15 Places to Visit near Varanasi: 2024 (Updated with Distance)

Tourist Places Near Varanasi

Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Kaimur, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Rewa, Bodh Gaya, Patna and many more.

Attracting a lot of tourists all year round, there are incredibly stunning places to visit near Varanasi. Embracing various tourist destinations from wildlife sanctuaries to hill stations, Varanasi is a perfect destination for a getaway with your friends and family. Explore the places near Varanasi on a weekend trip or a vacation and create moments to cherish for years to come.

With abundant tourist places near Varanasi, experience an amalgamation of rich culture, religion and history, all combined into one vacation. Fill your heart with peace and contentment while visiting pilgrimage spots like Singhpur Sarnath and Ayodhya.

Take in the scenic surroundings at Rewa or witness the timeless beauty and architectural marvels at Agra. Observe the splendid Islamic architecture in the City of Nawabs, Lucknow or spend some time at Mirzapur soaked in the natural beauty, places to visit near Varanasi won’t disappoint you.

Here are some of best places to visit near Varanasi:

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01

Singhpur Sarnath

Singhpur Sarnath is one of the most significant pilgrimage spots for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains making it one of the most fascinating places to visit around Varanasi. According to many legends, it is believed that Lord Buddha visited this place after his enlightenment. Filled with numerous Buddhist architecture and heritage, Sarnath attracts tourists from all over the world. The deer park is considered to be the place where Lord Gautam Buddha first taught the Dharma.

With different countries like Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Tibet establishing temples in Sarnath according to their exotic style, tourists get a chance to experience the rich diversity of the style of architecture from different cultures. The 80 feet standing statue of Buddha in the Thai Temple of Sarnath is another highlight of the place.

Best time to visit- From October to March

Distance from Varanasi- 11.2 km

Highlights- Standing Buddha Statue, Deer Park, Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum, historical sites, architectural attractions of various cultures.

02

Chandauli

Chandauli is a noteworthy tourist destination and the town is named after Chandra Sah, a Barhaulia Rajput who founded the town. Later, his descendants built a fort in Chandauli which is still famous among visitors. With various scenic beauty spots, like the Devdari Falls and the rich Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandauli is one of the most popular places to visit around Varanasi.

Within the Wildlife Sanctuary you will find several picnic spots and also two cascading waterfalls. Other places of interest in Chandauli are the Muskhand Dam, Latif Shah Tomb, Raj Dari, Latif Shah Dam.

Best time to visit- October to March

Distance from Varanasi - 40 km

Highlights- Devdari Falls, Rajdari Falls, Mushkand Dam, Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Latif Shah Dam, Forts, picnic spots and waterfalls.

03

Mirzapur

Mirzapur is a town with a lot of history and it attracts not only tourists but also history buffs and archaeologists. The rock paintings and the various artefacts found here are enough to prove that the palaeolithic age existed in this region and signs of civilization here dates back to 5000 BCE. Apart from this, Mirzapur is also famous for its scenic landscape and natural beauty.

Another claim to fame for Mirzapur are its beautiful ghats. As the river Ganges flows through this city, there are many ghats where tourists visit to take a dip or witness the mesmerizing sunset. Mirzapur also has a Ghanta Ghar, where a 1000 kg alloy bell hangs. Other places of interest include Ojhala Bridge, Kali Koh, Siddhnath Ki Dari waterfall, etc.

Best time to visit- November to April

Distance from Varanasi - 59 km

Highlights- Ghanta Ghar, Vindyachal, Ojhala Bridge, ghats, monuments, Chunar Fort and Kaal Bhairavi Temple.

04

Sonbhadra

Sonbhadra is the second largest administrative district in Uttar Pradesh and it is home to some of the most fascinating ancient forts, monuments and structures. It is one of the most fascinating places to visit near Varanasi and famous for its ancient forts and rock carvings. The Vijaygarh Fort in Sonbhadra dates back to the 5th century and it is one of the major attractions here.

This fort has some really incredible rock carvings and inscriptions of that era. Another popular fort is the Naugarh Fort built by the Kashi Kings. The Salkhan Fossil Park has fossil exhibits that dates back to more than 1400 million years ago. Sonbhadra has several other tourist attractions such as the Rihand Dam, Agori Fort, Mukha Falls, Lorika Rock, Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary and Shivdwar.

