Top Tourist Destinations In India

Goa

Apart from its dazzling palm-ringed beaches and famous—some would say infamous—party vibe, this erstwhile Portuguese colony is also known for its wealth of historic mansions and churches (Roman Catholicism still flourishes in Goa), lively markets, and endless stretches of green rice paddies and coconut-palm groves. Whether you're seeking somewhere secluded or a place to party all night, Goa has beaches to suit all moods.

Attractions

Goa's gorgeous beaches have long been a magnet for travelers from around the globe. The most popular northern beaches include Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, and Arambol. The lesser-known Asvem, Morjim, and Mandrem beaches may offer a more mellow experience. The southern beaches, which generally are quieter than those to the north, include Colva, Bogmalo, Benaulim, Agonda, Varca, Palolem, and Patnem.

The former capital of Portuguese-administered Goa, Old Goa has a number of wonderful colonial-era cathedrals and churches. Must-sees include the Se Cathedral (Old Goa's biggest church), the Basilica of Bom Jesus (which houses the tomb and remains of St. Francis Xavier), and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.

Overlooking the sea, the 17th-century, Portuguese-built Fort Aguada is worth visiting not only to see its remains—which include a large moat—but to enjoy its panoramic views.

You can briefly experience the old Portuguese lifestyle with a visit to the sublime Braganza House, located in the village of Chandor (not far from Margao). There is no admission fee; donations at the end of your tour help maintain the 17th-century building.

Although it's mega-touristy, the bustling Anjuna Flea Market, which started out as an informal hippie market, is still lots of fun, packed with stalls selling beach bags, T-shirts, spices, bedspreads, sarongs, silver jewelry, and more. The market takes place in Anjuna every Wednesday.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a picturesque, 7,001-foot (3,134-meter) hill station—which served as a cool summer retreat for the English during the Raj—is especially well known for its production of tea. Flanked by towering mountains, including Kanchenjunga, elevation 28,208 feet (8,598 meters), Darjeeling has views that are truly dramatic—a great way to fully savor them is by taking a trek in the surrounding countryside.

Attractions

Riding on the "Toy Train" is one of the town's glowing attractions, giving passengers the chance to see the breathtakingly beautiful scenery en route to Darjeeling—for more information see the "How to Get There" section, above.

You can get an insight into the tea-making process at the Makajbari Tea Estates, which offers not only tours but also lodging and mountain and jungle treks.

Located around eight miles (12.8 kilometers) south of Darjeeling is Tiger Hill, which has stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including Kanchenjunga. You can even catch a distant glimpse of Mount Everest. The best time to visit is at the crack of dawn, when the sight of the rising sun is positively magical.

In the Darjeeling vicinity you'll find some notable Buddhist monasteries, including the Bhutia Busty Gompa and the Yiga Choeling Gompa, each built in the 19th century and containing fine murals.

The top spot to book white-water rafting expeditions (these range from a couple of hours to a couple of days) is from Darjeeling, even though the trips themselves often depart from the Teesta Bazaar (around ten miles [16 kilometers] from Kalimpong; Kalimpong is about 31 miles [50 kilometers] from Darjeeling). Boating is along the rapids of the Rangeet and Teesta Rivers, with prime rafting seasons September to November and March to June.

Agra

Most travelers visit Agra for one reason alone: to gape at the world's greatest monument to love, the legendary Taj Mahal. Agra is around 124 miles (200 kilometers) south of India's capital, Delhi, and although the town itself is nothing to rave about, there are some noteworthy nearby attractions, such as Fatehpur Sikri (see below).

Attractions

On the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal is nothing short of an architectural masterpiece. Built in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz (who died giving birth to their 14th child), the Taj is a grand, jewel-encrusted marble mausoleum. This World Heritage-listed monument is flanked by four slender minarets and fronted by ornamental gardens. No matter how many times you visit the Taj, it never ceases to impress.

Worth a visit is the Agra Fort, a huge sandstone fort-and-palace complex that was started in 1565 by Emperor Akbar, with additions made by subsequent rulers. It has distant views of the Taj Mahal.

