Travel keeps a person alive and generates the curiosity to learn more in life. So why waste time during your vacations or simply on weekends? Explore the different cultures, traditions, and majesty of nature across the country. Get going with joy and adventure to unleash the beauty through diversity.
Table of Contents
Top 30 Tourist Places in India
Goa
- Best time to visit: November to February
- Area: 3,702 km²
If you are filled with enthusiasm and want to visit a highly energetic place, then Goa is one of the must-see places in India which you cannot miss in a lifetime. It is a place filled with small shacks and nightlife with plenty of Goan delicacies to eat that too at very low prices.
How to reach:
Road: 3 bus terminals connected to it are Madgaon, Kadamba, and Mapusa.
Train: Madgaon railway station is the main connector to Goa.
Air: Dabolim airport is the major international airport.
It is also well connected by road from Mumbai and Pune.
Must-visit beaches are: Calangute, Colva, and Anjuna.
Coorg
- Best time to visit: October to March
- Area:
The love of hills can be relished by visiting this place for a nestling close to Bangalore down in the south of India. A must visit hill destination with lush green scenic beauty with full of energy and natural beauty. With peaks and rivers, it has it all to please you.
How to reach:
Road: Reach there by bus from Bangalore, which is nearly 240km.
Train: The nearest railway station is Mysore, which is 110km away.
Air: The closest domestic airport is Mangalore, which is 156km away.
Must visit falls and peaks are: Abbey Falls, Iruppu falls and Brahmagiri Peak.
Kasol
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Area:
This place is a paradise for Backpackers. If you love travelling solo, then Kasol in the Himachal Pradesh is one of the best hill stations you would never want to miss. The experience of clouds and the beauty of roads weaving through it is amazing.
How to reach:
Road: Regular state buses run from Delhi.
Train: Pathankot railway station is the nearest connector 300km away.
Air: Bhuntar domestic airport is just 31km away.
Must visit places are: Malana village and Kheerganga peak.
Kashmir
- Best Time To Visit: April to October
- Area:
This is one paradise to be if you want to see the beauty of hills. The place has aged with beauty and nature has made this place heaven in India amongst all the tourist hill stations. A never to miss place for the travel enthusiasts who love the charismatic beauty of hills.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from all major places in Jammu and Kashmir.
Train: Udhampur railway station is the nearest connector 230km away.
Air: Srinagar airport is nearby.
Must visit attractions are: Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh, and Hazratbal mosque.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Best Time To Visit: November to May
- Area:
If you love crystal clear waters and feel like diving into it for a quick swim then Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the place to be. The island is filled with attractive adventure sports and places of ancient history to take your heart away.
How to reach:
Sea: Ships can be taken from ports of Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai.
Air: Vir Savarkar airport in Port Blair.
Must visit attractions are: Cellular Jail National Memorial and Radhanagar beach.
Do does not forget to try out scuba diving and snorkelling at the beach.
Leh-Ladakh
- Best Time To Visit: April to May and Early September to mid-October
- Area:
Heavenly abode is what you can refer to these places in the hills. With temperatures falling below zero at most of the times, there are still ways to enjoy these destinations adventurously. It is a dream place for motorists to visit the highest motorable road in the hills.
How to reach:
Road: Bikes and cars can be taken from Delhi and Manali.
Train: Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the nearest connector.
Air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is nearby.
Must visit attractions are: Zanskar Valley and Khardung-la Pass.
Kutch
- Best Time To Visit: November to February
- Area:
The destination to enjoy in the hidden gems of the Thar Desert. The salt desert is where tourists from across the globe flock to witness the famous Kite festival every year. It also has environment-friendly Bhunga house stays to enjoy amidst the salt desert. In a Gujarat Tribal Tour, Rabaris are seen on the road with their animals and families wearing traditional dresses. You cannot miss the visit to these must-see places in India.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from all places in Gujarat.
Train: Bhuj Railway Station is just 50km away.
Air: Bhuj Airport is 70km away.
Must visit attractions are: Kalo Dungar, Prag Mahal and Mandvi beach.
