Top 10 Places to Visit in India – India is a land of diverse landscapes, rich history and unexplored beauty. India is one of the most diverse and culturally rich countries in the world, making it a dream destination for travelers worldwide.
From the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala in the south, the sun-kissed beaches of the west to the lush green hills of the east; every region of India offers something unique and unforgettable. Here in this post I have listed top 10 places to visit in India which are lesser known.
Top 10 Places to Visit in India
Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)
Jaisalmer also known as the Golden City would be a great choice to visit during winter for its rich history, stunning desert landscapes and grand forts. You can explore the Jaisalmer Fort, known for narrow lanes, temples and colourful markets. The fort is also in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You can visit the Patwon Ki Haveli which is a stunning collection of five havelis. These havelis are famous for their historical architecture. You can enjoy boat ride on Gadisar Lake. The lake has a great view during sunrise and sunset. It is surrounded by ghats, temples and beautiful scenic views.
You can enjoy a Jeep Safari through the Thar Desert and be a part of a thrilling adventure. The journey will take you deep into the dunes and you will explore offbeat desert landscapes and remote villages.
You can also spend a night in luxurious desert camps in Sam Sand Dunes and experience the traditional Rajasthani cuisine, bonfires and cultural performances in the heart of the desert.
You can visit the Thar Heritage Museum and explore Jaisalmer’s history, culture, heritage and ecosystem of the Thar Desert. You can also do shopping in the Jaisalmer Market which is known for handicrafts, jewelry, textiles, embroidered fabric clothes and different leather goods.
Dawki (Meghalaya)
Dawki is considered as a famous tourist attraction in Meghalaya. Here you can experience natural beauty, unique culture and calm environment.
At Dawki you can take boat ride on the crystal clear water of Umngot River. Through the transparent crystal clear water you can see the riverbed. You can also enjoy camping on the Umngot river and enjoy the peaceful nature. You can also do water activities like boating and kayaking.
At the Dawki Suspension Bridge, you can take photographs of the surrounding landscapes. The bridge is situated over the crystal-clear waters of the Umngot river.
You can visit the Mawlynnong Village, which is known as the cleanest village in Asia. You can explore the clean and well preserved environment. Visiting Dawki would be a great idea for those who are looking for places to visit in North East India.
Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh)
It’s a charming hill station in Himachal Pradesh known for its colonial era architecture and scenic landscapes. If you want to get the view of snow covered mountains then you can go for a short hike to the Dainkund Peak. The peak offers a breathtaking view of the snow covered valley. You can also visit the famous Pohlani Mata Temple at the peak.
You can also visit Panchpula, which is a popular picnic spot. Due to the peaceful surroundings and natural beauty, it is considered as a pleasant picnic spot. It is surrounded by lush forests and a beautiful waterfall which flows down from the nearby Dainkund Peak.
For nature lovers and bird watchers, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary would be a great place which is a dense forest area. Here you can spot animals like Himalayan bear, deer and various birds.
If you are travelling with your family, then you can visit the Chamera Lake for boating, fishing and nature photography. You can also visit the Tibetan Market in Dalhousie known for traditional Himachali shawl, handicraft items, woolen garments, etc.
You can also visit Khajjiar (also known as mini Switzerland of India) which is a lush green meadow (grass field) surrounded by dense deodar forests. In terms of beautiful places to visit in India rating, I would give 4.1 out of 5 to this travel destination.
Khandala (Maharashtra)
Khandala is a beautiful hill station known for its lush greenery and misty valleys. Whether you are an adventure enthusiast, a nature lover or peace seeker; Khandala has everything for you. You can visit the Khandala Point (Sunset Point) which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the valley and surrounding hills.
The Rajmachi Fort here is a must visit place for trekking lovers. The trek offers mesmerizing views of the Western Ghats. You can spend some relax time in the Kune Waterfall which is one of the highest waterfalls in Maharashtra.
Ryewood Park could be a nice place to spend some quality time. The environment is very calm here surrounded by tall trees. You can visit the Karla and Bhaja Caves which showcase Buddhist rock-cut architecture.
Gangtok (Sikkim)
Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, and offers a mixture of natural beauty, cultural heritage and calmness. You can start your Gangtok travel from MG Marg, which is the main street here. It’s a great place to shop for local craft items. Here you will find many cafes and restaurants to enjoy variety of foods.
If you want to explore and discover the Buddhist culture and architecture then you must visit the Rumtek Monastery. Himalayan Zoological Park would be a great place for wildlife lovers. Here you can take photographs and spend some quality relax time with your family and friends.
Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok are religious sites known for their peaceful atmosphere and scenic beauty. The Ganesh Tok is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Hanuman Tok is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
You can also visit the Tsomgo Lake which is a glacial lake and offers stunning views. The lake also holds great religious and cultural importance for the local people here. Gangtok also comes in the list of top 10 tourist places in India.
