Neighborhood guide
Where to Stay in Varanasi
The 3 areas worth basing yourself in Varanasi, India — ranked by our editors, with walking distances from the center. First-timers: start with Dashashwamedh / Godowlia.
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Top pick
Dashashwamedh / Godowlia
The main ghat and its buzzing bazaar approach — aarti central.
3.7 km from center
#2
Assi Ghat
The mellower southern anchor — cafés, yoga, morning ragas.
4.6 km from center
#3
Sarnath
10km out — where Buddha first taught; stupas, museums, quiet.
8.6 km from center
Getting around
Walk the ghats and old lanes; autos/e-rickshaws beyond. The airport is 45-60 minutes out.
Stay ghat-side to skip traffic entirely. Photography at the cremation ghats is prohibited — respect it absolutely.