Is Varanasi Worth Visiting? 10+ Reasons I Say YES

Is Varanasi worth visiting?

If you’re asking yourself that, you’re not alone. Many travellers are curious but cautious about what India’s holiest city really has to offer.

With stories of chaos, cremations, and spiritual intensity, it’s unlike anywhere else.

I felt the same before my visit. But after exploring 60+ countries (and after visiting India multiple times), Varanasi has completely stolen my heart.

From sunrise boat rides on the Ganges to the hypnotic Aarti ceremonies and the raw beauty of the cremation rituals, this city gave me some of the most unforgettable moments of my entire trip.

Even though it was one of the busiest cities I visited in India, it was also one of the most magical and spiritual places I’ve ever been.

I left Varanasi with a feeling that I can’t quite describe, and I 100% believe it is a must-see and should be added to your India itinerary

If you’re someone who craves deep culture, spiritual experiences, and vivid photography opportunities, this guide will show you exactly why Varanasi deserves a spot on your itinerary.

A riverside scene in Varanasi, India, shows crowded ghats with people, historic temples, and boats drifting on the Ganges at dusk. Smoke rises from cremation sites—an atmosphere that makes you wonder: Is Varanasi worth visiting?.

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My India Travel Essentials

🛏️Accommodation: Make sure to check out different sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com to book your accommodation! If you’re on a budget, then make sure to check out Hostelworld.
🎟️Activities: I always book my tours through Get Your Guide and Viator, so make sure to check them out as I’m sure they’ll have the perfect tour for you.
🚗Transport: Book trains and buses around India on 12goAsia.
🦋Insurance: Make sure you’re covered against any incidents during your trip. I’ve used SafetyWing multiple times and I can’t recommend them enough! (The payouts are super quick).
📱Download an eSIM: Avoid roaming fees, and have peace of mind that you have internet access when WiFi isn’t available…I recommended downloading SIMs from either Airalo or Sim Local.

My Personal Experience in Varanasi

When I first arrived in Varanasi, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Most people told me it was the worst place to start my backpacking trip in India because it’s the ultimate culture shock, but that’s exactly what I wanted and exactly what I got.

I’ve travelled through 60+ countries and over 6 cities in India, but Varanasi left a unique mark on my heart.

It challenged me, overwhelmed me, and in the end, absolutely captivated me.

This blog isn’t just a list of why I think you should visit Varanasi. It’s a reflection of what I personally experienced, loved, and learned during my time in India’s holiest city.

10 Reasons Why Varanasi Is Worth Visiting

1: It’s the Holiest City in India

Varanasi is the spiritual heart of Hinduism, and it is believed to have been founded by Lord Shiva himself.

It’s one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, with millions of Hindus visiting each year to bathe in the sacred Ganges River and perform rituals that bring them closer to Moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).

I can confirm that even witnessing this energy as a visitor is so powerful, whether it’s watching sunrise prayers at the ghats or respectfully observing the cremation rituals.

💡 Tip: Stay somewhere with easy access to the ghats, like Ganpati Guest House or Moustache Varanasi, if you are travelling solo.

A group of men in traditional attire walk down a busy street in Varanasi, with smoke rising from a vessel, surrounded by parked motorcycles and colorful shops—offering a glimpse into why many wonder: Is Varanasi worth visiting?.

2: It’s the Ultimate Culture Shock (In the Best Way)

Varanasi was the first city I ever visited in India, and I’ll be honest, it was a complete shock to the system.

The chaos, the honking tuk-tuks, the smoky air, the sheer volume of people… it was intense, but it was also exactly the reason why I came.

I wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone and thrown into the deep end, and Varanasi gave me everything I wanted and more.

I genuinely got everything, from seeing magical religious ceremonies I will never see anywhere else, to walking past human faeces on the streets and everything in between.

If you’re the kind of traveller who wants to see the reality of a place and not polished tourist traps, then Varanasi is going to give you what you need.

In fact, after 2 days in Varanasi, every city I visited in India after this one felt easy by comparison.

People stand and walk along the ghats of the Ganges River in Varanasi, India—an essential stop on any 2-Week North India Itinerary—with colorful boats docked and historic buildings lining the water under a clear sky.

A mural on a concrete wall depicts three figures: a bearded man in dark clothing, a blue-skinned figure with traditional Indian adornments, and an elderly man in a turban—perfect inspiration for your 2-Week North India Itinerary.

3: Witness Open-Air Cremations on the Ganges

One of the most impactful things I saw in Varanasi was the open-air cremations at Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats.