Best time to visit- November to March

Distance from Varanasi- 95.7 km

Highlight- Naugarh Fort, Vijaygarh Fort, Rihand Dam, Lorika Rock, Rock paintings, Shiv Dwar, Salkhan Fossil Park and Agori Fort

05

Kaimur

Kaimur was an important part of the Magadha Empire and played a major role during the Freedom Struggle. Now it has evolved into a wonderful holiday destination and one of the most fascinating places to visit near Varanasi. Kaimur has a whole plethora of attractions for its visitors ranging from forts, temples, gushing rivers and cascading waterfalls, dense forests and scenic picnic spots.

It also plays hosts to several festivals and fairs with devotees and tourists visiting in hordes. One of the major attractions here is the Maa Mundeshwari Devi Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and dates back to 108 AD.

Best time to visit- October to March

Distance from Varanasi- 97.4 km

Highlight- Mundeshwari Temple, Baidyanath Temple, Kaimur Wildlife National Park, Karkat Waterfall, Bhabua, Ramgarh and Adhaura.

06

Allahabad

Being one of the largest and most populated cities of India, Allahabad or Prayagraj is well known for its magnificent architecture from the Mughal Era. Prayagraj is one of the oldest cities in the world and it attracts hordes of tourists all year round. The most fascinating place to visit in Allahabad is the Triveni Sangam, which is the junction point of three rivers- Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

This place is of high religious importance in Hinduism and is considered to be the site of offering sacrifice. Other important sites are, the Khusro Bagh, a tombstone built by King Jahangir for his son Khusro, the Ananda Bhawan, Allahabad Museum, Allahabad Fort, Allahabad Planetarium and many more.

Best time to visit- October to March.

Distance from Varanasi - 120 km

Highlights - Khusro Bagh, Triveni Sangam, Kumbh Mela, Allahabad Museum, All Saints’ Cathedral, Allahabad Fort and Alfred Park

07

Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur is a vibrant city in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is famous for its rich culture, vibrant surroundings, Buddhist, Jain and Hindu religious sites and Heritage sites. Gorakhpur was one of the 16 states, also known as Mahajanapadas, that existed in India right from the 6th century BC.

One of the biggest claims to fame that Gorakhpur has is the Gorakhpur Press that publishes the Bhagavad Gita. Gorakhpur, like many other famous towns and cities in India, has several beautiful temples. One of the most popular one is the Gorakhpur Temple. Another major attraction here is the Rail Museum that showcases the journey of the development of trains and train travel in India.

Best time to visit- November to March

Distance from Varanasi- 190.1 km

Highlight- Gorakhpur Temple, Rail Museum, religious heritage sites, museums, ancient monuments and vibrant market places.

08

Ayodhya

Ayodhya is regarded as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus and thus attracts tourists from all over the world. Being the center of the epic Ramayana, Ayodhya boasts of the rich mythological culture it holds. There are multiple ghats located in Ayodhya on the banks of the Ghaghara River. Not only Hinduism, Ayodhya is also a base city for many other religious groups such as Jains, Buddhists as well Islam.

Some of the places of interest in Ayodhya are Sri Vijayaraghavaji Temple, Hanuman Garhi Fort, Ramkot, Nageshwarnath Temple, Angad Tila, Darbarji Durgakali Temple and many more. Some believe that the legendary princess Heo Hwang-ok was a native of Ayodhya and a memorial dedicated to the Queen was built in Ayodhya in 2001 and remains an important attraction for travelers from Korea as well as other parts of the world.

Best time to visit- October to March

Distance from Varanasi - 202.4 km

Highlights- Angad Tila, Sri Vijay Raghav Ji Temple, Sita ki Rasoi, Heo Hwang-ok Memorial, Temples, Buddhist vihara and Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
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09

Rewa

Rewa is a wonderful blend of scenic natural surroundings and spectacular man-made attractions. It is filled with some of the most interesting and intriguing museums, forts, historical villages, tiger reserve and breathtaking landscape. Rewa is also famous for being an ideal home for the majestic white tigers.

Some of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls are also found in Rewa. Some of the most scenic ones are Bahuti, Purva and Keoti waterfalls. It is also home to some of the most ancient monuments, sculptures and carvings such as the reclining Bhairav Baba Statue.

Best time to visit- July to September

Distance from Varanasi- 221 km

Highlight- Forts, Temples, Monuments, White Tiger Safari, Viyankat Bhawan, Baghela Museum, Bhairavnath statue, the Royal Museum, Teonthar and the Govindgarh Palace.
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10

Bodh Gaya

Bodhgaya is one of the four most significant Buddhist religious sites and an important pilgrimage destination. Lord Buddha gained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi Tree here and Bodhgaya itself has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most interesting attractions here are the various temples and shrines built by countries like Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand and others.

