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Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi District
Varanasi
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Banaras Ghats
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Banaras Ghats

See all things to do
See all things to do
Banaras Ghats
4.5
1,848
#5 of 125 things to do in Varanasi
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
One of the oldest cities of India, Banaras acts as an important religious center. The numerous bathing ghats (steps) along the bank of the Ganges attract huge crowds of pilgrims.
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316 within 5 kms
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Attractions
90 within 10 kms
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
66
48 mReligious Sites
Ganges River
5,008
64 mBodies of Water
Dasaswamedh Ghat
1,973
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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0.3 kmSports Camps & Clinics
Dr Rajendra Prasad Ghat
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0.3 kmReligious Sites
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)
1,709
0.6 kmArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Manikarnika Ghat
1,172
0.7 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,848 reviews
Excellent
1,196
Very good
497
Average
109
Poor
28
Terrible
18
Tubby
New Delhi, India90 contributions
City of Ghaats
Jan 2023
This review is for those planning a trip to Varanasi/ Banaras/ Kashi - many names for one place thats beyond imagination...of course you can imagine the traffic, honking, pollution, overcrowded streets...what you cant imagine is the magnetism of the place and its unique ghats..one after another...a row of 84 ghats..

I traveled to Banaras/ Varanasi with a group of frnds. For us it was a road trip from Gurgaon. The highways are excellent - first its the Lucknow expressway and then Poorvanchal expressway. However, the journey would be for about 13 hours including breaks. I suggest take a break at Lucknow and then carry on to Varansi the next day. Food at lucknow is better than what you would get at Varanasi (i think street food at Varanasi is highly overrated except one to which I will describe in a while; go by your palette and what your eyes like). So spend your evening at Hazratganj, Lucknow if you are taking a break journey (eating joints next to Hazratganj metro station) and try food here. If you want to shop, go over to Ada. Its right across the street. This area also has authorized multi level parking space for your vehicle. If you want do clubbing, the place has clubs like Farzi cafe, etc.

Start for Varanasi the next morning - Poorvanchal expressway + Lucknow expressway dont have too many fuel stations so please keep topping up wherever you see a decent station.

At Varanasi, stay in the cantonment area, clean wide roads, less traffic, no driving hassles. Park your cars at the hotel and pick e-rickshaws. Its the coolest and safest bet though incessant honking can make you go mad.

Must visit places are - Kashi Vishwanath, Kaal Bhairav, Sarnath, and for shopping, Peeli kothi and Gadaulia chowk. This can be done in the first half of the day (well, shopping is a bit dicey :)). Avoid going on a Friday as the museum at Sarnath has its weekly off on Friday and if you dont get to see the museum, 60% of Sarnath history would go undiscovered by you. Please do get a guide. Sarnath deserves that attention and only through a guide you cna know about the place the best. However, You may want to start your day a bit early by by going for sunrise at Namo Ghat (inaugurated by Narendra Modiji 2 years back)

Have lunch and then go for boat ride. Boat ride is most exciting and overwhelming part as it takes you to the 84 ghats including Manikarnika, and Assi ghat. I would leave a bit of suspense here by not talking about the Manikarnika ghat. This ride includes the "sandhya aarti" at Dashshwamedh Ghat but better check the deal with the boat guy before boarding one. It costs about Rs 200 to Rs 250 per person. Aarti is beyond words. I have shared some pictures here; though they dont really do any justice to the real thing but would give you an idea.

Do plan one meal at Baati Chokha near Cantontment - the only good food joint at Banaras. Street food like Aloo kachori, malai paan..etc etc are definitely overrated and if you are someone who has been to Chandni Chowk and its streets or even Karol Bagh or CP, you may not enjoy the food.

If you are satisfied with these key places, you would be done with Banaras in one and a half day. But if you want to do more, then do visit BHU (Banaras Hindu University), Moksha Dhaam, Sankatmochan temple, and Vishalakshi temple.

2 days are enough for Varanasi, plus you get the evening you arrived at Varanasi. We planned our way again via Lucknow and this time we ate street food on the gomti river bridge. Near to this you have CM Yogi's residence. Roads in the area are wide and its very well lit - at least when we went it was. You can start your journey back to GGN/ Delhi the next morning.