They happen around the clock and are a central part of Hindu death rituals. This is a deeply personal, spiritual ceremony that you observe quietly and respectfully from a distance.

Of course, this is something we tourists want to see, but you also have to remember its real families dealing with real deaths, so you must be as respectful as possible, and do not take close-up photos.

When I visited both at dusk and sunset, the atmosphere was unlike anywhere else. There was smoke flowing into the sky, families gathered, and sombre music being blasted from speakers

It was intense, and it instantly gave me goosebumps, but it was genuinely beautiful to watch and helped me understand just how much faith and tradition shape life (and death) here.

💡 Tip: I spoke with a local guide near Manikarnika Ghat who explained step-by-step the ceremony I was witnessing. They usually just ask for a small tip, and it’s worth it for the insight.

A crowded cremation ghat by the river in Varanasi at dusk, with burning funeral pyres and people gathered—an unforgettable sight often featured on a 2-Week North India Itinerary—smoke rising as historic temples silhouette against a deepening blue sky.

4: Take a Sunrise Boat Cruise on the Ganges

If there’s one thing I’d tell anyone visiting Varanasi to do, it’s to take a sunrise boat cruise along the Ganges.

It’s one of the few moments in the city that feels truly quiet. Watching the sun rise over the water as the city slowly wakes up is a beautiful contrast to the chaos that follows later in the day.

As you glide past the ghats, you’ll see locals bathing, priests performing morning rituals, and seagulls flying around everywhere. It’s such a peaceful experience and honestly one of my favourite memories from India.

My Top Pick Tour

Sunrise Boat Tour On The Ganges

Price: $30
Rating: 5/5
Duration: 2 hours
Includes: Sunrise boat tour, Morning Arti Ceremony, Ritual of Havan

Check out the tour

A smiling woman with curly hair sits in front of colorful boats on a river in India—an inspiring scene for your 2-Week North India Itinerary—with temples, flags, and a flying bird in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A person rows a small blue boat on a calm, wide river under a pale sky, with distant boats on the horizon—a tranquil scene reminiscent of peaceful moments from a 2-Week North India Itinerary.

5: Explore Varanasi’s Ancient Ghats

Varanasi is home to over 80 ghats, which are stone steps leading down to the river, each with its own history, purpose, and rituals.

Some are used for daily bathing and pujas (prayers), others for cremations, and some are simply where people gather to sit, talk, and drink chai.

Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most famous, where the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony takes place, but don’t skip others like Assi Ghat or Scindia Ghat, which feel more local and peaceful.

I spent hours just walking from one to the next, people-watching, taking photos, and chatting with locals.

Each ghat had its own atmosphere, but all of them were interesting in their own way

💡 Tip: If you’re into photography or just love to wander, give yourself plenty of time to explore on foot or by boat. No two ghats are the same.

People gather on the stone steps of a ghat by a river in Varanasi, India—some washing clothes, others chatting—set against colorful buildings, a large tree, and a mural. Scenes like this answer the question: Is Varanasi worth visiting? Absolutely.

Seagulls fly and float on a calm body of water at dawn, with soft clouds and a pastel sky above—much like the serene mornings you might enjoy on your 2-Week North India Itinerary. A small boat is visible in the gentle morning haze.

6: Spotting an Aghori Sadhu in Varanasi

While walking through the ghats or alleyways in Varanasi, you might come across an Aghori sadhu, who are a rare and often misunderstood sect of ascetics who follow Lord Shiva.

Aghoris are known for their extreme spiritual practices, including meditating near cremation grounds and covering themselves in ash from cremated bodies.

These rituals are meant to symbolise detachment from the material world and confront the reality of life and death head-on.

I only saw a couple during my time in Varanasi, and while it’s tempting to take photos, it’s important to be respectful.

These aren’t tourist attractions, so if you want a photo, make sure to ask.

Although it can apparently be bad luck to look into the eye of an Aghori, so do so at your own risk.

7: It’s The Best Place To Watch A Ganga Arti

The Ganga Aarti ceremony in Varanasi is one of the most visually stunning rituals I’ve ever witnessed.

An Arti ceremony is a ritual of light, a prayer of gratitude to God to remove evil. It involves waving lit wicks in front of sacred images to fill the flames with divine blessings. Sadhus (Hindu monks) and pujaris (temple attendants) perform this ritual.

It takes place every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat, where priests perform a choreographed ritual with fire, incense, bells, and chanting to honour the River Ganges.