Kaziranga National Park

Located in the northeast Indian state of Assam, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kaziranga National Park is famous for being one of the last refuges of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. This 166-square-mile (430-square-kilometer) park is made up of vast swathes of open grasslands, forested highlands, flood plains, and swamps, and is the region's most popular wildlife-viewing site.

Attractions

The Kaziranga National Park is not only home to the rare one-horned rhino, it's also inhabited by other animals including elephants, tigers (rarely spotted), buffalo, deer, and a multitude of birdlife. The park has an estimated 2,000 one-horned rhinos, making it one of the world's largest populations.

Leh

The capital of Ladakh, traveler-friendly Leh is picturesquely enveloped by the snow-capped summits of the mighty Himalaya range. The town is dominated by its imposing 17th-century royal palace, which overlooks the town's labyrinth of winding lanes and colorful bazaars. It also is a popular jumping-off point for explorations of Ladakh's smaller towns, Buddhist monasteries, and trekking trails.

Attractions

Leh's nine-story palace is in a state of disrepair, despite ongoing bouts of reconstruction. Reflecting traditional Tibetan architectural styles, this 17th-century edifice was inhabited by Ladakh's royal family (which still owns it) until they transferred their residence to another palace, in the village of Stok, in the 1940s. The palace is visitable, but bring a flashlight and watch your step.

Leh also has some fine old gompas, including the Namgyal Tsemo and the Soma.

The lively annual Ladakh Festival (September 1-15) gives visitors a wonderful window into Ladakhi culture. Locals wear their traditional costumes and music fills the air. You can watch displays of archery, polo, Ladakhi dance, Buddhist ceremonies, and more.

Puri

Puri is one of India's holiest sites, with thousands of pilgrims flocking here to worship at the renowned Jagannath Temple. The city is also famous for its spectacular Rath Yatra festival, as well as its sandy strip of beach.

Attractions

Dating from the 12th century, the awesome Jagannath Temple is dedicated to the Lord of the Universe (Jagannath is an incarnation of the Hindu god, Vishnu). Non-Hindus are not permitted inside the temple but can get a view of it from the roof of the library across the road (with the library's permission).

Celebrating Lord Krishna's journey from Gokul to Mathura, the colorful Rath Yatra (Car Festival) begins at the Jagannath Temple, with huge chariots—carrying images of Lord Jagannath, along with his brother and sister—hauled by men through the streets. The dates of this festival vary annually, falling in either June or July.

Puri's beach is no match to those of Goa or Kerala states, but it's still nice enough. The best stretch is by the seaside promenade of Marine Parade, although it can get very crowded in the holiday season.

Konarak

Konarak is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sun Temple, which has been widely hailed as one of the planet's greatest pieces of religious architecture. The otherwise nondescript town of Konarak is situated around 22 miles (35 kilometers) north of Puri; most travelers tend to visit the temple on a day trip from Puri. Limited accommodations are available in Konarak for those who would like to spend more than just a day there.

Attractions

The superb Sun Temple was built in the 13th century and is considered to be the pinnacle of Orissan temple architecture. Resembling a massive chariot (being pulled by seven huge horses), the temple was designed to be a cosmic vehicle for the sun god, Surya. The temple walls are embellished with a riot of exquisite friezes and sculptures depicting Hindu deities, animals, flowers, mythical creatures, military scenes, and numerous erotic scenes.

If you'd like to have a look at some of the sculptures and carvings that were retrieved during excavations of the Sun Temple, visit the Archaeological Museum.

Jaipur

Jaipur, the frenetic capital of Rajasthan, was planned by and named after the great warrior king, Maharaja Jai Singh II. It has been dubbed the "Pink City" thanks to its sea of pinkish-colored buildings, predominately found in the old city. Apart from its royal legacies, which include the City Palace complex and several forts, Jaipur is renowned for its sensational shopping with a splendid array of modern boutiques and medieval-flavored bazaars.

Attractions

Jaipur is a city of vibrant festivals such as Teej. Taking place every August (consult the tourist office for exact dates, as they're variable), Teej celebrates the onset of the monsoon and also pays homage to the goddess, Parvati (Lord Shiva's wife). During this happy festival, women wear bright traditional outfits, and the city hosts various cultural displays.

