Are you looking for the best and most popular place to visit in India? In this article, I am going to tell you about not one but ten most famous tourist places to visit in India with family and friends.
India is an amazing country to visit with family and friends to see numerous historical landmarks. India has a motto of Atithi Devo Bhava means guests in India are just like Gods to Indians.
There are many famous & popular tourist places to visit in India and here I have compiled a list of the top 10 best tourist places or cities to visit in India for foreigners as well as local travelers.
10 Most Famous Tourist Sites/ Cities/ Places to Visit in India in 2024
Following are the top 10 best must-visit tourist sites/ cities/ places in India for foreigners & local travelers with family and friends-
1. Agra
Agra is India’s most popular tourist destination as the city of Agra welcomes the highest number of foreign travelers in India. There are many world-famous tourist attractions in Agra. Agra was once the capital of the Mughal Empire in India and was famous as the center for learning, arts, commerce, and religion. Agra is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh.
The most famous monument in Agra city is the Taj Mahal and Agra is also known as the City of Taj. Other than the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort (Red Fort of Agra) is another popular landmark in Agra city and is a world heritage site like the Taj Mahal. There are many other famous sites to visit in Agra city such as Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid, Tomb of Akbar, etc.
Best Time To Visit Agra– Winter season is the best time to visit Agra city because during summer the weather here is extremely hot and exhausting. The months of November to February are the best months to visit Agra. Moreover, one can also visit during the Monsoon season between the months of August to October.
If you are still looking for reasons to visit Agra then here are the 10 reasons why you must visit Agra once in your lifetime.
2. Jaipur
Jaipur, the Pink City of India is the capital and the largest city of the state of Rajasthan. It is a popular tourist destination in India and is famously known as the Paris of India. The city of Jaipur is a world heritage site and it is also home to the UNESCO world heritage sites Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar.
Jaipur is believed to be one of the earliest planned cities of modern India founded by the Rajput ruler Jai Singh after whom the city is named. There are many famous & heritage sites in Jaipur that are must-visits for every tourist visiting the Pink City. Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, City Palace, Nahargarh Fort, Samode Palace, Albert Hall Museum, Jaigarh Fort, etc are some of the most visited landmarks in Jaipur.
There are many world-class beautiful palaces in Jaipur that later turn into luxury hotels in modern India. The famous Khatu Shyam Temple is located around 60 kilometers from Jaipur city.
Best Time To Visit Jaipur– One should visit Jaipur between the months of November to March. The Winter season is the time time to visit Jaipur because the summer in Rajasthan is extremely hot and exhausting.
3. Goa
Goa is a tiny emerald on the southwestern coast of India, it is the 25th state of the United States of India. Goa is a youth-friendly destination and is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists every year. Goa is famous for its white-sand beaches, active nightlife, places of worship (churches & temples), and world-famous heritage architecture.
Goa is one of the 25 most romantic places to visit in India for couples. Goa has rich flora and fauna because it lies very close to the North Western Ghats rainforests, one of the rare biodiversity hotspots of the world. There are many popular places to visit in Goa such as Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa, Baga Beach, Aguada Fort, Dudhsagar Falls, Palolem Beach, Mangeshi Temple, etc.
Best Time To Visit Goa– Winter is the best time to visit Goa, however, the Monsoon season has also its own beauty in Goa. August To February are the best months to visit Goa.
4. Delhi
Delhi is the national capital of India and one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. Delhi has great historical significance as many historical landmarks are situated in the city of Delhi. Delhi is an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political center of India.
There are many famous tourist places to visit in Delhi such as Qutub Minar, India Gate, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Jantar Mantar, Agrasen Ki Baoli, etc. A large number of foreign tourists visit Delhi every year.
Best Time To Visit Delhi– The best to visit Delhi is between the months of October to March, the weather is pleasant during these months. Avoid visiting Delhi during the summer.
5. Mumbai
Mumbai, the financial capital of India and the capital city of Maharastra is one of the best cities to visit in India. The one who loves Bollywood movies will surely visit Mumbai once in a lifetime. Mumbai is the city of dreams, art, history, culture, food, theatre, cinema, nightlife, and a lot more.
Mumbai is famous for its iconic old-world charm architecture, strikingly modern high rises, and cultural & traditional structures. Gateway of India, Taj Hotel, Marine Drive, Juhu Beach, Siddhivinayak Temple, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, etc are some of the most popular tourist places in Mumbai.
Mumbai is one of the 25 most expensive cities to live in around the world.
Best Time To Visit Mumbai– The best time to visit Mumbai city is during the winter season which lasts between the months of November to March.
6. Amritsar
Amritsar is one of the most visited cities in India. It is a family-friendly city, and most of the tourists visit Amritsar with their families. Amritsar is a major cultural, transportation, and economic center of Punjab.
The Golden Temple is the most popular landmark in Amritsar, it is visited by lacs of tourists from around the world every year. Other famous tourist sites in Amritsar are Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh, Ram Bagh Palace, Gobindgarh Fort, etc.
Best Time To Visit Amritsar– Winter is the best time to visit Amritsar. One should visit Amritsar between the months of November to February when the weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing and visiting the Golden Temple.
7. Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest cities, famously known as Banaras or Kashi among tourists around the world. The city is located on the banks of the Ganga River in northern India. Varanasi has a central place in pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world.
Varanasi is most famous for its Ghats, the Ganga River, and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. A large number of foreign and domestic tourists visit Varanasi throughout the year.
Best Time To Visit Varanasi– Winter (November to March) is the best time to explore this holy city without getting tired.
8. Kashmir
Kashmir, the place known as the heaven on Earth is a popular romantic honeymoon destination in India for newly married couples around the world. Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty, picturesque locations, mountains, lakes, and gardens.
It is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Chenab Valley, Sindh Valley, and Lidder Valley. Some major tourist attractions in or near Kashmir are Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Dal Lake, Pahalgam, and Patnitop.
Best Time To Visit Kashmir– The best time to visit Kashmir is during the summer. During the months of March to July, the climate is ideal for sightseeing. But if you want to see snowfall then you should visit Kashmir in the winter season (December-January).
Also Read: 10 Best Kashmir Romantic Honeymoon Packages
9. Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is famous for its Himalayan landscapes and popular hill stations. There are many popular tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Most couples visit Himachal Pradesh on their honeymoon trip. A large number of Indian and international tourists visit Himachal throughout the year.
Shimla, Ladakh, Manali, Kulu, Spiti Valley, Dalhousie, Kasauli, Dharamshala, Chamba, Khajjiar, etc are some of the most visited places in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is one of the best places to enjoy vacations in India.
Best Time To Visit Himachal Pradesh– Spring and Summer seasons (February to June) are the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh. But if you want to experience snowfall in Himachal then you should visit during the winter season (November to January).
10. Leh Ladakh
Leh Ladakh is a popular tourist destination on the tourism map of India and it attracts a large inflow of tourists both from home and abroad. Leh Ladakh is widely famous among the youth as a destination to travel & explore via road trips, especially on bikes.
Thiksey Monastery, Pangong Tso, Khardung-la Pass, Markha Valley, Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri Lake, Magnetic Hill, Zanskar Valley, Chadar Trek, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Shanti Stupa, etc are some of the most popular sites to visit in Leh Ladakh.
Best Time To Visit Leh Ladakh– The best time to visit Leh Ladakh is in the summer season, between the months of April and July.
The above-mentioned are the most famous tourist places to visit in India for foreign and domestic travelers.
Also Read: List of 12 Best Forts In India – Complete Tour Details & History