Where to stay in Varanasi — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is the holiest city in Hinduism and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Set on the banks of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, it is defined by the nightly Ganga Aarti fire ceremony, sunrise boat rides past its 84 ghats, and a maze of old-city lanes you can happily get lost in for hours. If you want India at its most intense and spiritual, this is it.
Why stay in Varanasi
The nightly Ganga Aarti
At Dashashwamedh Ghat, priests perform a synchronized fire offering to the river with brass lamps, conch shells, bells, and incense. It starts just after sunset and runs about 45 minutes. It is the most powerful ritual you will see in India.
Sunrise on the Ganges
Set off before dawn and drift past the ghats as the city wakes: bathers, prayers, and morning rituals along the water. It is the quietest and most beautiful hour of the day in Varanasi.
One of the world's oldest cities
Varanasi has been continuously lived in for thousands of years. Its narrow old-city lanes (galis) are packed with temples, shops, cows, and nonstop life. Getting lost here is part of the experience.
Heart of Hindu spirituality
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and draws millions of pilgrims a year. Nearby Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Varanasi
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Assi GhatThe southernmost ghat with a relaxed, traveler-friendly vibe, plenty of cafes, and cleaner, wider lanes than the dense old city. The best all-round base for first-timers and backpackers.
Coming soonDashashwamedh GhatThe intense epicenter, home to the evening Ganga Aarti and close to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Everything is walkable, but expect crowds, noise, and congestion.
Coming soonCantonment (Cantt)A leafy, orderly district with most of the city's luxury hotels and close to Varanasi Cantt railway station. Best for families, older travelers, and anyone prioritizing comfort.
Coming soonGodowlia / Old CityThe tangle of lanes at the heart of the old city, walkable to the main ghats and markets. Lots of budget guesthouses, but no car access, so expect to walk or take a rickshaw.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Varanasi
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
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Local dishes to try in Varanasi
- 1🥟
Kachori Sabzi
The soul of every Varanasi morning: crisp fried lentil-stuffed pastry served hot with a spiced potato curry. The classic local breakfast eaten across the old city.
📍 Banaras breakfast - 2🍅
Tamatar Chaat
A tangy, spicy chaat of mashed tomatoes and potatoes served in a leaf bowl. Almost unique to Varanasi and one snack you really cannot get the same way anywhere else.
📍 Local specialty - 3🥛
Banarasi Lassi
Thick, creamy lassi topped with malai and served in a clay cup. The most famous spot is Blue Lassi Shop in Kachori Gali, with dozens of inventive fruit variations.
📍 In a clay kulhad - 4🍮
Malaiyo
A delicate saffron-scented milk froth dusted with nuts and served in clay cups. It melts instantly in your mouth and is available only in the cold winter months.
📍 Winter only - 5🍃
Banarasi Paan
Betel leaf folded around gulkand, fennel seeds, and a secret house mix. Chewing paan after a meal is a centuries-old local tradition and a symbol of Banaras culture.
📍 After your meal - 6🫓
Litti Chokha
Baked wheat dough balls stuffed with roasted gram flour, served with chokha (mashed roasted eggplant, potato, and tomato) and ghee. A hearty, rustic regional favorite.
📍 Regional staple
- 1🔥
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
The grandest fire ceremony to the Ganges, starting just after sunset. Watch from the ghat steps or hire a boat to view it from the water. Arrive early to claim a good spot.
📍 Every evening - 2🛶
Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
The classic route runs between Assi Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat over 1-2 hours, gliding past riverside life as the city wakes. Always agree on a price with the boatman before boarding.
📍 Early morning - 3🛕
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The city's holiest Shiva temple and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The restored Vishwanath Corridor links it directly to the river. Opens as early as 3 AM for Mangala Aarti.
📍 Jyotirlinga - 4☸️
Sarnath
Where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. Home to the Dhamek Stupa, an Ashokan pillar, and a museum. A calm counterpoint to the intensity of the old city.
