15 Best Places to Visit in India, According to Travel Experts

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Many travelers put the 17th-century Taj Mahal at the top of their lists of Indian destinations. This white marble mausoleum is easily India’s most recognizable structure—and it’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The popular attraction also has a romantic backstory. “This iconic symbol of love is renowned for its architectural beauty, intricate marble work, and the captivating story behind its creation by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal,” notes Billo. The bodies of the emperor and his wife remain interred in the Taj to this day. If you want a room with unobstructed views of the famous landmark, book a stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas.

Gujarat

If you’re looking for a less-frequented alternative to more touristed states, consider Gujarat. “Under-explored but culturally rich, this state in India is a tapestry of festivals, textiles, architectural heritage, communities, and landscape,” says Shoba Rudra, founder and partner at the hospitality consultancy Rare India.

Gujarat was also the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, who led the Salt March, one of his most famous acts of peaceful protest, through the state in 1930. Rudra suggests visiting the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial, which “honors the activists through murals, installations, sculptures, art, and related film.” It’s also worth checking out the Kutch district, known for its distinct metal bells, which were originally used for keeping track of livestock and are now popular as decorative wind chimes.

Udaipur, Rajasthan

Nicknamed the City of Lakes (there are at least seven of them), this fairy-tale destination is home to some of India’s finest luxury hotels and historic whitewashed palaces. Udaipur’s magnificent City Palace is actually an 11-palace complex that houses a royal residence, hotels, and a huge museum with an impressive collection of European crystal. A short boat ride away, the 18th-century Taj Lake Palace in the middle of Lake Pichola is now an opulent hotel. The City Palace is also a quick drive from The Oberoi Udaivilas, another palatial hotel with onion-domed cupolas and a moat-like swimming pool that directly connects to some of the rooms. 

Goa

The smallest state, Goa, is one of India’s top beach destinations, where long days of swimming and sunbathing turn into longer nights of partying on the sand. While Goa has been known as a hippie haven since the 1960s, it’s started to shed its reputation in recent decades. It’s still very much a party state, though it also draws in families and couples in search of sea and sun, sans nightlife. It’s a great place for history buffs as well, with numerous seaside forts and UNESCO-recognized churches that were built when Goa was under Portuguese rule. And while the destination has always been loved for its fiery dishes that combine traditional Konkani ingredients with Portuguese influences, it has also emerged as a culinary hot spot, where a new generation of chefs is showcasing everything from Japanese yakitori to jackfruit tamales.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

On the banks of the sacred Ganges River, the holy city of Rishikesh has held a place in the hearts of spiritually minded travelers—both from India and abroad—for generations. It’s the self-proclaimed “yoga capital of the world,” with a mix of traditional ashrams (spiritual rest houses) that cater largely to Hindu pilgrims and yoga centers that attract international visitors with teacher-training courses and meditation retreats. If you’re not into yoga, you’ll still find plenty to do here. Popular activities include visiting the ruins of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram (dubbed the Beatles Ashram in honor of its most famous former residents) and whitewater rafting adventures on the mighty Ganges. For an epic wellness getaway, stay at the nearby Ananda in the Himalayas.

Kerala

Stretching along the southernmost part of India’s Malabar Coast, the tropical state of Kerala entices visitors with its marshy backwaters, which people visit on overnight houseboat adventures. These popular cruises “showcase lush landscapes and peaceful villages, and [give visitors] a glimpse into local life amid tranquil waters and picturesque surroundings,” says Billo. While the backwaters are a star attraction, the state offers much more, from the tea plantations of Munnar, known for its cool climate and seemingly endless rolling hills, to the historic city of Kochi, celebrated in equal measure for its rich coastal history and contemporary art scene. The beaches aren’t too shabby, either. According to Rudra, “North Kerala is also famous, as the Malabar Coast is where the spice trade flourished.”

Kashmir

On the opposite end of the country from Kerala, Kashmir offers entirely different—but equally captivating—landscapes. With its alpine climate, evergreen trees, and snowy winters, Kashmir is often likened to a mini Switzerland. Famed 13th-century Sufi poet Amir Khusrau once proclaimed in Farsi, “If there is a paradise on earth, it is this,” and he may have been onto something. At the heart of it all is Srinagar, Kashmir’s summer capital, which is known for its elegant gardens and Dal Lake, the centerpiece. “Highlights include staying on a houseboat or taking a shikara [traditional Kashmiri boat] ride,” says Billo, who hails from the area. Don’t leave without indulging in wazwan, an opulent, meat-heavy feast that can feature up to three dozen dishes in one sitting. 

