Beautiful Cities In India
Known for diverse religion, incredible architecture, rich culture and heritage and much more, India is the most colourful country in the world. Indeed, visiting these most beautiful cities in India (Read More)will surely make up for a perfect weekend getaway.
Here is the list of 20 Most Beautiful Cities In India That You Ought Not To Miss
1. Udaipur, Rajasthan - The city of Lakes
4.4 /5 View 58+ photos
Known For : City Palace, Udaipur Lake Pichola Sajjangarh Palace
Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is the crown jewel of the state of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli Hills in all directions, making this city as lovely as it is. This 'Venice of the East' has an abundance of natural beauty, mesmerising temples and breathtaking architecture which makes it a must-visit destination in India. A boat ride through the serene waters of Lake Pichola will be enough to prove to you why Udaipur is the pride of Rajasthan.
Best Time: October to March
2. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir - The Paradise on Earth
4.5 /5 View 38+ photos
Known For : Dal Lake Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden Shankaracharya Temple
Famously known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, Srinagar is located in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, on the banks of river Jhelum. Aspicturesque as the most stunning painting to ever be painted, Srinagar is known forthe stationary houseboats and colourful Shikararas on Dal Lake.
Best Time: April to October
3. Jaipur, Rajasthan - The Pink City
4.4 /5 View 72+ photos
Known For : Amer Fort Jantar Mantar Jaipur Hawa Mahal
Jaipur is a vibrant amalgamation of the old and the new.Also called the Pink City, the capital of the royal state of Rajasthan, was ruled by the Rajputs for many centuries and developed as a planned city in the 17th century AD. Along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur forms the Golden Triangle and hails as one of the most famous tourist circuits of the country.
Best Time: October to March
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - The Spiritual Capital of India
4.5 /5 View 23+ photos
Known For : Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti, Varanasi
World's oldest living city, Varanasi - alsoknown as Kashi (City of Life) and Benaras,is the spiritual capital of India. It is one of Hinduism's seven holy cities.The old city of Varanasi lies along the western banks of the Ganges, spread across a labyrinth of narrowgalis. Beprepared to walk on foot and encounter some holy cows! Temples at almost every turnengulf Varanasi butthe Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most visited and the oldest of the lot. Benaras is known as the city of Lord Shiva for a reason, and rightfully so.
Best Time: October to March
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5. Kolkata, West Bengal - The city of Joy
4.3 /5 View 60+ photos
Known For : Victoria Memorial Fort William Kolkata Belur Math
Kolkata, India's second biggest city, is a perpetually ongoing festival of human existence, concurrently luxurious and squalid, refined and frantic, pointedly futuristic, while beautifully in decay. A vibrant 350-year-old metropolis located on India's Eastern Coast, the capital of West Bengal thrives on contradictions and imposing spectacles; nothing is commonplace in this city.
Best Time: October to March
6. Shillong, Meghalaya - Scotland of the East
4.3 /5 View 21+ photos
Known For : Umiam Lake Elephant Falls Laitlum Canyons
A beautiful city encircled by pine trees, Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. It derives its name from Lei Shyllong, an idol worshipped at the Shillong Peak. Standing as tall as 1496 meters, Shillong provides a relief from the heat across the country. This hill station is known for its picturesque sights and traditions. The soothing climate makes Shillong suitable to visit in all seasons. The light drizzles and the cooling gentle wind adds to the joy of visiting this hill station. This place is also known as the ‘Scotland of the East’.
Best Time: September to May
7. Darjeeling, West Bengal - Queen of TheHimalayas
4.3 /5 View 50+ photos
Known For : Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Tiger Hill Batasia Loop
Jaw-dropping locales, mesmerising sunrises, the untouched beauty of the hills, the old-world charm of the past, and the welcoming smiles of the local people all add up to make Darjeeling one of the most beautiful hill stationsin Eastern part of India. Spread over a steep mountain ridge, nestled amidst acres of lush green tea plantations, Darjeeling stands at the height of 2,050 meters above sea level, thus boasting of cool climes all year round.
Best Time: February to March, September to December
8. Agra, Uttar Pradesh - The city of Taj Mahal, the monument of eternal love
4.2 /5 View 145+ photos
Known For : Shopping in Agra Taj Mahal Fatehpur Sikri
Home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, Agra is a sneak peek into the architectural history with otherUNESCO World Heritage Sites as Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.History, architecture, romance all together create the magic of Agraand hence makes for a must-visit for anyone living in or visiting India.
