Top 20 Cleanest Cities in India to Explore and Admire (2024)

A dirty city can be uninviting and hence a huge turn-off for tourism. Imagine visiting the iconic Taj Mahal, but to reach the World Heritage Site, you pass by streets laden with foul-smelling garbage. After the experience, would you encourage others to plan a visit to Agra? Probably not! Thus, cleanliness is vital for cities to project a positive impression on tourists.

In India, some cities have been successful in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene across districts and towns. These cities have been documented under Swachh Survekshan, a yearly survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA). If you seek clean tourist destinations, take note of the following list of the cleanest cities in India.

1. Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Thanks to planned waste segregation, conversion and disposal, Indore is the cleanest city in India 2023. No strewn garbage, open sewers and other unsanitary and unsightly conditions are likely to mar your view when you decide to explore this city’s tourist attractions like Rajwada Palace, Lalbagh Palace, Central Museum, Sarafa Bazaar and Chappan Dukan.

How to reach –

• By Air: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport is well connected to the major cities in India and abroad.
• By Train: Get down at Indore Junction.
• By Road: Many state-run and private buses ply between Indore and the nearby cities such as Bhopal, Jaipur and New Delhi.

Also check budget hotels in Indore to book your stay.

2. Surat, Gujarat

The title of the second cleanest city of India is held by Surat. This commercial city known for textiles and diamonds has undergone rapid development over the years. And the Municipal Corporation has ensured that the dynamic changes included maintaining cleanliness. Surat now attracts local and international tourists to visit its popular attractions such as Ambaji Temple, Sardar Patel Museum, Dutch Garden, Dumas Beach, Swaminarayan Temple, Sarthana Nature Park and Vansda National Park.

How to reach –

• By Air: Fly to Surat International Airport
• By Train: Surat Railway station is well-connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and other cities in the country.
• By Road: A network of well-maintained roads and National Highways connect Surat to Vadodara, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and other nearby places.

3. Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra

Adjudged as the third-cleanest city in India, Navi Mumbai could achieve this feat by reducing, reusing and recycling waste. Hence, if you are planning a walking tour or leisure trip to a clean and lively destination in India, Navi Mumbai would be a perfect pick. The city has many natural and man-made splendours, including Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Wonders Park, Pandavkada Falls and ITC Park that you can explore on foot for a different experience.

How to reach –

• By Air: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai is around 30 km away from Navi Mumbai. You can book a cab or take the metro from there.
• By Train: Navi Mumbai has a railway station, but with limited connectivity. Hence, you can reach Mumbai Central and take a cab, bus, metro or local train from there.
• By Road: Take a public or private bus from the nearby towns and cities to reach Navi Mumbai. You can also book a cab.

4. Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh

One of the oldest and cleanest cities in the country, Ambikapur has set an example by recycling the waste effectively and generating income from it. The city is also known as the “Temple Town of Chhattisgarh” for its famous temples that attract tourists from around the world. Apart from seeking blessings at Mahamaya Temple, Ramgarh and Sita-Bengra, you can visit Tiger Point Waterfall, Chendra Waterfall, Tattapani Hot Spring and Jogimara Caves during your trip to Ambikapur.

How to reach –

• By Air: Ambikapur Airport is suitable for small aircraft only. Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (302 km away) is the nearest international airport.
• By Train: Reach Ambikapur Railway Station and then take an auto or taxi.
• By Road: The city is connected to Raipur, Bhilai, Durg, Raigarh, and other nearby places by well-maintained roads.

5. Mysore, Karnataka

Proper segregation of household waste and planned waste management has helped Mysore secure fifth place in the list of the cleanest city in India. Popularly known as the “City of Palaces” or the “Garden City”, Mysore is a paradise for tourists. Mysore Palace, St. Philomena’s Church, Brindavan Gardens, Karanji Lake and Mysore Zoo are some attractions to explore in this clean city.

