Varanasi itinerary for 4 days
A 4-day Varanasi trip plan in which each day stays in one part of Varanasi, in route order: The ghats at dawn and dusk; Sarnath; Banarasi food and silk; and Ramnagar Fort and the temples.
Varanasi is organised around the river. The two fixed points of any itinerary are a sunrise boat ride along the ghats and the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh after dark; the old lanes between them are best walked, not driven. Two days is enough for the city, three with Sarnath.
- Trip length
- 4 days
- Best time
- October to March
- Base
- Varanasi
- Region
- Uttar Pradesh, India
4-day Varanasi itinerary, day by day
Day 1: The ghats at dawn and dusk
Arrive. The two fixed points of Varanasi: a boat along the ghats at sunrise and the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh after dark, with the temple and the old lanes in between.
- Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat
- Sunrise boat ride from Assi to Manikarnika
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Day 2: Sarnath
Half an hour away, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The museum, home of the Lion Capital, is closed on Fridays.
- Dhamek Stupa
- Sarnath Archaeological Museum
- Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
Day 3: Banarasi food and silk
A day for eating and buying: kachori for breakfast, a silk weaving workshop, the university campus and its museum.
- Kachori and jalebi breakfast, Kachori Gali
- Banarasi silk weaving workshop
- Banaras Hindu University and the new Vishwanath temple
- Bharat Kala Bhavan museum
Day 4: Ramnagar Fort and the temples
Across the river to the Maharaja’s fort, then the temples south of the old city. Keep the end of the day free so the journey home is not rushed.
- Ramnagar Fort and museum
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
- Tulsi Manas Mandir and Durga Temple
The app times each stop for your dates and shows the driving distance between stops and the cab cost for each day.
Where to stay
Stay on or near the ghats between Assi and Dashashwamedh: the old city is best walked, and cars cannot reach most of it.
When to go
October to March is the comfortable window. Summers are severe, often above 42°C, and the monsoon raises the river enough to restrict boats and submerge lower ghat steps.
Getting there
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) is 25 km from the ghats; Varanasi Junction is a major rail hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is 4 days enough for Varanasi?
4 days is a long trip for Varanasi: it covers The ghats at dawn and dusk; Sarnath; Banarasi food and silk; and Ramnagar Fort and the temples.
What is the best 4-day itinerary for Varanasi?
Day 1: The ghats at dawn and dusk (Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat, Sunrise boat ride from Assi to Manikarnika, Kashi Vishwanath Temple). Day 2: Sarnath (Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath Archaeological Museum, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar). Day 3: Banarasi food and silk (Kachori and jalebi breakfast, Kachori Gali, Banarasi silk weaving workshop, Banaras Hindu University and the new Vishwanath temple, Bharat Kala Bhavan museum). Day 4: Ramnagar Fort and the temples (Ramnagar Fort and museum, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir and Durga Temple).
Where should I stay in Varanasi?
Stay on or near the ghats between Assi and Dashashwamedh: the old city is best walked, and cars cannot reach most of it.
What is the best time to visit Varanasi?
October to March is the comfortable window. Summers are severe, often above 42°C, and the monsoon raises the river enough to restrict boats and submerge lower ghat steps.
How do I get to Varanasi?
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) is 25 km from the ghats; Varanasi Junction is a major rail hub.