Holidays to India
Top destinations in India
Mumbai
Grand boulevards lined with mansions and bazaars filled with traditional cart-pullers are alive with colour and chaos in Mumbai. India’s Bollywood capital is truly unforgettable.
Jaipur
India’s ‘Pink City’ is best known for its rosy-hued palaces. But don’t miss the fabulous bazaars, traditional Rajasthani restaurants and museums packed with cultural treasures.
Delhi
Colourful Delhi is the perfect introduction to India. Stroll through captivating forts and ancient ruins, sample iconic street food and ride tuk-tuks around town.
Kerala
With its verdant forests and tropical backwaters, Kerala shows a unique side of India. Don’t miss its tea plantations and richly spiced, coconut-infused cuisine.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan might be India’s most colourful state. From vast orange deserts and deep-blue lakes and an iconic pink palace, it encompasses the whole rainbow.
Goa
A little slice of paradise on India’s west coast, Goa is where sun-drenched shoreline meets centuries-old architecture and some of the best seafood feasts in the country.
India: fast facts
| Language | Marathi, Hindi |
|---|---|
| Currency | Indian rupee (₹) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST (India)) |
India holiday highlights
See a masterpiece
Built as a celebration of love, the Taj Mahal dazzles with its marble minarets, semi-precious stone inlays and symmetrical gardens. It stands as both the ultimate romantic gesture and an enduring showcase of the Mughal Empire’s wealth. Watching the mausoleum change colour at dawn and dusk is one of the most memorable things to do in India.
Cruise the backwaters
Parallel to the Malabar Coast in southwestern India, Kerala’s backwaters form a peaceful network of canals and lagoons framed by rice fields, coconut groves and cashew farms. This is the rural side of India at its best, worlds away from the urban city bustle. Join a houseboat tour and admire the scenery and birdlife from the deck as you glide between villages.
Attend a festival
Colour and celebration are everywhere in India, especially during its religious and cultural festivals. From the illuminations of Diwali and powder throwing of Holi to the camel trading of Pushkar Camel Fair, each has its own appeal. September to January is the height of festival season, with events happening almost daily. Whichever festival you attend, singing, dancing, fireworks and food are in abundance.
Visit the temples
India’s temples are places of worship for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and followers of other faiths. But they also showcase some of the country’s most fascinating art and architecture. Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is famous for its elaborate carvings, while Amritsar’s Golden Temple is Sikhism’s spiritual heart. Don’t miss Kedarnath Temple, set against a backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayas.
Ride the trains
Trains are the heartbeat of India’s transport network, carrying millions of commuters and connecting fast-paced cities with remote villages. Every journey is an adventure, from epic cross-country routes to the scenic Kalka–Shimla and New Jalpaiguri–Darjeeling narrow-gauge mountain railways. Take your seat, share food and stories with locals and gaze out the window at the changing landscapes of daily life.
Tour an ancient city
Located on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is India’s holiest site and one of the world’s oldest living cities. Hindus gather here to cleanse in sacred waters and release loved ones into the afterlife. Wander its maze of narrow alleyways to discover thousands of temples and shrines. Then sail down the river at sunset, watching priests perform candle-lit ceremonies.
Things to do in India
Top attractions
More than seven million people a year flock to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, with its sublime marble mausoleum and decorative gardens. At Jaipur’s hilltop Amber Fort, stories of Rajasthan’s regal past mix with Hindu and Muslim art and architecture. Witness sacred bathing rituals and puja ceremonies at Dasaswamedh Ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi.
Beaches
Many of the best beaches in India are spread along Goa’s Arabian Sea coastline. Enjoy white sands and a laid-back vibe at Palolem Beach, or party at Baga Beach. Tarkarli Beach in Maharashtra has great diving and snorkelling. On the east coast, Chennai’s Marina Beach buzzes with food carts and street performers. Craving a tropical getaway? Head for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Nature
Whether you’re trekking in the Himalayas, exploring tea gardens in Darjeeling or riding a camel across the dunes of the Thar Desert, nature is everywhere in India. Wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty to gawk at. The largest population of Bengal tigers lives amid the mangrove forests of Sundarban National Park. Spot the greater one-horned rhino and wild water buffalo at Kaziranga National Park.
Culture and museums
The National Museum in New Delhi traces more than 5,000 years of history, making it a must-see museum in India. Explore architectural wonders representing centuries of royal heritage, including Agra Fort, Jaisalmer Fort and Mehrangarh Fort. At Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi comes to life. Find your zen at yoga and meditation retreats in Rishikesh.
