Varanasi—also known as Kashi and Banaras—is among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Poets and pilgrims have watched the Ganges here for millennia, charting life’s quiet dawns and fiery farewells along more than 80 ghats. This 5-day itinerary balances spiritual rituals, history, living crafts, and exceptional eating.

Expect intimate alleyways perfumed with incense, temple bells at daybreak, and the rustle of silk from handlooms that still power a legendary textile tradition. You’ll witness the nightly Ganga Aarti, glide on a sunrise boat, and trace Buddha’s first sermon across Sarnath’s gardens and stupas. Along the way, you’ll eat like a local—from tamatar chaat to the creamiest lassi—and meet artisans in their workshops.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered) and remove shoes as required. Photography is restricted at cremation ghats. Avoid drinking river water; carry filtered water. Cashless payments (UPI/cards) work widely, but keep small cash for rickshaws and snacks.

Getting to Varanasi (VNS)

• Flights: Frequent domestic flights (e.g., Delhi ~1h25m, Mumbai ~2h10m, Kolkata ~1h20m). Search and book on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical fares run ~$40–$120 one-way when booked in advance.
• Trains: The Vande Bharat (New Delhi–Varanasi) takes ~8 hours; overnight trains from Mumbai/Jaipur/Agra are popular. Check times/fares on Trip.com Trains. AC Chair/Sleeper typically ~$12–$35.
• Airport to Old City: 45–70 minutes by prepaid taxi or app cab; budget ~$8–$15 depending on traffic and drop-off near the ghats.

Varanasi

Varanasi is an urban tapestry of faith and craft. Start at the river: the ghats are a procession of daily life—prayers, laundry, wood-smoke, and quiet contemplation. Then fold into the labyrinth: Vishwanath Gali’s shops, brassware lanes, and sweet stalls bubbling with rabri.

Top sights include Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the riverside Assi and Dashashwamedh Ghats, Ramnagar Fort’s museum, and the elegant campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) with the superb Bharat Kala Bhavan. A half-day to Sarnath adds Buddhist calm and world-class archaeology.

Where to stay: For river views and heritage vibes, consider a ghat-side haveli. Modern comforts abound in the Cantonment/Sigra areas. Browse stays on VRBO Varanasi and Hotels.com Varanasi—look near Assi Ghat for relaxed evenings or near Dashashwamedh for a central, atmospheric base.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverside Orientation, and the Ganga Aarti

Morning: Travel day. If flying, aim to arrive around midday; if coming by train, Varanasi Junction is central and well-connected. Grab a chai and something light at the station or airport; you’ll be walking along the river later.

Afternoon: Check into your stay and settle in. Stretch your legs with a slow amble from Assi Ghat toward Dashashwamedh Ghat, pausing for nimbu soda from a cart and a peek at boat rates for tomorrow’s sunrise. For a first snack, try Kashi Chaat Bhandar (tamatar chaat with a crisp, tangy punch) or Deena Chaat Bhandar (golgappe and dahi puri).

Evening: Witness the river’s nightly ritual with the Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour.

From your boat or riverside platform, watch synchronized prayers, flaming lamps, and conch shells against the dusk-lit ghats. Dinner after at Varuna (classic North Indian thali and kebabs), Niyati Cafe (home-style curries in Bengali Tola), or Baati Chokha (litti chokha with smoky ghee).

Day 2: Sunrise Boat, Temples, and Old City Food Crawl

Morning: Glide along the river on the Varanasi Morning Boat Tour [RowBoat].

Dawn washes the ghats in rose light—priests chant, swimmers take their first dip, and life begins. Post-ride, refuel at Blue Lassi Shop (pomegranate or saffron lassi in clay cups) or Aum Cafe at Assi (eggs, porridge, and excellent coffee).

Afternoon: Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex (carry minimal belongings; lockers available) and nearby Annapurna Temple. Browse Vishwanath Gali for brass lamps, rudraksha beads, and sweets—try malaiyyo in winter mornings. Head to Madanpura to meet silk weavers and learn how Banarasi brocades are handwoven. Lunch at Dosa Cafe (light Southern plates) or Ksheer Sagar (chaat and Bengali desserts).

Evening: Cross to Ramnagar Fort by bridge or boat for sunset over the palace ramparts; the on-site museum holds vintage cars and weaponry. Return riverside for dinner: Pizzeria Vatika Cafe (apple pie and thin-crust pizza with ghat views) or The Great Kebab Factory for tandoori spreads. Consider a classical music recital—ask locally for concerts around Assi or BHU; Varanasi’s sitar and vocal gharanas are superb.