How to reach –

• By Air: Fly to Mandakalli Airport or you can also reach Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (209 km away) for better connectivity.
• By Train: Mysore Junction connects the city to Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other important places in the country.
• By Road: You can take a cab or bus from Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Salem and other nearby cities.

Keep Reading about Mysore:

• Budget Hotels in Mysore
• Places to visit in Mysore
• Things to do in Mysore

6. Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

Declared as a clean city in India, Vijayawada’s win is a testimony to the well-planned urban management practices. No wonder this city attracts a steady flow of tourists from near and far who come to explore places of interest like Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla, Undavalli Caves, Rajiv Gandhi Park and Prakasam Barrage.

How to reach –

• By Air: Fly to Vijayawada International Airport.
• By Train: Reach Vijayawada Junction and hire a cab or auto-rickshaw. The nearest bus stand is 2 km away.
• By Road: Take a state-run or private bus to reach Vijayawada from the nearby towns and cities. Volvo buses and taxis are popular choices.

Also Read: Top 20 Places to Visit in Vijayawada

7. Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Known as the Manchester of India, this clean and thriving city is on the list of India’s cleanestcities due to the effective waste segregation and disposal. You can visit the architectural marvels such as Teen Darwaza and Jhulta Minar, seek blessings at Swaminarayan Temple, ISKCON Temple and Vaishno Devi Temple and spend some peaceful time at Kankaria Lake and AUDA Garden. Sabarmati Ashram, the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, is a major attraction here.

How to reach –

• By Air: Reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
• By Train: Get down at Ahmedabad Junction
• By Road: Ahmedabad has a well-maintained network of roads and National Highways, with regular buses plying to and from Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Bhavnagar, Shirdi and other places.

These are some good budget hotels in Ahmedabad for those looking for a pocket-friendly stay.

8. New Delhi, Delhi

A surprising entry in this list is the capital city of India. Yes, you heard that right, New Delhi is among the top 10 cleanest cities in India. This has been possible because of the relentless efforts of NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation) to curb air pollution. This includes adopting practices like banning firecrackers, limiting construction work, odd-even vehicle rotation schemes, all of which have contributed to checking the air pollution levels in the city. Apart from some must-visit places like Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple and Delhi Zoo. You can also relish delectable local and international cuisines, explore the flea markets and popular malls, and enjoy Delhi’s vibrant nightlife.

How to Reach –

• By Air: Fly to Indira Gandhi International Airport and take a prepaid cab or bus. You can board the metro from Terminal 1 of the airport.
• By Train: Reach New Delhi Railway Station or Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
• By Road: New Delhi enjoys good road connectivity with Jaipur, Agra, Shimla, Manali, and many cities in the North.

9. Chandrapur, Maharashtra

A municipal corporation in the eastern part of Maharashtra, Chandrapur is another clean city in our country. The city is also a desirable holiday destination among nature and architecture lovers. Some popular attractions in Chandrapur include Shree Mahakali Temple, Jatpura Gate, Pathanpura Gate, Junona Lakes, Tadoba-Andhari National Park, and Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to Reach –

• By Air: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur (146 km away) is the nearest option. Take a cab or bus from there.
• By Train: Chandrapur Railway Station connects the city to Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and other important cities in the country.
• By Road: Many private and state transport corporation buses run between Chandrapur and Nagpur, Chennai, Hyderabad and other cities. You can also book a cab.

10. Khargone, Madhya Pradesh

Apart from Indore, Khargone is yet another city from the state of Madhya Pradesh that made it to the list of the cleanest cities in India. By this, Madhya Pradesh is thecleanest state in India.

This small and beautiful metropolitan is also gaining popularity as a fast-growing tourist destination. From temples and palaces to caves and zoos, you can find many prominent attractions in and around Khargone. The city also houses the Samadhi of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa. You can also explore the popular Ajanta Caves (196 km away) during your trip to Khargone.

