Varanasi—known to scholars as Kashi, the “City of Light”—is among the world’s oldest living cities, with rituals still performed where priests chanted 3,000 years ago. The Ganges River is its beating heart: 88 stone ghats where pilgrims bathe, boatmen glide at dawn, and a hypnotic Aarti ceremony lights up the night.

Expect a sensory kaleidoscope: temple bells, marigold garlands, chai steam, sitar strains, and the snap of silk looms. Between sunrise boat rides and alleyway explorations, you’ll nibble iconic chaat and creamy lassi, meet master weavers, and trace the Buddha’s footsteps at nearby Sarnath.

Practical notes: dress modestly, remove shoes in temples, and never photograph cremations at Manikarnika Ghat. Best weather is October–March; summers are hot and humid, monsoon runs July–September. Plan boat rides for dawn or dusk, and carry small cash for rickshaws and offerings.

Varanasi

Varanasi rewards slow travel. Spend mornings afloat on the Ganges, afternoons in shaded museums or weaving neighborhoods, and evenings on the ghats for music and rituals. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor now seamlessly connects the temple to the river, making visits smoother than ever.

• Top sights: Dashashwamedh and Assi Ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat (observe respectfully), Ramnagar Fort, BHU’s Bharat Kala Bhavan, Sarnath’s Dhamek Stupa and museum.
• Signature experiences: sunrise boat ride, Ganga Aarti, Subah-e-Banaras morning recital and yoga at Assi, silk-weaving workshops, classical music recitals, and an alleyway food crawl.
• Food highlights: kachori-sabzi breakfast, tomato chaat, tamatar chaat, pani puri, baati chokha, rabri, malaiyyo (seasonal), thandai, and famed lassi.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• BrijRama Palace (on the river, heritage luxury): Check BrijRama Palace
• Taj Ganges, Varanasi (resort-style calm in the city): Check Taj Ganges
• Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace (value with historic vibe): Check Hotel Surya
• Stops Hostel Varanasi (social, budget-friendly): Check Stops Hostel
• Zostel Varanasi (backpacker favorite near Assi): Check Zostel Varanasi
• Search more stays: Hotels.com Varanasi | VRBO Varanasi

Getting there: Fly into Varanasi (VNS) from Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata (about 1.5–2 hours; typical fares $40–$120). Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Fast trains from Delhi take ~8 hours; overnights 10–12 hours—see schedules on Trip.com Trains. Airport to the ghats is 45–60 minutes by taxi or app cab.

Day 1: Arrival, Assi Ghat Stroll, and the Ganga Aarti

Morning: Travel to Varanasi. Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com to compare flights; for trains in India, see Trip.com Trains. Pre-book a hotel near the ghats for easy river access.

Afternoon: Check in and refresh. Ease into Kashi with a walk around Assi Ghat—sip cardamom chai, watch boats bob, and peek into bookstores near Lanka. Snack on a classic lassi at Blue Lassi Shop (near Manikarnika; pomegranate or saffron are favorites) or grab a light bite at Aum Café (wholesome veg bowls, smoothies) near Assi.

Evening: Witness the dusk Aarti from the water. Book: Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour.

Post-ceremony dinner: choose Varuna at Taj Ganges for refined Awadhi curries and galouti kebabs, or Canton Royale at Hotel Surya for North Indian and global dishes in a 19th-century palace setting.

Day 2: Sunrise Boat, Kashi Vishwanath, and Old City Lanes

Morning: Glide past the ghats at first light—priests offering arghya, wrestlers training, temple bells echoing. Book: Varanasi Morning Boat Tour [RowBoat].

After, try a quintessential breakfast at Ram Bhandar (Chowk) for kachori-sabzi and jalebi, or Open Hand Café (Assi) for eggs, espresso, and fresh bakes.

Afternoon: Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple via the new corridor; carry minimal items and valid ID for smoother entry. Wander Vishwanath Gali for rudraksha beads and brass lamps; cool off with a fruit-laden lassi at Blue Lassi Shop. Lunch on a sattvic thali at Shree Shivay (near Godowlia) or a simple South Indian spread at Shri Annapurna (Chowk).

Evening: Explore Manikarnika Ghat respectfully from a distance; no photos. Catch a classical music recital if available at the International Music Centre Ashram near Assi (check latest schedule locally). Dinner riverside at your hotel or try Baati Chokha (Teliyabag) for smoky sattu-stuffed baati, chokha, and ghee-drizzled comfort.

Day 3: Sarnath—Where the Buddha Turned the Wheel of Dharma

Morning: 25–30 minutes by cab to Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first sermon. Stroll the Dhamek Stupa, the ruins of monastic complexes, and the peaceful deer park. The Sarnath Archaeological Museum (closed Fridays) displays the polished sandstone Lion Capital of Ashoka, India’s national emblem.

