At 1,017 feet (310 meters), Dudhsagar Falls is among the tallest waterfalls in India. At the base of the four-tiered falls is a huge swimming area—that’s as as far as most travelers go. A railway bridge crosses right under the falls, and if you happen to visit when a train is passing by you're sure to get some great photos.
Founded in 1814, Kolkata’s Indian Museum is India’s oldest and largest museum, and hosts a vast collection of historical artifacts and natural history specimens. Located near the Maidan park, the colonnaded museum is a must-see for visitors interested in India’s past.
Sitting in the Tripunithura district of Kochi, the Hill Palace Museum was built in 1865 as a palace for local maharajahs. Now a museum housing Keralan archaeological and royal artifacts, its building remains an architectural gem, with classical Keralan columns and courtyards standing in 52 acres (21 hectares) of gardens.
Daria Daulat Bagh was built in 1784 in honor of Tipu Sultan's military victory over the British. This elegant palace, built almost entirely from fine teakwood, is an earlier example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, which features a blend of Indian, Islamic, and European elements.
A bargain hunter’s dream, this small yet buzzing market is full of energy, not to mention clothing, jewelry, and a whole range of other goods at astonishingly low prices. Popular with tourists due to its location and atmosphere, Janpath Market is busy and lively, making it an attraction even for those who just want to browse.
Manali’s Hidimba Devi Temple (also locally called Dungari Temple) is a must-see attraction in the Himachal Pradesh town. The walk to the temple is calm and atmospheric, situated deep in a forest and surrounded by towering cedars. It’s always busy with Hindu devotees, both locals and from around India, but anyone is welcome to visit.
According to legend, St. Thomas, a disciple of Christ, lived out the remainder of his days in a rocky cave, known as Little Mount (Chinnamalai). Today, Little Mount is home to a Portuguese church dating back to 1551, as well as a small altar to St. Thomas and a palm print believed by some to be left by Thomas himself as he fled.
Looking out over the Arabian Sea in an upscale Mumbai suburb, Juhu Beach is a 7-mile strip of golden sand that attracts locals and tourists alike with its pleasant weather and laid-back vibe. It's often used for Bollywood film shoots, and you may even spot one of the city's many movie stars who live in the area.
Located in the 18th-century Nahargarh Fort, the Jaipur Wax Museum is a family-friendly attraction with many different displays. In addition to seeing some of their favorite celebrities, visitors to the Jaipur Wax Museum can also learn about the history and culture of the Rajput maharajas and maharanis of Rajasthan.
Opened in 1954, the National Gallery of Modern Art features an extensive collection of Indian paintings and sculptures, most of which date from 1850 onward. While the art is the main feature here, there's also a library and a gift shop selling postcard reproductions of many of the museum's most celebrated pieces.
Also known as Isar Lat, Swargasuli Tower is one of the tallest buildings in Jaipur. Built as a victory memorial in 1749, it stands 42 meters (140 feet) above ground. You can climb to the top of the octagonal structure for sweeping views of the Pink City, or marvel at the architecture from the ground below.
The 18th-century Safdarjung’s Tomb, though not as well known as some of New Delhi’s bigger, older Mughal-era tombs, is worth a visit for its beautiful Mughal architecture and pleasant lack of crowds. It’s a peaceful place to escape traffic noise, and its location at the border of Central and South Delhi make it a convenient spot for a visit.
The Chaukhandi Stupa is an important Buddhist stupa originally built as a terraced temple to mark the place where the Buddha and his first disciples met when traveling from Bodhgaya to Sarnath. The stupa stands amid beautifully maintained gardens and serves as the gateway to the Buddhist city of Sarnath.
Built at the confluence of the Arabian Sea and the Mandovi River in Goa, Fort Aguada was once one of the country’s most important sea defenses. Nowadays, visitors can tour the remains of the buildings, enjoy panoramic views from the top of the walls, and learn about Goa’s history under Portuguese colonial rule.
Built in 1809 and dedicated to the goddess Kali, Kolkata’s famous Kalighat Kali Temple is easily the city’s most important Hindu site. It’s a major point of pilgrimage for Hindu devotees from around the country, with upwards of 20,000 people sometimes visiting in a single day. The name of the city is said to have been derived from the temple’s name.
