Last Updated on January 24, 2024

India is one of the best places to visit if you are looking for a place that is the total opposite of what we are used to in Western culture. It is the mecca for cultural travel, and of course—the food is amazing! The only problem that most people have when visiting India is not having enough time to explore and do everything in one visit, which is kind of a bummer.

So, if you are not sure where to go in India when you have limited time, I listed the 5 of the best places to visit in India. Now, let’s get to it!

The 5 best Cities to visit in India

Table of Contents

1 Jaipur: The Pink City

Ever wondered why the Jaipur filter on your Instagram stories sports a vibrant pinkish hue? Well, that is because Jaipur is also known as the Pink City. This historic city is not only a top attraction in Rajasthan and India, but it is also easily one of the top cities in the world. Aside from being rich in culture and having beautiful architecture, Jaipur is also home to many fun activities, such as:

Going to the Jeep Safari through Nahargarh sanctuary
Ziplining through jungle-like areas
Viewing the desert city from the top in a hot air balloon
Exploring the Hawa Mahal
Visiting the Galta Ji, aka the Monkey Temple

2 Agra: The Home of the Taj Mahal

A trip to India wouldn’t be complete without visiting Agra and the Taj Mahal. Aside from this wonder of the world, you can also do a little sightseeing and visit other heritage sites while you are in Agra, such as:

The Agra Fort, another fantastic architectural piece found near the Taj Mahal
The beautiful mosques and sandstone buildings of Fatehpur Sikri

3 Delhi: India’s Capital

Delhi is another large city to visit in India, and exploring everything nook and cranny of this city will literally take months. If you are visiting Delhi, make sure you learn to travel light, because there will be a ton of walking if you wish to do some sightseeing in this gorgeous cultural mecca—so make sure you bring your best camera gear for this trip. Here are some of the best places to visit if you have limited time in this large city:

The Red Fort is a place with historical significance
The India Gate
Humayun’s Tomb
Go street shopping and eat delicious food

4 Bangalore: India’s Silicon Valley

Bangalore might be called India’s Silicon Valley, but it looks nothing like what we have in the states. It is home to a plethora of botanical gardens, beautiful architecture, and a great place to hit the clubs and nightlife. Plus, it is easy to find a cheap flight from Delhi to Bangalore if flying from the capital. Here are some of the best things to do while you are in Bangalore:

Visit the Bangalore Aquarium
Eat street food from food stalls
Go botanical garden hopping
Take a spiritual and relaxing walk through Cubbon Park
Nightlife

5 Manali: The Himalayas

If you want to see the other side of India that you wouldn’t typically see in movies and other depictions of the country—Manali is an excellent place to start. It is located in the Himalaya Mountains, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is also cold in this area – especially compared to most other parts of India – so make sure you pack some clothes for a colder climate. It boasts absolutely stunning views, cascading waterfalls, valleys of green, and snow. Yes, you read that right—It snows in India. Here are some of the things to do in Manali:

Go on a spiritual adventure
Take in all the views
Take a lot of pictures
Go skiing

Final tips for your trip to India

India is a giant country, and there are so many things you can do. One week of traveling in India is not even enough to explore just one city in its entirety. If you have limited time, make sure you add some of these five best places to visit in India to your itinerary, and don’t forget to be safe and enjoy!

Photo credit: All images used via Flickr’s Creative Commons Licensing. (1) Jaipur by Laura; (2) the Taj Mahal by Paul Asman; (3) Delhi by Louise Goggin; (4) Bhoga Nandeeswara Temple, Bangalore, by Hari K Patibanda (5) Leh – Manali Highway by Navaneeth KN