Check into your hotel or guesthouse in the old city near the ghats to be within walking distance of Kashi Vishwanath and Dashashwamedh Ghat; leave luggage and freshen up before heading out. This location reduces walking between attractions and saves time on tuk‑tuk transfers.
Start with Brown Bread Bakery for continental options and good coffee, or try a local kachori‑bedai cart (popular in old city) for an authentic Banarasi breakfast. Kachori shops open early from ~6:00–9:00am; Brown Bread opens around 8:00am.
Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex and newly developed corridor area — a central spiritual site of Varanasi; expect crowds and security checks. Typical darshan windows: early morning and evening; mid‑day access may be limited so plan for darshan queue times and check current temple timings.
Walk the narrow lanes around Vishwanath Gali to see Banarasi silk weaving shops, paan stalls and small temples — great for photos and shopping for sarees and paan souvenirs. Shops generally open by 10:00am.
Enjoy the legendary chaat and street snacks at Deena Chaat Bhandar (or another popular chaat counter); order kachori, tamatar chaat and dahi‑vada to sample local flavours. Many chaat stalls open late morning through evening.
Return to the hotel to rest or take a gentle walk along the ghats to absorb the riverside atmosphere before late afternoon activities; gentle pace helps adjust to crowds and heat.
Take a boat from Dashashwamedh Ghat for a riverside cruise at sunset to watch life on the ghats and get a water‑level view of the temples and cremation ghats. Early evening boat rides typically run from ~5:00pm; sunset rides around 4:30–6:30pm depending on season.
Attend the spectacular Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat — arrive 30–45 minutes early to secure a good vantage point; the aarti normally starts at sunset (~6:00–7:00pm) and lasts about 30 minutes but times vary by season.
Choose a rooftop restaurant overlooking the river for dinner (try local thali, dal, paneer and river fish if you eat fish); calm riverside views are perfect after the aarti. Most rooftop restaurants are open from early evening until ~10:00–11:00pm.
If you want a quieter sunrise, take an early boat again or a riverside walk near Assi/Dasaswamedh; mornings show daily rituals and fishermen at work. Boats begin as early as 5:00am in peak season.
Try a thick Banarasi lassi at Blue Lassi Shop near Assi Ghat and, in winter months (Nov–Feb), look for malaiyo (a frothy sweet served in the mornings). Most lassi shops open by 7:00–8:00am.
Drive ~10–20 minutes to Sarnath to visit Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa and the archaeological site — a core Buddhist pilgrimage with calm parkland. Sarnath is open in daylight hours; aim to arrive when the site opens (~6:00–7:00am onward).
See exquisite Gupta and Mauryan sculptures, Ashoka pillar fragments and the famous Lion Capital; the museum typically opens ~10:00am to 5:00pm (check seasonal hours).
Have a relaxed vegetarian thali or simple North Indian lunch at a cafe near Sarnath; options serve travellers and monks visiting the stupa. Cafes near the archaeological park stay open through afternoon hours.
Visit the Tibetan Buddhist temple complex and stroll the adjacent Deer Park where Buddha first taught; the tranquil grounds are ideal for reflection and photos. Grounds open during daylight hours.
If energy permits, head to Banaras Hindu University to visit Bharat Kala Bhavan museum for a superb collection of paintings, textiles and sculptures; museum hours are typically 10:00–5:00pm (check for closures).
Sample litti chokha — an authentic Bhojpuri dish — at a recommended local eatery or order a well‑prepared thali to experience regional flavours. Many traditional restaurants serve dinner from ~7:00–10:00pm.
Fuel up with a relaxed breakfast at Brown Bread Bakery or your hotel before heading out — good for travellers who prefer continental or lighter morning fare.
Drive to Ramnagar Fort on the eastern riverbank to explore the palace museum (armoury, vintage cars, traditional costumes) and climb the ramparts for river views; the fort museum generally opens around 10:00am and closes by 5:00pm.
Return to the old city, wander Chowk markets and choose a local restaurant for a relaxed lunch; explore shops selling Banarasi paan, sweets and brassware. Markets are open most of the day; pick a quiet mid‑day time to avoid crowds.
Explore the BHU campus and visit Bharat Kala Bhavan’s collection of Indian art, textiles and rare manuscripts; perfect for museum lovers — opening hours usually 10:00–5:00pm (confirm and note any closures).
Take a guided heritage walk through narrow lanes, ghats and lesser‑known temples or hire a cycle‑rickshaw for a short guided tour; many operators run tours in the late afternoon for cooler temperatures.
Attend a local classical music recital or a tabla/sitar performance at a cultural centre or a hotel — Varanasi is a living classical‑music city, but shows vary by festival season, so check schedules in advance.
Relax over dinner at a heritage restaurant or rooftop with local specialities (dal‑puri, paneer dishes, kebabs); many good places stay open until 10:30–11:00pm.
Take an early boat to observe life on the ghats and respectfully view the cremation ghats from the river — be discreet and adhere to local customs; the ghats operate 24/7, so mornings are active but respectful behaviour is essential.
Try bedai with spicy potato curry and jalebi at a popular street stall near the ghats for a true local breakfast experience; most stalls open early morning.
Join a guided food tour that navigates the alleys, introducing sweets, paan, chaat, silk workshops and temples — a hands‑on way to taste the best local bites and learn history. Tours usually run mid‑morning and last 2–3 hours.
Enjoy a varied thali to sample many local dishes (dal, sabzi, rice, breads and dessert) at a reputable vegetarian spot in the old city. Restaurants typically serve lunch 12:00–3:00pm.
Visit a Banarasi saree workshop to see weaving techniques and shop for handloom silk — excellent for buying quality souvenirs and learning the craft; workshops usually operate during business hours (10:00–18:00).
Take free time to rest or book a short ayurvedic massage to recover from walking; reputable parlours operate in the afternoon and evening — confirm appointments ahead.
Head to Assi Ghat for a calmer evening aarti experience and to mingle with locals and students from BHU; Assi aarti usually takes place around sunset and is less crowded than Dashashwamedh.
Finish with a relaxed dinner at a riverside café or sample local sweetmeats and a final lassi from a renowned stall; many cafés open until late evening.
Book a final sunrise boat or an organised kayak session on the Ganges for a more active experience; operators start early (from ~5:00–6:00am) and runs last 60–90 minutes. Kayaking availability varies—reserve in advance.
Enjoy one last indulgent lassi and some light snacks before packing up and checking out; lassi shops open early and are perfect for a quick, flavourful start.
If you’re keen on a concluding adventure outside the city, take a half‑day trip to Chunar Fort (35–45 km) for rugged fort walls and river views, or Vindhyachal (approx 70 km) for a pilgrimage and hillside vistas; both require a hired car and half to full day. Check opening times for Chunar Fort (usually day time hours).
Return to the city for last‑minute shopping (silk, paan, brassware) and to pack — pick up any souvenirs you’ve eyed earlier along Vishwanath Gali or Chowk. Shops are open through afternoon hours.
Have one final meal at a favourite place you discovered (repeat a must‑try) or choose a rooftop with a Ganges view for a leisurely farewell dinner; many restaurants remain open until 9:30–11:00pm.
Head to the station or airport for onward travel; leave with time buffers for traffic and local transit. Book transfers ahead if you have an evening departure.