Varanasi—also called Kashi or Banaras—is one of the world’s oldest living cities, a place where dawn begins in hymns and oars, and dusk closes with lamps dancing on the Ganges. For millennia, pilgrims have come to its ghats to pray, bathe, mourn, and celebrate. Your 7-day itinerary is designed to honor that rhythm: slow mornings, alleyway discoveries, and evenings that glow with incense and bells.

Beyond the sacred ghats, Varanasi offers a tapestry of crafts and flavors: handloom Banarasi silk, thandai and lassi, spiced chaat, and classical music that spills from courtyards after dark. You’ll visit Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, and—if you wish—make a meaningful day trip to Ayodhya, another spiritual cornerstone of India.

Practical notes: Dress modestly at temples, remove shoes at entrances, and avoid photographing cremation rites at Manikarnika or Harishchandra Ghats. The best time to visit is October–March. For arrivals, consider flights into VNS (Lal Bahadur Shastri International) or overnight trains; we outline options below.

Varanasi

Varanasi’s heart beats along the river. At sunrise, oars cut rose-gold water as priests chant on Assi Ghat; at night, Dashashwamedh Ghat blazes with the Ganga Aarti. In between, lose yourself in Vishwanath Gali’s spice-scented lanes, sip a clay-cup chai, and watch silk weavers coax starlight from brocade.

• Top sights: Kashi Vishwanath Temple & Corridor, Dashashwamedh, Assi & Manikarnika Ghats, Nepali (Kathwala) Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Durga Kund, Tulsi Manas, BHU’s New Vishwanath Temple, and Sarnath (Dhamek Stupa, museum).
• Signature experiences: Sunrise boat ride, evening Ganga Aarti, heritage walk in the Old City, silk-weaving ateliers, classical music baithaks, and a chaat crawl.
• Local flavors to try: Tamatar chaat, kachori-sabzi, malaiyyo (in winter), litti-chokha, rabri, thandai, and lassi.

Where to stay (vetted picks):

• BrijRama Palace, riverside heritage with prime ghat access: Check BrijRama Palace
• Taj Ganges, Varanasi (resort-like calm, classic dining at Varuna): Check Taj Ganges
• Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace (value heritage ambience): Check Hotel Surya
• Stops Hostel Varanasi (social, budget-friendly): See Stops Hostel
• Zostel Varanasi (backpacker hub near Assi): See Zostel Varanasi
• Browse more stays on VRBO: Varanasi rentals on VRBO or Hotels.com: Varanasi hotels

Getting in and around: Fly to VNS (often $45–$120 one-way from Delhi/Mumbai on weekdays). Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains connect major Indian cities; an AC-2 overnight from Delhi takes ~11–13 hours (~$12–$30). Check Trip.com Trains. The airport sits ~45–60 minutes from the ghats; prepaid cabs are ~₹800–1,200. In town, walk, cycle-rickshaw, or use short auto rides; Old City lanes are pedestrian-first.

Day 1: Arrival, First Walk by the Ghats, and the Ganga Aarti

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. For a gentle first taste, stroll from Assi Ghat toward Dashashwamedh, pausing for chai at a riverside stall and a peek into the Nepali Temple’s wooden pagoda. If you fancy a sweet start, stop at Blue Lassi (Chowk) for hand-churned lassi in clay cups—try pomegranate or saffron.

Evening: Witness the nightly Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat from the water for a serene vantage. Book the Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour for a guided boat ride, ceremony insights, and safe seating.

Night (Dinner): Try Varuna at Taj Ganges for classics like dum aloo Banarasi and murgh handi; polished service and consistent flavors. If you’re near the river, Dolphin Restaurant (Meer Ghat) serves tandoori and curries on a terrace with Ganges views. Nightcap? A warm kesar milk from Ksheer Sagar (Sigra) is a cozy finish.

Day 2: Sunrise Boat, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and Old City Eats

Morning: Greet the river with the Varanasi Morning Boat Tour [RowBoat]. You’ll drift past bathing pilgrims, laundry-fluttered ghats, and the golden shikhara glowing at dawn.

After, breakfast at Dosa Cafe (near Dashashwamedh) for a crisp masala dosa, or Open Hand Cafe (Assi) for eggs, fresh bakes, and good coffee.

Afternoon: Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the expansive Corridor. Expect airport-style security; no leather belts/bags or phones inside the sanctum (use the lockers). For lunch, head to Baati Chokha (Ravindrapuri) for litti (roasted wheat dumplings), chokha (spiced mashed eggplant/potato), and gur rasgulla—rustic flavors from eastern UP and Bihar.

Evening: Walk the alleys to Manikarnika Ghat—observe from a respectful distance; photography is discouraged. Then nibble your way through a chaat crawl: Kashi Chaat Bhandar (crispy tamatar chaat, palak chaat) and Deena Chaat Bhandar (aloo tikki with tangy chutneys). Finish with a seasonal malaiyyo in winter or a thick lassi at Pehelwan Lassi (Assi area).

Day 3: Sarnath’s Calm and BHU’s Green Quads

Morning: Drive 30–40 minutes to Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught dharma. Explore the Dhamek Stupa, the peaceful deer park, and the Archaeological Museum (closed Fridays; typically 9 am–5 pm). Hire a local guide at the gate for context on Ashokan pillars and stupa restorations.

Afternoon: Lunch near Sarnath at a Tibetan kitchen (butter tea, thukpa) or return to town for Brown Bread Bakery (Dashashwamedh) where the rooftop serves pastas, pancakes, and a good Greek salad alongside community initiatives. Later, wander Banaras Hindu University: leafy lanes, Bharat Kala Bhavan museum (rich miniature paintings), and the marble New Vishwanath Temple.

Evening: At Assi Ghat, catch classical music or the Subah-e-Banaras cultural program (most active at dawn; some evenings feature recitals). For dinner, try Pind Balluchi (Lanka) for smoky tandoor platters or return to the riverside for North Indian staples at Aadha-Aadha Café’s casual terrace near Assi.

Day 4: Temples, Ghats, and Rituals with a Local Expert (Full Day)

Spend a curated day on the Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals. Expect a sunrise boat ride, important shrines like Sankat Mochan and Durga Kund, hidden alleyway shrines, and stories that knit it all together. You’ll get navigation help through busy quarters and smart timing around prayer hours.

Lunch is usually coordinated based on the route; if you prefer a seated break, ask to stop at Aiyappa Cafe (Lanka) for South Indian thalis or The Palate at Taj Ganges for a refined buffet. Cap the day with sunset at Munshi Ghat and a slow stroll back through Vishwanath Gali for spices, brass diyas, and rudraksha beads.

Day 5: Silk, Shopping, and a Food-Focused Evening

Morning: Visit handloom neighborhoods in Madanpura or Pilikothi to see Banarasi silk weaving. Ask hotel staff to connect you with a reputable atelier to avoid hard-sell showrooms; look for kadhua technique and real zari (silver/gold-wrapped thread). Coffee and croissants at Bread of Life Bakery (Lanka) make an easy start if you’re nearby.

Afternoon: Market time: Thatheri Bazaar (brass and copperware), Chowk (spices, wooden toys), and Godowlia (everything from puja items to sweets). For lunch, Sri Annapurna near Godowlia serves hearty thalis; or try Canton Royale at Hotel Surya for a change of pace in a heritage setting (mughlai gravies and kebabs).

Evening: Join an informal “chaat and sweets” trail on your own: Rajendra Sweet House (rasmalai, rabri), Ksheer Sagar (kulfi falooda), then a paan at Keshav Tambul Bhandar—Varanasi’s post-meal tradition. Dinner with a view? Book a river-facing table at Dolphin Restaurant (Meer Ghat) or head to Varuna (Taj Ganges) for signature kakori kebabs and saag.

Day 6: Day Trip to Ayodhya (Full Day)

Embark on a spiritual excursion with the Varanasi to Ayodhya: A Divine Day Expedition to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and nearby sacred sites. Expect an early start; Ayodhya is roughly 220–230 km from Varanasi (about 4–5 hours by road each way) with breaks for tea and lunch arranged en route.

Independent travelers can also check trains (Varanasi Jn. to Ayodhya Cantt ~3.5–4.5 hours; ₹250–₹800 depending on class) via Trip.com Trains, then hire an auto/taxi locally. Return to Varanasi in the evening.

Day 7: Subah-e-Banaras, Last Sips & Souvenirs, Departure

Morning: If you’re up for it, greet the day at Subah-e-Banaras on Assi Ghat—Vedic chants, yoga, and live classical music as the sky lightens. Breakfast at Open Hand Cafe (Assi) or Dosa Cafe (old city) and one last river amble.

Afternoon: Final shopping for silk scarves, brass diyas, and local spices on Vishwanath Gali. If you want a last temple visit, the peaceful Bharat Mata Temple (with a unique relief map of India) offers a reflective close.

Departure: Head to VNS airport (allow 1.5–2 hours including traffic and security). Check flight options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains to Delhi, Agra, or Kolkata can be checked on Trip.com Trains.

Optional Add-Ons (if you like swapping a day):

• Evening City Tour + Aarti by Boat: Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour

  

Dining cheat sheet (favorites to plug in anytime):

• Breakfast/coffee: Open Hand Cafe (Assi) for espresso and eggs; Brown Bread Bakery (Dashashwamedh) for rooftop breakfasts; Bread of Life (Lanka) for bakes and filter coffee.
• Lunch: Baati Chokha (Ravindrapuri) for litti and chokha; Sri Annapurna (Godowlia) for North Indian thalis; Aiyappa Cafe (Lanka) for crisp dosas and filter coffee.
• Dinner: Varuna (Taj Ganges) for refined classics; Dolphin Restaurant (Meer Ghat) for river views; Canton Royale (Hotel Surya) for mughlai and grills.
• Sweets & sips: Blue Lassi (Old City); Ksheer Sagar (Sigra) for kulfi and rabri; seasonal malaiyyo in winter lanes; paan stands near Godowlia for a traditional digestif.

Tips & etiquette: Carry small notes for tips and offerings. Keep shoulders/knees covered at temples. Monkeys frequent Sankat Mochan—secure glasses/food. During festivals (Dev Deepawali, Diwali), book stays and boats weeks in advance.

Seven days in Varanasi lets the city’s cadence sink in—oars at dawn, temple bells at noon, lamps at dusk. You’ll leave with silk in your bag, spice on your tongue, and the river’s rhythm in your head—an itinerary that balances sacred moments with everyday Banaras.