Hotels in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
One of the world's oldest living cities, Varanasi is centred on the ghats of the Ganga and its evening aarti.
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4 stays in Varanasi
Hotel Rakhika Palace
Chunar Road, Banaras Ghats, Bhullanpur, Varanasi, Sadar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221106, India
Hotelfrom ₹850
Saffron Courtyard
Banaras Ghats, Varanasi, Sadar, वाराणसी, Uttar Pradesh, 222005, India
5.0(1)from ₹849
Sunset Haven Villa
Dumraon Colony Road, Banaras Ghats, Varanasi, Sadar, वाराणसी, Uttar Pradesh, 222005, India
Hotelfrom ₹1,699
Hotel Kashi Axis
Banaras Ghats, Cantonment, Varanasi, Sadar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221001, India
Hotelfrom ₹1,274
About Varanasi
Varanasi — also called Kashi and Banaras — sits on the western bank of the Ganga and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Life here moves along more than eighty ghats, from early-morning prayers and boat rides to the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Most visitors come for darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, a boat ride at sunrise and the aarti, then stay on for the old-city lanes, Banarasi silk, street food and a half-day trip to Sarnath. Where you stay makes a big difference: the ghats are walkable but crowded, while hotels further out are quieter and easier to reach by car.
Best time to visit: October to March, when mornings on the ghats are cool and clear. Summers are very hot, and during the monsoon the river rises and some ghats close.
Popular in Varanasi
- Dashashwamedh Ghat and the evening Ganga Aarti
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor
- Sunrise boat ride along the ghats
- Assi Ghat and Subah-e-Banaras
- Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon
- Banarasi silk weaving and the Godowlia market lanes
Where to stay in Varanasi
Dashashwamedh and Godowlia
The heart of the old city, closest to the main aarti and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Ideal if you want to walk to the temple and the ghats. Lanes are narrow and busy, and cars usually stop at Godowlia crossing.
Assi Ghat
At the southern end of the ghats. Calmer, with cafés, guest houses and the Subah-e-Banaras morning programme. Good for longer stays and for travellers who want the river without the biggest crowds.
Cantonment (Cantt)
Near Varanasi Junction railway station, with wider roads and larger hotels. A practical choice for families, business travel and anyone arriving by train or travelling by car.
Lanka and BHU
Around Banaras Hindu University, close to Assi. Budget-friendly, well connected and popular with students, visiting parents and long-stay guests.
Sarnath
About 10 km from the city centre. Quiet, green and peaceful — suits Buddhist pilgrims and travellers who prefer a calm base.
How to reach Varanasi
- By air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Babatpur) is roughly 25 km from the city, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and other major cities.
- By train: Varanasi Junction (Cantt) and Banaras station are both in the city, and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (Mughalsarai) is about 17 km away. Trains run from almost every major Indian city.
- By road: Varanasi is well connected by highway to Prayagraj, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur and Patna.
Festivals & peak season
- Dev Deepawali: On Kartik Purnima (usually November), the ghats are lit with lakhs of diyas. One of the busiest nights of the year — book well ahead.
- Maha Shivratri: A major day at Kashi Vishwanath, usually in February or March, with very long darshan queues.
- Sawan (Shravan) month: Usually July–August, when large numbers of devotees visit Kashi Vishwanath, especially on Mondays.
- Ganga Mahotsav: A music and culture festival on the ghats, usually held around Dev Deepawali.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best area to stay in Varanasi?
For temple visits and the evening aarti, stay near Dashashwamedh or Godowlia so you can walk. For a calmer stay by the river, choose Assi Ghat. Families and guests travelling by car or train usually find the Cantonment area the most convenient.
Can I find hotels near Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Mati Trip?
Yes. Search for Varanasi and check the address on each result — every hotel page also shows the exact location on a map, so you can see how close it is to the temple and the ghats.
When should I book for Dev Deepawali or Maha Shivratri?
Book as early as you can — hotels near the ghats often fill up weeks in advance for these dates. Many rates on Mati Trip have free cancellation, so you can lock in a room early and change your plans later.
Are taxes included in the price shown on Mati Trip?
Yes. The full amount, including taxes, is shown before you pay, and Mati Trip adds no platform fee on top.
Can I pay at the hotel?
Many hotels offer Pay at Hotel. If a hotel does, you will see the option at checkout and can confirm your room without paying online.
Can I book a room for just a few hours?
Yes. Hotels that offer Hourly Stay let you book a room for a few hours — handy for an early train or a long wait between darshan and your journey home.