12 Places To Visit In India For First-Time Travellers

OT Staff

Delhi

Delhi is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of history and modernity, from monuments like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar to beautiful grounds like the Lodhi Garden and Sunder Nursery.

Delhi's Qutub Minar | Shutterstock

Mumbai

Home to India’s Bollywood and financial industries, Mumbai’s roaring nightlife, delicious street food, colonial-era architecture and beaches will capture your heart in no time.

The Art Deco building of Soona Mahal in Mumbai | Shutterstock

Bengaluru

India’s I.T. hub has attractions like Cubbon Park, the National Gallery of Modern Art and the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, making it a great destination for both relaxation and cultural experiences.

Chamarajendra Wodeyar statue in the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens | Shutterstock

Jaipur

Famously known as the “Pink City,” Jaipur is a destination fit for royalty as it brims with stunning palaces, vibrant handicrafts and jewellery markets, and an unrivalled performing arts scene.

Jaipur is a destination fit for royalty | Shutterstock

Chennai

Known as “the cultural capital of South India,” Chennai boasts coastal beauty, sumptuous Tamil cuisine and some of the oldest temples in the world, like the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple.

Fishermen returning to shore in Chennai | Shutterstock

Hampi

Once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has wonderful temples and beautiful stone engravings that attract many tourists.

Hampi under blue skies | Unsplash

Leh

Set against the imposing Himalayas and having a rich Buddhist heritage, Leh is the perfect place for bikers, travellers and adventurers. Must-see spots include monasteries like Hemis and Thiksay.

Leh's Thiksay Monastery | Shutterstock

Patnitop

Patnitop is a hill station in Jammu and Kashmir that is known for its breathtaking vistas, adventure activities like paragliding and skiing, and serene natural surroundings.

A campsite in Patnitop | Shutterstock

Pahalgam

Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir offers hiking trails and horse riding experiences for travellers. It is also the starting point for the Amarnath Yatra, a religious pilgrimage.

A view of Tulian Lake near Pahalgam | Shutterstock

Madikeri

This hill station in Karnataka’s Western Ghats region is well-known for its coffee plantations, cool climate, and attractions such as Abbey Falls and Raja’s Seat.

The Abbey Falls of Madikeri | Shutterstock

Vijayawada

The commercial, political, cultural and educational capital of Andhra Pradesh has iconic landmarks like the Kanaka Durga Temple and the Statue of Social Justice, which features Dr B. R. Ambedkar.

Vijayawada's Statue of Social Justice | Shutterstock

Khajuraho

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho is a must-visit for history and architecture lovers. Its ancient temples are unique because of their Nagara-style architecture—a blend of Hindu and Jain influences.

Inside the temples of Khajuraho | X (formerly known as Twitter)

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The Milky Way galaxy as seen from the Gangabal Campsite in Sonamarg | Shutterstock
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