Travelling through India is one of life's richest experiences. From the snow-capped Himalayas to pristine beaches on the coast to the cacophonous cities, India's layers of culture are everywhere. Colourful traditions abound, enriching every experience, whether you're standing in front of one of India's great architectural wonders, a cultural wonder or a natural wonder.The choice of the best places to stay in India is as diverse as the culture or the landscape. As you would expect our Gurus are here to help you find somewhere perfect.
Top Spots
Delhi is the kind of city you just need to dive into. It can be a confronting cacophony to the senses, but if you go for it you'll find there's even more to this city than the sprawling, chaotic, incoherent, colourful and historic wonder you've been promised. Built and destroyed seven times, Delhi has hundreds of monuments to show for its extraordinary past. In addition to this living museum there are also the streets, the markets, the festivals and all sorts of unexpected appeals.
Mumbai's streets can pose a similar challenge to Delhi's. As well as the ancient quarters with the temples and markets and the colonial districts with their beautiful architecture, Mumbai has the wealthy financial district and the fashionable parts of town where Bollywood divas enjoy the same sorts of fun you'd find in L.A.
Jaipur, the beautiful 'pink city' and capital of Rajasthan is a stop on many journeys through India. The old walled city is the historic gateway to this most flamboyant state. The same sea of motorbikes and rickshaws surrounds Jaipur's main sights, but these majestic relics retain a certain peace and you might even manage a moment of old India. As well as the city's buildings, the magical Amber Fort in the hills above is certainly worth a visit.
Famous for sunshine and blue houses, Jodhpur is an age-old market city on the edge of the desert and is another highlight on the grand tour of India. Once a key stop on the silk route, Jodhpur is still the region's central market for camels, cotton and cattle. Trade is in this town's blood. It feels like you can buy anything and everything in the mass of shops and stalls which spread out from the Clock Tower in the centre of town. The Mehrangarh Fort, with its epic stone walls and many palaces inside and the 20th Century sandstone palace of Umaid Bhawan are Jodhpur's two other main landmarks.
Udaipur, sitting beside the still beauty of Lake Pichola and surrounded by the Aravalli Hills, is another wonderfully atmospheric place to try and visit. As is Srinagar, with its historic gardens and wooden Kashmiri mosques, textiles capital Kutch and seaside Diu in Gujarat.
If you know which part of India you'll be exploring then skip through to our Indian Destination Guides:
What Not To Miss
- The iconic Taj Mahal is probably India's best-known landmark. Located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, this 17th century mausoleum is a truly wondrous sight featuring breathtaking architecture and magnificent gardens.
- The stunning Mehrangarh Fort is an absolute must-see if you're in Jodhpur! Brimming with architectural splendour and opulently decorated interiors, wander around with an audio guide to make the most out of your visit.
- The Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 rock-cut caves dating all the way back to the 2nd century. Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in this list, it's bound to impress with its diverse array of sculptures and artwork.
- If you're interested in India's rich religious life then take in the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi or the Swaminarayan Akshardham (also in New Delhi). As well as holding immense religious significance, these are stunning buildings to visit if you're into architecture.
As always, be sure to book ahead if you want to guarantee yourself a room in one of the best places to stay in India.
