It is very difficult to list the top tourist destinations and attractions in India because every place tells a unique story and has its own significance and beauty. The sheer size, heritage and diversity of India have enchanted many travelers throughout the ages. However, here is a listing, or rather a countdown of the ten top tourist destinations in India based on popularity:
10. Varanasi: It is one of the oldest cities of India with a 3000-year-old history. Tourists come to the sacred place of Varanasi to experience a sense of mysticism, for a spiritual feeling, to study at the Benares Hindu University or to watch the enigmatic Ganges flow by.
9. Khajurao: The temples and monuments of Khajurao in Madhya Pradesh have been designated by the UNESCO as a “World Heritage Site”. These breathtakingly beautiful temples were constructed between the 9th and 10th centuries during the times of the Chandela dynasty. It is one of the chief tourist destinations in India as people from all around the world throng to watch these artistic wonders. Of the 85 temples constructed originally, only 22 remain.
8. Hyderabad: The fifth largest city in India is home to magnificent forts, royal palaces, age-old temples and mosques; all of them a celebration of history and grandeur that this city has commanded. It is also called the “Pearl city”. Some of the top tourist attractions here are the Charminar, Safdar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar Lake and Lad Bazaar.
7.Bangalore: Bangalore is the fastest growing city in India. With a pleasant climate and cosmopolitan aura of this place, Bangalore has undergone quite a transformation over the last few years. Some of the top tourist destinations in Bangalore are Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, Fort of Tipu Sultan, Bangalore Palace, the Venkatappa Art gallery and the Bull Temple.
6. Pondicherry: The seductive beauty of Pondicherry beckons a lot of visitors to this place. The city of Pondicherry has a passive feel towards it; you can feel that the city likes to move at its own languid pace, unlike other cities in India, which seem to have a fast paced life. Some of the prominent tourist attractions here are the Beach Road, the Aurbindo Ashram and many restaurants that line the Beach Road. Since it was formerly a French colony, most people here know and speak French.
5. Mumbai: Mumbai, the commercial capital of India is frequented by many tourists round the year. Some of the pleasant sights are the Gateway of India, Mani Bhawan - the residence of Mahatma Gandhi, sea fronts like Chowpatty beach, Marine Drive, Juhu Beach and the Bandra sea-face. The southern part of Mumbai is usually frequented by tourists, especially at the Fort Area, Colaba, Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade. Other tourist attractions include Kamala Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens, the Prince of Wales Museum and the Jehangir Art Gallery.
4. Jaipur: Jaipur (capital of Rajasthan) is also known as the ‘Pink City’ is home to several top tourist destinations. Chief among them are Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Albert Museum, Birla Mandir Planetarium, City Palace, Sisodia Rani Park etc.
3. Kochi: Kochi is a beautiful and prosperous city in Kerala. The vibrancy in terms of natural beauty and industrial progress is simply unbelievable. It is the commercial capital of Kerala. Some of the best places to visit in Kochi are the Dutch Palace (Mattanchery Palace), Cherai Beach, Hill Palace Museum, Willingdon Island (a manmade island), a hill station called Munnar and Anamudi, the highest peak in South India.
2. Delhi: Delhi, the capital city of India is known to be a heaven for historical sites, archeological destinations and religious sites. One of the best tourist attractions in India, the “India Gate” is in Delhi. Also stunningly attractive is the Red Fort, a huge edifice and a testimony to the Mughal architecture. Yet another tourist attraction, the Kutumb Minar alone attracts numerous tourists from round the world. The largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid, the Old Fort, and Humayun’s tomb are other interesting sites of Delhi.
1. Agra: Agra has captivated a lot of tourists from every corner of the world. The historic city is home to the teardrop of love, the eternal and the ethereal Taj Mahal, also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Other tourist attractions include Sikandra tomb, Fatherpur Sikri, Vrindavan and Mathura.
10. Varanasi: It is one of the oldest cities of India with a 3000-year-old history. Tourists come to the sacred place of Varanasi to experience a sense of mysticism, for a spiritual feeling, to study at the Benares Hindu University or to watch the enigmatic Ganges flow by.
9. Khajurao: The temples and monuments of Khajurao in Madhya Pradesh have been designated by the UNESCO as a “World Heritage Site”. These breathtakingly beautiful temples were constructed between the 9th and 10th centuries during the times of the Chandela dynasty. It is one of the chief tourist destinations in India as people from all around the world throng to watch these artistic wonders. Of the 85 temples constructed originally, only 22 remain.
8. Hyderabad: The fifth largest city in India is home to magnificent forts, royal palaces, age-old temples and mosques; all of them a celebration of history and grandeur that this city has commanded. It is also called the “Pearl city”. Some of the top tourist attractions here are the Charminar, Safdar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar Lake and Lad Bazaar.
7.Bangalore: Bangalore is the fastest growing city in India. With a pleasant climate and cosmopolitan aura of this place, Bangalore has undergone quite a transformation over the last few years. Some of the top tourist destinations in Bangalore are Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, Fort of Tipu Sultan, Bangalore Palace, the Venkatappa Art gallery and the Bull Temple.
6. Pondicherry: The seductive beauty of Pondicherry beckons a lot of visitors to this place. The city of Pondicherry has a passive feel towards it; you can feel that the city likes to move at its own languid pace, unlike other cities in India, which seem to have a fast paced life. Some of the prominent tourist attractions here are the Beach Road, the Aurbindo Ashram and many restaurants that line the Beach Road. Since it was formerly a French colony, most people here know and speak French.
5. Mumbai: Mumbai, the commercial capital of India is frequented by many tourists round the year. Some of the pleasant sights are the Gateway of India, Mani Bhawan - the residence of Mahatma Gandhi, sea fronts like Chowpatty beach, Marine Drive, Juhu Beach and the Bandra sea-face. The southern part of Mumbai is usually frequented by tourists, especially at the Fort Area, Colaba, Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade. Other tourist attractions include Kamala Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens, the Prince of Wales Museum and the Jehangir Art Gallery.
4. Jaipur: Jaipur (capital of Rajasthan) is also known as the ‘Pink City’ is home to several top tourist destinations. Chief among them are Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Albert Museum, Birla Mandir Planetarium, City Palace, Sisodia Rani Park etc.
3. Kochi: Kochi is a beautiful and prosperous city in Kerala. The vibrancy in terms of natural beauty and industrial progress is simply unbelievable. It is the commercial capital of Kerala. Some of the best places to visit in Kochi are the Dutch Palace (Mattanchery Palace), Cherai Beach, Hill Palace Museum, Willingdon Island (a manmade island), a hill station called Munnar and Anamudi, the highest peak in South India.
2. Delhi: Delhi, the capital city of India is known to be a heaven for historical sites, archeological destinations and religious sites. One of the best tourist attractions in India, the “India Gate” is in Delhi. Also stunningly attractive is the Red Fort, a huge edifice and a testimony to the Mughal architecture. Yet another tourist attraction, the Kutumb Minar alone attracts numerous tourists from round the world. The largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid, the Old Fort, and Humayun’s tomb are other interesting sites of Delhi.
1. Agra: Agra has captivated a lot of tourists from every corner of the world. The historic city is home to the teardrop of love, the eternal and the ethereal Taj Mahal, also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Other tourist attractions include Sikandra tomb, Fatherpur Sikri, Vrindavan and Mathura.
