blog cover

Travel

Experience The Incredible India - 15 Best Tourist Places in India To Explore Before You Die

By Sanjay Gouda

Updated - May 9, 202413 min read

Download App

Whether it be the history, beauty, culture, food, diversity or anything else, India simply can't be defined by one. India is a buffet of all of these places together existing in harmony. There may be many best places to visit in India but not all tops the chart for being the best tourist places in India. There's always one best of everything that beats the existence of another by miles. And we have covered those miles by curating a 15 of the best places that capture the diverse charm of the country and secured an appellation of India's best destinations that definitely top the list of the best places to visit in India. Let's Explore!

 

1. Undisturbed Wonders Of Nature: Spiti Valley

No surprises here! Known for its mystical topographymonasteriestrekking routessemi-frozen rivers and lakes, Spiti Valley is a charming and quaint place. Owing to all these things, Spiti has become a popular destination for nature-buffs, photographers, and adventure enthusiasts. The best time to explore Spiti valley is during summer months of May and June, as they are ideal for sightseeing and adventure activities.

Lahaul_Valley

Image Credit: BestEscape


Where: Himachal Pradesh

 

2. Best Caves: AJANTA AND ELLORA CAVES

The Ajanta and Ellora caves in India are astonishingly hand-carved into hillside rock in the middle of nowhere. They are considered to be one of the most important tourist destinations in the world owing to the magnificent paintings. This one of the best places to visit in India spells magic with it's their art and legends and the grandeur of the place evokes a true sense of wonder in every visitor who is lucky to visit the place made up of entirely more than 30 caves together.

best-tourist-places-india_-_AJANTA_AND_ELLORA_CAVES

Image Credit: Mouth Shut


Where: Aurangabad district of Maharashtra

 

 

3. Best In Architecture: HAMPI

Ruins of the Vijaynagar Empire gave birth to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi. The ruins of Hampi are listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. The Vithala temple complex has 56 musical pillars, which are constructed such that when stuck, each one emits a unique musical tone. A true marvel of archaeology and science in synchronizing in such beautiful harmony. The Virupaksha temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi which has three towers, which rise to a height of 160 feet and are nine-tiered. They date back to the first half of the fifteenth century which make them not only the most secluded and grand ruins of India but also one of the best tourist places in India.

best-tourist-places-india_-_HAMPI

Image Credit: Wikimedia


Where: Karnataka, on the south bank of the River Tungabhadra

 

4. Best Gardens: SHALIMAR GARDENS

The Mughal Garden in Srinagar right on the banks of Dal lake is the largest Mughal garden in Kashmir valley built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in the year 1619 AD for his wife Empress Nur Jahan and has an unmatched beauty to any other garden you would visit in the whole country. This abode of love is an outstanding example of Mughals in the field of Horticulture. The place covers an enormous area of 31 Acres and is an excellent example of the Mughal architecture as well. The garden is breathtakingly beautiful and you could easily sit there all day. For all scenic beauty lovers, Kashmir is a paradise, and definitely one of the best tourist places in India that you need to visit at least once.

best-tourist-places-india_-_SHALIMAR_GARDENS

Image Credit: Voyage


Where: Srinagar, Kashmir

 

5. Best National Park: KANHA TIGER RESERVE

India has so many national parks enriching and highlighting the wildlife of the country, but nothing beats the fauna of Madhya Pradesh and one such national park of Madhya Pradesh is the Kanha Tiger Reserve which makes it one of the best places in India to enjoy wildlife. Madhya Pradesh is the perfect jungle getaway for every nature lover. The jungles of Madhya Pradesh stand out because of their large sizes, research institutions, conservation programs, numerous activities and the huge quantity of wildlife found at the place. Jungle safaris there is an absolute thrill.

best-tourist-places-india_-_KANHA_TIGER_RESERVE

Image Credit: Deccan Herald


Where: Kanha, Madhya Pradesh

 

 

6. Best Street Shopping Market: DELHI

Choosing this was definitely hard. It could have been the Arpora Saturday Night market in Goa or Baapu Bazaar in Jaipur, but nothing still could beat the charm of places such as Sarojini Nagar, Janpath and Lajpat Nagar in Delhi. We know you all love it and you are never going to stop taking full advantage of these places. Custom rejected high-end brands are sold in these market at just a meager price of Rs. 250 to 300. All you need is the patience and time to explore the markets for the best stuff. Whether it be apparels, jewelry, footwear, sunglasses, bags, home decoration stuff blah blah. Just don't forget to bargain!

best-tourist-places-india_-_DELHI

Image Credit: World Travel Guide


Where: Sarojini Nagar, Janpath, Lajpat Nagar -Delhi

 

7. Best Lake: JAMMU AND KASHMIR

No wonder, Kashmir is called the paradise on Earth. The place has such important and serene destinations which once you visit, won't be able to take away from your mind. They leave such a strong impression on your mind that stays forever. The Dal Lake in Srinagar is for sure is a Jewel in the crown of Kashmir. Another beauty is Ladakh's Pangong Lake. These blue water bodies surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains sure one of the top places to visit in India. It's one India destination you should not miss. The Dal lake even has a market in itself. You'll find various flowers, fruits and spice sellers on a boat in the middle of the lake. Another beauty of the paradise on Earth making its place in this best tourist places in India list.

best-tourist-places-india_-_JAMMU_AND_KASHMIR

Image Credit: Outlook India


Where: Dal Lake in Srinagar, Pangong Lake in Ladakh

 

8. Best Beaches: Goa

No surprises here indeed! No beaches in Goa are more hyped, full of energy, pumping and vibing than those in Goa One of the top tourist India destinations, Goa is amazing beautiful beaches which give you the opportunity of doing more than just sitting in the sand or swimming in the seawater. There are shacks, pubs, beach bars, adventure sports, seafood, karaoke, music concerts, flea markets, right there on the beach making it the best of the destinations to visit in India. And if you want quiet and peace, there are beaches for that too making them one of the best places to visit in India.

best-tourist-places-india_-_Goa

Image Credit: Lonely Planet Images


Where: Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Candolim, Palolem, Colva, Chapora etc.

 

9. Best Food Walk: Chandni Chowk-Delhi

No food walks are as famous as those of Delhi! The Delhi Food walks are rightly famous all over India. If you are a crazy food lover, and not that of the high-end 5-stars but the local street food and quirky and weird varieties at every nook and corner, then Delhi is the right place for you. Street food tours and sightseeing go hand in and when you are in Delhi. You can't just miss it. Whether it be Chole Bhature at Sitaram, Parantha in Old Delhi, Momos from Dolma Aunty, Chicken tandoori at Karems or Maggie at North University, you got to have it all!

best-tourist-places-india_-_Chandni_Chowk-Delhi

Image Credit: Holidify


Where: Old Delhi, Connaught Place, North University, Lajpat, Gk, Delhi Hatt etc.

 

10. Best Waterbodies: KERALA

No surprises here too! We all have had the dream of visiting the backwaters of Kerala and stay in the Shikara houseboats. Just imagine the peace and calm spending a day on the houseboat could give. It could as well be called the most relaxing destination in India. A houseboat along the palm-fringed Kerala backwaters with the lush green landscape, diverse wildlife, and houses and villages that line the backwaters make for a hell of a journey. These calm and peaceful waterbodies are a must for any traveler to experience once in their life if they are embarking on the journey to the best tourist places in India. 

best-tourist-places-india_-_KERALA

Image Credit: Spirit Journeys Worldwide


Where: Alleppey backwaters - It is a network of 1500 km of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. 

