Have you always dreamed of exploring India but didn’t know where to start? From great classics to hidden treasures, discover our selection of the most beautiful places to visit in India.
Summary of Beautiful Places to Visit in India
- The Taj Mahal
- The Golden Temple
- New Delhi
- Ajanta Caves
- The Ruins of Hampi
- Mehrangarh Fort
- Mysore Palace
- The Ganges
- Chilika Lake
- Pondicherry
- The beaches of Goa
- Dudhsagar Waterfall
- Jim Corbett National Park
- The Ladakh & Srinagar Region
- Kerala Backwater
- The Thar Desert
- Tawang Monastery
- Darjeeling
- Bandipur National Park
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Taj Mahal is one of the Beautiful Places to Visit in India
With its immaculate white facades, Mughal architectural style, and cross-shaped canals surrounded by lush green gardens, the Taj Mahal is one of the most enchanting places in all of India and counts as Beautiful Places to Visit in India.
This white marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan to honor the memory of his third wife. The most famous and most visited monument in the country, it is located in the heart of the city of Agra, in northern India. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. In a word: it is essential during your trip to Indian territory.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
Located in Amritsar, in the northwest of India, the Golden Temple is the holiest of all the Sikh shrines in the territory. It is a must if you want to visit India. The building is covered in fine gold and sits in the middle of the Nectar Basin: as sacred as it is majestic, the temple is a true symbol of openness to others, whatever their origins and beliefs. Don’t forget to wash your feet and cover your head before entering.
New Delhi
The capital of India, nestled in the north of the country, is full of historical, cultural and architectural treasures that should not be missed under any circumstances. Its heritage is a unique blend between the pure tradition of the Indian empire and modern international influences. To visit India in an authentic way, a stopover in New Delhi is ideal. Discover the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Lotus Temple and Gandhi Memorial. Fascinating and eclectic, New Delhi is a city that will not leave you indifferent!
Ajanta Caves Temples
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ajanta Caves form a group of 29 troglodyte Buddhist temples and monasteries. Carved into basalt cliffs, they once served as a refuge and place of prayer for monks. The interior is a true homage to Buddha: you can admire sculptures, frescoes and engravings representing him, some of which date from the year 200 BC.
The Runes of Hampi
If you want to learn more about the Hindu empire and religion, head to the village of Hampi, in the heart of the Tungabhadra Valley. All around the city, you can admire the ruins of Vijayanagara, a group of remarkable monuments looted and abandoned in 1565: the Royal Lotus, the Queen’s bath and the temples of Virupaksha, Vittala and Achyutaraya. To complete your visit, climb the six hundred steps of Mount Anjaneya which will take you to the temple of Hanuman, a place of pilgrimage where the monkey god of the same name is said to have been born.
The Mehrangah Fort Jodhpur
Perched at an altitude of one hundred and twenty-two meters, Mehrangarh Fort overlooks the city of Jodhpur, in northwest India. This fortress, whose construction dates back to 1459, is one of the most imposing in the country. Surrounded by ramparts, from which you will have a splendid and breathtaking view of Jodhpur, the fort houses several palaces as well as courtyards, gardens and galleries. There is also a museum, where costumes, decorative works of art, paintings, musical instruments and armor are on display.
The Mysore Palace
Built in the city of the same name, the Mysore Palace is the second most visited in India. Dating from the 14th century, it is both the royal residence where the Wodeyar dynasty resides and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The building, made of granite, stone and marble, houses a dozen Hindu temples as well as numerous rooms with heterogeneous architecture of Indo-Muslim and neo-Gothic influences. If you’re wondering what to do in India, Mysore Palace is a great place to start.
The Ganga River & Varanasi
What to do in India to get off the beaten track and crowded cities? The answer is simple: go and recharge your batteries on the banks of the Ganges. Considered the holiest of the seven sacred rivers of India, this river crosses the north of the country and extends for more than three thousand kilometers. Symbol of the ultimate truth among Hindus, you will be able to admire the beauty and particular biodiversity of the Ganges without ever getting tired of it.
The Chilka Lake Odisha
Separated from the Bay of Bengal by an immense sandy beach sixty kilometers long, Chilika Lake impresses as much by its beauty as by its grandeur. A true lakeside paradise with unspoilt tranquility, you can spot pink flamingos, kingfishers and Irrawaddy dolphins. Highly protected, it is one of the sites recognized by the Ramsar convention: wetlands of international importance for the preservation of the natural habitat of birds.
