10 World Famous Places to Visit in India

This article has links to products that we may make commission from.

All a traveler wants is a beautiful place to collect moments, and India is such a place. The country is an assortment of world famous places, each carrying its own enigma and its own story. The top landmarks in India include forts and palaces, monuments, mountain ranges, caves and so much more. 

While there are many tourist places in India, here are our picks for the top 10 famous places to visit in India. If you’re planning a week or more trip to India, you’ll want to add as many of these great attractions to your itinerary as possible, to see the reason why India is so special.

places to visit in India

Get ready for this crazy awesome journey that you will never forgot! India isn’t just somewhere you visit, it’s somewhere you experience.

» We have a great 7-day itinerary of the Golden Triangle in the northwest of India. If you’re looking for a longer, more extensive itinerary, try this 2-week India itinerary that’s perfect for first timers to India.

» Be sure to read our guide on eating in India to learn all the dos and don’ts before you go.

Where to Visit in India

1. Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal
(photo courtesy of Travel India Travel)

The Taj Mahal is an architecturally stunning symbol of eternal love and devotion, and undeniably the most fascinating piece of craftsmanship in India. This architectural gem is not just the most treasured monument in the country, but a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been listed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The building was erected under the order of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who built it to immortalize his love for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Begum. Mumtaz was a Muslim Persian Princess while Shah Jahan was the son of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

They got married in the year 1612, and Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 while giving birth to her 14th child. The construction of Taj Mahal started on that very year, i.e. 1631. It took approximately 22,000 laborers, 1,000 elephants and about 22 years to complete this time-defying monument. It attracts over 10 million visitors annually and is a must-visit destination in Northern India.

>> Read more about planning your visit to the Taj Mahal.

2. The Sundarbans

sunderbans in India

Sundarbans is the home to largest mangrove forests in the world. Resting itself on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal, Sunderban national park offers a protective area for the Royal Bengal Tigers.

The rich Bengali history and culture witnessed here makes it a must visit places at least once in a lifetime. The three wildlife sanctuaries located in the Sunderbans cover an area of roughly 140,000 hectares and are considered core breeding areas for a number of endangered species.

You can visit this remote area to explore the mangrove forest and see the fauna and flora for yourself. If visiting from India, you can take a boat excursion from Kolkata, which is best to do as either a 2-day or overnight trip (or longer). Check out the Sunderban Tiger Camp for more information.

3. Andaman Islands and Coral Reefs

coral reefs

The Andaman Islands exhibit the world’s richest coral life with hundreds and hundreds of marine water species. Every day, hundreds of tourists explore the Andaman Islands and engage in underwater wonder travel through snorkeling and scuba diving to see the coral reefs.

These beautiful coral reefs stretch over an area of 11,000 sq km in the Andaman Islands and are home to some of the most spectacular species of marine life in the world. The vast array of sea creatures you can see underwater, surrounding the coral reefs is staggering. It’s something you’ll never forget.

The tourist season generally starts at the Andaman Islands in October and extends through to mid-June. The peak time to visit is between December and March, though February and March are the most temperate and best times to visit.

4. Thar Desert

Thar Desert

The Thar Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert) is the 17th largest desert in the world, spread across cities from Rajasthan to Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana. It encompasses a combination of the solitude of the countryside and the dense population of Rajasthan. 

You might be wondering what there is to do for tourists in the middle of a vast desert, but you’d be surprised. There are desert camps set up in the middle of the vast expanse where you can go dune bashing, parasailing, and camel riding.

It’s a whole experience that will enthrall you, especially with its midnight star gazing and sunsets/sunrises. This tour company specializes is desert tours in the Thar Desert. Take a look at all the possibilities to have a unique and interesting night in the desert.

5. Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh

Also, known as the ‘Land of Passes’, Ladakh along with its popular capital city, Leh is one of the most prominent travel destinations for road trip aficionados and spiritual explorers in India.  Ladakh is located between two of the world’s biggest mountain ranges, the Himalaya Mountains and the Karakoram.

It’s an area full of peaks and valleys, lakes, waterfalls, and a lot of wildlife. In turn, that makes it an adventure playground for outdoor enthusiasts. In this area, you can go climbing, take jeeps tours, go white-water rafting and take high-altitude treks, among a plethora of other activities.

In the city of Leh, you’ll also find Leh Palace and many awe-inspiring monasteries. Leh is at an altitude of 11,562 ft and is connected to other areas by a winding and steep highway that makes for a very interesting road trip.

6. Western Ghats

Western Ghats

This 1,600-km-wide mountain range extends from Gujarat to Kanyakumari. It’s older than the Himalayas range and runs across the west coast of India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity in the world, according to Wikipedia.

