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15 Other Amazing Places to Visit in India Beyond the Taj Mahal.

Wondering how to choose which places to visit in India? Travel in India is unlike anywhere else in the Asian continent!  Geographically the country is enormous.  And unsurprisingly, the culture is colourfully diverse and different from the mountains to the deserts, and from the coasts and beaches to the historic and bustling megacities in each direction. 

It’s diverse; and wonderful in its uniqueness. 

Over the last six trips to India we have spent months exploring this incredible subcontinent.  And we’ve seen a LOT.  

But to summarise the best places to visit in India in one travel guide we have chosen 15 places to visit in India – aside from the Taj Mahal – and the three best things to do for each place. 

Choosing an itinerary for India

Narrowing down an itinerary and choosing which places to visit in India can be justly overwhelming.  The country is massive and there are endless India travel blogs and guide books filled with incredible Indian destinations. 

Officially, India is divided into 28 states and eight union territories (UTs) with each state and UT having its own unique identity, culture and history.  

It is the most populous nation in the world with somewhere around 1.4 billion inhabitants.  In total there are 4000 cities and towns in India with 300 of those cities accounting for more than 1,000,000 of the population.  

But to narrow it down we have chosen a range of the best destinations from all over India with the top three things to do in each place

Hopefully narrowing it down with the highlights and few stories to boot will help you make your decision of the best places to visit in India.

Challo! 

Map of places to visit in India

The following map includes each of places to visit in India as listed.  

See below for an overview with details of the different areas of India.  There are hundreds of cities so we have listed the major states and cities with highlight for each region including the best time to visit.  

North India

The northern region is among the largest regions in India comprising eight states including: 

Rajasthan is the largest state in the country in terms of area, but in terms of population, Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in the north. 

The best time to visit North India is typically from late October to March, when the weather is cool, dry, and sunny. However, it can be chilly in northern India during the peak winter months of December and January.

The historic Akbari Mosque in Amer places to visit in India.
Admiring the historic Akbari Mosque in Amer, Jaipur in Rajasthan.

South India

South India is located in the southern part of the Deccan Peninsula and is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. 

The five states in South India are: 

The best time to visit South India is during the dry season, which is from December to March.  The winter weather is dry and less humid with temperatures ranging from 20–30°C. 

Western India

Western India is a region of the Republic of India, it includes the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Goa and the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. 

The western region of India is most famously known for the vibrant megacity of Mumbai and the beaches of Goa. 

Eastern India 

Eastern India features Kolkata which was once the capital of British India and consists of the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. 

The region stretches from the mountains to the coast, resulting in fascinating variations in climate.

Best time to visit 

15 Places to visit in India

The following are the best places to visit in India including the top things to do in each destination. 

Uttar Pradesh – Places to visit in India

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous and fourth largest state of India. It lies in the north-central part of the country and includes the capital city of New Delhi. 

Delhi

Delhi is the modern capital city of India.  But it has a rich thriving history with Mughals and Rajupt emperors claiming it as capital city since thousands of years.  

It is the largest city in India and for travellers, it is most commonly the starting point of travel to India.  Between old and new Delhi the sights (and smells) on a first visit are as assaulting as the crowds.  It’s a seriously huge and sprawling city. 

Things to do in Delhi 

You have to embrace the chaos and jump right in!  

There is plenty to see, do and eat in India’s capital city from the historic Jama Masjid and Delhi Red Fort to the towering Qutab Minar, beautiful Lodi Gardens, Connaught Place, Dilli Haat Market and much more. 

Qutab Minar tower and complex (that just doesn’t quite fit in the photo). 
A close up showing the scale at the base of Qutab Minar. 

Varanasi – Places to visit in India

Varanasi is considered one of the holiest cities in the world. There is so much history, religion, and devotion throughout the streets, temples, ghats and many fascinating things to do in Varanasi as a visitor. 

Things to do in Varanasi 

Key attractions include the River Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath, and the various ghats.  It is a whole lot to take in visiting Varanasi

A still – and pensive – morning boat ride on the River Ganges.
An evening chai at Assi Ghat in the same spot for the morning and evening Ganga Aarti. 

