India, a nation in South Asia, is ranked as the seventh largest country globally in terms of land area. It is also the world’s second most populated country after China. While India is widely recognized for its spiritual destinations and temples, the country has a lot more to offer due to its immense diversity. With 28 states and 8 union territories, each state offers a unique language, culture, and lifestyle with its own culinary delights and festivals. Nevertheless, they remain united by their national spirit.

From the big cities like Kolkata, and Mumbai to the beaches of Goa; from the valley of Leh to the national parks in Kerala, the country is filled with unique experiences and places. Even locals dream of visiting all the states and territories. Most of the people are bilingual, and even trilingual with most of the people speaking English. So you can easily travel across the country and mingle with the Crowd without knowing any regional language.

India is home to some of the world’s best attractions like the Taj Mahal and the Himalayas. Whether you want to do yoga in the Himalayas or party hard in Goa, India has something special for everyone. The country has thousands of places to see and visit. In the article, we find out the top 18 places to visit in India.

1. Mumbai

Mumbai is the largest city in India. It is the entertainment capital of the country as it houses Bollywood. Being the financial and commercial hub of the country, the city is as diverse as the country itself. Located on the shore of the Arabian Sea, the City of Dreams offers some of the best scenic landscapes. Mumbai is famous for its skyline and nightlife. Lies in the heart of the city is Victoria Terminus or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal, a railway station which has become a symbol of the city and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. From walking on the Marine Drive to driving on the Bandra Worli Sea Link, there are a lot of things to do and see in the city. Other remarkable places in Mumbai include Juhu Beach, The Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Versova beach, and Flora mountain.

2. Kolkata

Located on the bank of the Hooghly River, Kolkata is the capital city of the eastern state of West Bengal. While visiting the city, you will come across many colonial-era architectures as the city was the capital of India under the British Raj. The city is home to the famous white marble palace Victoria Memorial. Kolkata is the birthplace of numerous world-renowned artists, poets, and writers. For its long association with literacy, arts, and culture, the city is also called the ‘Cultural Capital of India’. Major attractions of the city include Howrah Bridge, Maidan, MP Birla Planetarium, Princep ghat, Millennium Park, Science city of Kolkata, Nicco Park, first Park Street, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Vidyasagar Setu.

3. Varanasi

Varanasi is regarded as one of the holiest places in India. The city on the west bank of the river Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh has become a major religious hub. People come here to seek spiritual guidance or to explore Hinduism as the place is home to more than 2000 temples. If you want to know about the Spiritual essence of India and the way of life of religious people in India, this is the best place to visit.

4. Goa

Being a Portuguese territory for a few centuries, Goa’s culture and architecture is an amalgam of western and Indian. The place is famous for its nightlife and party culture offered by numerous nightclubs and cruises. Young crowds all across the country and all over the world come here for a fun getaway.

Located on the Shore of the Arabian Sea, Goa’s nearly 100-mile long coastline offers many beaches, ranging from sandy, rocky to serene and blue water. Some of the famous beaches of Goa include Palolem Beach, Cavelossim beach, Mobor beach, Miramar beach, Calangute beach, Colva Beach, etc.

5. Shimla

Dwelled in the foothills of Himalaya, Shimla is the capital of the Northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The place is entirely covered with ice in winter, making it a major tourist destination for domestic and international visitors. The city takes different looks in different seasons and provides a picturesque landscape. The famous Chadwick Falls is located in this city. Shimla’s major tourist attractions include Mall Road, Jakhu ropeway Shimla, Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary, The Ridge, and Chail.

6. Manali

Located on the foot of the Himalaya Mountain range, Manali is a hill town in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is the most famous skiing and trekking destination in India. Manali is 147 miles North away from the state capital of Shimla. Many outdoor places in the city have become popular tourist destinations. The most remarkable of them include Nehru Kund, Rohtang La, Solang Valley, Hadimba Devi Temple, Gulaba viewpoint, Van Vihar, etc. The Beas River which passes through the city offers many water Adventures like paddling and boating. Numerous hotels and resorts lined along the river offer a scenic landscape of the city and the river.

7. Munnar

Munnar is a hill town located in the southernmost Indian state of Kerala. Beautiful roads offering a great panoramic view of the town, hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes are what make this place a popular destination in South India. Munnar is filled with every kind of nature’s wonder. Home to several  National Parks, the place is famous for its unique flora and fauna. This town is surrounded by the beautiful landscape of tea plantations on the hill slopes. Attukad Waterfalls, Pothamedu View Point, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam are some of the must-see places in Munnar.