Guwahati
- Best Time To Visit: October to April
- Area: 328 km²
The tea gardens and heavenly combination of hills make this Northeastern place a must visit. The scenic beauty is at par, and the wildlife enthusiasts would just get an edge with the magical attractions this place has got. The river banks and wildlife make up a perfect combination to enjoy native wildlife.
How to reach:
Road: Buses and cars ply from major places in Assam.
Train: New Tinsukia Railway Station is just 12km away.
Air: Mohanbari domestic Airport is 40km away in Dibrugarh.
Must visit attractions are: Kaziranga National Park and Kamakhya Temple.
Shimla
- Best Time To Visit: March to June and October to December
- Area: 35.34 km²
If you wish to enjoy the beautiful blanket of snow in the most happening town of Himachal Pradesh, then Shimla is just the place to be. Its forests and valleys attract tourists in large numbers for the scenic beauty it offers across the seasons.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Delhi, Manali and other major places in Himachal Pradesh.
Train: The famous toy train from Kalka to Shimla.
Air: Jubbarhatti Airport is nearby.
Must visit attractions are: Kufri, Mall road and Hidimba Devi Temple.
Udaipur
- Best Time To Visit: September to March
- Area: 37 km²
The destination is also known as the Venice of the East. This is because of the tremendous number of lakes the city has and the beauty with which the city is encircled around these. The city of Udaipur in Rajasthan is a lavish place to visit the heritage and soak into the luxury it offers.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from all places in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Train: Udaipur City Railway Station is well connected to other parts of the country.
Air: Udaipur Airport is well connected.
Must visit attractions are: City Palace, Lake Pichola, and Bagore ki Haveli.
Mysore
- Best Time To Visit: October to March
- Area: 155.7 km²
The place has a tremendous amount of sweet for the sweet tooth people and famous local sarees for the fashion enthusiasts. This is a place for all. The recent developments in the IT sector have made it more famous for people to drop by.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Bangalore and Chennai.
Train: Mysore Railway Station is in the heart of the city.
Air: Mysore city airport is well connected to Delhi and Mumbai.
Must visit attractions are: Mysore Palace and Mysore Zoo.
Jaisalmer
- Best Time To Visit: October to February
- Area: 5.1 km²
The place is also known as the Golden city of Rajasthan for the fort city which is majestic and magnificent to look at. The diverse and colorful culture displayed in the narrow streets of Jaisalmer gives the hue of its inviting and indulging nature with tourists from across the globe coming to experience the local tradition.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from all places in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Mumbai.
Train: Jaisalmer has its own railway station.
Air: Jodhpur Airport is the nearest airport.
Must visit attractions are: Jaisalmer Fort and Bada Bagh.
Jodhpur
- Best Time To Visit: October to March
- Area: 78.6 km²
The city of Jodhpur is also known as the Blue city of Rajasthan. The Mehrangarh fort is definitely a steal deal to grab on. The travel enthusiasts who love the tradition and culture deeply rooted in the labyrinth of the city. The locals are enthusiastic about hosting tourists from different places.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from all places in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Train: Jodhpur has its own railway station connecting to all major stations.
Air: Jodhpur Airport is nearby.
Must visit attractions are: Ummaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada, and Mehrangarh Fort.
Varanasi
- Best Time To Visit: September to February
- Area: 112.1 km²
The place to find peace and embed in the devotion of God. The place is a must-visit for spiritual enthusiasts and would be a paradise for the ones who love frequenting temples in the quest to learn about the ancient mythology of India and its native culture. Varanasi has a spiritual legacy that goes back over 3000 years.
How to reach:
Road: State-run and private buses ply from all nearby major cities and states.
Train: Varanasi Junction is well connected to different parts of India.
Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport is the nearest airport.
Must visit attractions are: Assi Ghat, Manmandir Ghat, and Durga Temple.
Mumbai
- Best Time To Visit: November to February
- Area: 603.4 km²
The city that never sleeps and always on the run is the place to be for the ones who are extremely restless and want to see a diversity of places. From the silence of the sea to the wobbling party crowd in the local nightclubs. The place caters to all age groups and has something for everyone in the store, especially the food enthusiasts.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Pune and Nasik regularly.
Train: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is well connected.
Air: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the 30km from the city centre.
Must visit attractions are: Gateway of India, Haji Ali Dargah, and Marine Drive.