Afternoon: Visit the mural-filled Mulagandha Kuti Vihara and nearby Buddhist temples (Thai, Tibetan, Japanese). Lunch at a simple veg dhaba near the site; return to Varanasi for a siesta or a ghat-side chai.

Evening: Aim for a sunset stroll from Harishchandra to Assi Ghat. Dine at Brown Bread Bakery (rooftop, live music on some nights, hearty pastas) or keep it traditional with a North Indian spread at Varuna if you haven’t yet. Finish with a paan at Rajendra Chaurasia near Godowlia—an iconic Banarasi ritual.

Day 4: Temples, Ghats, and Rituals—A Full-Day Guided Immersion

Let a local expert weave the story of Kashi’s sacred geography with seamless logistics. Book: Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals.

Typically includes a dawn or dusk boat ride, major temples (like Sankat Mochan for Hanuman devotees and Durga Mandir), bustling bazaars, and lesser-known ghats. Lunch stops are often curated for hygiene and flair—ask your guide for their favorite kachori or thandai joint. Evening free to rest or revisit your favorite ghat.

Day 5: BHU Museum, Ramnagar Fort, and River-at-Dusk

Morning: Head to Banaras Hindu University, one of Asia’s largest residential campuses. The Bharat Kala Bhavan museum houses miniature paintings, sculpture, textiles, and an excellent archaeology collection (modest entry fee; check hours). Coffee and light brunch at Open Hand Café (Lanka) or Aum Café (Assi).

Afternoon: Cross the river to Ramnagar Fort, an 18th-century sandstone complex with a quirky royal museum—vintage cars, palanquins, and ornate weapons. Return by road or hire a boat back to the ghats (weather and river conditions permitting). Shop for brassware on Thatheri Bazaar or pick Banarasi silk stoles around Vishwanath Gali.

Evening: Dine at Canton Royale (butter chicken, tandoori platters, and crisp naans) or keep it vegetarian with a curated thali at Shree Shivay. If energy permits, catch the Aarti again from the steps at Dashashwamedh Ghat—a different perspective from your Day 1 boat view.

Day 6: Silk Weaving, Markets, and a Food Walk

Morning: Venture into weaving hubs like Madanpura or the village of Sarai Mohana to watch Banarasi silk saris take shape—from design cards to jacquard looms. Buy directly from artisans when possible; pure zari work commands higher prices but lasts generations.

Afternoon: Market meander: Chowk for spices and sweets, Godowlia for daily goods, and Vishwanath Gali for temple souvenirs. Midday fuel: Kashi Chaat Bhandar (try tamatar chaat and palak chaat) or Deena Chaat Bhandar (airy pani puri and aloo tikki).

Evening: Join a guided tasting to eat like a local—safe, satisfying, and story-rich. Book: Culinary Adventure Food Walk in Varanasi.

Round out the night with apple pie and thin-crust pizza at Pizzeria Vaatika Café on Assi Ghat, or a rabri dessert at Ksheer Sagar (Sigra).

Day 7: Subah-e-Banaras, Slow Morning, and Departure

Morning: Arrive at Assi Ghat before dawn for Subah-e-Banaras: a free classical music recital, Vedic chants, and community yoga as the sky blushes over the river. Breakfast at Open Hand (great coffee and pancakes) or a final chaat fix at Kashi Chaat Bhandar if you’re already hooked.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for woven stoles, brass diyas, and sandalwood. Many hotels can arrange airport transfers; allow 1–1.5 hours for traffic and security. For flights and trains, compare on Trip.com and Trip.com Trains.

Evening: If you have a late departure, relax with one last riverside chai and a quiet moment of gratitude on the ghats—Kashi lingers long after you leave.

Insider Tips and Practicalities

• Boats: Shared rowboats at dawn/dusk are the most atmospheric; private boats are easily arranged via your hotel or tour. Carry small notes and agree on price before boarding.
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered; leather items are often discouraged. Phones may be restricted—follow posted rules.
• Health: Stick to bottled water, peelable fruits, and popular, high-turnover eateries. Food walks are a great way to taste safely.
• Getting around: The old city is best on foot or e-rickshaw; cars cannot enter many lanes. For cross-town trips or airport runs, book taxis via your hotel.
• Festivals: Dev Deepawali (about two weeks after Diwali) lights the ghats with millions of lamps—spectacular but very busy; book rooms months ahead.

Optional Add-On: Landmark Evening Circuit

If you want one more guided evening, consider: Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti, Boating & Witnessing the GOD.

(If you add this, swap it in for either Day 1 or Day 5 evening.)

Where to book your stay again: Hotels.com Varanasi | VRBO Varanasi

Seven days in Varanasi lets you settle into the city’s rhythm—oars creaking at dawn, conch shells at dusk, and spices lingering in the lanes. Between sacred rituals and street food bliss, you’ll leave with stories stitched like zari into memory.