Best Things to Do in Varanasi: A Guide for Your Stay at Surya Kaiser Palace

Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities on earth, and no matter how many photos you've seen of it beforehand, nothing quite prepares you for standing on its ghats at sunrise. As your home base in the city, we put together a simple guide to the experiences our guests tell us they loved most, along with a few tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Start at the Ghats

The riverfront is really the heart of Varanasi. More than eighty stone ghats run along the Ganges, each with its own rhythm, from priests performing morning prayers to families bathing and sadhus meditating just steps from the water. Simply walking along the ghats for an hour or two, without any fixed plan, is one of the best ways to get a feel for the city.

Take a Sunrise Boat Ride

If you only do one thing in Varanasi, make it this. Boats set out on the Ganges in the very early morning, well before the heat and crowds arrive, so you can watch the sky turn gold over the river while pilgrims bathe and pray along the banks. It's quiet, atmospheric, and completely unlike anything else in the city. Our front desk can arrange a hassle-free taxi and boat package for guests who want to catch the sunrise without the early-morning logistics.

Watch the Ganga Aarti Ceremony

Every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat, priests perform the Ganga Aarti, a beautiful ceremony of fire, incense, bells, and chanting dedicated to the river goddess. It draws a large crowd, so it's worth arriving early to find a good spot, either on the steps themselves or from a boat just offshore for a quieter view. Many of our guests pair this with their sunrise river trip for a full circle of the ghats, morning and evening.

Wander the Old City Lanes

Behind the ghats, Varanasi's old town is a maze of narrow lanes lined with spice shops, silk weavers, sweet stalls, and the occasional wandering cow. It's easy to get pleasantly lost here, and that's half the fun. Keep an eye out for the colourful street art and murals tucked into side alleys, many of them depicting local deities and everyday scenes of the city.

Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple

One of the most revered Hindu temples in India, Kashi Vishwanath sits just back from the ghats and draws pilgrims from across the country. Security is tight and non-Hindu visitors may have limited access to the inner sanctum, but the surrounding lanes and the temple's golden spire are worth seeing even from outside.

Take a Day Trip to Sarnath

About thirty minutes outside the city, Sarnath is where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The site includes the towering Dhamek Stupa, the ruins of ancient monasteries, a modern Buddhist temple with a sapling grown from the original Bodhi tree, and an archaeological museum housing the Lion Capital of Ashoka, the emblem that now appears on India's national flag. It's a peaceful, reflective contrast to the intensity of the ghats. Our Sarnath Tour package covers pickup, the sightseeing route, and drop-off, all in one of our private cars.

A Few Practical Tips

Best time to visit: October through March, when the weather is dry and pleasant. December and January can get surprisingly cold in the early mornings, so pack a light jacket.

Getting around: The streets near the ghats are narrow and often closed to vehicles, so a lot of exploring happens on foot. For everything else, arranging a private car in advance saves a lot of time and hassle compared to hailing transport on the street.

Etiquette to keep in mind: Photography is not permitted at the cremation ghats (Manikarnika and Harishchandra), and it's best to observe quietly and respectfully if you pass by them. Dress modestly when visiting temples, and always ask before photographing people at prayer.

Avoid, if possible: The peak summer months (April to June) and monsoon season (July to September), when the heat and rain can make sightseeing uncomfortable.

Let Us Help You Plan

Our front desk team can arrange private car tours to all of the above, including our popular Temple Run, Ganga Aarti and Sunrise combination, and Sarnath tour packages, so you can experience Varanasi at your own pace without worrying about the details. Just drop by the desk or send us an enquiry, and we'll take care of the rest.