Kolkata
- Best Time To Visit: September to February
- Area: 205 km²
Yes, the place which is filled with an enormous amount of love for food and its rich Bengali culture. The Durga Puja is celebrated here with great enthusiasm and is witnessed by millions of people every year. The streets are filled with eateries and sweet shops which offer diverse Bengali delicacies.
How to reach:
Road: State-run and Private buses ply from all nearby states.
Train: Howrah Junction and Sealdah Junction are well connected to different parts of India.
Air: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the main airport.
Must visit attractions are: Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, and Howrah Bridge.
Gangtok
- Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to December
- Area: 19.2 km²
The North-East has always been preferred for the love of mountains and the scenic beauty they offer throughout the different seasons. The ones who want to feel the essence of Buddhism and chants from monasteries then Sikkim is the place to be.
How to reach:
Road: Vehicles ply from Darjeeling and Siliguri.
Train: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station is 148km away.
Air: Bagdogra Airport is 125km away from Gangtok.
Must visit attractions are: Rumtek Monastery, Hanuman Tok and Nathu La.
Cherrapunji
- Best Time To Visit: November to May
- Area:
The places which are the wettest of all is a paradise in itself for the rain lovers and monsoon enthusiasts. The love for sipping a cup of coffee while it is raining outside can be cherished here in the lush green spaces of Cherrapunji.
How to reach:
Road: Private vehicles run from different places Guwahati.
Train: Guwahati Railway Station is the nearest.
Air: Guwahati has the nearest airport.
Must visit attractions are: Nohkalikai Falls, Root bridge and Seven Sisters fall.
Agra
- Best Time To Visit: April to October
- Area: 87 km²
The epitome of love could be witnessed in the city of Agra. The state of Uttar Pradesh has always been preferred for its deep love of Mughals and their heritage buildings. The city of Agra is blessed with such monuments which mark the value of love with due respect and intrinsic details. The Golden Triangle Tour is one of the most popular tours in India.
How to reach:
Road: Buses ply from Delhi and Lucknow regularly.
Train: Agra Cantonment Station and Agra Fort Station are well connected.
Air: Kheria airport is connected via a flight to Delhi.
Must visit attractions are: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri.
Hampi
- Best Time To Visit: October to February
- Area: 41.87 km²
This is a world heritage site, and a must visit tourist place in India for the aesthetical beauty and old temples in the South of India. It is also a weekend getaway for the people who want to relax for the hustle–bustle of the city life. It has traditional monuments and places of great historical importance.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Bangalore.
Train: Hospet Junction is just 13km away.
Air: Hubli Airport is the nearest airport.
Must visit attractions are: Vijaya Vittala Temple and Matanga Hill.
Ooty
- Best Time To Visit: October to February
- Area:
This place is also known for its rocky mountains, and exquisite vies of nature. Basking in the lap of hills the place offers rock climbing and other mountain-related sports activities for the ones who want to test their adrenaline. It has steep bends on the mountains with mystic parks as well as gardens for refreshing the mood.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Coimbatore and Chennai run regularly.
Train: Coimbatore Junction is just 90km away.
Air: Coimbatore International Airport is closest to Ooty.
Must visit attractions are: Ooty Botanical Garden, Rosegarden and Emerald Lake.
Kodaikanal
- Best Time To Visit: September to May
- Area: 21.45 km²
The gift of nature is very clearly evident at Kodaikanal with the place having an immense amount of dense forests and greenery. The ones who love nature cannot miss this place in a lifetime and would be happy to be in a place surrounded by the hills. There are many must-see places in India, but Kodaikanal tops the list.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Ooty, Coimbatore, and Madurai.
Train: Kodai Road station is the nearest is just 100km away.
Air: Madurai airport is nearly 120km.
Must visit attractions are: Pillars rock and Kodai Lake.
Pondicherry
- Best Time To Visit: October to March
- Area: 19.54 km²
The place is also known as the French Rivera of the East because of its beautiful streets and is often frequented by the ones who love relaxing by the beach. The place also has cafes which specialize in French delicacies to savour the people who drop by for a coffee.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Bangalore and Chennai.
Train: Villupuram Railway Junction is just 40km away.