Agra 

Agra is famous all over the world as being home to the Taj Mahal.  But I promised this blog to be about the places to visit in India as well as the Taj Mahal! 

Things to do in Agra 

Agra has many other historic and famous sites that are worth adding to your list of places to visit in India. 

Punjab – Places to visit in India 

Punjab is the homeland of India’s Sikh population and a particularly tourist-friendly region, thanks to its strong expatriate connections with the UK and Canada.  

Amritsar

The city of Amritsar is located in the state of Punjab and is considered the spiritual and cultural centre for Sikhism religion. 

Things to do in Amritsar

The Golden Temple and Langar (community kitchen) are the most famous things to do in Amritsar.  But we recommend a walking Heritage Tour, a street food outing and an afternoon to see the Wagah Border Ceremony between India and Pakistan. 

Rajasthan – Places to visit in India

Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area and is a popular tourist destination for its rich culture, art, and historic sites. 

Jaisalmer – Places to visit in India 

Jaisalmer is known as the ‘Golden City’ of Rajasthan.  The location of Jaisalmer is all the way to the far west of Rajasthan bordering India’s Thar Desert. 

We love the small-town (relatively) vibe of Jaisalmer.  It is particularly friendly and we often recommend flying to Jaisalmer from Delhi on the second day of your India itinerary to get out of the city. 

Jaisalmer is most famously renowned for the chance to take an overnight camel safari in the desert and for the towering Jaisalmer Fort. 

Things to do in Jaisalmer 

It is a great place to visit in India as one of your first destinations to find your feet before hitting the megacities and more touristy hot-spots. 

There is plenty else to see in Jaisalmer but for sure the highlight is a camel safari in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. 

Bikaner – Places to visit in India

Bikaner is a city in the north Indian state of Rajasthan, surrounded by the Thar Desert. 

We really enjoyed Bikaner and felt like it is one of the places to visit in India that surprised us most.  

It is brimming with history and culture.  But it is small enough to feel local and quirky with characteristics and camels and kulfi that make it truly unique. 

Things to do in Bikaner

The city is known for the 16th-century Junagarh Fort, a huge complex of ornate buildings and halls, and the many historic Haveli dotted around the city.  Bikaner is also home to the famous Shree Karni Mata Hindu temple where devotees worship the thousands of resident rats. 

One of the icons of Bikaner’s history and clepe as the ‘City of Haveli’s’.
Don’t forget to look up as you explore Bikaner.

Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan state and is a city that’s full of history with incredible forts and palaces.  

It is (easily recognisable) known as the Pink City of India.

Things to do in Jaipur

Amer Stepwell not far from the huge Amber Fort. 

Jodhpur – Places to visit in India

Aside from being recognised as the iconic Blue City of India, Jodhpur is also known as the Gateway to the Thar Desert. 

Things to do in Jodhpur

There are lots of iconic sights to see in the Old City or simply just wander and take in all of the blue

Udaipur – Places to visit in India

Udaipur is famously known as the Indian ‘City of Lakes’.  It is a peaceful and truly beautiful Rajasthani city. 

The city is famous for its scenic location on the shores of Lake Pichola as well as the Rajput-era Royal palaces, old havelis (merchant houses) and luxury hotels.  

If you haven’t yet imagined your India itinerary including rooftop lunches and choosing between palaces to explore then Udaipur is where it’s at. 

Things to do in Udaipur

Ajmer – Places to visit in India 

Ajmer is a small (comparatively) city by Indian standards with a population of just 800,000.  

It isn’t on the main tourist trail as with the other Rajasthani cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur or Jaisalmer.  But rather it is a huge site of pilgrimage for Muslims in India.  And for travellers it is a point of connection to travel onwards to Pushkar. 

Most of the things to do in Ajmer are cultural sights as the city is an important pilgrimage destination for Jains, Muslims and Hindus. 