Read Also: Explore India’s West Coast Attraction: Kerala | An Ultimate Travel Guide

8. Darjeeling

Darjeeling is one of the best towns in the Himalayas foothills. It is located in the northern part of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The town has plenty of observatories and cable cars which provide a view of the Himalayas. Darjeeling is famous for its toy train and tea valleys. It is very common here to see trains running along the street while you are walking. This train system is known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Darjeeling is best known for its view of the Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain. Darjeeling’s primary tourist destination is Tiger Hill, renowned for its stunning panoramic vistas of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

9. Jim Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park is India’s oldest and most sought-after wildlife reserve. The Park is located 138 miles northeast of the country’s capital, New Delhi, in Uttarakhand. This wildlife-rich national park has numerous hills, grasslands, riverine belts, and a large lake. The park is the habitat of tigers, crocodiles, rare species of birds and deers. Among its rich wildlife, the Royal Bengal Tiger is the most famous. The park offers an open Jeep ride to witness its natural landscapes and wildlife. The park also provides overnight stays as it has a lodging system inside it.

Official Website: Website of Corbett National Park Uttarakhand India

10. Rishikesh

Rishikesh is the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Located on the west bank of the river Ganges in the foothills of Himalaya in the state of Uttarakhand, the city is regarded as one of the holiest places in India. Rishikesh is well known for its meditation centers and temples. Many people come here to learn yoga and meditation. Yoga in the foothills of the Himalayas makes it a perfect destination that provides peace, tranquility, and scenic views of the Himalayas and river Gages.

11. New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital city of India. The city is famous for its architecture and landscape. The architecture of the city is deeply influenced by the Mughal Empire and then by the British Raj. Being the capital of such a diverse country, the city’s culture is also diverse. People from different countries and states speaking different languages can be found here. The city’s bars, restaurants, and nightclubs offer great nightlife for the young crowds. The famous India Gate has become a symbol of the city. Other Landmark places of the city include the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Madame Tussauds Delhi, etc.

12. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of eight union territories in India. It is located approximately 810 – 845 miles off the east coast of India on the Bay of Bengal. Port Blair is the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from where you can start your journey. The island chain consists of 572 islands. But many of the remote Island on this archipelago is not open to tourists as indigenous tribal people live there. The place is well-known for its biodiversity. Islands that are open to visitors offer numerous sand and turquoise water beaches and opportunities for water adventures like scuba diving, and boating. 

13. Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal, the enduring symbol of love, best serves as the landmark of India. A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is situated on the southern bank of the river Yamuna in Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This beautiful white marble mausoleum is the tomb of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in 1631 to house the grave of his favorite queen, Mumtaz Mahal. The interior and exterior decoration of the architecture is a piece of art. This masterpiece architecture, a flagship of India’s rich history, attracts 7-8 million visitors every year and is undoubtedly worth visiting.

Official Website: Taj Mahal-Official Website

14. Puducherry

Puducherry consists of four districts – Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe district. Locating all of them might be a bit confusing for the scattered distances among them. Puducherry and Karaikal district are situated in the skirt of Tamilnadu, Karaikal in the skirt of Andhra Pradesh on the east coast, and Mahe district is located in the skirt of Kerala on the west coast.

Visitors mainly come to the Puducherry district. Being located on the shore of the ocean in a quiet area, it attracts a lot of domestic and international travelers. Expansive sand beaches are enough to spend the whole day. Numerous resorts and restaurants located along the coast offer a great view of the Bay of Bengal.

15. Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari is the southernmost town on the mainland of India. The town is situated at the southern tip of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This coastal town is located at the junction of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. Famous for both sunrise and sunset, it becomes a popular tourist destination in India. Being the setting of a Hindu legend, the place also attracts pilgrims. Some of the best places to visit in the town include Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar statue, Kanyakumari beach, Triveni Sangam, and the View Point.

16. Jaipur

Jaipur is one of the most visited places in India. Some of the historic buildings which are painted in pink earn the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur, the nickname ‘Pink City’. The colorful city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with numerous landmark architectures attracts people all around the world. Hawa Mahal, the City Palace of Jaipur, Amber Palace, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, Albert Hall Museum, and Man Sagar Lake are some of the city’s main attractions. 

17. Udaipur

Udaipur is a city in the state of Rajasthan in India, best-known for its lakes, rock hills, historic palaces, and scenic landscapes. The city is located 245 miles southeast of the state capital Jaipur. Udaipur is also called the ‘City of Lakes.’ Numerous lakeside palaces feature as the hotels and resorts give the scenic view of the Udaipur. The most visited sites of the city include the City Hall of Udaipur, Lake Pichola, Rajiv Gandhi Garden, Jagdish Temple, and Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, etc.

18. Leh, Ladakh

Leh is the capital city of the Indian union territory of Ladakh. The landscape of the Ladakh is a slice of heaven. Ladakh is known for being home to numerous scenic mountain valleys, river valleys, lakes, and greenfields. The famous Pangong Lake is situated here. Ladakh has become a popular destination for bike riders so much as if the roads across the valleys are just made for them. This natural paradise is definitely worth a visit.