Air: Chennai airport is the nearest airport to Pondicherry nearly 125km.
Must visit attractions are: The Seaside Promenade and Paradise Beach.
Darjeeling
- Best Time To Visit: October to March
- Area: 10.57 km²
The place famous for its tea worldwide offers the beauty of nature and culture together. The hill station of West Bengal is an enthusiastic place to be for adventure sports and the beauty of mountains. The diversity of naturally carved spaces is just breath-taking.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Siliguri ply regularly.
Train: Jalpaiguri Railway Junction is just 65km away.
Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport nearly 40km.
Must visit attractions are: Tiger Hill, Batasia loop and Rock Garden.
Nainital
- Best Time To Visit: March to June
- Area: 11.7 km²
This place is filled with all the enthusiastic trekking crowd. If you love trekking by the rivers and mountains and want to relax amidst the Mother Nature, then you should head on to Nainital to beat the heat of the city. It is surrounded by snow-capped hills and lakes around its fringes which make it one of the must-see places in India.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from all major nearby places.
Train: Kathgodham Railway Station is just 35km away.
Air: New Delhi is the nearest airport city.
Must visit attractions are: Naina Peak, Khurpatal Lake, and Tiffin Top.
Lakshwadeep Islands
- Best Time To Visit: September to May
- Area: 32.69 km²
This is an archipelago of 36 islands and is one of the places which is completely isolated from the dearth of the city life. The place is peaceful to enjoy the sun as well as the beach while you can have your favourite seafood in the sand.
How to reach:
Sea: Cochin has ship services.
Air: Cochin airport connects to it.
Must visit attractions are: Minicoy Islands and Agatti Islands.
Spiti
- Best Time To Visit: March to June
- Area:
Spiti is the place to be if you do not want to be in crowded tourist places amidst the hills. It is one of the lesser known places and is frequented by the trekking groups for camping and mountaineering. It also has wide valleys and beautiful scenic beauty to relax your mind.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from different places in Himachal Pradesh.
Train: Chandigarh Railway Station is closest you can get.
Air: Bhuntar has the nearest airport 245km away.
Must visit attractions are: Suraj Tal lake, Pin Valley National Park and Kunzum Pass.
Ranikhet
- Best Time To Visit: September to February
- Area:
This is a cantonment hill town, and if you love staying close to nature, then this place is the one you cannot miss in a lifetime. The place is filled with orchards and greenery, which attracts people from different places of the country to view the majesty of nature in Uttarakhand.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run from Delhi 355 km away.
Train: Kathgodam Railway Station is closest you can get 75km away.
Air: Pantnagar Airport 110km away.
Must visit attractions are: Bhalu Dam and Jhula Devi Temple.
Pahalgam
- Best Time To Visit: any time of the year
- Area:
A hill station nibbling in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir is a real delight and also nature’s paradise. There are beautiful saffron farms which are spread across large areas, and it smells heavenly to be at such a beautiful place away from the chaos.
How to reach:
Road: Buses and car run regularly from nearby places.
Train: Not easily connected.
Air: Srinagar Airport 90km away.
Must visit attractions are: Aru Valley and Lidder river.
Gokarna
- Best Time To Visit: any time of the year
- Area: 10.9 km²
This is a very spiritual and deeply rooted Hindu pilgrimage destination. The ones who are connected to the myths and mythologies of ancient India would find this place a treat to their knowledge as it is surrounded by sacred sites and is one of the must-see places in India.
How to reach:
Road: Buses run regularly from nearby places.
Train: Dabolim airport in Goa is the nearest.
Air: Srinagar Airport 90km away.
Must visit attractions are: Mahabaleshwara Temple, Kudle Beach, and Gokarna Beach.
When it comes to travel, what can be a better place than India? With its diverse culture, cultural festivals, forts, and palaces of Rajasthan, Ajanta Ellora caves, Khajuraho temple, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, and beaches of Goa, it offers an unparalleled experience. From Ranthambore to national parks like Kaziranga, there is something interesting for every visitor. Thank you, author, for sharing all these incredible places with us.
All the 30 places that you have mentioned in this blog are very wonderful places, now I am getting confused that what should I see first.