Are you planning a visit to India? Why wouldn’t you? It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has everything – great history, delicious cuisine, wonderful people, and thousands of sights. Well, that’s precisely where the problem lies – there are thousands of sights.
How do you set your priorities straight? How do you know what the best places to visit in India are supposed to be? Which places to visit first? What should you leave for your second, third, or possibly a fourth visit?
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The chances are that you have all of these questions. Don’t worry; we are here to help you out. We won’t point you to a particular attraction but to a region or city where you can find plenty of attractions. Below you will find the five best places to visit in India in 2022.
Mumbai – cosmopolitan center of India
Mumbai is a coastal city famous for Indian entrepreneurs and first on the list of best places to visit in India. This is where you will be able to meet Bollywood stars, so make sure to have your camera ready for a quick selfie. This luxurious city has everything you need to treat yourself like royalty. You’ll be able to find everything ranging from five-star hotels to Michelin restaurants.
The dominant architectural style is Art Deco, and there is no best way to admire it but to take a cruise down Marine Drive.
Some of the most treasured attractions include Kanheri Cave carvings and Sanjay Gandhi National Park. If you get tired of the city’s cosmopolitan side, you can always switch to a more local side. Head to the Churchgate railway station and Thieves Market to truly feel the pulse of the city.
New Delhi – the colourful capital of India
New Delhi is the capital of India and the best place to visit in India. It is one of the most colourful capitals in this corner of the world, if not the entire world. If you decide to visit New Delhi, make sure to set aside at least a couple of days to experience this Indian jewel. Why? Because it is a big city and it’s home to some of the most attractive attractions in the country.
There are dozens of attractions, but fortunately, there is only a handful truly capable of encaptivating you. While in New Delhi, make sure to visit Qutub Minar, which is the tallest minaret in India. Hit the Lotus temple and Humayun’s Tomb. Make sure to visit Old Delhi, where you can find the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, and Jama Masjid.
Rishikesh – enter for pilgrimages and yoga
Many travellers who decide to visit India are spiritually-minded. If you fall into this category, you will find everything you are looking for in Rishikesh, especially if you are a Beatles fan. Why Beatles? Because the famous band spent time in a local ashram called Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Unfortunately, this ashram is now abandoned, but it still remains a tourist attraction to this day.
The town is colourful and built on the banks of the holy Ganges River, with Humnalays guarding its back. It’s also famous for the two suspension bridges. Don’t be surprised to see entire families of monkeys on the bridges. This is one of India’s most famous yoga and pilgrimages centres, and there are dozens of small temples filling the air with spiritual bell rings.
Agra – the best place to visit in India
Agra is one of the best places to travel in India. It is located in Uttar Pradesh, and many people consider it a prime tourist location. In fact, if you had the time to visit only one location in this marvellous country, then it should probably be Agra.
Why? Because it is home to Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most famous monuments. Make sure to be there before the sun is up because Taj Mahal radiates light like nothing you’ve seen before. The town is also renowned for its inlaid marble designs.
Other famous Mughal monuments include Akbar’s Mausoleum and Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb. While in Agra, don’t forget to visit the Agra Fort, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Rajasthan – the land of kings
Rajasthan stands for the Land of Kings, which is exactly why you will be able to see glittering palaces if you visit it. This western state of India is where you will also be able to see breathtaking festivals and ancient forts. When travelling through Rajasthan, make sure to visit the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer. Here is what to visit in each city.
Among tourists, Jaipur is better known as “The Paris of India”. There you will be able to shop for unique jewellery and admire pink buildings and City Palace. Jodhpur, on the other hand, is called the Blue City. It’s most famous for Mehrangarh Fort. Udaipur is the royal capital of India because of the City Palace Complex, where India’s royal family lives today.
Finally, while in Jaisalmer, take your camera out to snap those memorable shots of unique sandstone structures, including historic houses only found in this desert city.
Goa – bonus location for true beach lovers
If you are not into spiritual temples, architecture, and sightseeing, then you should consider visiting Goa. Goa is the best place to visit in India if you like to spend your summers on the beach. You will be able to find golden sand beaches along the coast of the Arabian Sea. There are all sorts of resorts down the coast.
There is one particular thing you’ll be able to discover in Goa. At one point, you might feel like you are in Portugal instead of India. This is because of the strong presence of Portugal colonialists back in the day. Goa is one place where you will find Baroque architecture and cathedrals in India. When it comes to cuisine, you should definitely try seafood while you are down there.
There you have it, the six best places to visit in India in 2022. We made sure to include places that satisfy different expectations and preferences. Whether you are interested in culture, architecture, cuisine, or history, these six places will take you on a once in a lifetime adventure in India.