Things to do in Ajmer 

Pushkar

The Indian city of Pushkar is believed to be over 2000 years old, making it one of the oldest cities in India.  

There is a lot of history that is evident with the ancient temples still used daily, the narrow lanes with traditional houses and the age-old spiritual customs that are still practiced today in the city. It is one of the most important sites of pilgrimage for Hindu making it one of India’s most important religious destinations.

Things to do in Pushkar 

As a visitor it is a relaxing and fascinating place to visit in India. 

Preparations underway for the evening Aarti ceremony on Pushkar Lake. 
If you haven’t seen Aarti anywhere else this is a smaller, lower-key way to experience it. 

West Bengal – Places to visit in India 

West Bengal is a state in eastern India, between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal most known for the Sundarbans and the huge city of Kolkata. 

Kolkata 

Kolkata – formerly Calcutta – has a long history as an important trading city and capital of Bengal.  

From 1912 to India’s Independence in 1947, it was the capital of all of Bengal. After Independence, Calcutta remained the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.

Things to do in Kolkata

Kolkata is a vibrant and proudly cosmopolitan city with much to see and do. 

Kolkata’s famed yellow ambassador taxis are part of the landscape. 

Darjeeling – Places to visit in India

Tea and Darjeeling are synonymous. Darjeeling Tea is world renowned for its flavour, which is unequalled by other tea producing areas not only of India but also of the world. 

Darjeeling was the former summer capital of India under the British Raj.  Today it has evolved into one of India’s most sought-after hill stations made more famous by the world-renowned tea. 

Things to do in Darjeeling

It is a little trickier to get to Darjeeling and requires connecting by flight or train to Siliguri first. 

Trying six different grades of Darjeeling tea.

Maharashtra – Places to visit in India 

Maharashtra is one of India’s largest commercial and industrial centres, which has led to its being called the gateway of India.  Mumbai is the capital city of Maharashtra and India’s most popular city. 

Mumbai 

Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is the most populous and biggest city of Maharashtra and the largest city of India. It is the financial and entertainment capital of the country and is fondly called the ‘City of Dreams’.

Things to do in Mumbai

Mumbai is located on Maharashtra’s coast and it is one of the largest and most densely populated urban areas in the world.

Kerala – Places to visit in India

There are many places to visit in Kerala, India, including beaches, hill stations, backwaters, and heritage sites. 

Kochi 

Kochi in the south of the country is a great choice for an introduction to this enormous subcontinent. It is one of the more understated and slower paced places to visit in India. 

Fishermen at Port Kochi in Kerala.

Alleppey – Places to visit in India

Alappuzha is the small city formerly known as Alleppey, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. 

Alleppey is most popular place to visit in India for its incredible backwaters.  The backwaters are home to a vast network of waterways with over a thousand houseboats.  

Things to do in Alleppey

The main draw of Alleppey is the beautiful backwaters, beaches and many temples. 

Colourful boats on the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala.
One of the beautiful (surprisingly so!) beaches of Kerala.

Transport and getting around in India

The larger cities and main places to visit in India are connected by air, rail and road.  However, not all of the destinations listed about have an airport.  

To get to Darjeeling, you need to take a train or bus to Siliguri.  And to get to Jaisalmer in the far west of Rajasthan there are only flights available during the winter months of November to March. 

The best way to connect the places to visit in India is by rail. 

Choosing accommodation in India

Finding good places to stay on your first trip to India can be a little bit like searching for a needle in a haystack.  

Here are some of the accommodation we stay in and use for our India Group Trips and can recommend for your travels. 

Accommodation we recommend in Uttar Pradesh

A photo with host Mum – and fabulous cook – Ranjana at Aman Homestay.

Accommodation we recommend in Rajasthan

The beautifully historic Jaipur Haveli. 
Sleeping underneath the stars on camel safari with Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer. 

Accommodation we recommend in Punjab

A basic hotel but points for location literally outside the main entrance to Golden Temple.  Note only the upstairs rooms have a balcony with direct views.

Read more about travel in North India

More about travel planning for India and beyond

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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