer meal

Leave room for a slower meal around Assi or the lanes near the ghats. Cafés can offer breakfast, bakery items and international dishes alongside the city’s traditional food.

For a different evening, consider a restaurant meal or a hotel dining venue. Check current menus, opening hours and access before travelling; a river view, rooftop table or live performance should be confirmed with the venue.

Explore history, museums and neighbourhoods

17. Walk through the old-city lanes

Spend time around Godowlia, Dashashwamedh Road, Vishwanath Gali and Chowk. Look beyond individual attractions to notice shopfronts, small shrines, courtyards, workshops and the everyday movement of people and goods.

A guided heritage walk can help explain what you are seeing. Before booking, ask about the route, language, group size, walking demands and whether shopping stops are included. Keep a map or your accommodation’s location saved for the return journey.

18. Spend half a day in Sarnath

Sarnath offers a substantial change of pace and is associated with the Buddha’s first sermon after enlightenment.

Explore the archaeological remains and Dhamek Stupa, then make time for the archaeological museum. Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and Buddhist temples connected with different communities can extend the outing.

Check the museum and monument schedules separately; their entry arrangements need not be identical. Avoid squeezing Sarnath between several tightly timed city activities.

19. Visit Bharat Kala Bhavan

Bharat Kala Bhavan, on the BHU campus, adds art and material history to a visit otherwise centred on temples and ghats.

Its collections include paintings, sculpture, textiles, coins and other historical objects. Choose the galleries that interest you and check which are currently open, since individual displays may be under renovation. Combine the museum with New Vishwanath Temple and a meal around Lanka.

20. Explore Man Mahal and its observatory

Near the central riverfront, Man Mahal brings together palace architecture, astronomical instruments and a virtual experiential museum.

It is a useful stop for visitors interested in science and heritage, and can fit into a walk around Man Mandir and Dashashwamedh. Confirm current entry arrangements and which sections are accessible before visiting.

21. Cross to Ramnagar

Ramnagar Fort and its museum offer a different perspective on the city from the opposite bank of the Ganga. The museum’s royal collection includes vehicles, palanquins, arms and other historical objects.

Allow time for the road journey and the museum rather than planning only a quick photograph. Travellers interested in the area’s religious heritage can also look into nearby temples as part of a longer outing.

22. Explore Kabir Chaura and the city’s cultural associations

Kabir Chaura is a worthwhile starting point for visitors interested in the poet-saint Kabir and the city’s musical life.

A carefully chosen walk can connect places with poetry, devotional traditions and performance. If visiting a private home, teaching space or institution, arrange access beforehand. Ordinary neighbourhood life is part of the experience; a performance or guided interaction should never be assumed.

Discover crafts, shopping and local skills

23. See how Banarasi textiles are made

Arrange a weaving visit to understand the work behind Banarasi sarees and fabrics. Peeli Kothi is one area associated with the craft.

Ask how designs are developed, how the loom works and what materials are being used. Confirm whether the visit includes a working loom, an artisan interaction or primarily a showroom presentation. Seek permission before photographing people or their work.

24. Shop for sarees, fabrics and smaller keepsakes

Banarasi textiles include sarees, dupattas, stoles and dress materials. The markets also offer smaller purchases that may suit travellers with limited luggage.

Compare shops and ask direct questions about fibre, weaving method, zari, care instructions and returns. Obtain an itemised bill for a significant purchase. A low price alone does not establish value, and a “handloom” description deserves clarification.

25. Discover wooden toys and Gulabi Meenakari

The city’s crafts extend beyond textiles. Wooden lacquerware and toys, including work associated with Khojwa, offer another avenue to explore. Gulabi Meenakari is known for its pink enamel decoration on jewellery and ornamental objects.

Arrange workshop visits in advance. If you want to try a craft, confirm that a hands-on session is available, what it includes and whether you can take your work home.

26. Visit an akhara with permission

A traditional wrestling akhara can introduce visitors to a different aspect of Banaras: physical training, discipline and community.

Tulsi Ghat is associated with this tradition. Ask before entering, observing or photographing training. An akhara is a working sporting space, and access depends on the people running it. Do not confuse a wrestling akhara with a monastic order that uses the same term.

Make time for music, festivals and slower experiences

27. Listen to classical music

Look for a verified classical concert during your stay. Music festivals such as Dhrupad Mela and Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh offer opportunities when their annual programmes are underway.

For smaller performances, confirm the artist, venue, start time and ticket or contribution arrangements. If you are interested in learning, enquire about an introductory lesson with an established teacher and agree on the format beforehand.

28. Try yoga, meditation or a quiet morning

The yoga element of Subah-e-Banaras is one way to begin. You can also enquire about an appropriate class or meditation session with a reputable centre.

Choose a level that suits you and confirm whether visitors can attend. A quiet hour by the river, reading, sketching or writing about the day is another way to spend time in Banaras without adding another booking.

29. Plan around a festival or cultural event

Some experiences depend on when you visit.

Check dates and programmes for your travel year. Major occasions can change road access, boat arrangements, accommodation availability and the time needed to move through the city.

30. Photograph, sketch or simply observe

Return to the same place at a different hour. Sunrise, daytime activity and evening light reveal different aspects of the riverfront.

Architectural details, boats, textiles, food preparation and streetscapes all offer subjects. Ask before making close portraits and follow restrictions at temples, museums and private premises. Keep funeral activity outside your photography plans.

Leave an unscheduled evening for tea, conversation or a walk near your accommodation. This also gives you flexibility if weather or crowds disrupt an earlier plan.

Add a day trip if you have more time

These outings extend beyond Varanasi and are best planned separately from a packed city day.

Waterfalls are seasonal outdoor destinations, not guaranteed swimming spots. Keep to permitted areas and avoid slippery edges and unsafe water.

Choose experiences by area

Grouping nearby places reduces unnecessary travel. These are planning clusters, not routes to complete in full.

How many days should you spend in Banaras?

One day: Choose a riverfront morning, an old-city or temple visit, local food and evening aarti. Keep enough flexibility for queues.

Two days: Spend one day around the old city and central ghats. Use the other for Assi, selected southern temples and BHU, or give half a day to Sarnath.

Three days: Add Sarnath, a museum and time for shopping or a craft visit. Keep one evening available for music.

Four or more days: Explore Ramnagar, arrange specialist experiences or take a separate day trip.

These are suggested ways to divide your time, not promises that every stop will fit. Your pace, interests, transport and the season will decide how much is comfortable.

Practical tips for planning your visit

October to March is generally the more comfortable period for walking and outdoor exploration. Winter mornings can be foggy; summer calls for early starts and afternoon breaks. During monsoon or high river levels, confirm ghat access and boat operations before setting out.

Choose accommodation by checking the actual walking route from the nearest vehicle drop-off. A place described as being near a ghat may involve lanes and stairs with luggage.

Carry water, wear comfortable footwear and leave time between activities. For older visitors, young children and anyone with limited mobility, confirm access to the specific entrance, boarding point or viewing area rather than assuming an entire neighbourhood is accessible.

Many riverfront walks and market visits can be inexpensive. Budget separately for boats, guides, museum entry, workshops, transport and significant shopping. Confirm total prices and inclusions before booking.

Before leaving for a particular experience, check its current opening day, entry rules and availability. Banaras rewards a flexible plan: a few well-chosen activities each day, with enough time to notice what lies between them.