Between traditional roots and modern evolution, India is a country of contrasts, as beautiful as it is authentic. Miracles can be found in any field: culture, history, gastronomy, architecture, religion, and nature. But what are the most beautiful places in India?
The rest of the territory is divided between natural and wild parks, snow-capped mountain ranges, endless coastal landscapes, and rocky plains and plateaus. Wherever you are in India, there is always something to explore, something to admire, something to experience.
So, we offer you to discover the 20 most beautiful places in India.
Mysore Palace
Built-in the city of the same name, Mysore Palace is the second most visited palace in India. Built-in the 14th century, it is both the royal residence of the Wodeyar dynasty and the residence of the Mysore Kingdom. The granite, stone, and marble building house a dozen Hindu temples and numerous halls with the diverse architecture of Indo-Muslim and Neo-Gothic influences.
If you are wondering what are the most unique places in India, Mysore Palace is a great place to start.
Pondicherry
The former French colony of Pondicherry, a coastal city in southeastern India, is now thriving thanks to its port activities and cotton and silk factories. Everywhere in the city, you will feel a mixture of French and Tamil culture: lifestyle, local customs, art scene, and culinary traditions.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake, separated from the Bay of Bengal by a huge sixty-kilometer sandy beach, is one of the most beautiful places in India. A real paradise on the shore of the lake with untouched tranquility, pink flamingos, kingfishers, and Irrawaddy dolphins.
Highly protected, it is one of the sites recognized by the Ramsar Convention: wetlands of international importance for the conservation of the natural habitat of birds. One of the most beautiful places in India!
The Golden Temple
Located in Amritsar, in northwest India, the Golden Temple is the holiest of all Sikh shrines in the area. The building, covered with pure gold, and the thrones in the center of the Nectar Pool: as sacred as it is majestic, the temple is a real symbol of openness to others, regardless of their origin and beliefs. Don’t forget to wash your feet and cover your head before entering.
Jim Corbett National Park
If you are looking for a refuge from the hustle and bustle of Indian cities, head to Jim Corbett National Park, located a few hours northeast of New Delhi. Known for its exceptional wildlife and the Tiger Project, it was built in 1936 and remains the oldest national park in the country. You can meet many kinds of animals: tigers, Asian elephants, deer, snakes, flying foxes, and birds.
Beaches of Goa
Crystal clear turquoise waters, long stretches of golden sand surrounded by palm trees, small colorful bars, and restaurants, sunsets over the sea, shows of jugglers and drummers – that’s what awaits you on the magnificent beaches of Goa. Lively and authentic, they stretch the entire length of the province in southwest India. Depending on your mood, you can do yoga or meditate, drink a cocktail and have a party, or just relax and enjoy the sun.
Taj Mahal
With its pristine white facades, Mughal architectural style, and cruciform canals surrounded by lush gardens, the Taj Mahal is one of the most charming places in all of India. This white marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife. The most famous and most visited monument in the country, it is located in the heart of the city of Agra in northern India. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new seven Wonders of the World.
Dudhsagar Waterfall
Dudhsagar Waterfall with a height of more than 300 meters is one of the largest and most impressive in India. Located on the Mandovi River in the heart of the Mollem National Park, it marks the border between the provinces of Goa and Karnataka in the southwest of the country. Divided into 4 waterfalls, you can admire this magnificent waterfall after a short but no less amazing walk through the nearby Indian forest.
New Delhi
The capital of India, located in the north of the country, is full of historical, cultural, and architectural treasures that cannot be missed under any circumstances. His legacy is a unique combination of pure traditions of the Indian Empire and modern international influences. To visit India authentically, a stop in New Delhi is ideal.
Discover the Red Fort, Humayun’s Grave, India Gate, Lotus Temple, and Gandhi Memorial. Charming and eclectic New Delhi is a city that will not leave you indifferent!
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a group of 29 Buddhist temples and monasteries in which caves are located. Carved into basalt rocks, they once served as a refuge and a place of prayer for monks. The interior is a real tribute to the Buddha: you can admire the sculptures, frescoes, and engravings that represent him, some of which date back to 200 BC.
