Varanasi or Banaras is the continuously inhabited oldest city known in history . In ancient times, it was known as “Kashi”. Holding immense significance for the followers of Hindu religion. Varanasi has 1000+ temples each having it’s own significance and countless Shivlingas. Varanasi also has more than 84 ghats on the banks of river Ganga along which the city is located. Each ghat is different from the other and once again, has a story of it’s own.
Apart from the religious significance, Kashi also holds great historical importance. Fast forward to today. And the city of Banaras is world famous for it’s Ganga Aarti, mouth watering cuisines including street food and specialities of Varanasi, textiles like the Banarasi Saree and much more. So, if you have just 2 days to spend in Varanasi, you really have to choose your options wisely.
And in case you are wondering what to do in Varanasi in 2 days, you have landed at the right place. After my recent visit to Varanasi, here I bring you the best possible Varanasi 2 days itinerary. With this Varanasi 2 days trip plan, you will be able to cover the most significant things to do in Varanasi in 2 days and the top places to see in Varanasi. So, lets get started.
Day 1 in Varanasi
Since, at some point you will be arriving in Varanasi on this day, I assume almost half your day will be gone in your arrival and check-in formalities at your accommodation in Varanasi. So, lets talk about the top things to do in Varanasi in 2 days that you can cover on your first day in Varanasi. Some of these include –
Evening boat ride on the river Ganga
Taking an evening boat ride on the river Ganga in Varanasi. This boat ride will give you a chance to do a guided tour across all the significant ghats of Varanasi in around an hours time. And the guide on the boat will also tell you the story of each ghat as you go around them. As the darkness starts enveloping the skies. And the lights across all the ghats and establishments turn on, it’s nothing short of a magical experience to witness the glittering city from the Ganga.
And the stories of the ghats are captivating. Like the Tulsi Ghat where Ramayana was written, or the Manikarnika Ghat – the ghat of burning pyres which never sees a single no-fire moment and how it came to be. And the ghat with the submersed, reclining temples and their mysterious stories. And so many more.
Although I have taken several boat rides earlier at tourist places, the most recent one being a boat ride while exploring Nainital when on my trip to Uttarakhand last year. But, there’s been none as thrilling and exciting as this boat ride on river Ganga in Varanasi.
Witnessing the world famous Ganga Aarti
After finishing the boat ride on river Ganga in Varanasi, go ahead to tick off one of the most significant of the things to do in Varanasi in 2 days, on your list. The Ganga Aarti. It is a worship of the river Ganga done every single day in Varanasi – morning and evening. And the evening Aarti starts right after the sunset – at Assi Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat.So as soon as you finish your boat ride, the boatmen will bring you back to the shores. And you can witness this mesmerising evening. Either from atop your boat. Or, from the banks. Although, viewing the Ganga Aarti from the boats definitely gives you the advantage of clear views as the ghats get super crowded at this time.
Trying mouth watering food of Banaras
It will be late evening by the time the Ganga Aarti finishes. So, the next on my list of things to do in Varanasi in 2 days is to try some mouth watering cuisines. Right near the ghats there are some 100 plus years old food outlets and restaurants serving the mouth watering delicacies of Banaras. When it comes to the must try cuisines of Varanasi, it needs a separate writeup of its own.
However, just to summarise here, some of the food items that you must try while in Varanasi include lassi, rabri-jalebi, poori & aloo sabji, aloo kachori, different kind of milk and dairy based sweets, numerous varieties of chaats – especially tomato chaat and so many more. In winters there is “Malaiyyo” – a special fresh cream recipe found only in Banaras that’s so much more delicious than the packaged ice creams. And ofcourse, Banarasi Paan!! So, basically, your trip to Varanasi will be incomplete without trying out some of these delicacies. Thus, putting this food tour of Varanasi on top of my list of things to do in Varanasi in 2 days.
Some of the famous food outlets of Banaras include the Kashi Chaat Bhandar, Banaras Kulhar Chaat, Blue Lassi, Chhappan Bhog, Brij Raj Bhog and Pahalwan Lassi.
Shopping in Banaras
Apart from a food tour, shopping is another thing that should be on top of your list of things to do in Varanasi in 2 days. So, after having satisfied your taste buds thorougly, if time permits, I suggest you go shopping in the streets of Varanasi. Some of the shopping places that you can give a try include –
- Vishwanath Gali – Known for its narrow lanes filled with shops selling traditional Banarasi silk sarees, jewelry, and handicrafts.
- Gyan Vapi Market – A bustling market where you can find silk fabrics, handloom products, and various local souvenirs.
