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Best Places to Stay in Varanasi: Travel Blogger’s Top Picks
Are you looking perfect places to stay in Varanasi and feeling confused about how to pick one?
I totally get you! It can be daunting, as Varanasi isn’t just an ancient city, but quite large. With its ghats and winding alleys offering stunning river views, the city has a lot to offer, but finding accommodation that fits your needs and budget can be challenging.
We’ve got you covered with this quick blog post.
Having been to Varanasi three times and stayed in different locations, I know how to answer the “where to stay in Varanasi” question.
I travelled twice with my parents and once for a week with my spouse Ashrith on a mid-range budget, experiencing Banaras soulfully. After our epic trip, we’ve helped many friends and family find the perfect stay.
Whether you’re travelling with kids, older people, as a couple, backpacker, or luxury vacationer, we have great recommendations for everyone.
Read our post “Varanasi Travel Guide: 10 Expert Insights for Your Visit” for practical travel tips to plan your Varanasi trip
Which area of Varanasi is best to stay in as a traveller?
Before picking your accommodation, you must know a bit about the neighbourhoods in Varanasi where tourists can stay. Varanasi covers an area of approximately 112 square kilometres. As a traveller, where you stay in Varanasi depends on your interests, places you want to visit in Varanasi and areas safer for visitors.
Based on that, we suggest the following five neighbourhoods where you can choose to stay during your Varanasi trip:
- Ganga Ghats – Always have the view of sacred Ganges river
- Bangali Tola – Oldest area of Banaras
- Cantonment – Away from Ghats, best for familes
- Banaras Hindu University – Most peaceful and greenest area
I don’t recommend Godiwala Chowk for travellers, it is purely for pilgrims who choose to stay in lodges and Dharmachatras run by government and other social service NGOs. It got some of the busiest Varanasi junctions.
Ganga Ghats
There are about 88 ghats along a 5.5 km stretch of the western bank of the river Ganges in Varanasi.
If you choose to stay here, you will always be rewarded with stunning views of the mighty Ganga, closer to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, boat rides, and the Ganga Aarti ceremony. Basically Ghats are the souls of Kashi and I highly recommend you stay here.
This is the best area in Varanasi to stay for budget travellers as small hotels, budget guesthouses and hostels dot the area. You get no meat and alcohol is absolutely not available.
The only disadvantage of staying here is that you have to do a lot of climbing up and down to reach your hotel. The narrow alleys aren’t great for dragging your trolleys to get to your rooms.
And most of the budget guesthouses won’t have elevators – As a couple flashpackers, this didn’t matter to us. Because Ghats of Varanasi means everything to us.
This 5-kilometre ghat stretch is divided into three sections: the northern stretch, the southern stretch, and the old city stretch.
- Southern Stretch: This includes Assi Ghat, the biggest of all ghats where all boat trips on the river Ganges begin. It is one of the main ghats known for pilgrim rituals and is where priests live. Tulsi Ghat, Shivala Ghat, Bachraj Ghat, and Harishchandra Ghat are also in the southern stretch, which is most suitable for pilgrims.
- Kedar Ghat, Chousati Ghat, Munshi Ghat, Meer Ghat: These are ideal for travellers, both domestic and international.
- Old Stretch: This is the liveliest of all ghats. Dashashwamedh Ghat, the most significant of all ghats, is where the Ganga Aarti happens. This ghat is full of “dharma chatras” that provide affordable stay options for pilgrims (large halls where people sleep on the floor with a given mattress) and a few hotels.
- Manikarnika Ghat (Cremation Ghat): This is where the dead bodies of Hindus are cremated. There are a few accommodation options here, but we don’t recommend staying here – You don’t want to be watching cremation ceremonies all the time.