Ladakh

Occupying a high-altitude plateau in the northernmost reaches of India, Ladakh is characterized by otherworldly landscapes and big skies punctuated by palatial stupas and monasteries. Many visitors come to Ladakh’s capital, Leh, during the short summer tourist season, but this surreal region offers plenty more to experience beyond the city. Billo suggests visiting the Nubra Valley, an isolated part of the old Silk Road that’s only accessible by crossing Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable passes. “The valley offers a glimpse into Ladakh’s unique geography and cultural diversity with monasteries, quaint villages, and apricot orchards,” says Billo. The region is also rich with unusual wildlife, from elusive snow leopards to the scaled-down Bactrian camels that originated in the steppes of Central Asia.

Auroville, Tamil Nadu

If you’re looking for a place that’s unlike anywhere else in the world, head to the intentional community of Auroville in South India. This UNESCO-recognized global township was founded in the 1960s with the goal of “realizing human unity,” beyond the illusory divisions of creed or nationality. It’s home to generations of residents from around the world. Many visitors come for an hour or two, just long enough to view Auroville’s spiritual center—the golden, dome-shaped Matrimandir. However, it’s worth sticking around a bit longer to get a feel for what the community is about. As author and Auroville native Akash Kapur puts it: “Come to Auroville if you’re interested in alternative societies, sustainable living, or spirituality, but try not to just drop in for a few hours (as many do), and instead spend some time here, really getting to know the people and their work. The community rewards sustained immersion.”

Andaman Islands

Although most people associate the crystalline waters of the Andaman Sea with Thai island getaways, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in this tropical region belong to India. This little stretch of paradise is full of gorgeous shorelines, but most visitors devote their vacations to the island of Swaraj Dweep (also known as Havelock). The most popular beach on the island is Radhanagar Beach, which offers over a mile of white sand sandwiched between tropical jungle and warm, clear waters. Getting to this remote island requires a bit of gumption, though: you’ll need to fly from the mainland to Port Blair on South Andaman Island, then catch a ferry for the final stretch. While visitors are welcome on many islands in the chain, a few—including the secluded North Sentinel Island—are off-limits. 

Delhi

While many travelers see India’s capital as a jumping-off point for visiting further-afield destinations, it’s worth sticking around for a while to truly appreciate what Delhi has to offer. There’s rarely a dull moment in this busy metropolis, whether you’re shopping for handicrafts at one of its numerous markets or learning about medieval and Mughal history at one of its three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar, and the Red Fort. Within the National Capital Territory, New Delhi is undeniably rambunctious but has a quiet side that you can find amid the trees and 15th-century tombs of Lodi Gardens or in the quiet interiors of the Baháʼí Lotus Temple.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

The capital of Rajasthan and part of North India’s popular Golden Triangle tourist route (which also includes Agra and Delhi), Jaipur is a must-visit for those who love architecture and shopping. “The Pink City, as it’s nicknamed, offers a rich cultural heritage, stunning [landmarks] like Amber Fort, vibrant bazaars, and intricate handicrafts,” says Billo.

Many of the best things to do in Jaipur are inside the historic walled part of the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights include Jantar Mantar (a collection of oversized—and fully functional—astronomical instruments dating to the 18th century) and Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, a honeycomb-like palace designed with tiny windows that allowed air to flow freely through its interior.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Dubbed the Blue City because of the cerulean buildings that extend for miles through the oldest part of town, Jodhpur has long attracted travelers eager to explore the ramparts of the larger-than-life Mehrangarh Fort. It’s also home to the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace, which famously hosted the wedding of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. While Jodhpur’s regal architecture is reason enough to visit, there’s more to the city than massive forts and palaces. “The area around the Toorji Ka Jhalra stepwell in the old city is fun to explore,” says Sapna Bhatia, founder of Kaner Retreat and a Jodhpur-area native. “For nature enthusiasts, there’s the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park near Mehrangarh Fort.”

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

The northeast Indian state of Assam is home to a treasure for wildlife enthusiasts: Kaziranga National Park. This expansive, UNESCO-listed wildlife refuge near the borders of Bangladesh and Bhutan has the largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses on the planet, providing a home to around 2,000 of these massive beasts. Although rhinos are the star attraction on park safaris, all sorts of animals live here, including tigers, elephants, gibbons, sloth bears, and a small number of endangered Ganges River dolphins. 

Mumbai

Historic, glitzy, and positively gargantuan, Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) is easily one of India’s most cosmopolitan destinations. This city by the sea is the nation’s financial and entertainment capital, and while you’re unlikely to rub shoulders with Bollywood stars here, you’re sure to see a lot of impressive attractions in very little time. Take a boat out to Elephanta Island to explore fifth– and sixth–century rock-hewn cave temples, marvel at the grand Indo-Saracenic architecture at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, or see thousands of clothes hanging out to dry at Dhobi Ghat, the world’s largest open-air laundry. Then, head to the sleek neighborhood of Bandra West, home to many of Mumbai’s top restaurants and hotels, including Taj Lands End, one of the best hotels in India, as voted by T+L readers.