Sarojini Nagar Market is one of South Delhi’s most popular markets, predominantly specializing in factory seconds of export brand names at extremely low prices. Discount Western-style clothes aren’t the only thing on offer either, with home furnishings, bags, footwear, jewelry, and accessories rounding out the selection.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Goa is a historic site and former capital of the state of Goa. Visitors come to tour the impressive buildings and learn more about the fate of this town that was abandoned in the 18th century.
SItuated in the Western Ghats, and within day-tripping distance of Mumbai, the Bhaja Caves is a series of 22 rock-hewn cave structures dating back to the 2nd century BC. They're worth visiting for their beautifully carved prayer halls, stupas, and relics, along with their depictions of scenes from Indian mythology.
Across from the New Delhi Railway Station, Paharganj is known for its low-cost accommodations, restaurants, and shopping opportunities, and has long been a popular hangout with budget travelers from abroad. Even if you aren’t staying here, it’s a good place to pick up souvenirs such as scarves, incense, and essential oils.
Meet and take selfies with your favorite Indian and international celebrities at Madame Tussauds Delhi. On display are lifelike wax models of sports stars, Hollywood and Bollywood actors, and royalty, including favorites such as David Beckham, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Tom Cruise, and Lady Gaga.
The golden sands at Baga Beach have been popular with backpackers since the hippy heyday of the 1970s when western tourists made a second home for themselves along the beaches in this part of Goa. In the years since it has become a thriving beach resort that welcomes domestic and international travelers in equal measure.
A popular shopping haunt for expats and well-heeled Delhiites, the open-air Khan Market is full of clothing stores, bookshops, and cafés, including a pretty solid mix of Indian and international brands. Here you'll find everything from fashion items to authentic Italian pizzas, along with numerous grocers selling imported foods.
Equal parts kitschy and cute, Shankar’s International Dolls Museum was founded by political cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai to house one of the largest collections of dolls anywhere on the planet. The museum was opened in 1965 with around 1,000 dolls; today it displays more than 6,500 dolls from 85 different countries.
Also known as the Darjeeling Zoo, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is known for its conservation programs, specializing in Eastern Himalayan species such as red pandas, snow leopards, and Tibetan wolves. This large zoo is a great place to see all sorts of mountain species, along with birds, reptiles, and mammals from around the world.
Bharatpur is an 18th-century fort city that primarily attracts visitors due to its proximity to Keoladeo National Park. However, it offers plenty in its own right, with a handful of historic heritage hotels along temples and the 18th-century Lohangarh Fort, reputed to be one of India's strongest.
Dating back to the 17th century, Mumbadevi Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city. The Hindu goddess Mumbadevi was the patron of the Koli people, Mumbai's original inhabitants, who relied primarily on fishing for their livelihood. Today the temple attracts pilgrims and tourists alike.
One of five locally sacred ghats—steps down to a river—Kedar Ghat is among Varanasi's oldest and most visited ghats. With distinct red and white steps and a picturesque location on the banks of the Ganges River, Kedar is also home to the Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of Varanasi.
The 16th-century Sao Thome Cathedral, built by the Portuguese and later rebuilt by the British, is said to house the bodily remains of St. Thomas, who came to India in 52 AD, in a tomb below the white neo-Gothic structure. Interior highlights include a series of stained glass windows inside the basilica depicting scenes from St. Thomas’s life as well as carved wooden panels of the Stations of the Cross.
Tucked behind a bright-blue entryway in one of the busiest parts of south Mumbai, Bombay Panjrapole is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the city, one that dates back to the 1830s. Today this two-acre sanctuary houses hundreds of cows and other animals, including donkeys, dogs, goats, and all sorts of avian species.
Darjeeling has a large Tibetan community, and its Ghum Monastery(Yiga Choeling Monastery) is one of the city's most popular sights. With its traditional architecture and golden exterior detailing, the monastery itself is a sight to behold, but the monastery’s 15-foot-tall (4.6-meter-tall) Maitreya Buddha statue and the views of the surrounding hills are what bring many visitors here.
