The 10 Best Places to Travel in India (2023)

Top Tourist Attractions in India

In all honesty, it is difficult to select just a handful of travel destinations when you’re in India. To make it easier, we have grouped these for you to compare and decide for yourself:

Be it for their spectacular views or charming fresh air, India has no shortage of hills, valleys, or beaches. Some of these are mentioned below, though you are free to explore more on your own!

Munnar

All hill-lovers, this one for you. This secluded hill has preserved its natural beauty and its lush green tea gardens famous for being a getaway for hikers and couples.

How to Reach: Flight or train to Kochi, then a cab to reach Munnar

Try: Taking a tea estate tour, staying in a treehouse, boating, and Ayurveda spa, shopping for fresh specialty and flavored tea, coffee, and aromatic oils

Don't Forget to Visit: The Atukkad Waterfalls, KDHP Museum, Chinnakanal Waterfalls, Periyar National Park

Dharamshala

Famous for being the center of Tibetan Buddhist culture, this serene place is home to the Dalai Lama. Situated at 1487 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by tranquil mountains and thick cedar forests. Perfect for family travels as well as solo trips, you can also Visit Mcleodganj which is not far from this valley.

How to Reach: Private and public buses are readily available from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Ambala

Try: Visiting authentic Tibetan cafes for a taste of their cuisine, shopping for handmade chocolates, buying singing bowls, Tibetan handicrafts, handcrafted diaries, paper, rugs, and wall hangings

Don’t Forget to Visit: Naam art gallery, Bhagsu waterfall, Dal lake, Namgyal monastery, Naddi viewpoint.

Darjeeling

The Queen of the Hills is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Toy Train. For the ones mountains are calling, this place is full of colonial-era architecture and rich scenery, no hills lover can miss this one.

How to Reach: Through Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri railway station, which are almost equidistant from Darjeeling

Try: Wildlife sighting, cottage camping, river rafting, buying handicrafts from New Mahakal market, Chowrasta, and Dragon Market.

Don’t Forget to Visit: Darjeeling Toy Train, Ghoom Monastery, Tiger Hill, Dhirdham Temple, Darjeeling Zoo, Mountaineering Institute, Senchal Lake.

Kodaikanal

For most travelers, mountains are medicine to their tired bodies and minds. This one is perfect for those looking for calm and picturesque views full of tea and coffee plantations, spices, and beautiful trails.

How to Reach: Madurai is the nearest city with an airport and a railway station, you can then take a bus or a cab to reach this secluded haven.

Try: Boating in Kodai Lake, camping, going on walks, trying their special teas and coffees

Don’t Forget to Visit: Coakers Walk, Dolphin's Nose, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, and Pillar Rocks

Agra

Probably one of the most popular destinations in the world, this city has a lot to offer other than the Taj Mahal. With Mughal monuments scattered throughout the city, this place is for the history buffs and art lovers who are hypnotized by their intricate designs and even more interesting stories from the past.

How to Reach: Flight, railways, bus, etc. Almost all the modes of transportation are available.

Try: The famous Panchi Petha shop, Visiting their market for leather goods and other handicrafts, shop for silks and other textiles

Don’t Forget to Visit: Fatehpur Sikri, Mankameshwar Temple, Akbar's Tomb, Agra Fort, Agra Bear Rescue Center, Mehtab Bagh

Rajasthan

The Land of Kings, this state is a beautiful reminder of India's glorious past centuries. The state is littered with glittering palaces, festivals, and spectacular forts. Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer are known for their characteristic buildings with fantastic palaces, gardens, and forts.

How to reach: Flight, railway, buses

Try: Shopping for handmade textiles, jewelry, sightseeing, folk music, Marwari food

Don’t Forget to Visit: Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jaisalmer Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, City Palace, Pushkar Lake

Hampi

This world heritage site is a time travel machine that goes back to the 15th-16th century. With remnants of Havelis, temples, and monuments, you will find many cafes set up catering to tasteful cuisine and pleasant evenings.

How to reach: The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, buses, railway, cabs

Don't Forget to Visit: Hampi architectural ruins, Lotus Mahal, Hazara Rama Temple, Stone Chariot, Kadalekalu Ganesha, Hemakuta Hill Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Matanga Hill

Pondicherry

Puducherry or Pondicherry is a beautifully preserved remnant of India's French culture which can be instantly seen by their vibrant yellow walls and colonial-era architecture.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Pondicherry Airport and can be reached by bus and cabs from Bangalore and Tamil Nadu.

Try: Taking a boat ride, Scuba diving, Surfing, Heritage walks, Kayaking,

Don't Forget to Visit: Rock Beach, French War Memorial, Bharati Park, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Promenade Beach, Perumal Temple, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Kochi

An amalgamation of Dutch-era bungalows and quaint cafes, this beautiful place has been listed among the best tourist places in India for solo travelers as well as family vacations.

How to Reach: Cochin International Airport, Ernakulam Junction

Try: Indulging in Kochi's vast reproduction market and shop for antiques and handicrafts.

Don't Forget to Visit: Hill Palace Museum, Fort Kochi, St. Francis CSI Church, Willingdon Island, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Cheri Beach.  

Thekkady

These lush green rolling hills are home to elephants, vast spice plantations, and the famous Periyar National Park.

How to reach: Cochin and Madurai International airport

Try: Taking cooking classes, touring bazaars, trekking through the hills

Don't Forget to Visit: Thekkady Lake, Anakkara, Pandikuzhi, Tiger Trail

Precautions While Traveling

With COVID-19 still at large, it may be a little restrictive but that does not mean you can't explore with caution! Make sure you keep these important points in mind before planning your trip:

• Make sure to check for all the COVID travel advisory for the place you're traveling to
• Ensure that you travel in a small group so that social distancing can be maintained
• Avoid traveling with anyone who is at high risk for COVID-19, especially elders and unvaccinated children
• Limit contact with handrails, elevator buttons, and other frequently touched surfaces. Make sure to follow proper hand-hygiene
• Opt for contactless payment wherever possible
• Make a proper packing list with all the essentials: spare face masks, tissues, at least 60% alcohol sanitizers, and a thermometer.
• Make sure you have a reliable domestic travel insurance plan to cover you for any medical emergencies while your trip
• Avoid public transport as much as possible, if you do then ensure that you follow the double mask rule and sanitize frequently
• Avoid public spaces like swimming pools, water parks, and hot tubs while on your vacation
• Monitor your health frequently so that you can ensure your safety along with your peace of mind
• Check for your hotel's cleaning policy so that they're properly sanitized and cleaned frequently
• Ensure that you are vaccinated so that the chances of contracting the disease are minimum 

To Conclude,

With hopes of the pandemic slowly coming to an end, we still need to plan our trips carefully and ensure proper safety no matter where we go. India has no shortage of great places that offer every possible amenity to make your vacation enjoyable as well as safe. Make sure that your travel destination has proper facilities in case of any emergencies. Having a travel insurance plan in India not only provides you much-needed financial assurance but also peace of mind; this way you can make the most of your trip and gain back some sense of normalcy without endangering anyone around you.