Day 3: Full-Day Temples, Ghats, and Rituals (Guided)

Immerse with a comprehensive, expert-led day: Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals.

Through a local expert’s lens, you’ll string together a serene boat ride, centuries-old shrines, hidden alleys, and the textures of daily life. This is an excellent day for deeper context—ask about meanings behind rituals and the city’s shifting shoreline.

After your tour, unwind with thandai at Baba Thandai (non-bhang version recommended) and dine at a rooftop spot near Dashashwamedh for river breezes and curries. Early night if you plan another dawn start.

Day 4: Heritage Walk and Sarnath’s Buddhist Legacy

Morning: Lace up for a guided walk: The Heritage City Tour in Varanasi.

You’ll thread through potters’ corners, tiny shrines, and markets humming with sweets and brassware, perfect for a photography-forward wander. Coffee and breakfast afterward at Open Hand Cafe (espresso, pancakes) or Kashi Coffee House (filter coffee, sandwiches).

Afternoon: Taxi to Sarnath (30–40 minutes). Explore the Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar with its serene murals, and the Archaeological Museum (remarkable Ashokan pillars and Buddha sculptures). Pack a light snack or return to Varanasi for a late lunch at Shree Cafe (simple veg plates) or Niyati Cafe (thali and ginger tea).

Evening: Back in Varanasi, stroll Assi Ghat for riverside calm. Consider a second, shorter boat just after sunset to watch the ghats glow. For dinner, try clay-oven breads and paneer handi at a Punjabi dhaba near Godowlia, or reserve at a hotel restaurant for a refined end to the day.

Day 5: BHU Museum, Silk & Souvenirs, Departure

Morning: Head to BHU’s Bharat Kala Bhavan, a superb museum of sculpture, textiles, and miniature painting—an essential stop for art lovers. Breakfast before or after at Aum Cafe or a local kachori-sabzi stall near Lanka. Wrap up shopping: look for Banarasi dupattas or sarees (ask for zari details and loom origins) and high-quality brass diyas in Thatheri Bazaar.

Afternoon: Final meander through Vishwanath Gali for sweets (try peda or laddoo for the journey). Allow 60–90 minutes to reach the airport depending on traffic and your ghat/hotel location. If departing by train, arrive 30–40 minutes early; AC Chair/3A coaches are comfortable for daytime routes—check Trip.com Trains for timings.

Evening: If your flight/train is later, enjoy a last tea on the ghats and a slice of apple pie at Pizzeria Vatika Cafe, or go light with fruit chaat from a trusted vendor. Bid the Ganges farewell with a quiet moment—Banaras lingers long after you leave.

Local eating and sipping cheatsheet (current favorites)

• Street & casual: Kashi Chaat Bhandar (tamatar chaat), Deena Chaat Bhandar (pani puri), Dosa Cafe (dosas and idlis), Niyati Cafe (veg thali), Ksheer Sagar (sweets and chaats).
• Cafes & coffee: Blue Lassi Shop (fruit lassi in kulhads), Aum Cafe (healthy breakfasts), Open Hand Cafe (espresso and bakes), Kashi Coffee House (strong filters).
• Sit-down dinners: Varuna (heritage Indian), The Great Kebab Factory (tandoor feast), riverside rooftops near Dashashwamedh for curries with a view.
• Seasonal treat: Malaiyyo (nimish) on winter mornings—cloud-light, saffron-kissed milk froth served in tiny bowls.

Getting around: E-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws navigate the old city best; cars can’t enter many lanes. Expect to walk; wear sturdy shoes. For longer hops (airport/BHU/Ramnagar), use taxis or app cabs; agree on fares in advance if paying cash.

Where to book stays: Compare riverside havelis and modern hotels on VRBO Varanasi and Hotels.com Varanasi. For a serene base, focus on Assi Ghat; for a front-row seat to the action, look near Dashashwamedh.

Bonus evening idea: If you want one more guided night with storytelling and river perspectives, book the Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti, Boating & Witnessing the GOD.

Note on etiquette: No photos at Manikarnika or Harishchandra cremation ghats. Tip boatmen and guides modestly for good service. If you try bhang thandai, go easy—it’s potent and not for travel days.

In five days you’ll watch dawn ignite the Ganges, taste Banaras on your tongue, and trace stories from Buddha to modern-day artisans. Varanasi rewards the curious—every alley bends toward a new memory, every bell ring another chapter.