I would like to ask forum members to list the top 10 places to visit in India. Our family want to visit India and are considering going to two destinations in one single trip. If the two destinations are in opposite parts of India, it doesn't matter, as we would most probably be getting a domestic flight to the nearest airport. It doesn't really matter how the destinations are listed, as I am sure there are many destinations in India which are rated to be at the top of the list as being the best.
I have not been to India yet, so obviously I cannot contribute to your list, but I really am looking forward to my visit next year and one of the places I will definitely visit is Goa. I've heard so much wonderful things about the beautiful beaches, the luxury resorts and the amazing night life.
Hello ReynodsJ, Here are the few top places to visit in india. 1. Delhi, 2. Uttar Pradesh- Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan 2. Himachal Pradesh- Shimla, Manali, Kullu, McLeod Ganj 3. Rajasthan- Jaipur, Alwar 4. Uttarakhand- Nainital, Musorrie and Valley of flowers 5. Maharastra- Mumbai, Lonavala and mahabaleshwar 6. Goa- Goa/Panjim 7. Karnataka- Bangalore, Mysore, Coorg, Hampi etc.., 8. Kerala- Munnar, Wayanad Kochi et.., 9. Tamilnadu- Ooty, Coonoor, Hogenakkal, Coimbatore etc.., 10. Pondicherry- Pondicherry Explore travel destinations in India- Places to visit, Things to do, Getways and best Itineraries.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! India is such a diverse country that it has something to offer for every type of traveller. There are beaches, hill stations, rivers, forests, wildlife sanctuaries and of course, temples. It really depends on what your interests are. Some love the chaos of the cities in India. Some opt for the lesser known destinations, or those that we call offbeat. There are also plenty of activities that you can do in the different regions of the country. And oh, not to mention the food, as this also varies from region to region. But anyway, for me, here are the top ten places that you need to visit in India: For the feel of the city life 1. Delhi - A visit to India won't be complete without exploring its capital, Delhi. The city is a melting pot of culture, tradition and modernity. Despite being a modernised city, it has preserved many of its historical monuments and structures. I think that is what makes this city stand out. Where else can you see an ancient fort amidst newer buildings? Or a former ancient king's tomb amidst a highly developed city? That is the beauty of Delhi, you get to see beautiful and old structures and at the same time, enjoy the newer establishments. The city also has a great number of shopping markets that are sure the delight the shopaholic in you. Delhi has street markets, malls and shopping stalls filled with clothes, souvenirs and accessories. It also has preserved many of its temples, which is quite rare for a city. And once you get hungry exploring the city, there are numerous street food stalls to quench both your thirst and hunger. Must visit places - Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Red Fort, Connaught Place, Jama Masjid, Malai Mandir and many more. Related thread - Tourist Attractions in New Delhi. 2. Mumbai - The home of Bollywood, isn't that enough to visit this lovely city? But aside from that, just like Delhi, Mumbai is rich in its heritage, culture and of course, in modernity. The contrast of all of these factors can be quite overwhelming at first. Just one look at the chaotic trains of Mumbai and you'd be taken aback. But take a closer look and you'd notice it's a different kind of chaos, almost hypnotising. There are also plenty of beaches in Mumbai, although many of them are crowded and polluted, they're still worth visiting for the beautiful sunsets and a variation of activities that you can do here. It is also a fairly safe city, mainly because it never sleeps and even at 1:00 am, you can find people on the streets. And food, glorious and delicious food, is everywhere in Mumbai. You won't even need to eat at fast foods because the street foods are just as satisfying. Must visit places - Marine Drive, Juhu Beach, Chowpatty Beach, Gateway of India, Elephante Caves, Nehru Planetarium, Essel Kingdom, Hanging Gardens and many more. Related thread - Beaches in Mumbai. For the beach lovers 3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands - This is paradise on Earth. The beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are practically virgin and untouched by commercialisation. Reaching the islands can be pretty difficult but it's all worth it once you see the white sandy shores and clear waters. These islands are part of the Union Territory of India. There are over 500 islands here but only 32 of these islands and inhabited. You cannot visit all of the islands as well, some can only be visited during day time. Other islands though permit visitors for a night stay. The marine life in these islands is very rich, thus scuba diving and snorkelling are mostly done by tourists. Radhanagar Beach in the Havelock Island, was once named as the Best Beach in Asia by Time Magazine. Must visit places - Port Blair, Havelock Island, Neil Island, Barren Island and Diglipur. Related threads - Andaman and Nicobar Islands places to Visit & Andaman And Nicobar Islands Tourism Guide. 4. Goa - Beaches in India are synonymous with Goa. This fairly small state has many things to boast when it comes to beaches. Sure, it might be more commercialised than Andaman, but then again, that means you won't find it short of resorts, hotels, lodges, restaurants and other facilities. The night life in Goa is also what makes tourists keep coming back to it. Whether you're visiting in the summer, winter or monsoon season, Goa is a good place to visit. Not only for its beaches, but also because Goa has a rich cultural heritage, owing to the fact that Portuguese influences are still rampant in the state. It has a high number of Christians and thus, the state has many churches. Portuguese structures like houses and forts can also be visited here. Food-wise, the Portuguese also has some influences with it, but with a mix of the local cuisine too. This is also the place for adventure seekers as it has a plethora of water sports like parasailing, water surfing, jet skiing and