All these temples and shrines depict the different architectural styles of these countries making Bodhgaya one of the most interesting places to visit near Varanasi.

Best time to visit- October to March

Distance from Varanasi- 242 km

Highlight- Mahabodhi Tree, Buddhist Temples, shrines and monasteries, Museums, Thai Monastery, Vietnamese Temple, Mahabodhi Temple and religious fairs and festivals.
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11

Patna

Patna is one of the largest cities of Bihar was founded in 490 BCE by the King of Magadha. It is a famous tourist destination receiving up to 2.5 million tourists each year. It is one of the oldest known capital cities in the world making it one of the most interesting places to visit near Varanasi. Patna, earlier known as Pataliputra, served as the capital of the Magadha empire for a long time and it has numerous noteworthy monuments from the Mauryan Era, like the Didarganj Yakshi, Kumhrar, and Agam Kuan. Patna also has one of the Five Takhts of Sikhism, the Takht Shri Patna Sahib which is the birthplace of the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.

There are numerous structures here that remain as an example of British architecture that are now important tourist attractions, like the Padri Ki Haveli, Golghar, High Court, Sultan Palace, and the Secretariat Building. The Patna Planetarium and the Eco Park are some of the highlights of Patna.

Best time to visit- October to March

Distance from Varanasi- 247.7 km

Highlights- Golghar, Didarganj Yakshi, Eco Park, Revolving Restaurant, Patna Planetarium, Mahatma Gandhi Setu and Srikrishna Science Centre.
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12

Kanpur

Kanpur is famous for the magnificent leather and textile industries. With numerous temples, ghats and parks to explore, Kanpur is one of the most intriguing tourist places to visit near Varanasi. Being one of the most important industrial areas during the British rule, Kanpur has various buildings and fine examples of architecture from that era. The most noteworthy are,

The Kanpur Sangrahalaya, a museum established by the British which contains many old books, scriptures, and pictures. The Massacre Ghat, is where the Cawnpore massacre took place during the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 and it is one of the prime attractions of Kanpur now. The famous Kanpur Zoo, JK Temple, Bithor’ Brahmavart Ghat, ISKCON Temple are some of the other places of interest in Kanpur.

Best time to visit- October to March

Distance from Varanasi- 331.6 km

Highlights- Massacre Ghat, Kanpur Sangrahalaya, Kanpur Nana Rao Park, Temples, Gardens, Jain Glass Temple and large tanneries.

13

Khajuraho

Khajuraho is famous around the world for its magnificent temples and excellent sculptures and carvings. These structures are some of the finest examples of Indian architecture. Built by the Chandela Dynasty between 950 to 1050 AD, these temples depict spiritual teachings, meditation, erotism, royalty, relationships and much more. Other than the temples, Khajuraho also has the Panna National Park where you can indulge in a jeep safari.

Raneh Falls with its cascading water and imposing rock formations is ideal for a day of trekking. Ken Gharial Sanctuary is another tourist attraction that draws visitors from all around and it also helps in preserving endangered species of crocodiles and other forms of wildlife. Khajuraho truly is one of the best places to visit near Varanasi.

Best time to visit- October to February

Distance from Varanasi- 391.6 km

Highlight- Temple Complex, Panna National Park, Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum, Sound and Light Show, Cultural performances, Khajuraho Dance Festival and scenic landscape.
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14

Lucknow

Affectionately termed as the City of Nawabs, Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the major cultural hubs of the country. Its rich heritage, made magnificent by the beauty of Islamic architecture attracts tourists from across the world. The city rose to prominence under the rulers of the Awadhi Nawabs, who were well-known patrons of food, dance, and music.

Lucknow is home to some of the most renowned Mughal architectural marvels dating back to the 17th and the 18th century, including the Bada Imambara, Chattar Manzil, and Rumi Darwaza, among others. The city also houses a number of different parks and recreational centers, such as the Qaisar Bagh, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park, the Ambedkar Memorial, and Janeshwar Mishra Park, which is the largest park in Asia.

Lucknow’s cuisine, handed down from its Mughal emperors, makes the city a gastronomic delight, with its array of delectable biryani dishes and succulent kebabs. The sprawling bazaars of Lucknow, displaying colorful wares, are a massive crowd-puller, and areas like the Chowk or Hazratganj are major attractions of the city for shopping purposes. The city is well-known for its chikankari and zardozi embroidery, and these clothing items are the most popular ones to take away from here.

