Things to Do in Varanasi: Ghats, Aarti and Day Trips

Quick answer

The essentials in Varanasi are a sunrise boat ride along the ghats, the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh, darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, a walk from Assi to Manikarnika and a half-day at Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Most of it is free. Two full days covers the core; three lets you slow down.

13 things worth your time in Varanasi

01
Sunrise boat ride along the ghats
Experience
The ghats face east, so first light falls on the temples, bathers and washermen at once. It is the single most important thing to do in the city.
1.5–2 hoursShared boats from about ₹200–400 per person; private rowing boat about ₹800–1,500 an hour
Agree route, duration and price before you step in, and choose a rowing boat over a diesel launch for quiet.
02
Evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Experience
Young priests perform a synchronised aarti with multi-tiered brass lamps, conch shells and bells, every evening around sunset.
1–1.5 hoursFree; a seat on a moored boat costs extra
Arrive 45 minutes early for a place on the steps, or watch from a boat moored in front.
03
Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat
Experience
A dawn programme of aarti, Vedic chanting, classical music and yoga, starting around 5 am and earlier in summer.
1.5 hoursFree
Combine it with a sunrise boat leaving from Assi.
04
Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Corridor
Landmark
One of the twelve jyotirlingas. The corridor opened in 2021 links the temple directly to the river at Lalita Ghat.
1–3 hours depending on queuesFree; a paid Sugam Darshan ticket shortens the queue
Phones, bags, pens and leather items are not allowed; use the lockers. Early weekday mornings have the shortest queues.
05
Walk the ghats from Assi to Manikarnika
Experience
About 4 km of steps past Tulsi, Harishchandra, Kedar, Darbhanga and Dashashwamedh ghats, each with its own temples and stories.
2–3 hoursFree
Start in the late afternoon heading north so you finish at Dashashwamedh in time for the aarti.
06
Manikarnika Ghat
Landmark
The main cremation ghat, where pyres burn day and night. Seeing it explains why Hindus come to Kashi at the end of life.
30–45 minutesFree
Never photograph cremations. Walk past men who offer to explain the rituals and then ask for money for wood.
07
Sarnath
Day trip
Ten km from the city, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. See the Dhamek Stupa, the Ashokan pillar and the Lion Capital in the Archaeological Museum.
Half dayAbout ₹25 for the excavated site; the museum charges a separate small fee
The Archaeological Museum is closed on Fridays.
08
Old city food walk
Food
Kachori-sabzi, tamatar chaat, lassi in clay cups, Banarasi paan and, in winter, malaiyyo, all within a kilometre of Godowlia.
2–3 hours₹300–600 in food
Mornings for kachori and malaiyyo; evenings for chaat.
09
Banarasi silk weavers
Shopping
Weaving households in Madanpura and Sarai Mohana still run handlooms, and buying close to the source is better value than city showrooms.
1–2 hoursFree to visit; saris from about ₹3,000 to well over ₹1 lakh
Drivers earn commission on 'factory' visits. Look for the Silk Mark label and the Banarasi GI tag.
10
Ramnagar Fort
Landmark
The 18th-century fort of the Kashi royal family across the river, with an eccentric museum of vintage cars, palanquins, clocks and weapons.
1.5 hoursMuseum ticket under ₹200
Go in the late afternoon and come back by boat for the sunset view of the ghats.
11
BHU and Bharat Kala Bhavan
Landmark
Banaras Hindu University's leafy campus, the New Vishwanath Temple and a fine museum of miniature paintings, textiles and sculpture.
2 hoursCampus free; museum charges a small fee
Ten minutes from Assi Ghat; pair it with the ghats in the afternoon.
12
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Landmark
Founded by Tulsidas and one of the city's most loved temples; Tuesdays and Saturdays are busy with devotees and laddoo offerings.
45 minutesFree
Phones are not allowed inside; deposit them at the counter.
13
Classical music evening
Experience
Varanasi is home to the Banaras gharana, and small music rooms near Assi and Bengali Tola host evening sitar, tabla and vocal recitals.
1–2 hours₹300–1,000 for small recitals; festivals are often free
The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh in April runs through the night and is free.

How many days do you need in Varanasi?

Two full days covers the essentials; three lets you add Sarnath and slow down. Varanasi's rhythm runs around the river, so the best plan is to be on the water at dawn, rest through midday, and come back to the ghats for the evening aarti. Most of what matters costs nothing.

Ghats first, temples second

The 84 ghats stretch about 6.5 km along the west bank of the Ganga, from Assi in the south to Raj Ghat in the north. The stretch from Assi to Manikarnika is the most walkable, and Dashashwamedh is the centre of gravity. Mornings are for bathing, prayer and the light; evenings for aarti. Outside winter, the middle of the day is hot and harsh on the open steps.

Sarnath needs a separate half-day. It is 10 km north of the city, takes 30–45 minutes by car, and is a quiet change of pace after the ghats.

Scams and annoyances to expect

'Free guides' at Manikarnika who later demand money for cremation wood. Politely walk on.
Silk 'factory' visits arranged by drivers, where the price includes their cut.
Boat prices that double at aarti time. Agree a fixed rate and duration first.
Temple touts offering VIP darshan. The official Sugam Darshan is sold by the temple trust.

The ghats are not wheelchair-friendly: steep steps and no rails. For older parents, a boat covers most of the river view without the climbing.

Plan the rest

Check the best time to visit Varanasi before you fix dates, since floods close the ghats in August. For food, see the Varanasi food guide; for hotels, where to stay in Varanasi. Day-by-day plans are on the itineraries page, and you can send us an enquiry for a quote.

Frequently asked questions

What time is the Ganga aarti in Varanasi?

The main evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat begins around sunset, roughly 6:45–7 pm in summer and 6–6:30 pm in winter, and lasts about 45 minutes. The dawn Subah-e-Banaras programme at Assi Ghat starts around 5 am. Timings move with sunset, so check locally on the day and arrive 45 minutes early for a good spot.

Is a boat ride in Varanasi worth it?

Yes. A sunrise boat ride is the best way to see the ghats in one sweep, with the light falling on the riverfront. Shared boats cost from about ₹200–400 per person, and a private rowing boat about ₹800–1,500 an hour, more at festival times. Fix the price and route before boarding, and expect rides to be suspended when the river floods.

Can non-Hindus enter Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

Yes. Visitors of all faiths can enter after a security check. Phones, cameras, bags, pens and leather items are not allowed, and lockers are available near the gates. Queues are shortest early on weekday mornings; Mondays, especially in Sawan, and festival days can mean several hours of waiting.

Is it okay to watch cremations at Manikarnika Ghat?

Yes, respectfully and from a distance. Cremations are public and families do not mind quiet onlookers, but photographing pyres is not acceptable. Avoid self-appointed guides who explain the rituals and then press for a donation for wood. Watching from a boat gives a respectful view without getting in anyone's way.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.