Cuisine
The restaurants in India promise an explosion of flavours, from turmeric-infused curries to cinnamon-flavoured desserts. Start your day with a ‘dosa’ (rice and lentil-flour crepe). Then sample staples like ‘dhal’ (curried lentils) and biryani. Try ‘pani puri’ (chickpea and potato–filled dough balls) at street food carts around Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi and ‘pav bhaji’ (spicy vegetables with buttered bread) in Mumbai.
Family friendly
In Hyderabad, Ramoji Film City is the world’s largest film studio complex, complete with guided tours, live shows, parades and souvenir shops. With rollercoasters, water slides and a snow park, there are thrills for all ages at Imagicaa theme park, about two hours from Mumbai. For nature lovers, a wildlife safari in Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park is a must.
Find the best time to visit India
Weather in India
April – May: Summers are mostly hot and dry, with daily highs climbing above 38°C. Enjoy fewer crowds at major attractions, or escape the heat in highland areas like Sikkim and Darjeeling.
June – September: Monsoon season brings heavy rains and possible travel delays. But it’s the best time to visit India’s remote Ladakh region. Make the most of discounted tours and hotels.
October – November: Post-monsoon season sees pleasant weather almost everywhere. This is also when Durga Puja, Diwali and other big festivals are held.
December – March: Winter is beautiful across most of India. The weather is mild on the coast but chilly in the northern and central states. Snow in the Himalayas is perfect for skiing in Gulmarg and the Solang Valley.
Events in India
Jaipur Literature Festival (January to February): This five-day event in Jaipur brings together authors, politicians, musicians and athletes for book readings, concerts, debates and more. Past speakers include Nobel Laureates and Booker Prize winners.
Holi (February or March): The ‘Festival of Colours’ is a Hindu celebration of the arrival of spring. Join revellers around the nation for bonfires, dancing and the throwing of coloured powder.
Diwali (October or November): One of India’s biggest festivals, Diwali lights up homes and streets with lanterns, fireworks and festive feasts. Celebrations are especially grand in cities like Ayodhya, Amritsar, and Varanasi.
Sunburn Festival (December): Join EDM fans in Goa for beach parties and a lineup of international DJs such as Kygo and Swedish House Mafia.
Know before you go
Local etiquette
Dressing modestly and covering your shoulders and knees is expected in India, especially for women. Be sure to remove your shoes before entering a temple or someone’s home. And remember to use your right hand when eating and giving or receiving items — the left hand is typically reserved for hygiene tasks.
Health and safety
You probably want to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid before visiting India. Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are also potential threats. Protect yourself by applying insect repellent and wearing long sleeves. Always drink bottled water and make sure your food is fully cooked and hot. It’s a good idea to keep some hand sanitiser with you when using public toilets.
LGBTQ+ travel
Cultural attitudes vary throughout India, so respect local customs and avoid public displays of affection. Cities like Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai have growing LGBTQ+ scenes with bars, clubs and festivals. Don’t miss Mumbai Queer Pride in February and Delhi Queer Pride Parade in November. Another highlight is Mumbai’s KASHISH Pride Film Festival, usually held in summer, dedicated to queer cinema.
Budget
A cheap holiday to India is very doable. You can order an inexpensive meal for around 250 Indian rupees (₹) and a beer or coffee for ₹160. Take a short taxi ride for about ₹125, or save more by getting around using tuk-tuks.
Getting around India
Public transportation
Buses: Buses are India’s affordable travel lifeline. They connect to all corners of the country and at all hours of the day. Government-run services are cheap, while private companies like VRL offer more comfort at higher prices. International buses connect with neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh and Nepal.
Trains: Indian Railways operates over 13,000 daily trains to more than 7,000 stations. For higher-speed trips, try the Vande Bharat Express services between major cities. Rajdhani Express trains connect Delhi to state capitals like Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Boats: Passenger boats are popular in Kerala, connecting the backwater villages, plus towns and cities like Ernakulam and Kottayam. You can also reach the Andaman Islands by ferry from Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.
Domestic flights
If you’re pressed for time, you might consider flying within India. A flight from Kolkata to Chennai takes about two and a half hours, compared to almost 30 hours by train. Flights to Leh offer stunning views of the Himalayas.
Driving
Heavy traffic jams and unpredictable road conditions make driving in India a challenge. It’s more common to hire a car with a local driver. If you enjoy the thrill of motorcycle travel, the scenic routes around Rajasthan and the Himalayan regions are the stuff of legend.