How to reach –

• By Air: Indore’s Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport (150 km away) is the nearest option. Take a taxi or bus from there.
• By Train: Reach Khandwa Junction (87 km away) and take a cab or bus to reach Khargone.
• By Road: Many buses ply between Khargone and Indore, Burhanpur, Ujjain, Ratlam and other nearby places. You can also book a cab.

11. Rajkot, Gujarat

One of the cleanest and fastest-growing cities in India, Rajkot in Gujarat houses many historical landmarks, parks, gardens, museums and temples. Mahatma Gandhi Museum is a popular attraction here. Devotees can pay their respects at ISKCON Temple and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, while nature lovers can spend quality time at Ishwariya Park, Randarda Lake and Aji Dam. If you are looking for some fun time, you can visit Green Leaf Water World and Fun World in Rajkot.

How to reach –

• By Air: Fly to Rajkot Airport. The nearest bus stand is about 3 km away.
• By Train: After reaching Rajkot Railway Station, you can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw.
• By Road: Rajkot is connected to the nearby towns and cities by a network of national highways and state highways. Take a bus or taxi for comfortable travel.

12. Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Abode of Lord Balaji, Tirupati ranked 12th in the Swachh Survekshan list of 2020 and is a sure-shot contender for the cleanest city in India – 2021. This ancient town attracts many devotees of Lord Shri Venkateshwara Swamy or Tirupati Balaji year-round. Apart from the temple, Chandragiri Fort, Shri Venkateshwara Zoological Park, ISKCON Temple, Shri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Shri Govindaraja Swamy Temple and Talakona Waterfalls are some popular places to visit in Tirupati.

How to reach –

• By Air: Fly to Tirupati International Airport
• By Train: Take a train and get down at Tirupati Railway Station
• By Road: Numerous APSRTC and KSRTC buses run from Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and other nearby cities.

13. Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

Popularly known as “The Steel City”, Jamshedpur is the cleanest city in Jharkhand. Largely maintained by Tata Steel, the city has scored positively on various fronts such as waste conversions and door-to-door garbage collection. Some popular attractions are Dimna Lake, Jubilee Park, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Tata Steel Zoological Park, Hudco Lake, Bhuvaneshwari Temple and Keenan Stadium.

How to reach –

• By Air: Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport (131 km away) is the nearest option. Take a cab or bus from there.
• By Train: Reach Tatanagar Junction
• By Road: You can board a state-owned or private bus from Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata and other nearby cities.

14. Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Through the constant hard work of Bhopal’s municipal corporation and public support, the city has maintained its spot in the cleanest Indian cities list. Also known as the “City of Lakes”, Bhopal includes a popular tourist hub. Some attractions to explore here are Upper Lake, Lower Lake, Van Vihar, Gohar Mahal, Shaukat Mahal, Birla Museum and Raisen Fort.

How to reach –

• By Air: Fly to Raja Bhoj International Airport
• By Train: Hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw from Bhopal Junction
• By Road: Take a public or private bus from Indore, Nagpur, Ujjain, Ahmedabad, Shirdi and other cities.

15. Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Lying on the banks of the Sabarmati River, Gandhinagar is known for its clean surroundings and serene atmosphere. The city also houses a host of memorable attractions for different types of tourists. You can pay your respects at Akshardham Temple and Trimandir, admire the architecture of Adalaj Step Well, spend some peaceful time amidst nature at Children’s Park, Sarita Udyan and Indroda Nature Park, and engage in thrilling activities at Swapna Srushti Water Park.

How to reach –

• By Air: Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (18 km away) is the nearest option. You can take a taxi from there.
• By Train: Gandhinagar Railway Station enjoys good connectivity with Delhi, Jaipur, Surat and other cities.
• By Road: Book a cab or take the bus from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and other nearby cities.

16. Chandigarh

The planned city of Chandigarh undoubtedly is one of the cleanest cities in the country. Easy availability of clean public utilities, planned garbage disposal mechanism, and spick and span streets are the reasons for this accolade. Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, ISKCON Chandigarh and Government Museum and Art Gallery are some places of interest in this city.

