Varanasi rewards travelers who are willing to walk. Most of the city's most memorable sights sit within a short stroll of the ghats, which makes it easy to fill two or three days without ever needing a car. If you are staying at Rivera Palace, our Ganga view rooms put you within easy reach of almost everything on this list.
1. Dashashwamedh Ghat
The busiest and most photographed ghat in the city, and the site of the nightly Ganga Aarti. Come early in the morning for a quieter view of pilgrims bathing, and return at dusk for the fire ceremony.
2. Assi Ghat
A favorite with locals and long-stay travelers, Assi Ghat has a relaxed, café-lined atmosphere and its own smaller aarti each evening. It is also a good starting point for a sunrise boat ride.
3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines and the spiritual heart of the city, now connected to the riverfront through the wide Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Expect security checks and modest dress requirements.
4. Manikarnika Ghat
The city's principal cremation ghat, considered one of the most sacred sites in Hinduism. Visitors are welcome to observe respectfully from a distance, though photography here is discouraged.
5. Man Mandir Ghat
Built by a Rajput king in the seventeenth century, this ghat has a striking stone observatory on its upper level and some of the finest carved balconies on the riverfront.
6. The Ganga Boat Ride
A short rowboat ride at sunrise or sunset is the easiest way to see the ghats as a continuous sweep, rather than as isolated stops on foot. Boats can be hired directly from most ghats.
7. The Narrow Lanes of Vishwanath Gali
The alleys leading up to the temple are packed with shops selling brass idols, silk, and sweets. It is easy to lose track of time here, so budget at least an hour for wandering.
8. Ramnagar Fort
Across the river and reachable by boat or road, this eighteenth century fort houses a museum of vintage cars, weapons, and royal memorabilia. It is a quieter half-day trip away from the crowds.
9. Banaras Hindu University
One of Asia's largest residential universities, with a leafy campus and the New Vishwanath Temple, a calmer, less crowded alternative for those who want a peaceful darshan.
10. The Evening Ganga Aarti
No visit is complete without watching the aarti at least once, whether from the ghat itself or from a boat anchored on the water. Arrive by 6 pm in winter or 6:45 pm in summer to get a good spot.
Getting Around
Most of these sights are within a fifteen to twenty minute walk of each other along the riverfront. From Rivera Palace, you can reach Dashashwamedh Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Manikarnika Ghat comfortably on foot, which is often faster than negotiating the narrow lanes by auto rickshaw.