The city is well connected to most major cities in the country by air, road, and rail, and can be reached easily. The various tourist attractions in the city are also well connected by public transport, and the best way to travel through Lucknow in order to visit them is to avail the public buses. Although a popular weekend destination for dwellers in its neighboring cities, any tourist desiring to properly explore the city and visit all its major attractions would need at least a week to do so in a hassle-free manner.

Coming to the weather, summers in Lucknow are very hot and clammy, while monsoon months experience extremely heavy rainfall. Ideally, the best time to visit the city would be during the winter months between December and February. During this time, the weather remains pleasantly cool and is perfect for sightseeing purposes.

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15

Agra

Agra is a major tourist destination in North India because of its many Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The tourist places in Agra speaks volume about the rich culture and heritage of Agra.

The city is known for its historic sites, architecture, and ambiance of being in the Mughal era. Agra is also included in the Golden Triangle circle with Delhi and Jaipur and hence people travelling to the north, usually visit these three cities together.

The city is not only important to the Mughal dynasty but also has its mentions in the Mahabharata, which makes it a strategic location for both Hindus and Muslims in India and in the Indo Aryan Plains. Agra is, thus, full of legacies, history, period horizons and more.

Among the top tourist places in Agra is Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal is showpiece architecture of fine Mughal craftsmanship. It was built under the aegis of Shah Jahan as a memorial for his beloved wife Arjumand Bano Begum. Her body is enshrined in the tomb at the Taj Mahal.

The designs of this structure incorporate Persian and Mughal architecture. The highlight of the structure is the tomb which is a large structure made completely of marble. Another is Agra Fort, also called the Red Fort, this structure dates back to the 16th century.

It is situated near the gardens of the Taj Mahal. Made of red sandstone, Agra Fort has walls that surround for at least two kilometers and more. Inside are many splendid palaces such as Jahangir Palace and Khas Palace. It is over here that you will find the grand hall of audiences called Diwan-i-Khas. Also on the location are a couple of magnificent mosques.

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Varanasi Top Attractions

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Kashi Vishwanath Temple

One of the oldest, richest, and holiest shrines of India is located in the sacred city of Varanasi and is known as Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Named Kashi, due to the ancient name of Varanasi, the glorious temple commemorates the mighty Lord Shiva and is a part of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Thousands of devotees travel from miles away to witness its soothing spiritual ambiance and seek blessings from their god. Sun glistens on the towering spires and domes made out of pure gold. As you walk through the gates, you can hear the soft rushing sounds of river Ganges nearby. Miniature shrines of various Hindu deities encircle the main hall of Sabha Griha. And at the heart of this hall, standing on a silver platform is the magnificent brown stoned effigy of Lord Shiva. Having braved the ravages of cultural wars, this temple has been demolished and reconstructed many times. Hence, this temple is not only an eminent pilgrimage site but also a prominent historical landmark.Distance from Varanasi: 5.3 kmBest Time to Visit: Shivratri and Rangabhari Ekadashi

More Varanasi Attractions

Manikarnika Ghat , varanasi Shivala Ghat, varanasi Monkey Temple (Durga Temple), varanasi Kashi Vishwanath Temple, varanasi Dasaswamedh Ghat, varanasi Assi Ghat, varanasi Manikarnika Ghat , varanasi Chunar Fort, varanasi Tulsi Manas Temple, varanasi Chunar Fort, varanasi Ramnagar Fort & Museum, varanasi Alamgir Mosque, varanasi Godowlia Market, varanasi Chowk & Vishwanath Gali, varanasi Man Mandir Observatory, varanasi The Banaras Silk Emporium, varanasi Shivala Ghat, varanasi Manmandir Ghat, varanasi Tulsi Ghat, varanasi Darbhanga Ghat, varanasi Scindia Ghat, varanasi Harishchandra Ghat, varanasi Lalita Ghat, varanasi Ahilyabai Ghat, varanasi Rana Mahal Ghat, varanasi Causatthi Ghat, varanasi Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, varanasi Panchganga Ghat, varanasi Monkey Temple (Durga Temple), varanasi Banaras Hindu University, varanasi Sarnath, varanasi Varanasi Fun City Iskcon, varanasi Chaukhandi Stupa, varanasi Batuk Bhairav Mandir, varanasi Ramnagar Ramleela, varanasi Bharat Mata Mandir , varanasi Nepali Temple, varanasi Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, varanasi Gyan Vapi Well, varanasi Sita Samahit Sthal, varanasi St. Mary’S Church, varanasi Kedar Ghat , varanasi Aqua World, varanasi

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