many more. Must visit places - Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Agonda Beach, Palolem Beach, Morjim Beach, Colva Beach and many more. Related threads - How many beaches in Goa? & Goa Travel Guide. For the history lovers 5. Varanasi - This city is located in Uttar Pradesh, in the banks of the Ganges River. The city is a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus, thus it's considered very sacred. You can find thousands of temples in the city, many of which are over 500 years old already. Historically, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is believed that the city has been inhabited since the 1800 BC. For the Buddhists, Varanasi is also a sacred site as this is supposed to be where Buddha founded the religion, in Sarnath. As you can see, there are many reasons to visit Varanasi due to its very rich history. Must visit places - Ganges River, Sarnath, Assi Ghat, Kasha Vishawanath, Monkey Temple, Ramnagar Fort and many more. Related thread - Varanasi Travel Guide. 6. Hampi - This town is located in Karnataka. This is the best place to be to have a glimpse of where the Vijayanagara kings once lived. The city is enclosed by seven fortifications which are quite huge. Although many of the structures in Hampi are in ruins now, you can still feel the vibe of their strength and elegance. Many of these ruins are of temples, palaces, pavilions and halls. These ruins, surrounded by the natural forests and greenery, do exude a sense of fulfilment to tourists. The city is almost uninhabited which is a great thing as you get to explore it to your heart's content. For the adventure seekers, rock climbing is a newly developing activity in Hampi. Must visit places - Tungabhadra Ghat, Virupaksha Temple, Matanga Hill, Krishna Temple Complex, Hazara Rama Temple and many more. Related thread - Hampi Travel Guide. For those who enjoy nature 7. Leh - This is a high altitude region in Jammu and Kashmir. Leh is home to a number of monasteries and temples. But aside from that, it's a favourite destination for the nature lovers because it's quite an adventure just to reach it. It is located at an altitude of about 3,524 metres above sea level. Thus, you cannot just go to it without having been acclimatised beforehand. You would also pass through high altitude passes along the way, which add more to the adventure. Passing by villages where there are almost no civilisation can be quite nerve-wracking but serene at the same time. You really get to enjoy the simple life once you're here, because there is no internet, cable or any other online activity to pre-occupy you. You become one with nature in Leh. Must visit places - Leh Palace, Diskit Monastery, Shey Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Pangong Tso and many more. Related threads - How to reach Leh Ladakh?, Places to visit in Leh & Leh Ladakh - The Ultimate Guide to Tourist Attractions, Transportation & Accommodation Options. 8. Coonoor - This is a town in Tamil Nadu, in the Nilgiris district. This is a hill station, which is best known for its tea estates. The lush greenery of the surroundings, coupled with the pleasant climate, are sure to soothe the minds of the weary travellers. There's not much you can do here, except indulge in the beauty all around you. The other hill station is this state, Ooty, is more well-known and thus, more crowded. That's why I recommend Coonoor, as it has less tourists but has the same features as Ooty. There are a number of hotels and guest houses here which can prove for a pleasant stay as well. Must visit places - Sim's Park, Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock, Heritage Train, Tea Estates, Laws Falls and Droog Fort. Related thread - Places To See Around Coonoor. For those who love offbeat destinations 9. Meghalaya - This is a state in the northeastern part of India. The state used to be a part of Assam but became on its own in 1972. Meghalaya is an offbeat destination because it is full of natural forests and sceneries. It is also mostly inhabited by tribes, predominantly by the Khasi. The cleanest village in Asia is also found here, Mawlynnong. The world's largest living root bridges are also found in Meghalaya. You won't find the state short of places to explore and love. Oh, and this is also the wettest place in the world, so do bring your umbrella and rain gear when you visit. Must visit places - Living Root Bridges, Mawsmai Cave, Mawphlang Sacred Forest, Umiam Lake, Dawki River and many more. Related threads - Shillong Travel Guide & Places to Visit in East India. 10. Chopta - This small village is located in Uttarakhand. It is one of the lesser explored regions in the state. The village is surrounded by forests with pine and deodar trees. Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by the beauty of the hills, meadows and wild flowers. Trekking is a favourite activity here for the adventure lovers. This is also the place where you get unobstructed views of the Himalayan ranges. You won't be able to do much here though as it's not yet commercialised which I think, adds to the quaintness of the village. Must visit places - Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Tungnath Temple, Deoria Tal, Chandrashila and Atrimuni Falls. Related threads - Snowfall In Uttaranchal & Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek. I hope this helps even a little bit.
I am not going to list all the top 10 places, but one from my favorite list. The place is none other than Daman. It's bit strange that why did I prefer Daman instead Mumbai, Goa, and other famous places? The reason is, its unexplored and silvery beaches and allowance of drinking and partying all day all night long, which is not acceptable in nearby states. Daman is also blessed with a perfect blend of natural beauty and modernism with perfect climatic conditions. So here I have listed top 10 things you can do in amazing and unexpected places of Daman that will make your trip a lifetime memory.
From what I have seen my top spots are Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai. Goa is home to great beaches that are honestly in my top 5 best beaches. Delhi is the capital and there are many great places there to expirience Indian culture. Mumbai is home to Bollywood, which is really cool. I would definately recommend these places.