I prefer relaxed holidays and like to enoy my drive hence thought of not driving straight to Kashi in one go. You may want to do Banaras directly from Ggn and it will save you 2 nights.
Written 1 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jude
1 contribution
Bad
Jan 2023 • Solo
Most peoples can't speak English and 100%of the shop keepers are cheaters!even official Air Tel shop dealer not giving any receipt of purchase and I paid Rs360 for a package but nothing loaded on the sim just sold empty sim!
Frustrating and 100 %of peoples are fir money hunters! Bno respect to others! But I went to Sri Lanka,
A country higher than European standards!!!please visit to Sri Lanka!
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
seema60
Toronto, Canada842 contributions
A must visit to the ghats of Varanasi
Jan 2023 • Friends
It is an incredible experience to visit the ghats on foot or by boat. Each ghat has its own characteristic building built by the various kings of the time. Some amazing architecture and beautiful buildings can be seen. The new NAMO ghat and the corridor has also improved the look.
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
karansingh
Mumbai, India80 contributions
Kashi the oldest city
Dec 2022
Varanasi is known for it's ghats.. Built by different kings at different times, these ghats are clear art work of our culture, architecture and spiritual belief. Though many of these building have been modified into hotels, the charm still lies... one must visit the ghats early morning during sunrise..
Written 28 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sandeep
5 contributions
The identity of Varanasi - Ghats
Dec 2022
The Ghats present the best Varanasi can offer - architecture, beautiful sunrise, calm waters of the Ganga, temples, history and more. The best way to explore the ghats is to walk accross from the fist to the last ghat. While the distance may seem daunting, the trick is to do it in two installments - From Assi to Dashashwamedh and then from Dashashwamedh to Brahma Ghats or beyond till Raj Ghat. The best experience one can experience is the walk along the ghats of Banaras at sunsrise. As the sun rises the golden hues colour the Ganga waters. It is also the time when ghats seem less crowded and offer a calming and satisfying experience.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DipuKV
Pune, India1,677 contributions
Vintage Varanasi
Dec 2022 • Solo
As you pass by the various ghats during the boat ride, you cannot help admiring the dedication with which various kings, queens and others built these ghats over the years to facilitate human interaction with the sacred river!
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Niharika
9 contributions
Surrender to Varanasi
Nov 2022 • Friends
My thoughts on Banaras

There's something about expectation, it always disappoints. Don't go to Banaras with any preconceived notions. Surrender. Don't make a must see, must do or must eat list. This place is not for that. Take your time, don't rush. This city couldn't care less about people in a rush. Just like it doesn't care about the incessant honkers on the roads.

'Banaras' is in the enthusiasm of the people who know something about life and can't wait to show you... It's the cool confidence of the babas out to con the next hapless tourist because what is life if not a game, it's the patience of the artist who has spent his whole life painting one ghat of Banaras in all its changing colors and festivals, it's the delightful conversion between the owner of a treasure trove of books on the ghats and his art curator client comparing notes on other friends and their works, it's in the familiar chatter of the household maid as she goes about displacing dust and gossip about the last guests, and the quietness of the younger more affluent looking maid but one who is not allowed to enter the rooms or kitchen, it's in the obligatory altercation between two motorists on the streets ending after just a few rough words, each on his way quickly, no gaalis in sight...

There must be something about being so close to life and death that puts everything in between into perspective. Why waste time on unpleasantness. Why carry the weight of the unsaid. Life ebbs and flows here. No problem of man or god is too big for The river.

And all roads lead to the ghats "kyunki aakhir aana toh wapas issi ghat pe hai"
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Balamurugan D
9 contributions
Perfect place for soul searching
Nov 2021
Dev diwali is one the best time to visit ghats of Banaras and its perfect to see from the rivers of ganges and ghats. It gives a surreal feeling altogether.
Written 11 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travel Enthusiast
48 contributions
The glorious India!!
Mar 2022
Visiting ghats on a boat ride is a must do in Varanasi especially during the early morning hours, before sunrise. Try doing it on a hand rowing boat instead on a motor boat. It is even more serene.
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BPB2012
Kolkata (Calcutta), India1,066 contributions
A scintillating experience
Apr 2022
Varanasi is famous for its Ghats which are 80 in number starting from Rajghat and ending with Assi Ghat. View of the ghats while taking ride over the Ganges is scintillating. In recent years, the control of the ghats has been taken over by government to ensure proper maintenance and illumination in the evening. A must see for anyone visiting this ancient city, reputed to the oldest living city in the world.
Written 7 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Banaras Ghats, Varanasi

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  • Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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