Top 5 best places to visit in Varanasi for sunrise, shopping & snacks
Planning a trip to Varanasi? This guide highlights the Top 5 best places to visit in Varanasi for three things every traveler wants: unforgettable sunrises on the Ganges, honest shopping for genuine Banarasi sarees, and the street-food bites that make the city unforgettable. You’ll find clear timings, local tips, and practical advice so you can enjoy each moment without guesswork — whether you have one day or a long weekend to explore. Let’s go! 🚤✨
Why Varanasi? A tiny love note to the city ❤️
Varanasi (also called Kashi or Banaras) feels like a living story. It’s one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities — filled with winding lanes, temples, ghats, silk weavers, and a kind of music-in-the-air that tugs at you. When you talk about places to visit in Varanasi, you’re not just listing tourist stops — you’re naming experiences: dawn boat rides, evening aartis, the hush of temples, and the thrill of finding a handwoven Banarasi saree in a small shop. It’s sensory overload in the best way. 🎶🕯️
Quick overview: What you’ll read here
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The Top 5 best places to visit in Varanasi for sunrise, shopping & snacks (detailed).
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Practical tips: how to reach, timings, bargaining, safety, and food hygiene.
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Where to buy authentic Banarasi sarees and how to spot originals (with links to browse styles online).
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Extra spots worth remembering and little local hacks. 🧭
The Top 5 best places to visit in Varanasi (sunrise, shopping & snacks) 🌟
I’ll name the Top 5 best places to visit in Varanasi and then deep-dive into why each one is special for sunrise, shopping, or snacks. These five cover the soul of the city: sunrise ghats, historic shopping lanes, and the tastiest bites.
1) Assi Ghat — Best for sunrise vibes & a gentle boat start 🌅
If you want that classic sunrise on the Ganga, Assi Ghat is where many mornings begin. Locals and early risers gather here for yoga, morning prayers, and tea. A short boat ride from Assi through the misty river gives you the clearest, most peaceful views of the ghats waking up.
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Why it’s a top pick: calm mornings, good boat availability, friendly boatmen who’ll row you close to ceremonies.
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Best for: sunrise photography, quiet reflection, and a slow start to the day.
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Timing: Arrive before dawn (approx 5:00–6:00 AM depending on season).
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Tip: Bring a light layer in winter — river mornings get chilly.
Fun aside: If you like street-side chai, try a cup near Assi before hopping on the boat — it’s earned the “early morning lifesaver” title more than once. ☕️
(Here’s a useful read if you love fabrics: browse beautiful sarees while planning your trip — check Vandana Sarees’ full sarees collection.)
2) Dashashwamedh Ghat — Sunrise from the river + sunset aarti magic 🔥
Dashashwamedh is the heart of Varanasi’s public life. In the morning it’s soft and reflective; by evening it erupts into the famous Ganga Aarti — a choreographed, rhythmic spectacle you’ll remember.
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Why it’s a top pick: central location, stunning river views at sunrise from a boat, and the legendary sunset aarti.
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Best for: combining a sunrise ride and an evening aarti (so you get both ends of the day).
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Timing: sunrise boat trips start early; evening aarti timings shift with the season (usually just after sunset).
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Tip: To watch the aarti up close, arrive early or book a boat seat for a river view.
If you’re into textiles, the lanes around the ghats lead to shops selling classic handwoven styles (think Katan and Brocade) — perfect for pairing a day of sightseeing with saree shopping. Peek at elegant Katan weaves online here: Katan silk saree collection. 👗
3) Chowk / Vishwanath Gali & Thatheri Bazaar — Best for shopping (authentic Banarasi sarees) 🛍️
Now we’re in the maze of markets — narrow alleys, fabric stalls, and centuries-old weaving families. The lanes around Chowk, Vishwanath Gali, and Thatheri Bazaar are where Varanasi’s textile heart still hums. Expect narrow alleys, family-run shops and showrooms that have sold handwoven sarees for generations. This is the place to compare weaves, touch real silk, and buy a original Banarasi saree that will last decades.
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Why it’s a top pick: traditional shops, family-run showrooms, and places where you can see looms or meet sellers who know their craft.
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Best for: authentic Banarasi shopping, bargaining, and seeing different silk types (Brocade, Katan, Tissue, Tanchoi).
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What to buy: Classic Banarasi silk sarees (Katan, Brocade, Tissue, Tanchoi), bridal weaves, and lightweight organza or khaddi options for everyday elegance. For bridal or heirloom pieces, look for dense zari work and a richly woven pallu. If you want to browse collections ahead of time, check Vandana Sarees’ selection of Banarasi silk sarees , brocade silk sarees and katan silk sarees.❤️
Vandana Sarees — Authentic Pure Silk Saree Shop since 1970 ✨
Vandana Sarees (Find on Google Maps) — Direction
Address: 37/44 1A, Rathyatra - Mahmoorganj Rd, near Usha Gupta Lane, Khanna Villa Colony, Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010
Phone: 06388 251026
Website: Shop OnlineIf you’re looking for a trusted shop in the Chowk area, Vandana Sarees is a name many locals and repeat visitors recommend. Established in 1970, they focus on authentic pure-silk Banarasi styles — from heavy bridal brocades to lighter organza and katan weaves. Visiting Vandana Sarees is a good mix of old-world showroom charm and helpful, experienced staff who can explain weave types, zari details, and care tips.