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort, located at an altitude of 120 meters above sea level, towers over the city of Jodhpur in northwestern India. Built-in 1459, it is one of the most impressive fortresses in the country. Surrounded by ramparts offering magnificent and breathtaking views of Jodhpur, the fort houses several palaces, as well as courtyards, gardens, and galleries.
There is also a museum where costumes, decorative and applied arts, paintings, musical instruments, and armor are exhibited. Certainly one of the most beautiful places in India.
Ganges
What can you do in India to get away from the beaten roads and crowded cities? The answer is simple: go and recharge your batteries on the banks of the Ganges. This river considered the most sacred of the seven sacred rivers of India, flows through the north of the country and stretches for more than three thousand kilometers. A symbol of the ultimate truth among Hindus, you will be able to admire the beauty and special biodiversity of the Ganges without ever getting tired of it.
Ruins of Hampi
If you want to learn more about the Hindu Empire and religion, visit Hampi Village in the heart of Tungabhadra Valley. All over the city, you can admire the ruins of Vijayanagar, a collection of famous monuments looted and abandoned in 1565: the Royal Lotus, the Queen’s Bath, and the temples of Virupaksha, Vittal, and Achyutaraya. To complete the visit, climb the six hundred steps of Mount Anjaneya, which will lead you to the Hanuman Temple, the place of pilgrimage where the monkey god of the same name was born.
Ladakh Region
The Ladakh region, located in the far north of India, is a country of contrasts between plateaus and snow-capped peaks. This is one of the most beautiful regions of India that is worth visiting. During your stay, don’t miss the luxurious Shalamar Gardens in Srinagar, Hemis National Park, Tiksei Monastery in Leh, and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. This part of India, nicknamed Little Tibet, offers many hiking and mountain trails, ideal for hiking and hiking.
Kerala Canals
The state of Kerala, which is often called the land of God, has a unique network of canals: on nine hundred kilometers of its territory, countless lagoons, bridges, rivers, dams, and small lakes intersect and intertwine, forming backwaters. Walk along these canals and admire coconut groves, buffalo herds, rice fields, and quaint villages along the shores.
The Tar Desert
What to do in India when passing through the Rajasthan region on the Pakistani border? Stay in the Thar desert, of course! With more than eighty inhabitants per square kilometer, it is the most densely populated desert in the world. Sometimes it is called the Great Indian Desert, here you can see antelopes, desert foxes, and gazelles. Take the opportunity to visit the beautiful golden city of Jaisalmer, located to the west of the desert.
Tawang Monastery
Belonging to Tibet, the city of Tawang has preserved most of the heritage and traditions that it acquired before its annexation to India in 1914. Among them is the Tawang Buddhist Monastery, the largest in the country. More than three hundred monks live in the community, who take care of this sacred place with its magnificent architecture every day. If only one monastery could be visited in India, it would undoubtedly be this one.
Bandipur National Park
This huge nature reserve, located southwest of India, borders the Mudumalai and Nagarhole National Parks. Among the sparsely wooded and green expanses, you will meet elephants, mongooses, tigers, and other wild bulls inhabiting this protected area. Since 2013, Bandipur National Park has been one of the important ornithological areas of India. One of the most beautiful places in India!
Darjeeling
Thanks to the famous tea, the Educational Institute of Tibetan Medicine, and the picturesque views of the surrounding high peaks, Darjeeling exudes the authenticity and Buddhist hospitality of India. Located in the far north of the country, between Nepal and Bhutan, it represents an ideal compromise between the urban spirit and natural landscapes.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Isolated off the east coast of India, bordered by the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, the Andaman Islands are one of the most beautiful places in India. In an eclectic archipelago, you will find dense rainforests and mangroves, crystal clear waters suitable for snorkeling and diving, lively and hospitable cities, and endless white sand beaches. This is the perfect place if you want to visit India in the wilderness.
I have an itinerary but this would be my first time visiting India and I honestly feel very overwhelmed. It would be a short stay, only one week, but I want to make the most of it. I wanted to start with Srinagar and Pahalgam for my first visit. From one touristy destination to a more remote, chill one, a week should be enough to cover the popular spots. I’m most excited about visiting the Mughal Gardens, they’re truly a work of art. Let’s see how it goes…