Country guide · India
Best places to visit in India
5 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Yann ( talk ), CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first trip to India, start with Agra: The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Mughal tombs along the Yamuna. For beaches, look at Goa and Mumbai. Delhi is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 5
- Best months overall
- October–March
- Start with
- Agra
- Least expensive here
- Delhi
5 places to visit in India
Best: February–March and October · 4 days
Delhi
Mughal tombs, Old Delhi bazaars, street food and the gateway to the Taj Mahal
Best: November–February · 7 days
Goa
Portuguese-era churches, 100 km of beaches, fish curry rice and beach shacks
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Best: October–March · 3 days
Jaipur
Pink City bazaars, hilltop forts and Rajput palaces in Rajasthan's capital
Best: November–February · 4 days
Mumbai
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco, Bollywood, sea-facing promenades and vada pav
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agra | Taj Mahal and Agra Fort | October–March | 2 days | $60–$150 |
| Delhi | Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb | February–March and October | 4 days | $60–$130 |
| Goa | Beach shacks and Portuguese heritage | November–February | 7 days | $70–$150 |
| Jaipur | Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort | October–March | 3 days | $60–$150 |
| Mumbai | Gateway of India and Marine Drive | November–February | 4 days | $80–$180 |
When to visit India
Across these destinations the most reliable months are October–March. Timing still varies by place: Agra is best in October–March; Delhi is best in February–March and October; Goa is best in November–February.
Signature dishes across India
Events through the year in India
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Delhi: Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path (26 January); Jaipur: Makar Sankranti kite flying across the old city's rooftops (usually 14 January) |
| February | Agra: Taj Mahotsav — crafts, music and food festival at Shilpgram (usually the second half of February); Delhi: India Art Fair (usually early February) |
| March | Agra: Holi — festival of colours (usually March); Delhi: Holi — festival of colours (usually March) |
| April | Jaipur: Gangaur (sometimes early April) |
| June | Goa: São João — feast with leaps into wells and the Siolim boat festival (24 June) |
| July | Jaipur: Teej — monsoon festival with a royal procession through the old city (July or August) |
| August | Agra: Janmashtami celebrations in nearby Mathura and Vrindavan (August or September); Delhi: Independence Day — prime minister's address from the Red Fort (15 August) |
| September | Agra: Ram Barat — night-time wedding procession of Lord Rama through the city (usually September); Jaipur: Navratri and Dussehra (September or October) |
| October | Agra: Dussehra (usually October); Delhi: Ramlila performances and Dussehra (usually October) |
| November | Agra: Diwali (some years); Delhi: Diwali (some years, early November) |
| December | Delhi: Christmas and New Year celebrations; Goa: Feast of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa (3 December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Agra | Delhi | 178 km |
| Agra | Goa | 1,380 km |
| Agra | Jaipur | 222 km |
| Agra | Mumbai | 1,042 km |
| Delhi | Goa | 1,514 km |
| Delhi | Jaipur | 235 km |
| Delhi | Mumbai | 1,148 km |
| Goa | Jaipur | 1,303 km |
| Goa | Mumbai | 440 km |
| Jaipur | Mumbai | 921 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to India?
Agra: Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire for much of the 16th and 17th centuries, and it holds three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and, 37 km away, the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. Most…
+When is the best time to visit India?
Generally October–March, though it varies by region.