Pondicherry
A former French colony, Pondicherry, a coastal city in southeast India, is today prosperous thanks to its port activities and its cotton and silk factories. Everywhere in the city, you will feel the mix between French and Tamil cultures: way of life, local customs, artistic scene, culinary traditions… Enjoy a pain au chocolat while admiring the colorful facades of a Hindu temple. Share a game of chess with locals. Smell Indian spices while strolling through alleys with French names. Only in Pondicherry can you do all this!
The Beaches of Goa
Turquoise and crystal clear waters, long stretches of golden sand lined with palm trees, small colorful bars and restaurants, sunsets over the sea, shows by jugglers and drum players: this is what awaits you on the sublime beaches of Goa. Lively and authentic, they stretch over the entire length of the province, in the southwest of India. Depending on your mood, you can practice yoga or meditate, drink a cocktail and party, or simply relax and enjoy the sun.
Dudhsagar Waterfall
More than 300 meters high, the Dudhsagar waterfall is one of the largest and most impressive in India. Located on the Mandovi River, in the heart of the Mollem National Park, it demarcates the border between the provinces of Goa and Karnataka, in the southwest of the country. Split into 4 waterfalls, you can admire this magnificent waterfall after a short, equally surprising walk in the surrounding Indian forest.
Jim Corbett National Park
If you’re looking for an escape from the urban hustle and bustle of Indian cities, head to Jim Corbett National Park, a few hours northeast of New Delhi. Renowned for its exceptional wildlife and its Tiger Project, it was built in 1936 and remains the oldest national park in the country. You will be able to meet many animal species there: tigers, Asian elephants, deer, snakes, flying foxes, birds…
The Ladakh & Srinagar Region
Located in the far north of India, the Ladakh region is a land of contrasts, between high plateaus and snow-capped peaks. It is one of the most beautiful regions to visit in India. During your stay, don’t miss the sumptuous Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar, the Hemis National Park, the Thiksey Monastery in the town of Leh and the breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Nicknamed Little Tibet, this part of India offers many mountain paths and trails, perfect for hiking and trekking.
Kerala Backwater
Often called God’s own country, the state of Kerala has a network of canals unique in the world: over the nine hundred kilometers that this territory occupies, countless lagoons, bridges, rivers, dikes and small lakes cross and tangle to form backwaters. Navigate these canals and admire the coconut groves, herds of buffalo, rice fields and picturesque villages that line the banks.
The Thar Desert
What to do in India when you are passing through the Rajasthan region, on the Pakistani border? Stop in the Thar Desert, of course! With more than eighty inhabitants per square kilometer, it is the most densely populated desert in the world. Sometimes called the Great Indian Desert, you can spot antelopes, desert foxes and gazelles. Let your gaze wander to the horizon and take the opportunity to visit the magnificent golden city of Jaisalmer, to the far west of the desert.
Tawang Monastery
Having once belonged to Tibet, the town of Tawang has retained much of the heritage and traditions acquired until its annexation to India in 1914. Among them is the Buddhist monastery of Tawang, the largest in the entire country . More than three hundred monks live there as a community and take care of this sacred place with its stunning architecture on a daily basis. If there was only one monastery to visit in India, it would undoubtedly be this one.
Darjeeling
With its famous tea, its Tibetan medicine training institute and its picturesque views of the high peaks that surround it, Darjeeling exudes the authenticity and Buddhist hospitality of India. Perched in the far north of the country, between Nepal and Bhutan, it is an ideal compromise between city spirit and natural landscapes.
Bandipura National Park
This immense nature reserve, located in the southwest of India, borders the Mudumalai and Nagarhole national parks. In the middle of sparse forests and green expanses, go and meet the elephants, mongooses, tigers and other wild bulls that inhabit this protected place. Since 2013, Bandipur National Park has been one of the Important Bird Areas in India.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Isolated off the east coast of India, on the boundary between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, the Andaman Islands are a jewel of India’s natural heritage. An eclectic archipelago, you will find dense tropical forests and mangroves, crystal clear waters ideal for snorkeling and diving, lively and hospitable towns as well as endless white sand beaches. They are the ideal place if you want to visit India off the beaten track.
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