This mountain range is home to many animals and species that only exist in India. It’s the place to visit if you’re into wildlife. There are 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1,814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insects species and 290 freshwater fish species.

Since the area is so large, you’ll need to plan to spend at least a week or longer to explore it properly. You can concentrate on just one specialisty, like birding or cycling. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are popular starting points for those touring independently. A tour is the way to go if you want to see a lot, including hikes, safaris and rail trips. 

7. Goa

goa

Goa, a state in western India, is an endearing beach destination and tropical paradise, squeezed between the seas and the lush forested hills, offering glistening sands, swaying coconut palms and ultra fresh seafood. A visit to Goa involves exploring pristine beaches and historical forts.

You may not know this, but Goa was actually a colony of Portugal up until 1961, and a strong Portuguese influence still remains. Old Goa is home to the massive, Portuguese-style Se Cathedral and the baroque Basilica of Bom Jesus.

The beaches at Baga, Calangute, and Palolem are some of the best locations for visitors to stay with a huge array of nightlife, hotels, and restaurants. You’ll also want to visit the famous Saturday night market. The laid-back fishing villages such as Agonda are also popular.

8. The Golden Temple

Golden Temple
Golden Temple (Photo by Meharban Singh Hundal, CC BY 2.0)

The Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the most significant shrine in Sikhism. It is named the Golden Temple because of the gold leaf-covered sanctum center of the complex, which includes a number of different buildings surrounding the sanctum and the pool. This majestic temple is a must-visit attraction in India.

Not only is it architecturally stunning, but the atmosphere surrounding it is unparalleled. Built in 1604 the Golden Temple sits lower than its surrounding buildings and has 4 entrances which symbolize the fact that anyone is welcome no matter where you come from or what you believe. Surrounded by water and glistening with gold, this must be on your itinerary.

9. Caves of Ajanta & Ellora

ajanta caves

Situated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Ajanta & Ellora Caves are the finest depictions of Buddhist art dating to 2nd century BC. Both are an important UNESCO World Heritage site.

There are 34 caves at Ellora dating from between the 6th and 11th centuries AD, and 29 caves at Ajanta dating back to between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. 

Amidst the caves, there are murals, paintings and intricate carvings that imply many facts about ancient India. Owing to its historical significance, these caves attract a plethora of tourists to visit Aurangabad every year.

10. Kerala Backwaters

kerala backwaters

Despite the name, the Kerala Backwaters are peaceful and picturesque palm-lined network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals that run inland from the coast of Kerala, from Kochi (Cochin) to Kollam (Quilon) in India.

The endless stretches of backwaters, tall standing coconut trees and grandeur of greenery makes destinations in Kerala a perfect location to sit back and relax. A number of houseboats, ferryboats and cruises are available for an amazing drive over.

Most people who visit the Kerala backwaters hire a traditional Kerala-style houseboat and float around the narrow waterways. You can book tours of the area for just a day, or stay on the houseboat overnight. In the surrounding area, there are plenty of hotels and resorts where you can extend your stay in Kerala.

CONCLUSION

These Top 10 world famous destinations in India truly deserve to be on your list whether you are an avid traveler or just starting your journey. So, why wait anymore, just pack your bags and give it a go!

Which one’s your favorite? Share with us.

Be Prepared For Travel
Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Like this post? Why not save it to Pinterest?
FOLLOW US on PinterestInstagramFacebook for more great travel inspiration and tips.

India travel
10 World Famous Places to Visit in India

12 thoughts on “10 World Famous Places to Visit in India

  1. Ademar Arau says:

    Sound like it will be an amazing trip, Nice post. Thanks for the great post. I think India is one of the most fascinating place in the world. India is so unique and full of surprises. I agree that every should visit India once in a lifetime. Pictures look amazing.

  2. David Jones says:

    Without any doubt India is a good country for travel. I did not go there yet. But after reading this I am curious to go there. Thanks for sharing your great experience with us.

  3. Anirudh Singh says:

    This is really a nice post. Living in India I can connect to all these places. The most peaceful place I like is Golden Temple.

  4. Sneha Choudhury says:

    Apart from these 10 places, one should also visit Gokarna, Spiti valley, and Lakshadweep. I found them a tab bit better as these are less crowded and one can enjoy the raw wilderness of nature more appropriately.

    Anyway, I find myself to be very lucky that I have visited all these fascinating places. Great blog post!

    • Laura Lynch says:

      That’s fantastic that you’ve visited all of these places. You are very lucky! And thanks for the additional recommendations.

  5. UK's Resort says:

    Indian Tradition and India’s places are so unique and the most unbelievable in the world and the most delicious meal you have found in India. Thanks, a lot for the great post.

Leave a Reply to Ademar Arau Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *