Varanasi, also known as Benaras or Kashi, sits on the banks of River Ganges, situated in Uttar Pradesh, India. Widely recognized for being one of the world’s oldest holy cities, Vanarasi is the junction where the holy rivers of Ganga and Yamuna meet. This city has also been named by UNESCO as the City of Music. Varanasi is home to about 23000 temples, mostly of Lord Shiva, such as Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This earns the city another name - the city of Lord Shiva. Sarnath, a nearby holy site, is a sacred destination for Buddhist pilgrims. Gangaa Aarti, where River Ganges is ritualistically worshipped, is often described as an unrivalled spectacle for tourists and pilgrims.
With alluring ghats (riverfront steps leading to riverbanks), elaborate rituals and vibrant religious festivals, Varanasi is a cultural paradise perfect for a spiritual holiday. Find out the best hotels to stay in Varanasi, India!
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 11, 2024.
1. Taj Ganges, Varanasi (from USD 137)
A 5-star hotel that extends over 40 acres (16 hectares) of lush greenery, Varanasi’s Taj Ganges features both urbane grandeur and spiritual tranquillity. Each of its 130 contemporary rooms and suites is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and boasts views of the garden, pool or city.
The hotel offers incredible on-site fine dining restaurants! The coffee shop, Chowk, features an impressive international menu, while Varuna offers authentic Indian meals that reflect the city’s vibrant food culture. Prinsep Bar serves a great menu of wines and cocktails.
The Taj Ganges is near Varanasi Junction Railway Station and Varanasi City Centre (The Chowk). Guests can also enjoy access to the property’s fitness centre, shopping arcade, deluxe spa services or the outdoor pool.
Taj Ganges Varanasi
Address: Nadesar Palace Grounds
3.73 km (2.4 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
2. Stay Banaras - A Boutique Hotel (from USD 14)
The first custom-designed boutique hotel in Varanasi, Stay Banaras was originally a 60-year old heritage house. It retains its traditional Indian aesthetics along with a vibrant contemporary touch. The property features a shared lounge and TV area and a lush garden with outdoor seating. The hotel is great for families too as they offer family rooms, a children’s playground and an area to play darts. Its modern on-site restaurant, Behind Yellow Doors Diner, serves delicious delights from a carefully curated menu.
The property also serves a buffet breakfast to its guests. The nearest ghats to the hotel are Dasaswamedh Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat.
Stay Banaras - A Boutique Hotel
Address: C 33/52 - 9A - 1A, Chittupur, Sigra
2.64 km (1.7 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
3. Hotel Madin (from USD 97)
Reasonable rates, value for money, and affordable pricing for amenities.
Clean and well-maintained rooms, comfortable beds, good shower, swimming pool, gym, and travel desk support.
Convenient location near train station, shopping mall, and quiet area away from the city center.
Buffet breakfast with Indian and international choices, beautiful dinner, and courteous staff. Some areas for improvement in menu variety and spiciness.
An affordable 5-star hotel, Hotel Madin is a refined establishment that features lively interiors, delicious eateries, a luxe spa and a rooftop pool with bar service.
The property offers its guests an opulent stay in its luxurious rooms and suites featuring plush beds and flatscreens. You get to enjoy an all-day coffee shop and a bar and pub along with a restaurant serving Indian and international food. Guests can also opt for spa services, visit the sauna, go for a massage or head to the gym. The property is not too far from Kedar Ghat and Dasaswamedh Ghat, both within a 25-minute driving distance.
Hotel Madin
Address: The Mall Road Cantonment
4.35 km (2.8 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
4. Brijrama Palace, Varanasi - Heritage boutique hotel by the Ganges (from USD 385)
A majestic riverfront hotel, BrijRama Palace is one of the city’s oldest landmarks on the Ganges. BrijRama Palace was originally built in 1812 by Shridhara Munshi and went through an intensive renovation. Located on its own ghat, this hallmark luxury hotel is the second oldest palace in the city, just after Ramnagar Fort.
Guests can indulge in live classical music at Bada Aangan or take in the gorgeous views from Kamalya Terrace. High tea and yoga sessions are complimentary for guests! The hotel also offers complimentary boat check-in/check-out except during monsoon season.
The hotel also features an impressive restaurant, Darbhanga. The restaurant offers a multi-cuisine vegetarian menu while its indoor cafe, Kamalya, serves a selection of hot beverages and light snacks. The palace is also nearby the popular Dasaswamedh Ghat and Kedar Ghat. Nearby temples include Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Nepali Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple.
BrijRama Palace, Varanasi - By the Ganges
Address: Munshi Ghat, Darbhanga Ghat, Dashashwmedh
645 meters (0.5 ft) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Varanasi Tour Guide
Farman Guia Turstico
Hello Travellers people calle me Farman a experienced freelance tour guide. I work with several Free Tours company and we would love to show you around and give you the best tips and recomendations. If you travel in India you will discover a new aspect of this wonderful city. If it is your first visit i warn you one thing: you will fall in love in love with India and you will end up coming back.
Tours by Farman guia turstico
Varanasi Tour Guide
Narender Kumar
I have been a tour guide/ escort for more than 10 years and have guided tourists pan India to historical and cultural heritage sites, national parks & bird sancturies, monuments places like- Delhi , Agra, Jaipur, Khajuraho Exotic Temples, Ranthambore National Park, Mumbai, Nashik , Aurangabad ( Ajanta Rockcut Caves & Ellora Rockcut Temples ), Goa etc. I am proficient in English, Rus... Read more
Tours by Narender
Varanasi Tour Guide
Nibedita Sen
A hearty WELCOME to our page Happiness Activist. We are here to solve the problems of foreigners who come to explore India. Firstly, we suggest them to stop visiting the wonders and mundanes of social media advertisements about overrated traveling. We provide them the basic needs and guidelines that the audience requires when they first step into an unknown land which we have already explored. ... Read more
Tours by Nibedita
5. Taj Nadesar Palace (from USD 515)
Luxurious and worth every penny, with exceptional service
Heritage hotel with palatial facilities, cleanliness, and peaceful ambiance
Quiet oasis in the midst of Varanasi's chaos, with easy access to main attractions
Delicious and diverse dining experiences, with special care for dietary preferences
Taj Nadesar Palace boasts jaw-dropping views and plenty of amenities to ensure an excellent experience. Its fantastic hospitality can be attested by the fact that it hosted persons of royalty and many celebrities over the years. All its spacious rooms feature plush beds and traditional interiors.
Situated among mango orchards and jasmine fields, this 5-star hotel offers a variety of amenities, from a mini-golf course to a guided tour of the palace on the Royal Horse Carriage. The on-site Jiva Spa uses traditional Indian methods for its treatments, including the soothing ‘Abhisheka’ treatment. Guests may enjoy their breakfast on the sun terrace or have a poolside barbeque dinner. Taj Nadesar Palace is near Varanasi Junction Railway Station and the city’s local shopping malls.
Taj Nadesar Palace
Address: Nadesar Palace Grounds
3.6 km (2.3 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
6. Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace (from USD 67)
Hotel Surya, dating back to the nineteenth century, has come a long way to be the refined contemporary hotel that it is today. The hotel now features an outdoor pool, a spacious lawn and a full-service Ayurvedic spa. Aarna Spa offers a selection of massages, facials and other treatments. This hotel is great for those who prefer a quieter retreat, a little away from the liveliness of the ghats in Varanasi.
All its spacious rooms are fitted with traditional as well as modern furnishings, including modern amenities such as a television and a private balcony to lounge in.
Guests can enjoy dining at Canton Royale that offers an international menu. Here, you can indulge in alfresco dining as well. For fresh juices and aromatic coffee, guests can head to Mangi Ferra Cafe, while cocktails and beer are served at SOL Bar.
Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace
Address: S 20/51, A-5, The Mall Road, Varuna Bridge,
4.39 km (2.8 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
7. Via Varanasi - A Boutique Hotel (from USD 52)
Only 200 metres (656 feet) from Assi Ghat, Via Varanasi is a boutique hotel that offers gorgeous river views from every room along with quality amenities such as flatscreens, air-conditioners, and seating areas to provide the familiar comfort of home. Located near the city’s biggest attractions, this 4-star hotel is a perfect starting place to experience Varanasi and what it has to offer.
The hotel’s numerous facilities also include an on-site restaurant, a bar and a terrace. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast. It also offers activities such as cycling and walking and biking tours.
VIA VARANASI-A Boutique Hotel
Address: Assi Chauraha Assi
2.49 km (1.6 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
8. The Art Hotel by Via Varanasi (from USD 65)
A budget-friendly hotel, The Art Hotel by Via Varanasi offers quality accommodation and focuses on the convenience and comfort of its guests. Ideally located near Sri Sankata Mochan Hanuman Temple, this 4-star hotel features a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves delectable meals, a bar with a decent menu and a beautiful sun terrace. Guests are also entitled to a continental or à la carte breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned, feature modern amenities and come with a patio with a beautiful garden view for guests to lounge in.
The property is also near popular tourist sites such as Assi Ghat, Kedar Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat.
The Art Hotel by VIA VARANASI
Address: B 30/1 S Assi Road, Near Assi River Bridge
3.02 km (1.9 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
9. The Amayaa (from USD 119)
Situated in the Cantonment area of the holy city, The Amayaa offers an amazing accommodation that ensures a great experience while in Varanasi. With its prime location, guests at the hotel get to enjoy easy access to Varanasi’s popular tourist sites. The nearest temple is Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
It features posh rooms that are equipped with contemporary furnishings and decent amenities, including ensuite bathrooms. The 4-star hotel also offers various facilities such as an outdoor pool and a gym. The dining options are impressive too! Bhojanik offers a fine dining experience, while Rasika - Lounge Bar offers a variety of drinks and beverages.
The Amayaa
Address: The Mall Cantt
4.37 km (2.8 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
10. Rivatas by Ideal (from USD 179)
Conveniently located in the Varanasi Cantt district, Rivatas by Ideal is a lavish hotel that oozes a blend of luxury and convenience. The 5-star hotel features upscale rooms and suites that are fitted with high-quality amenities.
The hotel also has great dining options. Ocean Coffee shop serves Chinese and European cuisines while their Grill By The Ocean features authentic Indian cuisines. Blue Lounge also offers a selection of snacks and drinks. Guests can opt for the hotel’s massage services, visit the fitness centre or indulge in a Turkish steam bath and facials.
The hotel is within walking distance of JHV Mall & Multiplex and Varanasi Fun City. It is also near Varanasi Railway Station, St. Mary’s Church and not too far from Riverside Ganges Ghat and Kaashi Vishwanath Temple.
Rivatas By Ideal
Address: The Mall Cant
4.31 km (2.7 mi) from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Get mesmerized by the history and culture of Varanasi
Among the seven sacred sites of Hinduism, Varanasi definitely holds its name as a major religious hub while offering an exceptional cultural and spiritual experience for tourists and pilgrims. This holy city is perfect for those who are seeking a peaceful and culturally-enriching holiday and also a paradise for photo enthusiasts, especially during big festivals such as Holi or Diwali.
History
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