After Manikarnika Ghat, I recommend picking any guesthouses until Scindia Ghat. Anything after Scindia Ghat isn’t great for visitors. There are only a few options to stay in the ghats after Scindia. Nothing bad happened to us when we wandered here, but it feels very deserted
3 Best places to stay in Varanasi near ghat
1. Ganapati Guest house in Meer Ghat (??)
Ganapati Guest House, rated 8.3, is best known for its location. We stayed there for four nights during our week-long trip to Varanasi. The rooms are comfy with excellent views of the Ganga and boats.
They have a small restaurant that cooks upon request. I loved their chai and aloo paratha.
Ganapati guest house overlooks the river on one side and a garden courtyard on the other. You can hear soulful music from a nearby music school while sitting there. The rooms are quiet, each with AC (essential for summer) and an ensuite bathroom.
It’s popular with both foreign and domestic travellers, making it one of the top places to stay in Varanasi.
Each room got AC (you will need in summer) and ensuite bathroom. Some even have balconies
It is best suited for couples and small families (including kids and elderly who don’t have issues with walking). You need to carry your luggage through narrow alleys to reach the guest house – There is a bit of climbing down to reach the hotel as it is located right on Meer Ghat.
Book your stay at Ganapati Guest house on Booking.com now
2. Bhadra Kali Guest House Dashashwamedh Ghat (??) :
One of the best places to stay, close to Dashashwamedh Ghat where the Ganga Aarti takes place, is this charming Bhadrakali guesthouse rated 8.1. Their staff and wifi are highly appreciated by visitors. The entryway through an old temple adds to its unique appeal.
Few of their rooms got balcony, heating in winter and AC for summer. So while picking, check your preference.
They have breakfast included in their plan. Keep in mind that the private bathroom is external. Suitable for budget couple travellers
Book your stay at Bhadra Kali Guest House Booking.com now
3. Banaras Guest House in Assi Ghat (?)
If y If you want to stay closer to ritual places and where boat rides begin, pick Banaras Guest House in Assi Ghat. It is rated 8.9 and almost everything here including wifi works really fine. It famous among pilgrims and domestic travellers.
The only disadvantage is that they have fan only and not AC. So if you can bear the heat in summer with fan to save more money, it is ideal for couples and backpackers.
Travellers adore the guest houses’ cosy rooftop with lots of lighting in the night. Their breakfast is also pretty famous among it’s guests. The low height table seating arrangement they serve delicious local food and also some continental upon request
Book your stay at Banaras Guest House on Booking.com now!
Bangali Tola – Oldest Gully of Banaras
If you’ve read my posts on how fascinating it is to walk in the ancient narrow alleys of old Varanasi, finding cute home-run cafes and street food, you know how beautiful these gullies are. Bangali Tola is one such area located right behind the ghats. This residential area is where the Bengali community has lived for generations.
The biggest advantage of staying Bangali Tola is that you are close to unlimited options of cafes and street food. A few minutes’ walk through the gullies will take you to the main roads of Banaras. It is easy to get around from here and you are just a few minutes away from the ghats. So I recommend this area for people travelling to Varanasi for the first time.
You’ll find more hotels here than guesthouses, and a few of them do have elevators to the upper floors.
The disadvantage of staying here is If you get a river view if only you get rooms in upper floors.
Want to know coolest spots to try street food in Varanasi including in Bangali Tola? Read this post on “Delicious Varanasi food.”
3 Best places to stay in Banagali Tola
1. Dwivedi Hotels Sri Omkar Palace(??):
Tucked away in the narrow alleys of Bangali Tola is the comfortable Dwivedi Hotels Sri Omkar Palace. The name says palace, but it is a good yet very comfortable hotel with a big open courtyard and a jhula in the middle.
We stayed here for 3 days during our one-week trip. Couples and families (with elders and kids who can reach upper floors without elevators) can happily stay here.
Each room comes with AC for summer and heater for winter, ensuite bathroom. A few rooms comes with terrace ( We took the room Rudraksha with balcony)
They are rated 7.8, and I would rate the staff 10 out of 10 because they are super kind and resourceful. We wanted to get to Bhadohi by taxi, and within 30 minutes, they arranged a good one. They even suggested nice and affordable food joints nearby.