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Bargaining tip: Start lower than the asking price but be polite. If a shop seems unsure, ask for a certificate of handloom or the weave details.
Pro tip: If you want to compare finishes, visit a few shops in the same lane — quality differences are easy to spot once you know what to check: the pallu, zari threads, and the selvedge finishing.
For inspiration, explore Banarasi silk sarees online before you go — it will train your eye for fabrics and patterns.
4) Godowlia & Lanka — Best for snacks and quick bites 🍴
This area is the city’s food heartbeat. From lassi joints to chaat counters and kachori makers, it’s where you eat like a local.
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Why it’s a top pick: high footfall, famous food stalls, and variety (sweet to spicy).
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Must-try: tamatar chaat, kachori sabzi, lassi, and the winter-special malaiyo (a frothy milk sweet).
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Best time: mid-morning to evening; some sweets like malaiyo are seasonal and early morning.
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Food safety tip: pick busy stalls with fresh turnover; ask for hot, freshly prepared food.
Sidewalk snack crawl? Start with a lassi, move to chaat, and end with paan for that authentic Banarasi finish. If you’re shopping after snacking, the nearby markets make it easy to alternate walks and bites. 😋
5) Assorted Ghats: Tulsi, Manikarnika, & the lesser-known lanes — complete experience 🌊
This is a collection pick because the river is a chain of experiences. Tulsi Ghat, Manikarnika (the cremation ghat — significant and solemn), and other lesser-known ghats give you different moods of the city.
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Why it’s a top pick: each ghat tells a different story — from devotional music at Tulsi to the raw reality at Manikarnika.
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Best for: spiritual context, photography (respectfully), and seeing daily life on the river.
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Timings & etiquette: dawn to dusk for most ghats; always be respectful, especially around cremation areas — photography is sensitive and should be avoided without permission.
Remember: the places to visit in Varanasi are as much about people as they are about sites. Sit, watch, and soak it up.
How to reach Varanasi & quick travel logistics ✈️🚆🚗
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By air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) connects to major Indian cities. From the airport it’s a taxi or cab ride to the old city (about 30–60 minutes depending on traffic).
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By train: Varanasi Junction is a major rail hub — great for overnight trains and easy city access.
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By road: Well-connected highways, but expect longer travel times from distant cities. For comfort, many travelers choose overnight trains or flights.
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Local travel: Auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and taxis are common. For the ghats and lanes, walking is the best way to explore.
How to spot an authentic Banarasi saree (shopping tips) 🧵
You asked for honesty — here’s what I tell friends:
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Feel the fabric: real Banarasi silk (Katan, Kora, Organza) has a certain weight and sheen — not plasticky. Compare side by side. (Browse organza options here: Organza silk saree).
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Check the zari: pure zari is often finer and more matte; machine-made metallic threads can look overly shiny.
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Pallu & borders: intricate, continuous motifs and neat selvedge usually mean handwork.
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Ask for provenance: weavers or established stores sometimes offer a tag or certificate. If they can’t explain the weave type (Katan vs Tissue vs Mashru), be cautious. (If you like brocade, peek at this collection: Brocade silk saree.)
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Bargain smart: know a rough price range before you haggle. In markets like Thatheri Bazaar you’ll find both genuine handloom and powerloom copies — the key is to compare and buy from trusted shops.
Want a color idea? Banarasi reds and golds are classic — check red Banarasi sarees or browse seasonal tones like peach and blue.
Best time to visit & festival highlights 🎉
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Best season: October to March (cool, pleasant mornings for sunrise and comfortable shopping walks).
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Dev Deepawali: if you can time your trip, Dev Deepawali is a spectacular festival of lamps on the ghats — the whole riverside lights up. It’s one of the most dramatic experiences among the places to visit in Varanasi.
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Avoid peak summer: April–June can be hot and humid; monsoon brings higher river levels.
Extra spots to remember (beyond the Top 5) 📍
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Sarnath: just a short drive away — where Buddha gave his first sermon. A peaceful, restorative visit after the city’s bustle.
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Ramnagar Fort & Museum: for a touch of local history and some quirky exhibits.
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Tulsi Manas Temple & Sankat Mochan: beautiful and active temples with local importance.
These are solid additions to your list of places to visit in Varanasi if you’ve got extra time.
Practical tips & etiquette (what locals will thank you for) 🙏
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Dress modestly around temples and ghats.
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Respect rituals and people — ask before photographing someone.
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Carry cash for small shops and snacks.
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Negotiate politely in markets; be ready to walk away — often prices settle.
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Book a trusted boatman or guide for sunrise and aarti days to avoid confusion.
Quick snack map: what to eat and where (a friendly crawl) 🍽️
Start with a lassi, then move to chaat stalls near Godowlia, dig into kachori and sabzi for breakfast in the lanes, and try malaiyo if you’re there in winter. End your day with a paan (if you like it) — it’s a Banarasi ritual of sorts.
Final thoughts — why these are the places to visit in Varanasi 🤍
Varanasi isn’t about ticking boxes. The places to visit in Varanasi that I picked — Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh, Chowk/Vishwanath Gali, Godowlia/Lanka and the cluster of ghats — together create a balanced trip: dawn stillness, shopping discoveries (especially for true Banarasi sarees), and a forever-smiling snack trail.
If you want a little preview before you go shopping, explore a beautiful selection of weaves and get inspired: Banarasi silk sarees collection and tissue & tanchoi styles. These can help you decide what you’re looking for when you step into the lanes.
