10 Best Places to Visit India

Introduction

India is known for its diverse culture, culinary richness, breathtaking landscapes, and myriad traditions. From vibrant cities to serene places, there is a lot to explore across the length and breadth of the country.

If you plan to visit India, here are ten destinations you cannot miss, from the Taj Mahal to the beaches of Goa. Each one is covered below, followed by a short guide to paying for your trip as a foreign tourist.

Key Highlights

• The ten destinations are Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur, Varanasi, Goa, Kerala, Ladakh, Darjeeling, Rishikesh, and Hampi
• They cover forts and palaces, spiritual cities, beaches, backwaters, mountains, and ancient ruins
• Rajasthan alone offers Jaipur and Udaipur, and Kerala offers backwaters, hill stations, and beaches
• Most shops, cafes, and transport operators across these destinations use UPI QR codes, and foreign cards often do not work at them
• CheqUPI is free to join for all eligible nationalities. The wallet loading fee is 2.95% + applicable taxes for all foreign users. There are no transaction fees when paying merchants through UPI.

The 10 Best Places to Visit in India at a Glance

1. Jaipur: Pink City with the Rich Colours of Rajasthani Heritage

Jaipur is known for its forts, local markets and bazaars, Rajasthani food, handicrafts, textiles, and jewellery. Visit Amer Fort, the Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Man Sagar Lake, and bazaars such as Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar.

For authentic Rajasthani food, Chowki Dhani is a good place to experience the Rajasthani way of life, with folk dance, puppet shows, camel and elephant rides, fortune telling, live music, and river boating.

2. Agra: Experience the Bygone Era of Mughal Grandeur

Agra is a city of history and romance. The Taj Mahal, with its marble architecture and intricate craftsmanship, was built by Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal. Other places worth visiting include Mehtab Bagh, Fatehpur Sikri, and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, also known as the Baby Taj. The local markets are full of handicrafts, textiles, and food.

3. Udaipur: A Place of Shimmering Lakes and Palaces

Udaipur, the City of Lakes, is a captivating destination in Rajasthan. See the City Palace overlooking Lake Pichola and the Jag Mandir Palace, which has views of the surrounding lakes and hills. Explore the colourful old city, Saheliyon-ki-Bari (the garden of the maidens), and the Jagdish Temple.

4. Varanasi: A Kaleidoscope of Spirituality

Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is filled with ancient traditions and is a sacred pilgrimage site. Visit the Bhairav Kotwal Temple, a protective deity of Varanasi, before seeing the Ghats, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Ancient temples, bustling markets, and vibrant street life make it ideal for spiritual seekers and cultural immersion.

5. Goa: Beaches, Music, Dance, and Celebration

Goa is famous for its beaches, water sports, and parties. Popular beaches include Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna. Explore the colourful buildings, spice plantations, Goan cuisine, and night markets selling handicrafts, clothes, and jewellery. Whether you want to relax, explore, or celebrate with friends and family, Goa has a distinct Portuguese influence.

6. Kerala: A Coastal Haven Where Nature Flourishes

Kerala, known as God's Own Country, is a captivating destination in South India. Cruise the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom, or visit the misty hill stations of Munnar and Wayanad, popular for their tea plantations. Mattancherry Palace shows the region's cultural heritage, and beaches such as Kovalam and Varkala let you enjoy the natural surroundings. Wildlife lovers can visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady, and an Ayurveda spa is a good way to relax.

7. Ladakh: Adventure Awaits at Every Turn

Ladakh, the Land of High Passes, offers breathtaking experiences. Pangong Lake has crystal-clear blue water, and Nubra Valley has dunes, villages, and ancient monasteries. Visit the monasteries of Hemis, Thiksey, and Lamayuru, or explore Zanskar Valley and Tso Moriri Lake. Trekkers can head to Markha Valley or Stok Kangri.

8. Darjeeling: Where Mountains and Skies Blend Seamlessly

Darjeeling is popular for its views, including Tiger Hill, where you can watch the sunrise over the Himalayas. Enjoy the toy train journey through the hills, tea gardens, and small villages. The Happy Valley Tea Estate, the Peace Pagoda, and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, home to the snow leopard and red panda, are must-visit spots. Treks such as Sandakphu are also popular.

9. Rishikesh: Where Adventure and Spirituality Go Together

Rishikesh, known as the Yoga Capital of the World, has many ashrams and yoga centres for meditation and practice. Visit Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, and Triveni Ghat, where evening prayers are offered to the Ganges. The peaceful atmosphere suits trekking, water rafting, and camping, and draws travellers from all walks of life.

10. Hampi: Step into the Ancient Streets

Hampi, in the southern state of Karnataka, is famous for its historical wonders and natural beauty. Visit the Virupaksha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Vijaya Vittala Temple, and the Achyutaraya Temple for their architecture and views. The Tungabhadra River adds serenity to the landscape, and the Hampi bazaars are full of life where history meets spirituality.

How to Pay at These Destinations as a Foreign Tourist

India runs on UPI QR codes. Shops, cafes, bazaars, and many transport operators use them as their main payment method. International Visa and Mastercard cards do not connect to UPI, so a foreign card often fails at the point of scan.

CheqUPI is a prepaid UPI wallet built for foreign tourists. You load it with your international debit or credit card and then pay at UPI merchants exactly as a local would, with no Indian bank account and no Indian SIM card required.

Here is how it works at any of these destinations:

1. Download the CheqUPI app on Android or iOS before you land in India
2. Fill in your details and complete verification. A CheqUPI representative walks you through it.
3. Load the wallet from your international debit or credit card, or by bank transfer
4. At a shop, cafe, or bazaar stall, open the app and scan the merchant's UPI QR code
5. Enter the amount, confirm with your PIN, and show the success screen to the vendor
6. Top up whenever the balance runs low, and request a refund of any unused balance before you fly home

For safe travel advice, read our guide to common scams foreign tourists face in India.

Conclusion

From the Taj Mahal in Agra to the beaches of Goa, the backwaters of Kerala, and the ruins of Hampi, these ten destinations show how varied India is. Pick the ones that match your interests, and set up your CheqUPI wallet before you travel so paying at shops, cafes, and bazaars is simple everywhere you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the 10 best places to visit in India? Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur, Varanasi, Goa, Kerala, Ladakh, Darjeeling, Rishikesh, and Hampi.

2. Which place in India is best for history? Agra, with the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, and Itmad-ud-Daulah, and Hampi, with its ancient temples and ruins.

3. Where can I see lakes and palaces? Udaipur, the City of Lakes, has the City Palace, Lake Pichola, and Jag Mandir Palace.

4. Which destination is best for spirituality and yoga? Varanasi is a sacred pilgrimage site, and Rishikesh is known as the Yoga Capital of the World.

5. Where should I go for beaches? Goa has Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna. Kerala has Kovalam and Varkala.

6. Where can I trek in India? Ladakh has Markha Valley and Stok Kangri, Darjeeling has Sandakphu, and Rishikesh suits trekking, water rafting, and camping.

7. Can foreign tourists use UPI at these destinations? Yes, with a prepaid wallet such as CheqUPI. Your foreign card will not work at UPI QR codes directly, so load the wallet from your international card. Keep a small amount of cash for small vendors.

8. Do I need an Indian bank account to use CheqUPI? No. You load the wallet from your international debit or credit card.

Plan your India trip, then pay like a local

Set up your CheqUPI wallet at chequpi.com before you travel.