- Thatheri Bazaar – Famous for brass and copper utensils, perfect for traditional kitchenware and decor.
- Godowlia Market – A large market area offering a variety of items, from clothes to spices and sweets.
- Manikarnika Ghat Area – Known for shops selling religious items, idols, and various puja essentials.
- Chowk – This area has numerous shops selling authentic Banarasi sarees and textiles, along with handmade crafts.
- Kashi Handloom – A government-run store that showcases the best of Banarasi silk and cotton textiles.
- Silk Weaving Workshops – Visit local workshops where you can buy directly from artisans and see the weaving process.
- Dharamshala Shopping Complex – A place for handicrafts, traditional jewelry, and other local products.
- Sarnath Market – Near the Sarnath archaeological site, it offers Buddhist artifacts and souvenirs.
I did most of my shopping of the famous Banarasi Silk sarees and Banarasi dress materials from Mayapuri, a shop located in the same road that leads to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Of course, you need a good bargaining skill to shop at reasonable prices in most of these places. And when buying in bulk, they will give you a discount on their own as well.
Day 2 in Varanasi
Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Start your second day in Varanasi early in the morning. With a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple – the one temple which people from across India come to Varanasi to visit. It is a very important Hindu temple. The temple opens as early as 3:30 am in the morning. If you visit before 6:30am, you will find much less crowd and much more peaceful surroundings. I have covered all the details of Kashi Vishwanath temple including timings of visit, things to know before you visit and everything else in this post on the temples of Varanasi.
After visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple and other temples in it’s premises, which can take around 1 hour, you can have breakfast in one of the several food outlets surrounding the temple. We had ours at “The Ram Bhandar” – puri and aloo sabji along with freshly made jalebis.
If you can start your day really early, you will be done with the temple visit and breakfast before 7:00am.
Offer you prayers at other temples of Varanasi
You can spend another couple of hours offering your prayers at some other significant temples of Varanasi. Some of these include the Kaal Bhairav Mandir, the Mrityunjay Mahavir Mandir, Annapoorna Devi Mandir, Durga Kund Mandir, Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir and Nepali Mandir. You can definitely cover most of these in around 2-2.5 hrs. I suggest hire a tuk-tuk or e-rickshaw for 2 hours who will take you around all these temples.
Head to the Ramgarh Fort
The next thing on our list of things to do in Varanasi in 2 days includes exploring the fort of Varanasi – called the Benaras Fort, Ramnagar Fort or Kashi Fort. Built in the 18th century by the Maratha ruler, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, this fort is situated on the banks of the Ganges River. The Kashi Fort features traditional Indian architecture with intricate carvings and impressive gateways. The Kashi Fort played a significant role in the defence of the old city of Kashi during various invasion attacks by multiple rulers.
While most of the visitors to Varanasi focus on the religious places, this gives you a golden opportunity to explore this offbeat place in Kashi with stunning views and historical significance. And that is why I put a visit to Kashi Fort on my list of places to visit in Varanasi in 2 days. The timings of Ramnagar Fort are from 10:00am to 4:00pm. You can easily finish visiting here in 1 hour.
After visiting the Kashi Fort, have lunch before you explore the next place in Varanasi.
Visit Sarnath – the Buddhist Religious centre right outside of Varanasi
Next, head to Sarnath – the second most important Buddhist religious centres of India – which is located right outside the city of Varanasi. It is renowned as the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment under a bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. As such, Sarnath is one of the four main pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, marking the spot where Buddha preached the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
You can either hire an autorickshaw or a taxi to visit Sarnath. Reserve around 2 hours to visit here. The complex of Sarnath contains several significant religious and architectural places of interest which include –
- Dhamek Stupa: This large cylindrical stupa is one of the most important monuments in Sarnath. Built in the 5th century, it marks the spot where Buddha is believed to have taught.
- Ashoka Pillar: The Lion Capital of Ashoka, a national emblem of India, was discovered here. This pillar symbolizes peace and dharma.
- Mulagandhakuti Vihara: This monastery features beautiful murals and houses a statue of Buddha. It is a serene place for meditation.
- Archaeological Museum of Sarnath: The museum contains a rich collection of artifacts related to Buddhism, including sculptures, inscriptions, and relics.
- Buddhist Temples of Sarnath: Various countries have built temples in Sarnath, reflecting their architectural styles and religious practices, including Thai, Tibetan, and Japanese temples.
