Varanasi- Not just a hype, but a place which is searched most in past year and received intense visitors with increasing count every year. It is not the kind of place you “see.” It is the kind of place you feel and it leaves an impression on your mind, body, and soul for longer memories.
But may be you only have one day in Varanasi. That is okay, as it is possible to catch the magic of spiritual capital in one day only. The million layers that make this city unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Here is the guide about top 10 places to visit in Varanasi and how to visit all these places in just one day. Also find a suitable trip plan for how to spend one incredible day in Varanasi, from sunrise on the Ganges to evening aarti fir memories forever.
Top 10 Tourist Places to Visit in Varanasi
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Kaal Bhairav Mandir
- Banaras Hindu University
- Sankat Mochan Temple
- Assi Ghat
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Tulsi Manas Temple
- Bharat Kala Bhawan Museum
- Bharat Mata Temple
- Namo Ghat
How to Make the Most of Your 24 Hours in Varanasi
To spend a beautiful day in Varanasi, you must plan accordingly to cover the most by enjoying street food and shopping at beautiful markets. Here is a Varanasi Day Trip Itinerary– well designed to cover 10 top tourist attractions with must do activities.
Assuming you have arrived Varanasi one day earlier or a local, get pick up at your location with Tempo Traveller in Varanasi for a comfortable trip on full day.
1. Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges (5:30–6:30 AM)
Start your day early to make the trip worth. Take a rowboat ride along the river, starting from Assi Ghat or Dashashwamedh Ghat depending on your hotel address or location. Watch the sunrise light up the ghats and temples. Witness pilgrims bathing, priests praying, chai wallahs calling you for a sip of tea and toast with butter.
Pro Tip: Hire a boat with a local guide who can point out key ghats and temples as you float by.
2. Visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple (7:00–8:00 AM)
After your river ride, head straight to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple—one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and easily one of the most sacred spots for Hindus. Dedicated to Lord Shiva where energy in intense and a beautiful Vishwanath Corridor will welcome you always. Security is tight, so keep phones and bags outside in lockers. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is best places to visit in Varanasi.
Pro Tip: Dress modestly, remove footwear before entering, and try going with a local if you want to avoid confusion. The time can extend in peak season or festive time of Shravan or Shivratri.
After darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, devote your prayers at Kaal Bhairav Temple located adjacent to the Temple.
3. Bharat Kala Bhavan (8:30–9:30 AM)
Now that you have had your spiritual moment, drive towards Bharat Kala Bhavan, located inside Banaras Hindu University (BHU). This museum houses an amazing collection of miniature paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Have a quick tour of BHU Campus which is quiet, educational ambience and greenery all around. Visit the temple inside the campus and enjoy some snacks and refreshing drink at café.
4. Breakfast at a Local Café (9:30–10:30 AM)
Kachori Sabji, Aloo chat, lassi, malaiyo or any kind of North Indian cuisines is easily available at famous Misthan Bhandar of Gowodolia or near BHU.
5. Tulsi Manas Mandir (11:00–11:30 AM)
Next up: Tulsi Manas Mandir, built where poet Tulsidas supposedly wrote the Ramcharitmanas. Here you will find the walls engraved with verses from the Ramayana. It is a peaceful place and take 30-40 minutes to explore.
6. Durga Kund & Durga Temple (11:30–12:00 PM)
Close to Tulsi Mandir is the Durga Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple (guess why).
- Built in the 18th century, it is painted a striking red and is dedicated to Goddess Durga.
- The adjacent kund (tank) is believed to be sacred.
Pro Tip: Keep your belongings close—monkeys here don’t care about your personal space.
7. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (12:15–1:00 PM)
One of the most famous Hanuman temples in India, this place draws both locals and tourists alike.
- It is believed that prayers here help “remove troubles” (Sankat = trouble).
- The vibe is full of chants and peace—until the monkeys show up again.
8. Lunch Time (1:00–2:00 PM)
For a hearty lunch, try:
- Baati Chokha – For a traditional eastern UP/Bhojpuri-style meal
- Kashi Darbar – For a full thali
- Or keep it simple with street-side kachori-sabzi, Dosa or regular Naan and Gravy veggies.
9. Explore the Local Markets (2:00–4:00 PM)
A trip to Varanasi will look incomplete without shopping in famous markets. Here are some famous places for shopping in Varanasi.
- Godowlia Market – chaos with charm: bangles, books, incense, brassware
- Thatheri Bazaar – for handmade copper and brass pots
- Assi Ghat flea stalls – hippie pants, rudraksha beads, and things your mom will call junk but secretly love
Pro Tip: Bargain with a smile. Or a straight face. Just… bargain.
10. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat or Assi Ghat (6:30 PM onward)
Do not leave Varanasi without witnessing this. The Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is not just a ritual- it is an out of the World experience. All Priests dressed in saffron attire perform mantra chanting, Ganga aarti, ringing bells and conch shells, flaming lamps. 1 hour at the Ghat will mesmerize you with the best sound and charisma of religious process. Arrive early for a good seat—either on the ghat or on a boat. Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most popular places to visit in Varanasi.
Pro Tip: Hire a boat for a front-row floating view where you will feel like the universe is clapping.
Read More: Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour Ujjain
Bonus Tip for Varanasi Trip: Don’t Over-Schedule, Over-Absorb
Yes, I have given you a packed itinerary. But this is Varanasi—the city breathes differently. If you miss a temple but end up in a chai stall with a wandering sadhu talking about moksha, congratulations—you are doing it right.
With Best Tempo Traveller Services in Varanasi, you can make the trip wonderful without getting over exhausted. Equipped with best facilities, Professional driver with knowledge of local routes, it is best to roam around in Varanasi without any discomfort.
To Wrap Up
Spending just one day in Varanasi may not be enough to “understand” the city—but it’s enough to feel it. To see devotion in motion. To smell burning incense and fresh marigolds. To hear the bells, the river, the chaos, the calm.
