Things to Do in Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh: Experiences Worth Planning Around

The experiences most worth planning around in Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh are a sunrise boat on the Ganga, the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, the old city lanes, Sarnath, Lucknow's Awadhi food and monuments, and Agra's Taj Mahal. With a week, spend three nights in Varanasi, two in Lucknow and add Agra if you can.

Uttar Pradesh is India's spiritual and historical heartland. This guide groups 17 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Uttar Pradesh itinerary and cost guide.

At a glance

Varanasi

1. A sunrise boat on the Ganga. The ghats waking up, with prayers, bathing and morning light.

2. The evening Ganga aarti. Lamps, chants and bells at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

3. The old city lanes. Kashi Vishwanath, small shrines and sweet shops with a guide.

4. A walk along the ghats. From Assi to Manikarnika, best in the early morning.

5. Banarasi weaving. See silk saris woven on handlooms.

6. Ramnagar Fort. The Maharaja's fort and museum across the river.

Sarnath

7. Dhamek Stupa and the museum. Where the Buddha first taught, with the Lion Capital in the museum.

8. Temples of the Buddhist world. Thai, Japanese, Tibetan and Sri Lankan temples nearby.

Lucknow

9. Bara Imambara and the Bhool Bhulaiya. A vast hall and a maze of passages.

10. The Residency. Ruins from 1857 in quiet gardens.

11. An Awadhi food walk. Kebabs, biryani, kulfi and chaat in Chowk and Aminabad.

12. Chikankari. Watch the delicate embroidery being made.

Beyond

13. Ayodhya. A major pilgrimage town on the Sarayu.

14. Prayagraj and the Sangam. The confluence of rivers, especially during the melas.

15. Agra and the Taj Mahal. The Mughal masterpiece, with Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

16. Mathura and Vrindavan. Krishna's birthplace and temple towns, colourful at Holi.

17. Dudhwa National Park. Tigers, swamp deer and birds near the Nepal border.

Understanding the ghats

Varanasi has more than eighty ghats. Dashashwamedh is the busiest, with the main aarti; Assi has a morning aarti and cafés; Manikarnika and Harishchandra are cremation ghats, where photography is not appropriate. A guide helps explain the rituals respectfully.

Music and culture

Varanasi has a strong tradition of Hindustani classical music. Small concerts take place in the old city, and festivals such as the Dhrupad Mela draw musicians. Ask your hotel about performances during your stay.

Food experiences

Varanasi's kachori-sabzi, malaiyyo in winter, lassi and Banarasi paan, and Lucknow's kebabs, biryani and sheermal are highlights. Vegetarian and Jain food is easy in Varanasi.

Festivals

Dev Deepawali in November lights the ghats with lamps. Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan, the Magh Mela at Prayagraj and Diwali in Ayodhya draw large crowds.

When to go

October to March is most comfortable, with fog on some winter mornings. April to June is very hot.

In the monsoon

The river rises, some ghats flood and boat rides may stop. Museums, temples and food walks continue.

What you can safely skip

You do not need to see every ghat and temple. A sunrise boat, one aarti and a guided walk give a rich picture.

Getting between experiences

Trains link Varanasi, Lucknow, Prayagraj and Agra. In Varanasi, walk or use e-rickshaws.

Shopping

Banarasi silk, Lucknow chikankari, Agra marble inlay and Varanasi's wooden toys are popular. Buy from trusted weavers and emporiums.

Free and low-cost experiences

Walking the ghats, watching the aarti from the steps and exploring the lanes cost nothing.

Photography etiquette

Do not photograph cremations, ask before photographing people and respect temple rules.

The Buddhist circuit

Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti, with Bodh Gaya in Bihar, form the Buddhist circuit. Allow several days.

Staying comfortable

Keep valuables secure in crowds, drink bottled water and avoid touts offering guided tours.

Prayagraj and the Sangam

At Prayagraj, the Ganga and Yamuna meet the mythical Saraswati at the Sangam. Boats take visitors to the confluence for a holy dip or simply to watch. The Magh Mela each winter and the Kumbh Mela every twelve years draw enormous crowds. The Anand Bhawan museum tells the story of the Nehru family and the freedom movement.

Ayodhya

Ayodhya, on the banks of the Sarayu, is one of Hinduism's holiest towns. Pilgrims visit its temples and ghats, and Deepotsav at Diwali lights the riverfront with lamps. It has an airport and trains, and is about four to five hours from Varanasi or two to three from Lucknow.

Mathura and Vrindavan

Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, and Vrindavan, where he spent his childhood, are full of temples, ashrams and devotional music. Holi here, especially the Lathmar Holi in Barsana, is famous and crowded. Both are about an hour from Agra.

Experiencing the aarti

The evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is performed by young priests with large brass lamps, conch shells and chants, as bells ring along the river. Arrive about half an hour early for a good spot on the steps, or watch from a boat on the water. The morning aarti at Assi Ghat is smaller and calmer, often accompanied by music and yoga. Both are free to watch.

More of Lucknow

Lucknow, the capital of the old Nawabs of Awadh, rewards a slow pace. Beyond the Bara Imambara and the Residency, the Chota Imambara's chandeliers, the Rumi Darwaza gateway and the clock tower make an easy heritage walk. Hazratganj is good for shopping and evening strolls. Lucknow's food culture is the main draw for many travellers, so plan at least one guided food walk.

Adding Agra

Agra is about four to five hours from Lucknow by expressway, or a short flight or overnight train from Varanasi. Combining the Taj Mahal with Varanasi and Lucknow creates a rich North Indian trip, and the Golden Triangle can follow. Plan the Taj for sunrise and avoid Fridays, when it is closed.

How to choose

Our Enchanted Heritage: Lucknow and Varanasi and Sacred Sands and Spiritual Cities show two approaches.

For families and parents

Choose hotels with vehicle access and plan boat transfers for parents, as the ghat steps are steep.

For couples

Couples often favour a riverside heritage hotel and a private sunrise boat.

Practical tips

Dress modestly, carry ID for temple security and leave phones where required. Read our planning guide for more.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Varanasi?

A sunrise boat ride along the ghats, followed by the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Both are the heart of a Varanasi visit.

Which experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy boat rides, the aarti's lamps and music, Sarnath's museum and Lucknow's food. Keep crowded lanes and festival days for older children.

Is Sarnath worth a visit?

Yes. Where the Buddha gave his first sermon, Sarnath has the Dhamek Stupa, temples and an excellent museum, about 30 minutes from Varanasi.

How many days do I need?

Three nights in Varanasi with Sarnath, and two in Lucknow, make a good week. Add Agra or Prayagraj for longer trips.