How to Reach –

• By Air: Fly to Chandigarh International Airport
• By Train: Take a train to Chandigarh Junction
• By Road: Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses run between Chandigarh and the nearby cities, such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for easy travel.

Those reaching by flight can book their stay in one of the hotels near Chandigarh International Airport.

17. Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

Although populated, Bilaspur surprisingly made it to the list of cleanest cities in India 2020. The city is known for its aromatic variety of rice called Doobraj, rich history and vibrant culture. What’s more, Bilaspur has many tourist spots like Deorani-Jethani Temple, Dindeshwari Devi Temple Malhar, Bubble Island, Radhika Water Park, Kori Dam, and Bilasa Taal Vasundhara Udyan.

How to reach –

• By Air: Swami Vivekanand Airport in Raipur (134 km away) is the nearest option. Take a cab or bus from there.
• By Train: Bilaspur Junction connects the city to New Delhi, Kolkata, Puri, Patna and other important cities. Cabs and auto-rickshaws are easily available outside the railway station.
• By Road: A well-maintained network of roads and National Highways connect the city to Kolkata, Mumbai, Jabalpur, and other nearby places.

18. Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Public awareness initiatives and proper waste management have helped Ujjain secure a spot in the list of cleanest cities in India. Situated on the banks of the Shipra River, Ujjain is a popular destination among pilgrims and tourists. It is also among the four main sites where the religious festival Kumbh Mela is held once every 12 years. Ujjain is dotted with temples; there are over 100 temples in the city. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Kal Bhairava Temple, Ram Mandir Ghat, Kaliadeh Palace, Bhartrihari Caves and WWF Water Park and Resort are some of the many popular attractions here.

How to reach –

• By Air: Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore (56 km away) is the nearest option. Hire a taxi from there.
• By Train: Take a train from New Delhi, Indore, Mumbai and other major cities to reach Ujjain Junction and then hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi.
• By Road: You can take a cab or an intercity bus to Mumbai, Indore, Rajkot, Baroda and other cities.

19. Nashik, Maharashtra

This popular ancient city is also one of the cleanest in the country. Nashik was the abode of Lord Rama during his 14 years of exile. The famous Kalaram Temple is a must-visit for Lord Rama devotees. The religious festival – Kumbh Mela – is also celebrated in Nashik with great fervour. With many vineyards and wineries located here, the city is also known as the “Wine Capital of India”. Trimbakeshwar Temple, Sula Vineyards, Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Pandav Leni Caves, and Coin Museum are some must-visit attractions here.

How to reach –

• By Air: Nashik Airport is 22 km away from the city. You can take a cab for an easy commute.
• By Train: Reach Nashik Road railway station and take a taxi or auto-rickshaw from there.
• By Road: Many private and state buses run between Nashik and the nearby cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat, Ahmednagar, Nagpur and Jalgaon.

20. Raigarh, Chhattisgarh

This rapidly growing industrial city has taken drastic measures to maintain clean surroundings; as a result, now features in the list of the cleanest cities in India. Raigarh is home to popular attractions like Ram Jharna Waterfall, Singhanpur Caves, Balaji Temple, Hanumanji Temple, Gayatri Mandir, Pahad Mandir, Kamala Nehru Park, Indira Vihar Zoo and Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to reach –

• By Air: Swami Vivekananda International Airport in Raipur (239 km away) is the nearest option. Take a taxi or bus from there.
• By Train: Raigarh Railway Station connects the city to Mumbai, Kolkata, Jodhpur, Puri, Ahmedabad and many other cities in the country.
• By Road: State-run and private buses connect Raigarh to the nearby towns and cities.

When tourists visit these 20 India cleanest cities, they leave a good impression. This definitely helps in spreading the word, hence attracting more tourists and boosting local tourism. Have you been to any of these clean cities? If yes, share your experience with us in the comments. If no, what are you waiting for?