Best Places to Visit in India

Perched in the Himalayan foothills, Shimla — the ‘Queen of Hills’ — charms visitors with its Victorian-era mansions, toy-train rides and pine-scented air. Stroll the bustling Mall Road, climb to the Jakhoo temple for sweeping valley views, and watch the sun set over the snow-dusted peaks from The Ridge.

Cradled by the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges, Manali blends snow-capped adventure with riverside calm. From paragliding and skiing in Solang Valley to the dramatic heights of Rohtang Pass and the cedar-wood Hadimba Temple, it is a long-time favourite of honeymooners and thrill-seekers alike.

A short, scenic drive from Shimla, Kufri is a compact Himalayan getaway wrapped in oak and pine forest. Trek up to Mahasu Peak for panoramic mountain vistas, meet rescued species at the Himalayan Nature Park, and enjoy snow sports through the winter months.

A high-altitude desert of staggering beauty, Leh-Ladakh rewards travellers with surreal moonscapes, turquoise lakes and centuries-old Buddhist monasteries. Stand on the shores of the colour-shifting Pangong Lake, cross into the dune-and-camel country of Nubra Valley, and puzzle over the optical illusion of Magnetic Hill.

India’s sun-soaked coastal capital, Goa pairs golden beaches and swaying palms with a laid-back Indo-Portuguese soul. Lounge at Calangute, watch the waves from the 17th-century Fort Aguada, and wander the whitewashed churches of Old Goa before the famous nightlife takes over.

Fringed by the Arabian Sea and threaded with palm-lined canals, Kerala — ‘God’s Own Country’ — is a tapestry of backwaters, hill-station tea gardens and Ayurvedic calm. Glide through the Alleppey backwaters on a traditional houseboat, breathe the misty heights of Munnar, and spot wildlife in the Thekkady reserves.

The rose-hued capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a living museum of Rajput grandeur. Climb to the hilltop Amber Fort, admire the honeycomb façade of the Hawa Mahal, and lose yourself in the City Palace’s courtyards and the colourful bazaars of the old walled city.

The spiritual heart of Punjab, Amritsar revolves around the luminous Golden Temple, where pilgrims gather day and night beside the sacred pool. Witness the high-energy retreat ceremony at the Wagah Border, pay your respects at Jallianwala Bagh, and feast on the city’s legendary kulchas and lassi.

Set against the soaring Dhauladhar range, Dharamshala is the hillside home of the Dalai Lama and a haven of Tibetan culture. Sip butter tea in the lanes of McLeod Ganj, trek to the alpine meadows of Triund, and cool off beneath the Bhagsu waterfall.

A genteel colonial hill station spread across five hills, Dalhousie offers crisp mountain air and uninterrupted Dhauladhar views. Picnic on the emerald saucer of Khajjiar — often called ‘Mini Switzerland’ — hike to Dainkund Peak, and wander the wooded trails around Panchpula.

India’s first planned city, Chandigarh is a green, orderly showcase of modernist architecture and easy living. Wander Nek Chand’s whimsical Rock Garden built from recycled treasures, boat across the serene Sukhna Lake, and breathe in the fragrant Rose Garden.

The land of maharajas, Rajasthan dazzles with desert forts, lake palaces and a riot of colour at every turn. Drift across Udaipur’s Lake Pichola, watch the blue city of Jodhpur unfold beneath the mighty Mehrangarh, and ride camels into the golden dunes of Jaisalmer.

The refined ‘City of Nawabs’, Lucknow serves up Mughal-era monuments alongside some of India’s most celebrated cuisine. Explore the labyrinthine Bara Imambara, pass beneath the towering Rumi Darwaza, and surrender to a heritage of melt-in-the-mouth galouti kebabs and fragrant dum biryani.

India’s capital is a centuries-deep collision of empires and energy, where Mughal ramparts stand minutes from glassy malls. Explore the sandstone grandeur of the Red Fort, climb the soaring Qutub Minar, and pause at the solemn arch of India Gate before diving into Old Delhi’s street food.

Known as the ‘Valley of the Gods’, Kullu unfurls along the rushing Beas River amid apple orchards and deodar forest. Raft the white water, hike out to the riverside hamlet of Kasol, and bathe in the hot springs of Manikaran — especially magical during the colourful Dussehra festival.