Exhibiting a mélange of classic Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, the large City Palace (still partly occupied by the current 'royals') is made up of a series of buildings and courtyards interspersed by patches of garden. Items that can be seen here include ornate regal costumes, elaborate weapons, and devotional paintings.

The terra-cotta-colored Hawa Mahal ('Palace of the Winds') was built in 1799 to allow princesses, and other noble women, to watch (without being watched!) the street life below as well as any public parades. The five-story sandstone facade has more than 350 viewing windows and is one of Rajasthan's most photographed sites.

The rather odd-looking structures of Jantar Mantar, an observatory constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728, were created to measure time and chart the stars. The sundial is particularly impressive.

Located around six miles (ten kilometers) north of the city is the erstwhile capital of the Jaipur area, Amber. The Amber Fort dates back to the late 16th century and sprawls along a rocky hill. Its Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) contains some particularly striking inlaid panels and mirrored ceilings. Today Amber Fort is a major tourist site with jeeps and elephants shuttling visitors up and down the hill.

Jaipur has some fabulous shopping with bazaars selling everything from sparkling gems to embroidered jootis (pointy-toed shoes). There are also some contemporary boutiques which sell gorgeous block-printed textiles such as tablecloths, scarves, and clothing. 2 Tilak Marg.

Around ten miles (16 kilometers) from Jaipur is the village of Sanganer, best-known for its production of block-printed fabrics (bedspreads, cushion covers, and scarves) and handmade paper (including diaries, photo frames/albums, and gift boxes). Take a walk to the river to feast your eyes upon the many colorful rows of drying fabrics, gently flapping in the breeze like big butterflies.


Pondicherry

Pondicherry, affectionately dubbed Pondy by the locals, oozes a convivial mélange of India and France—where you can tuck into crepes or parathas for breakfast, bouillabaisse or masala dosa for lunch, and fish curry or coq au vin for dinner. A French colony until 1954, this captivating coast-hugging town—with its broad boulevards, a picturesque seaside promenade, renowned ashram, and beguiling blend of Indian and French architecture—has long been rated by travelers as a glowing highlight of their subcontinental sojourn.

Attractions

The old colonial quarter is a must-see with its striking mansions and villas, a number of which now house stylish galleries, hotels and boutiques. Here, you'll also find the Cluny Embroidery Center where underprivileged women are taught the delicate art of hand embroidery.

The Pondicherry Museum has an extraordinary jumble of exhibits, from ancient Indian sculptures to fascinating French colonial items including a 19th-century pousse pousse (rickshaw-like contraption).

For spiritual sustenance, visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, established in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French lady known as "The Mother." The ashram offers yoga courses for visitors.

Mysore

Prior to India's independence from British rule, the princely state of Mysore was one of the subcontinent's largest and most prosperous kingdoms. Legacies of its royal past can still be seen today, most notably the colossal City Palace complex, which is the city's major tourist draw. Mysore is also famous for its production of sandalwood, incense, and silk.

Attractions

Construction of the very grand City Palace was completed in 1912 for the then-huge sum of over four million rupees. This Indo-Saracenic palace certainly has a swanky interior, with awesome carved wooden doors and rainbow-hued stained windows. On special occasions, such as the festival of Dussehra (September/October), the palace is lit up at night with an estimated 100,000 lightbulbs.

Overlooking the city is Chamundi Hill, which is where you'll find the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple as well as a 16-foot-high (five-meter) rock carving of Nandi, the mythical bull that served as Lord Shiva's steed.

Kanniyakumari

Kanniyakumari (formerly called Cape Comorin) lies at the point where the Bay of Bengal converges with the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea—this is the town's primary tourist attraction. This southernmost Indian town, dedicated to an incarnation of the goddess Parvati, is also an important pilgrimage site for devout Hindus.

Attractions

Most tourists come here simply to watch the sunset over the ocean; on certain days you can even see the sun set and the moon rise at the same time.

Catch a ferry to a nearby island to see the Vivekananda Memorial. This memorial is dedicated to the revered holy figure, Swami Vivekananda, who meditated at this spot in the late 19th century. From the island, there are good views over the harbor.