Varanasi Ghats Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Varanasi Ghats. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• The Ultimate 1 Day in Varanasi—How to Spend 13 Hours—Private Guided Tour

• One-Day Admirable Tour in Varanasi Private Guided Tour

• Varanasi Morning Boat Tour [RowBoat]

• 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi With Private Tour Guided

• Pilgrimage Varanasi

There’s no cost to visit the Varanasi Ghats, as they’re public spaces. However, to get a great view, it’s worth taking a boat ride on the River Ganges, either as part of a guided tour (expect to pay upwards of US$25) or independently, for about 200 rupees per person for a shared boat.

Yes, the Varanasi Ghats are absolutely worth visiting and a highlight of any trip to Varanasi—in fact, you can't avoid visiting if you're sightseeing in Varanasi's old town area. The stretch of steps along the River Ganges are dotted with temples, market stalls, hotels, and restaurants, and the ghats are a fascinating place to stroll and watch life unfold. You can visit independently or on a guided tour, and most visitors to Varanasi do both while staying in hotels overlooking the ghats.

Per one customer who booked The Ultimate 1 Day in Varanasi—How to Spend 13 Hours—Private Guided Tour, "The entire tour was excellent, start to finish. Our tour guide Arvind was so nice, very knowledgeable and very accommodating. The morning boat ride on the Ganges ... was beautiful and so peaceful. The tours of Ghats, the Hindu temples and to the site at Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon was really moving."

You should really visit the Varanasi Ghats multiple times during your trip to Varanasi for the ultimate experience. Come just before sunrise for a boat tour on the Ganges River, then again at sunset to witness an evening aarti prayer ceremony, during which priests offer fire to the sacred river.

Yes, there are guided tour options available for the Varanasi Ghats. Tours include walking excusrions that focus on the history and cultural significance of Varanasi, or boat tours on the Ganges that sail past the different ghats. Many boat tours take place around sunrise.

Yes, you can take photographs at the Varanasi Ghats. There are no rules against photography and the ghats make a great vantage point from which to view—and photograph—the Ganges River. However, be mindful not to take photos of cremations of people bathing or praying.

No, there is no specific dress code for visiting the Varanasi Ghats, except for one thing: shoes are prohibited. That said, you should dress modestly out of respect for the fact that the ghats are considered holy. It’s wise to wear comfortable, breathable clothing if you plan on hanging out for a while.

Yes, there are all sorts of dining options available near the Varanasi Ghats. These range from street food vendors and simple, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, to air-conditioned family dining spots. You'll even find guesthouses with rooftop cafés with Ganges River views and extensive menus of international fare.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Varanasi Ghats. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Varanasi:

• Dashashwamedh Ghat

• Ganges River

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple

• Manikarnika Ghat

• Kedar Ghat

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Varanasi.