Mylapore (Tamil Nadu)
If you want to explore sacred sites, cultural venues and traditional heritage, then you can visit Mylapore in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. You can visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple which is famous for Dravidian architecture. Early mornings or evenings would be a ideal time to visit the temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The surrounding area of the temple (known as Mada Streets) is famous for shopping. You can shop traditional artifacts, jewellery, temple offerings, silk sarees and brass items. If you are travelling with your family, then you can visit the Citi Centre Mall which has retail stores, food court and cinema.
During the December month, the Sabha Halls in Mylapore like the Music Academy and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan organizes music festivals and dance performances. These shows are performed by famous and leading artists. You can watch these shows live.
You can also visit the Mylapore Fine Arts Club to be a part of numerous concerts and performances. You can also visit the Nageshwara Rao Park to spend some quality relax time. The park is famous for morning yoga and evening walk.
Kovalam Beach (Kerala)
If you are a beach lover and planning to experience a mixture of leisure, adventure and scenic beauty, then you can prefer this place. You can enjoy sunbath or just relax by the shore of the beach. The beach is divided into three parts- Lighthouse beach, Samudra beach and Hawa beach.
The Lighthouse beach is the most popular here. The Lighthouse beach is also known for water sports and activities like parasailing and windsurfing. If you want to spend some relax time in a calm atmosphere then you can visit the Samudra beach. The Hawa Beach is famous for the sunset view, which makes it a favourite spot for photographers.
There is a Vizhinjam Lighthouse located on the Lighthouse beach, from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Arabian sea and nearby surroundings. Climbing up the Vizhinjam Lighthouse with more than 130 steps can be a risky task, so be cautious!
Kovalam is also known for Ayurvedic treatment centres and wellness spas. You can get rejuvenating ayurvedic massages, yoga sessions and therapies to get relax. Yoga sessions are also performed on the beach during sunrise and sunset. You can also visit the Kovalam Art Gallery which displays collection of traditional and contemporary artworks and paintings.
For seafood lovers, the Kovalam beach would be a great place. You can try fresh fish, lobsters, prawns and crabs. Some popular dishes here are Malabar fish curry, Prawn roast and Karimeen pollichathu. Anyone looking for best places to visit in South India can prefer Kovalam beach in Kerala.
Rann of Kutch (Gujarat)
Here you can feel a mixture of natural beauty, culture and adventure. The place is famous for its stunning sunrise and sunset views. Full moon nights are magical here. You can experience the magic of turning white salt desert into golden hues during sunset. Make sure to capture this moment in your camera!
You can take part in the Rann Utsav (Rann Festival) here which starts from November every year and continues for 3 months. During the festival, you can be a part of the rich cultural heritage, folk music, dance performances, local cuisine, craft bazaar, camel rides and adventure sports. During the festival you can stay in the luxury tents set up here.
You can visit the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary to explore wildlife including jackals, flamingos, pelicans, desert foxes, wild asses and pelicans. You can also explore nearby Kutch villages to discover creative artisans and their works like handmade textiles, pottery, embroidery, block painting, rogan art and leather work.
You can also visit the Kala Dungar (Black Hill) which is the highest point in Kutch. From here you can get a panoramic view of the Rann of Kutch. You can also take a Camel ride and explore the Rann and nearby surrounding.
This region also attracts variety of migratory birds like cranes, flamingos, falcons and pelicans. You can capture them in your camera! Whether you are a solo traveller, couple or travelling with your family, you can experience a lot of adventure here!
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
If you are looking for best cities to visit in India, then you can prefer this spiritual place in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi also known as Kashi or Banaras is one of the holiest cities in the world. Here you can be a part of spiritual, cultural and historical place.
You can take part in a mesmerizing spiritual ceremony held every evening i.e. Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. During the aarti (prayer) priests perform rituals with lamps and chant mantras to honor the sacred Ganga river.
You can get a boat ride during evening and experience the spiritual essence of this holy place. During the boat ride you can visit different ghats, temples and riverbanks. From the boat you can enjoy the breathtaking view of sunset.
Some of the popular ghats here are Manikarnika ghat, Dashashwamedh ghat, Assi ghat and Harishchandra ghat. Assi ghat is a peaceful place for morning yoga and witnessing the local life. Manikarnika ghat is a cremation ghat where you can witness the life and death circle.
You can visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple which attracts millions of devotees. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can visit Thateri Bazaar and Godowlia Market for shopping of handicraft items and the world famous Banarasi silk sarees.
Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)
Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station known for its rich natural attractions and scenic landscapes. You can visit the Kodaikanal Lake for spending some relax time. This place is also famous as a picnic spot. If you are with your family or as a couple, then must go for a boat ride around the lake.
You can also visit the Bryant Park which is beautifully maintained with variety of flowers, plants and trees. You can visit the Pillar Rocks for sightseeing and photography. From here you can get a breathtaking view of surrounding hills, valleys and mountains.
You can visit the Bear Shola Falls which is a beautiful waterfall located in the middle of forest. This could be a peaceful spot for nature lovers. You can also hike to Dolphin’s Nose from where you can get a spectacular view of the sourrounding valleys and hills. For solo travellers or couples, Kodaikanal is also in the list of top 10 places to visit in India.