The rooms are small but comfortable, with hot water available all the time. It’s easily reachable, and the alleys to the hotel are safe and well-lit, so no need to worry about reaching your hotel after dark.
Book your stay at Dwivedi Hotels Sri Omkar Palace on Booking.com now!
2. Anand Kanan Hotel (??)
Another famous place in Bangali Tola among family travellers is Anand Kanan Hotel. Rate 9 for all it’s comfort including facilities, location closer to Dashashwamedh ghat, it is popular among both domestic and international travellers.
Each room comes with AC for summer and heater for winter, ensuite bathroom. You won’t get the river view even from the upper floors – After all it is located in Bangali Tola alleys.
Keep in mind that it is a ground plus four floors building without elevator. So if you are with family, request for rooms in lower floors
Book your stay at Anand Kanana Hotel on Booking.com now!
3. Somit Paying Guest House (?)
For budget-conscious couples and backpackers, Somit Paying Guest house is ideal. Rated 8.2, it is hidden in the alleys of Bangali Tola and close to the famous Bona Cafe Korean Restaurant.
They have fan-cooled rooms only. A few of the rooms have shared bathrooms, while others have en-suites.
Book your stay at Somit Paying Guest House on Booking.com now!
Varanasi Cantonment
The Varanasi Cantonment Area is a more modern part of the city, known for its quieter vibe compared to the bustling old city areas. It’s about 5 km away from the main ghat, Dashashwamedh. I stayed here during my second visit to Varanasi with my parents.
This area got a mix of residential neighbourhoods, shops, and government offices. You’ll find good hotels ranging from 3-star to 5-star, making it a good choice if you prefer a more relaxed stay with modern conveniences in Varanasi.
The area feels like any modern Indian city – nothing particularly Banarasi about it.
If you’re not keen on experiencing Old Varanasi 24/7 and are seeking comfort with family, you can pick good hotels in the Varanasi Cantonment area. So it is most suitable for those who are travelling with kids and elderly.
You won’t have to deal with the hassle of dragging your trolley through narrow alleys here. However, you will need to hire a car to reach Bangali Tola and then walk towards the ghats.
3 Best hotels to stay in Varanasi with family at Cantonment
1. Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace (??1/2)
If you want a bit of Colonial-era style in Varanasi at a lower price, choose Surya Kaiser Palace. Built in 1818, the building once belonged to an ancient Nepali king. Like other hotels in this area, it has an elevator, AC, bar, restaurant serving both veg and non-veg dishes in Indian and international styles and a Spa.
Rated 7.2, they are well-rated for everything except WiFi quality. However, if you are ready to compromise on WiFi and want to experience Maharaja-style living for about 4000-5000 Rs per night per couple, this is your best bet.
Book your stay Hotel Surya Kaiser Palace on Bookimg.com now.
2. The Clarks Varanasi (???)
In 2017, when I went with my parents on a pilgrim tour, we stayed at The Clarks Varanasi Hotel for 2 nights. It is rated 6.8 (much higher and the hotel was cheaper back then). The only reason it gets a lower rating now is because it is an old hotel, but it has everything a comfort-seeking traveller needs. It is popular among domestic Indian travellers with family.
We needed car parking, an elevator, and AC (it was May), and it had everything. Unlike the hotels in Old Banaras, it serves both veg and non-veg food. As a vegetarian, I found plenty of healthy options too.
I have stayed in Clarks hotels in Mysore and Hampi as well – They are pretty good. So I would say go for this.
Book your stay The Clarks Varanasi on Bookimg.com now.
3. Radisson hotel Varanasi (???)
A 4-star chain of hotels, Radisson also has a property in Varanasi. From gym to spa, restaurants, bar, and pool, it is popular among international travellers. As expected from any star hotel, it has elevators, AC, TV, and bathtubs in the rooms.
The Radisson Hotel Varanasi is rated 6.9. If you check the reviews, most people say that the rooms are comfortable, but there are issues with the gym equipment and the lack of European/American variety in the menu.
However, I would still recommend it. Radisson is a famous group, and such complaints are common in higher-end hotels.
Book your stay Radisson hotel Varanasi on Bookimg.com now.
Banaras Hindu University Area
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is one of the biggest residential universities in Asia. The university itself is like a mini-town, with its main campus covering 1,300 acres (a little over 5 km).
We visited BHU one morning just to listen to students learning one of the world’s ancient languages, Sanskrit- It was one of the coolest things we did in Varanasi
Trust me, this area is a total contrast to the buzzing Varanasi old town and streets. Lined with tall trees and wide roads, it is the quietest and greenest area of Banaras.
If you are someone who can’t skip your morning jog even on a trip and doesn’t like the bustling vibe of Old Varanasi, you can choose to stay in BHU. However, keep in mind that hotel options are limited and they exist right outside the campus, within just 50 metres from the campus periphery.
Best hotels to stay in BHU
Itsy Hotels Kashi Grand, BHU (?) and FabHotel Lily Grand (??)
These two are the decent hotels in the area with good ratings. Keep in mind that these hotels cater to the student crowd and their visiting parents, so you can’t expect the same level of comfort as hotels designed for travellers. But you are just 100m from the Greenest and quietest area of Varanasi if you stay there.
Which ones are the heritage places to stay in Varanasi
Varanasi is full of ancient havelis and mansions. Many of them are not in perfect condition like those in Jaisalmer of Rajasthan or Chettinad in Tamil Nadu, but some are restored in perfect grandeur. So, if you’re ready to splurge on a luxury hotel, you’ve got a few options. After navigating the bustling ghats and winding alleys, you deserve a sanctuary. Plus, there’s nothing like soaking in a plush bathtub while the city’s chaos stays outside your window.
Best 2 Luxury Heritage Hotels in Varanasi
1. Taj Nadesar Palace at Cantonment area
Price starts from 52000?/night for two
A 1700s palatial mansion built by the British and later taken over by the Maharaja of Benaras was converted into a hotel in 2000.
Rated 9.8, Taj Nadesar Palace is a colonial-style mansion has just 4 rooms and 6 suites, and it’s run by Taj. So, there’s no doubt about its luxury.
If you’re looking for a luxury experience with pools and a mansion where British royalty once stayed, choose Nadesar Palace in the Cantonment area, away from the bustling streets of Old Banaras.
Book your luxury rooms at heritage hotel Taj Nadesar Palace on Booking.com now
2. BrijRama Palace, Varanasi – By the Ganges
Price starts from 25000?/night for two
Every time I walked by Munshi Ghat or passed it while boating, I was drawn to this stunning haveli-turned-hotel. The tall capsule tower with ornate projections is hard to miss.
As an architect, I appreciate its well-restored heritage – And BrijRama Palace is one. Built in 1812 and converted to a hotel in 1994, it offers rooms facing the river and a lift to the ghat. Staying at Brij Rama Palace for at least one night is a dream of mine?they even have their own boat service!
Book your luxury rooms at heritage hotel BrijRama Palace, Varanasi – By the Ganges Booking.com now
Hostels Culture in Varanasi
Varanasi has a strong hostel culture, similar to Kochi and Kasol. Many young travellers, both Indian and foreign, meet and bond in Varanasi’s hostels. They’re super popular and one of the most budget-friendly options, perfect for socialising and making new friends.
Most hostels in Varanasi are located close to the ghats, with easy access to the river, temples, and local attractions. They often organise activities like guided tours, yoga sessions, and cultural events.
Three Best hostels to stay in Varanasi
1. Moustache Varanasi near Assi Ghat
As we love staying in private rooms in hostels, Moustache Varanasi was our choice during our one-week trip. However, they get sold out fast, so we couldn’t get in. Many of my friends who stay in hostels choose Moustache Varanasi and they love it.
With mini supermarket, restaurant, and everything else a well-made hostel should have, they are rated 8.5 on Hostelworld
The colourful interiors and a cool terrace with common area seating is backpacker’s favourite. They even have ACs – a saviour during summer. You may not have Ganga view 24/7. But you are just a 5 min walk away from the ghats.
They have mixed dorms as well as a few female-only dorms.
Book your rooms at Moustache Varanasi on Hostel world now.
2. Wander Station Varanasi in Bangali Tola
Located in one of the amazing gullies of the oldest area of Varanasi right behind the Ghats, Wander Station started in 2018. Backpackers and budget travellers rate it 8.8 on Hostelworld for its clean interiors with witty doodles on sober walls, high-quality beds, AC, and spotless washrooms ( This is rare in hostels, right).
Dorms have privacy curtains and lockers, while private rooms got king-size bed and an ensuite.
They have a super cosy rooftop terrace where they teach yoga. It’s close to many street food joints and Dashashwamedh Ghat, where the Ganga Aarti takes place.
Book your room at Wander Station Varanasi on Hostel World now.
3. International Travellers’ Hostel near Railway station
Want to sleep in your tent in a garden? Or share an apartment with a group of friends while still having a hostel vibe? Then pick International Travellers’ Hostel. They also have dorms.
Rated 8.2 on Hostelworld, this place is popular among foreign travellers who come to Varanasi to play Holi – they arrange celebrations in their big garden. It’s a blend of small homestay private rooms and hostel culture. They offer dorms, private rooms, whole apartments, or the option to sleep in a tent in the garden.
It is located 1 km away from the train station. So, for those arriving in Varanasi by train, International Travellers’ Hostel is ideal. However, it is a bit away from the ghats.
Book your room at International Travellers’ Hostel on Hostel World now.
Guest house near Kashi Vishwanath temple
One of the main reasons Indians visit Varanasi is to seek blessings from Kashi Vishwanath Temple. As Hindu believers, this temple was a priority for us too. Staying nearby has its perks, especially with how quickly the temple gets crowded. We got up at 4 AM and headed there by 4:30 to beat the rush. We recommend doing the same to avoid the crowds. Places to stay near Kashi Vishwanath temple are
Kashi Annapurna Guest House (??) : The closest decent hotel, 130m form the temple. The rooms are made for families. So occupancy starts from 3 people onwards
Kanha Paying Guest House (?) : 170m from the temple
Ganpati Guest House (??) : 450m from the temple, I stayed here and loved everything about
Note : All of these places are accessible by walk only and don’t have elevators.
FAQ
Which is the best place for an elderly person to stay in Varanasi
Varanasi Cantonment area is the best neighbourhood for an elderly person to stay in Varanasi as it has all modern amenities and most of the hotels in the area have elevators. Whereas hotels near the Ghats have to be accessed by narrow alleys and they won’t have elevator
What are some good hotels in Varanasi for an unmarried couple
Hostels near the ghats are best for unmarried couples in India. I don’t recommend OYO rooms as many are infamous for illegal activities.
What is the cheapest option to stay in Varanasi
Hostels and homestays with shared bathrooms are the cheapest options to stay in Varanasi.
How many five star hotels are there in Varanasi?
There are more than 10 five star hotels in Varanasi including the ones from Taj, Radisson Blu, Ramada, Hilton and heritage hotel Brij Rama
Which are the best places to stay in Varanasi?
Ganpati guest house by the ghats for budget travellers, Clarks Varanasi for mid-range budget travellers and Brij Rama by the Ganges are the best places to stay in Varanasi
Where to stay in Varanasi for free
There is no place in Varanasi that offers completely free accommodation. Ashrams like Mumukshu Bhawan, Gaudiya Mission, and Kashi Gayathri Ashram let you stay for a minimal fee of 300 to 500 rupees. Annapurna Temple serves free meals to every visitor.
Which of these places would you choose to stay in Varanasi and Why? Let us know in the comment section below.