Best Time: October to March
9. Mumbai, Maharashtra - The City of Dreams
4.2 /5 View 69+ photos
Known For : Elephanta Caves Marine Drive, Mumbai Juhu Beach
Mumbai, the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra, is a spectacular paradox of chaos and hope, glamour and squalor, modernity and tradition. Famously known as the City of Dreams, Mumbai – formerly known as Bombay - Mumbai is a beautifully blended melting pot of cultures and lifestyles. One of the main centres in the country of art, culture, music, dance and theatre, Mumbai is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city that has been running for years solely on the indomitable spirit of the Mumbaikars.
Best Time: October to February
10. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh - The City of Nizams
4.1 /5 View 32+ photos
Known For : Ramoji Film City Hussain Sagar Lake Golconda Fort
A city of contrasts, Hyderabadexudes an old-world charm of its own with the Old City (Charminar side), Hitech City (Cyberabad) and the other areas lying between the old and the new. The capital and the largest city of Telanaga, Hyderabad is home tostately mosques and noisy bazaars lined parallelly alongside swanky new office buildings and malls, and it is these very contrasts – these glimpses into the city’s rich past with inherent promises of an even better future –that make Hyderabad a city worth visiting. Maybe even more than once.
Best Time: September to March
11. Bangalore, Karnataka - Garden city of India
4.1 /5 View 69+ photos
Known For : Lalbagh Church Street
Having evolved gradually from being the Garden city to the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is India's third-largest city. Bangalore is loved for its pleasant weather, beautiful parks and the many lakes here. Bangalore isrenowned for its eateries, street food corners, quirky cafes, coffee roasters and pubs dotting every corner of the city, serving cuisines from all over the world. Brunches, buffets, burgers, rooftop cafes, late-night eats - Bangalore has it all.
Best Time: Throughout the year
12. Mysore, Karnataka - Home to the Mysore Maharajas
4.2 /5 View 35+ photos
Known For : Mysore Palace Brindavan Gardens Mysore Zoo
Famously known as The City of Palaces, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Mysore, currently Mysuru, is one of the mostimportant places in the country regarding ancient reigns. It is replete with the history of its dazzling royal heritage, intricate architecture, its famed silk sarees, yoga, and sandalwood, to name just a few. Located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, Mysore is the third most populated city in Karnataka, and its rich heritage draws millions of tourists all year round.
Best Time: Throughout the year
13. Gangtok, Sikkim - The Gateway to Sikkim
4.4 /5 View 28+ photos
Known For : Nathula Pass MG Road, Gangtok Tsomgo Lake
Extremely alluring, pleasantly boisterous and wreathed in clouds - Gangtok, the capital city of the Sikkim can also give you a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, at a distant skyline. The pristine hill station nestled in mountains and clouds is also a base for a whole lot of trekkers to the Himalayan mountain ranges. The mesmerising prismatic beauty and the beautiful winding hill roads are even more breathtaking if seen from a bird’s eye view in a cable car.
Best Time: Throughout the year
14. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh - The Hill-Station with Rich Colonial History
4.3 /5 View 24+ photos
Known For : Mall Road, Shimla The Ridge Jakhu Temple
Situated at a height of 2200m, Shimla is the capital and the largest city of Himachal Pradesh in India. Set amidst beautiful hills and mystical woods, Shimla has been a very popular hill-station among Indian families and honeymooners since the last 50 years.British loved this city so much that they made Shimla their summer capital in 1864 and used to rule the sub-continent from here whenever the temperature rose in the nearby plains.
Best Time: October to June
15. Pondicherry - The French Riviera of the East
4.1 /5 View 29+ photos
Known For : Paradise Beach, Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram Auroville
Pondicherry,officially known as Puduch*erry, and commonly referred to as just Pondy, is one of the seven Union Territories of India. This former French colony is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture, making it a dreamy escape that offers the best of both worlds.
Best Time: October to March
16. Kochi, Kerala - Queen ofArabian Sea
4.2 /5 View 46+ photos
Known For : Fort Kochi Mattancherry Palace Santa Cruz Basilica
Situated on the south-west coast of India, Kochi or Cochin is a bustling commercial port city with a trading history that dates back to at least 600 years. Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.The city is marked by influences of Arabs, Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, Chinese and the British city as well as that of the Indian rule of the Chera Dynasty followed by rule of the Feudal Lords
Best Time: July to April
17. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand - The queen of hill-stations
4.1 /5 View 31+ photos
Known For : Mussoorie Mall Road Kempty Falls Camel's Back Road
Mussoorie is one of the most popular hill stations located at a distance of 290 km from Delhi in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. With a backdrop of Shivalik range of Himalayas and doon valley, Mussoorie, also known as Queen of The Hills, stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level and has a cool, pleasant climate throughout the year. The fact that it was a popular holiday destination during the British era can be seen from British remnants in the city, such as the archaic architecture of the hotels and churches.