 

 

11. Best Patriotic Vibe: WAGAH BORDER

If you have been to the Wagah Border, you know what I'm talking about! The Wagah Border is one place where your goosebumps get goosebumps (LITERALLY!). A ceremony is performed every evening where gates from both the sides i.e. India and Pakistan is opened and a border ceremony is performed. Anyone from the viewers can participate in holding the Indian flag and running across the path. The chanting of Jai Hind and Vande Mataram is sure to bring you on the edge of your emotions and make a new kind of feeling run all inside you that you never knew existed!

best-tourist-places-india_-_WAGAH_BORDER

Image Credit: Trip Savvy


Where: Border crossing station, Amritsar, Punjab, and Lahore, Pakistan

 

12. Best Spiritual Vibe: VARANASI 

One of the top spiritual places in India, Varanasi is a city like no other. We are sure that you wouldn't find any place like this anywhere in the world. One attendance to the evening aarti on the banks of Ganga river and you'll go into such a quiet zone of peace and calm that you won't know what just took over you. This mystical holy city openly reveals its rituals along the many riverside ghats, which are used for everything from bathing to cremation. Although quite dirty, but the place is holy and an insight into the traditions of India making it one of the best places to visit in India. 

best-tourist-places-india_-_VARANASI

Image Credit: Wordpress


Where: Banks of Ganga River, Uttar Pradesh

 

13. Best Royal Splendor: RAJASTHAN

Nothing speaks royalty and regal splendor more than the state of Rajasthan in India. The state is not only rich in culture but also so colorful and so royal that you'll be awe-struck by all the grandeur. This is one of the must-visit tourist places in India. This Indian destination speaks volumes about the rich past of our land and also offers an extraordinary opportunity to take a look into their lives. The place is also one of the top choices for destination weddings in the world which is no surprise seeing it as one of the best tourist places in India.

best-tourist-places-india_-_RAJASTHAN

Image Credit: Goibibo


Where: Udaipur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, etc.

 

14. Best Historical Monuments: DELHI

Delhi which was an important political ruling place even in the previous centuries has in-numerous historical monuments and destinations. Delhi's top attractions feature spellbinding mosques, forts, and monuments left over from the Mughal rulers that once occupied the city. Many of them still unexplored and untouched. Most of these are set in beautifully landscaped gardens that are perfect for relaxing. And the crumbling old city of Old Delhi is a fascinating, albeit chaotic, place to explore.

best-tourist-places-india_-_DELHI

Image Credit: The Isles


Where: Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar, Lotus Temple, Humanyu's Tomb, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Raj Ghat, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi Gate, Iron Pillar, etc.

 

15. Best Place For Adventure Sports: ANDAMAN ISLANDS

If you are an adventure junky and need a place for all that adrenaline to rush to, then the Andaman And Nicobar Islands is the perfect destination. Not just water sports, but air sports and other things too are well done in the place. Popular, a scenic locale with a jetty offering jet skiing, speed boating & other activities make the Andaman Islands a gorgeous and one of the top tourist places to visit in India. Andamans have history, geography, adventure, food, and much more making it one of the best tourist places in India.

best-tourist-places-india_-_ANDAMAN_ISLANDS

Image Credit: The Better India


Sports You Can Enjoy: Scuba Diving, Trekking, Snorkelling, Sea walk, Glass bottom boating, Seaplane ride, Kayaking in Mangroves, Dirt Biking, Parasailing, Go Karting, Jet Skiing, Speed Boating, Banana Boat Riding, Fishing, Swimming with Dolphins, Surfing, etc.

 

Figure out your best of India and pack your bags because life is too short to spend in just one place! Explore all and never stop!


FAQs

Q. Which is the cleanest city of India?
A. 
Indore as according to the 2017 Census. Which is followed by Bhopal, Mysore, and Chandigarh.

 

Q. Which are the major cities in India?
A. Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai. Some 108 million people live in India's largest cities

 

Q. Which are the metro cities in India?
A. India, the Census Commission defines a metropolitan city as one having a population of over four million. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat and Nashik are those Indian cities that have over 4 million people.

 

Q. Which are the best cities in India?
A. As per the most beautiful cities countrywide with stunning urban landscapes, and a thriving cultural scene these are some of the best cities in India - Udaipur, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Mysore, Agra, Kolkata, and Mumbai.