📍 10 km away - 5🪔
Manikarnika Ghat
India's holiest and oldest cremation ghat, with funeral fires that have burned for centuries. A raw window into beliefs about death and liberation. Photography is not allowed.
📍 Cremation ghat - 6🏛️
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
A green 1,300-acre campus with the New Vishwanath Temple, the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, and shaded grounds, a peaceful escape from the crowded ghats.
📍 University campus - 7🏰
Ramnagar Fort
An 18th-century red-sandstone Mughal-style fort on the eastern bank, once home to the Maharaja of Kashi. Inside is a museum of vintage cars, palanquins, and royal collectibles.
📍 Riverside fort - 8🇮🇳
Bharat Mata Temple
A temple with no idol but a relief map of undivided India carved from Makrana marble, nearly 10 meters across. Built in 1936 by a freedom fighter as a tribute to the nation.
📍 Map temple
Things to do in Varanasi
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Varanasi — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Varanasi hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2LuxuryBrijRama Palace, Varanasi - By the Ganges
Riverfront heritage palace, legendary service
★ 8.5Upper-midAmritara Suryauday Haveli
Ghat-side heritage boutique, river-view rooftop
★ 8.4Luxuryโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในVaranasi
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Guleria Kothi at Ganges
Riverfront heritage house, walk to Manikarnika
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi
Full-service chain hotel, pool-spa-gym
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Varanasi dates
🚆 Getting around Varanasi
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS)
Varanasi's international airport sits about 26 km from the old city and ghats. Use the prepaid taxi stand outside the terminal or an auto rickshaw; it takes roughly 40-50 minutes to the Cantt area.
Train
Varanasi has three main stations; the largest is Varanasi Junction (Cantt), with connections to Delhi, Agra, and major cities across India. Book tickets in advance via the IRCTC app.
Auto & e-rickshaw
The main way to get around the city: cheap, but always agree on the fare before you set off. Cars cannot enter the old-city lanes, so expect to walk or take an e-rickshaw the last stretch.
Walking the old city
Most ghats and temples sit in narrow lanes closed to vehicles. Strolling along the riverfront from one ghat to the next is easy and by far the best way to experience the city.
Cash & payments
Street-food stalls, boatmen, and rickshaws mainly take cash in rupees, so carry small notes for change. Bigger shops and hotels accept UPI and cards, but cash is safest in the old-city lanes.
Where to go next near Varanasi
DelhiIndia's old-and-new capital — Red Fort, India Gate, the Lotus Temple, Chandni Chowk, and the gateway to the Golden Triangle.
See this city's guide →
MumbaiA complete Mumbai hotel and neighbourhood guide — where to stay, the must-see sights, the best street food, and how to actually get around India's financial capital.
See this city's guide →
JaipurWhere to stay, what to see, and what to eat in Jaipur — Rajasthan's Pink City, from maharaja palace hotels to its famous textile and jewellery bazaars.
See this city's guide →
AgraCity of the Taj Mahal — white-marble tomb, Agra Fort, and Mughal heritage on the Yamuna.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Varanasi
When is the best time to visit Varanasi?+
October to March, when the weather is cool and dry for walking the ghats and boat rides. November to February is coolest (around 5-20°C), while March to June gets brutally hot at 40-45°C and is best avoided.
Which area should I stay in?+
For first-timers, Assi Ghat is the cleaner, more relaxed all-round pick. To be in the thick of the Aarti, choose Dashashwamedh or Godowlia. Families and comfort-seekers should base themselves in Cantonment.
How do I arrange a Ganges boat ride and what does it cost?+
Book directly with boatmen at the ghats or through your hotel, and always agree on the price before boarding. The 1-2 hour sunrise trip is the most beautiful. Shared boats are cheaper than private hires; rates vary by boat size and group.
Ready to book your Varanasi stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking