Must-Visit Destinations That Everyone Needs to Visit Northern India

Have plans to dip your toes into Northern India? There’s no better part of this huge country to visit, from the chaos on the streets of New Delhi to yogi vibes in Rishikesh.

Authentically different from India's central and southern regions, the north feels like a whole other country. Even as you make your way from northwest to northeast, everything changes: the desert turns to the jungle, and the cities look totally different by the time you reach the state of Bengal.

When you factor in the entire northern part of India, there’s so much to see that you won’t be able to cram it all in one trip. But these must-visit destinations will surely give you a slice of what it has to offer.

See if New Delhi Lives up to Its Crazy Reputation

New Delhi is a controversial city within the travel community; you either love it or hate it; there’s no other way of putting it. But boy, is it wild: the sounds of tuk tuks beeping through Chowdi Chock, the smell of masala from the stalls at Yashwant Place, and the endless families approaching you for pictures at the Jama Masjid.

Besides the chaos, if you dig deep enough, you’ll soon find that New Delhi has a charm that’s hard to explain. Think of architectural delights such as the Red Fort and the majestic religious structures like Akshardham Temple; this is what Delhi is all about.

Enjoy Agra and All Its Wonders

People usually associate Agra with the Taj Mahal, and they're right to; it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World for a reason, but that’s not all Agra has going for it. Sure, the city is a little rough around the edges, but if you can look past that, there’s quite a lot to pack in here over a few days.

Unearth vestiges from the Mughal Empire, like the Tomb of Akbar. Feel what royalty was like back during the 16th century at the Agra Fort and indulge in some mighty street eats, including Gol Gappa and Aloo Tikki.

Discover the Capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur

Often dubbed the Pink City, the Rajasthani capital of Jaipur might be a short 3-hour and 40-minute hour train ride from Agra, but they’re excitingly different on so many levels. Surrounded by towering peaks and majestic desert, Jaipur gets a lot of attention as it is a prominent location on the famous Golden Triangle backpacker trail.

After you get used to the mental traffic here, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in all Jaipur has in store. Soak up the beauty of the Hawa Mahal, trek up dozens of steps to the Amber Palace, and see one of the many step-wells like Panna Meena ka Kund.

Experience a Totally Different Side of India in Amritsar

Along the border with Pakistan, the Punjabi capital of Amritsar almost doesn’t feel like you’re in India. With a huge population of Sikhs, devotees from around the globe come here on a pilgrimage to touch the Golden Temple, revered as much as the Vatican in Catholicism or Mecca in Islam.

Another thing you must do in Amristar is the Wagah Border ceremony. Every day in the evenings, the security forces of both India and Pakistan come together at the Wagga border to show their muscle in a massive march. Crowds form on both sides to cheer their respective forces on for the event, and as the sun sets, the soldiers make their way to the borderline line to lower their flags.

Pay a Visit to the Birthplace of Yoga, Rishikesh

Rishikesh is at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It’s one of India’s main spiritual locations, known for being the birthplace of yoga. While this is much a hippy hotspot for wellness enthusiasts and western yogis seeking peace, it’s still super cool to see, even if you're not into that type of thing. Funnily enough, the Beatles even came here in the '60s to seek enlightenment and inspiration for some of their albums.

You’ll no doubt spend a good chunk of your time in Rishikesh taking part in some yoga classes. Whitewater rafting is also a big thing here; you can crash down the rapids on the Ganges River for a very low price. Not feeling that adventurous and wanting to keep to the spiritual stuff? There’s an evening Aarti ceremony every evening at Triveni Ghat and plenty of workshops where you can learn all kinds of deep meditation, from mantras to vipassana classes.

Check Out Northern India’s Holiest City, Varanasi

If you thought Rishikesh was holy, wait until you stop by Varanasi. It's a city that needs no introduction; Varanasi has long been seen in Hinduism as one of the holiest places on earth, with many devotees coming to bathe in the river Ganges, hoping it will cleanse their souls. On top of that, many followers also come here to die; they get cremated at Manikarnika Ghat, and their ashes are thrown into the river for the afterlife to allow them to skip reincarnation and head straight to heaven.

Varanasi is really one of those cities where a tour guide is beneficial as they know all about the traditions and spiritual side of things. It's best to arrange one in advance to thoroughly get the most out of your time there.

End Your Trip in India’s Former Capital, Kolkata

Once the capital of India, Kolkata feels as if it is stuck in a time machine. On the one hand, it seems very Indian. However, on the other hand, the remnants of British occupation are still evident in the colonial architecture and the yellow cabs, reminiscent of those you'd see cruising through the streets of London.

You’ll realize why people say Kolkata is a true feast for the eyes when you get here, from watching conversations with locals over sips in the Indian Coffeehouse to the crumbling remnants of historical structures like the Marble Palace Park.

Pack These Northern Indian Cities Into Your Itinerary

Traveling through Northern India is unlike anything else. It will suck you in and steal your heart on so many levels. Even with a short amount of time, you can cover many different regions thanks to the country's advanced train and domestic flight network. The time is now to start planning an adventure in the north of India.