Best Time: September to June
18. Mangalore, Karnataka - Karnataka's Port City
4.3 /5 View 16+ photos
Known For : Panambur Beach St Aloysius Chapel
Located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, the port city of Mangalore or Mangaluru is known for its swaying coconut palms, beautiful beaches and temple architecture. It is also an important industrial, commercial, educational and healthcare hub of the state of Karnataka. Despite the growing commercialisation, it provides a quick and soothing getaway from the city bustle and yet preserves just the right amount of the urban glitter. It offers a pleasant ambience and is close to perfect with its shopping attractions with large malls with all the global brands and vibrant seafood dishes. Tasting the Mangalorean cuisine is a must-try once in the city.
Best Time: Throughout the year
19. Chennai, Tamil Nadu - A magnificent past and an early metropolitan dream
3.9 /5 View 62+ photos
Known For : Marina Beach Government Museum, Chennai MGR Film City
Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, in the southern part of India. Located on the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal, Chennai isas dynamic as it is immersed in tradition. This 'capital of the south', is one among the four metropolitan siblings of India, having a rich cultural history which it perfectly balances with its metropolis lifestyle.
Best Time: October to March
20. Chandigarh, Punjab - India's first planned city
4.2 /5 View 39+ photos
Known For : Sukhna Lake Rock Garden Elante Mall
Chandigarh, a union territory that is the capital of both Punjab as well as Haryana, is an ideal definition of the word 'city'. With a culture that includes instances of both traditional Punjab as well as modernity, Chandigarh's food and gedi culture (a leisure drive or ride the city) is something that everyone knows of!Located at a distance of 265 km from Delhi, Chandigarh is one of the favourite weekend road trip destinations of Delhiites. Any tour of "The City Beautiful" needs to begin with boating at the beautiful Sukhna Lake.
Best Time: August to March
So, which beautiful city are you heading for your next weekend trip? Do not forget to share your experiences and opinions with us in the comments section below.
This post was published by Harsh*tha
Sure, let's dive into the beautiful cities of India! As an enthusiast, I've explored several of these cities firsthand and absorbed their cultural richness and architectural splendor.
Starting with Udaipur, Rajasthan – it's a gem with its mesmerizing lakes and intricate architecture. The City Palace and Lake Pichola are absolute must-visits, and a boat ride on the serene waters is an experience worth cherishing.
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir paints the canvas of paradise on Earth. The Dal Lake and the colorful Shikaras create an enchanting atmosphere that's hard to forget.
Jaipur, Rajasthan - the Pink City - offers a vibrant mix of old-world charm and modernity. The Amer Fort and Hawa Mahal stand as testaments to its historical grandeur.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the Spiritual Capital of India, is a living heritage. Walking through the narrow alleys along the Ganges and witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is spiritually uplifting.
Kolkata, West Bengal, known as the City of Joy, is a vibrant blend of contradictions. The Victoria Memorial and Belur Math reflect its rich cultural heritage.
Shillong, Meghalaya, often termed as the Scotland of the East, offers picturesque views and a soothing climate, making it a perfect escape from the heat.
Darjeeling, West Bengal, the Queen of The Himalayas, stands amidst lush tea plantations and offers mesmerizing locales along with the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, holds a special place in the architectural history of the world. A visit to Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri completes the historical tour.
Mumbai, Maharashtra, the City of Dreams, is a bustling metropolis where tradition and modernity coexist seamlessly. Its art, culture, and the indomitable spirit of its people make it an experience in itself.
Hyderabad, Telangana, the City of Nizams, juxtaposes the old and the new, offering glimpses of its rich past alongside modernity.
Bangalore, Karnataka, the Garden City, has evolved into India's Silicon Valley. Its pleasant weather, beautiful parks, and diverse culinary scene make it a hub for culture and technology.
Mysore, Karnataka, the City of Palaces, is steeped in royal heritage and is a haven for history enthusiasts.
Gangtok, Sikkim, the Gateway to Sikkim, provides breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga range and offers a tranquil escape amidst the Himalayas.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, with its rich colonial history, entices travelers with its scenic beauty and pleasant weather.
Pondicherry, known as Puduch*erry, offers a unique blend of Indian and French influences, seen in its architecture and culture.
Kochi, Kerala, the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is a commercial hub with a rich historical past, reflecting a mix of various cultures.
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, the Queen of Hill Stations, charms visitors with its stunning landscapes and colonial-era remnants.
Mangalore, Karnataka, a port city between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, is known for its beaches, temple architecture, and delectable cuisine.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, a city immersed in tradition and modernity, boasts a rich cultural history and a bustling metropolis lifestyle.
Chandigarh, Punjab, India's first planned city, offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity with its well-designed architecture and vibrant lifestyle.
Each of these cities encapsulates a unique facet of India's diversity, offering a tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty that's unparalleled.