Apart from the above, the area around Sarnath is very lush and peaceful, making it an ideal spot for reflection and meditation. Also, apart from Both Gaya and Sarnath, Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh is another significant Buddhist place of worship. Do visit here if you haven’t.
Witness the celebration of death at Mukti Bhavan
Did you know that Varanasi is also called “the city of death” or “moksha ki nagari” in Hindi. As the followers of Hindu religion believe that those who die in Varanasi get free of the cycle of birth and death and rebirth. And attain salvation. As such, people come to Varanasi in their last days and wait here for death to embrace them. In fact, there are guest houses like the “Mukti Bhavan” where people can come and stay while they wait to die.
But, there’s a caveat. That people must die within 15 days of coming here. Otherwise they have to return back to where they came from! Definitely an interesting place to visit in Varanasi if you are not scared. While we mostly shy away from the subject of death, neither like to think about it nor discuss it – in Hindu religion, it’s considered as the ultimate and unavoidable truth of life. And the way I saw death being embraced in Varanasi, I have not seen anywhere else.
See the Benaras Hindu University Campus
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious universities, located in Varanasi. With a huge campus accommodating different streams of education. In fact, it’s sprawling campus covers over 1,300 acres. And features beautiful gardens, hostels, and various departments. And architecture of these buildings blends traditional and modern styles.
BHU offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various fields, including arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, law, and social sciences. And it is also known for its vibrant cultural life, hosting numerous festivals, events, and competitions that showcase arts, music, and literature. The university boasts a long list of distinguished alumni, including politicians, scientists, and cultural figures, many of whom have made significant contributions to society. Also, it does a lot of international collaborations on research. And it also has a museum that houses a collection of artifacts related to Hindu culture, history, and archaeology.
There’s a famous temple in the BHU campus – the new Vishwanath Temple. You can visit this temple also when you explore BHU.
Other things to do in Varanasi
And that brings me to the end of the list of things to do in Varanasi in 2 days. Although there is so much more to do in Varanasi. To be able to feel the vibe of this city and immerse in the culture. Like doing yoga classes, taking spiritual lessons and cooking classes, visiting the banks of the river Ganga and spending time meditating there etc.
Also, while you wander through the narrow vibrant lanes of Varanasi, keep your eyes for what you might discover. From vibrant street art to beautiful doors and jharokhas of centuries old houses – you will keep coming across several gems of places across Varanasi.
So, do keep more time at hand if you can. Before we part, let me give you some general information on visiting Varanasi.
How to reach Varanasi
Varanasi is a city located in the northern state of India, Uttar Pradesh. It is very well connected to all the other major places through rail, road as well as air.
Varanasi Airport (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport) is about 26 km from the city center and connects with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available for local transport. While Varanasi Junction (VNS): Varanasi has a major railway station with trains connecting it to many cities across India, including Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. It’s a popular and scenic way to arrive.
Also, Varanasi is well-connected by road, with state-run and private buses operating from nearby cities. Major bus terminals in Varanasi include the Varanasi Bus Stand. And, you can drive to Varanasi from nearby cities like Lucknow (around 320 km) or Allahabad (around 120 km). The road conditions are generally good.
Once in Varanasi, you can use auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, taxis, or app-based cab services to navigate the city.
Which is the best season to visit Varanasi
The best time to visit Varanasi is during the winter months, from October to March. As, the weather remains pleasant, temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F), making it comfortable for sightseeing. The evenings are colder, but pleasant.
Some of the major festivals that are celebrated around this time in Varanasi include –
Dev Deepawali: Celebrated in November, this festival sees thousands of diyas (lamps) lit along the ghats, creating a magical atmosphere.
Maha Shivaratri: This major festival in February or March attracts many devotees to Varanasi.
What to wear in Varanasi
There is no strict dress code on what to visit in Varanasi. You will see people wearing from the most traditional Indian attire to the western outfits. However, it is good to wear traditional cloths when visiting places of religious significance like the temples. When traveling in the winter months, you should pack winter cloths according to the prevailing temperatures. Particularly in the months of December and January, which are the coldest, you will need heavy winter sweaters and jackets.
Where to stay in Varanasi
Varanasi offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. From hostels and basic guest houses to luxury hotels – it has something for all budget range. People prefer to stay near the ghat area, either at Assi ghat or near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor as these are buzzing places with most significant places to visit for tourists.
However, these areas are characterised by the narrow streets and one way lanes. So, if you are traveling in 4 wheeler and need a parking then you can book your accommodation in other parts of the town of Varanasi. Here’s a complete list of hotels in Varanasi to explore for your next trip.