I’d seen Aartis in Rishikesh and Pushkar before, but this one truly stood out. The scale, energy, and crowd participation made it feel electric.

💡 Tip: Get there at least 45 minutes early to grab a good spot, or book a sunset boat tour with Ganga Aarti to see it from the water.

Three people in traditional attire perform a ritual with incense on a decorated riverside platform at night, surrounded by bright yellow lights, smoke, and glowing umbrellas—scenes like this show why many ask: Is Varanasi worth visiting?.

8: The City Is Full of Colour and Everyday Life

What stood out to me most about Varanasi wasn’t just the temples or rituals; it was all the everyday moments happening all around me.

The city is undeniably colourful, and you’ll see bright saris drying on the steps, walls painted in faded signs, locals going about their routines and pilgrims bathing in the Ganges.

I could have honestly lost hours here just people watching and taking it all in, and I constantly dream of coming back here mainly for this reason.

Boats with people float on the Ganges River near the crowded ghats of Varanasi, India—an essential stop on any 2-Week North India Itinerary—with historic buildings and temples lining the misty riverbank in the background.

9: It’s Ideal for Street and Documentary Photography

If you’re into photography, Varanasi gives you a lot to work with.

There’s always something happening with people bathing in the Ganges, priests performing rituals, locals going about their day in narrow alleys or crowded markets.

I found the city especially good for candid, documentary-style shots. You won’t get clean compositions or perfect light every time, but what you will get is reality in every photo (which are my favourite kind of photos to take).

If I wanted to shoot a specific person, I made sure I always asked permission before doing so, and people were also surprisingly happy to have their photo taken (especially when I showed them the photo afterwards).

A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a checked shirt and a colorful scarf draped over his head and shoulders, leans on a wooden railing by the water under a clear sky—capturing the tranquil charm that makes Varanasi worth visiting.

10: The Street Food Here Is Worth Trying (With Caution)

Some of the best food I ate in Varanasi came from small, unmarked shops and roadside stalls.

It wasn’t fancy food, but it was super tasty and made in front of me (which is something I always look for when deciding whether to try street food).

I know a lot of people avoid street food in India, and I get it. But if you stick to stalls that are busy with locals and where food is cooked hot on the spot, you’ll likely be fine.

I had great experiences trying chaat, samosas, and lots more from street vendors near the main city.

💡 Tip: Not sure where to start? Book a Varanasi food tour with a local guide. It’s a safer (and way more fun) way to explore the city’s best eats.

A busy street food stall with a vendor serving various dishes to a crowd outside "Vintage House" in an urban market at night—an authentic scene that makes you wonder, is Varanasi worth visiting for its vibrant nightlife and street food?.

11: You can try a Bhang Lassi (At Your Own Risk)

Bhang Lassi is a traditional drink made with cannabis-infused milk or yogurt, and in Varanasi, it’s sold legally at government-authorised shops.

It’s often described as part of religious and spiritual practice, particularly linked to followers of Lord Shiva, but for travellers (including myself), it’s more of a curiosity.

I tried one during my visit, and to be honest, I underestimated how strong it would be. It hit much harder than expected, and I had one of the worst nights of my life.

I also thought I was being cautious and sensible by having 1/3 of a drink, turns out it was still strong as hell. Can you imagine if I had the whole thing to myself?

If you do want to try it, make sure to ask for a light dose and make sure you don’t have anything planned for the rest of the day.

Two tall glasses filled with a thick green smoothie sit on a yellow table. A person in dark clothing is seated behind the glasses, resting their arm on the table.

Conclusion – Is Varanasi Worth Visiting?

Yes, 100%. Varanasi is unlike anywhere else I’ve travelled.

It’s not an easy city, and it won’t be for everyone. But if you’re looking for meaningful experiences and a chance to see India at its most raw and spiritual, Varanasi is worth it.

From the rituals on the Ganges to the colourful chaos of the streets, this city challenged me in the best ways and it’s one of the few places I’ve visited that truly stayed with me long after I left.

A man with a long beard wearing an orange turban, traditional jewelry, and face markings holds a small hand drum. He stands against a plain tiled wall, capturing the vibrant spirit that makes you wonder: Is Varanasi worth visiting?.

A busy riverside scene at a ghat in Varanasi, India, with people gathered on the steps and boats on the water—scenes like these answer the question: Is Varanasi worth visiting? The colorful buildings and temples under a partly cloudy sky say yes.

If you found this post helpful, make sure to check out some of my related guides below. Whether you’re trying to figure out choosing your first stop, or looking for reassurance about safety, I’ve got you covered: