As a South Asian American child of immigrants, I've been traveling to India for as long as I can remember. When I land in India now, it's to a familiar soundtrack of honking horns, revving motorcycles, and a melange of languages.
Each visit has become easier — a reflection of my growth as a traveler and India's rapidly developing infrastructure. I've also learned through experience that timing, planning, and an open mind are the keys to experiencing the vast country at its most incredible.
India is home to more than 1.4 billion people. It is the most populated country in the world, and the seventh-largest country by area. India is a young country with an ancient history, a place where you'll find mountains and beaches, cosmopolitan cities, tiny villages, and the opulent playgrounds of generations of maharajas.
My advice? Give yourself bonus vacations by building layovers into long travel itineraries and decide which side of India you'd like to experience first. India will give you plenty of reasons to come back.
Best for City Explorers
Similar to New York City, Mumbai is a densely populated, cosmopolitan financial capital. It's the most populated city in the world and India's most Westernized, making it an appealing gateway to the country.
The city's most iconic site is the aptly named Gateway of India, a waterfront archway built in the early 1900s to commemorate the first visit of a British monarch to India. Pass through this grand entryway before stopping at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel for a Bombay Blazer cocktail (made with gin and guava), the signature cocktail at its historical Harbour Bar, the first licensed bar in India.
Step outside to explore Colaba, where you'll find a mix of high-end boutiques and streetfront stalls selling jewelry, perfume, clothes, and watches. Stop for a chili cheese toast or fish and chips and look at the murals inside Cafe Mondegar, which traces its history to 1932 and brought Mumbai its first jukebox. Pop into the legendary Leopold Cafe for a beer or a slice of cake (the carrot cake is a favorite, when available) like Mumbaikers have been doing since 1871.
Spend at least two nights in Mumbai, longer if you want to dive deep into its arts scene, cinema history, or religious sites. Mumbai is home to dozens of art galleries and museums, many of them in the ritzy Colaba district. Check out contemporary art in a gorgeous building at the Jehangir Art Gallery. Stroll through the National Gallery of Art, or pop in and out of the galleries around the Colaba Causeway.
When you're shopping at the Colaba Causeway Market, remember that bargaining is the norm and tourists are often quoted higher prices. This area also offers lots of options for trying Mumbai's famous street foods. Keep an eye out for vendors selling vada pav, a deep-fried potato dumpling sandwich, and pani puri, tiny deep-fried shells filled with potatoes, raw onions, chickpeas, and spices.
Learn about India's movie industry — the second largest in the world — with a visit to the National Museum of Indian Cinema or book a Bollywood studio tour with Bollywood Tours or Mumbai Dream Tours. Spend sunset walking the palm tree-lined promenade of Marine Drive, a scenic stretch of waterfront with a vibrant beachfront at its northern edge.
Where to Stay
Check in to The Oberoi Mumbai, a glamorous five-star hotel with spacious, modern rooms overlooking Marine Drive. Dine on Indian fusion dishes at Ziya from Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, the first chef in India to earn a Michelin star, and don't skip the spa.
For a more wallet-friendly stay, check in to the Suba Palace. This modern hotel features large rooms, including options designed to accommodate families. The breakfast selection — and the location — just steps from Colaba, Leopold Cafe, and the Gateway of India, are hard to beat.
Best for Culture Seekers
Rajasthan is a Sanskrit word that translates to "The Land of Kings." Drive across this vast state dotted with fortresses and palaces and it's easy to see where the name comes from. Rajasthan simply feels regal.
Start with a few days admiring the "Pink City" of Jaipur. As the first "planned" city in India, its streets are on a grid, making it feel more manageable than other Indian cities. Its details are so well thought out that all the buildings in the historical core are painted a signature pink. And while Hawa Mahal, "the palace of wind," gets most of the attention, you'll want to make time for the Amber Fort, The City Palace, and the colorful Patrika Gate.
If you're fascinated by architecture, make time to visit the Hawa Mahal Museum to learn more about the architectural significance of the Hawa Mahal. When you visit the Amber Fort, don't skip its saffron gardens. Kesar Kyari Bagh feels like a floating oasis of peace and order. The gardens are geometric works of art where the Maharajas once grew saffron, bright yellow flowers that produce the spice.
Jaipur is one of the most picturesque cities in India, but expansive Rajasthan — a state that accounts for 10.4% of India's total land mass — has much more to offer. Stay for at least a week to wander the streets of Jodhpur, where the buildings are painted blue to help keep them cool, see the yellow sandstone that's earned Jaisalmer the nickname of "Golden City," and enjoy romantic Udaipur, where magnificent palaces are built around a network of idyllic lakes.
Where to Stay
Feel like royalty at the Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, a jewel of Mughal architecture that was once a Maharaja's residence. This 78-room hotel is spread across 47 manicured acres and thus offers unparalleled privacy. Have one of the hotel's vintage cars pick you up at the airport and settle into what'll feel like your very own palace.
For a more affordable option, try the Radisson City Center Jaipur. This modern property is located near key sites like the Hawa Mahal and has a stylish onsite bar. There's also an attached shopping center.
Best for Architecture Aficionados
Start your architectural journey in Old Delhi, the walled city built at this site in 1648 when Mughal rulers moved their capital to Agra. This part of Delhi is home to Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque; Khari Baoli, Asia's biggest spice market; and Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site memorial.
Give yourself at least three days in New Delhi, and expect to spend a significant chunk of that time in traffic. Visit the Red Fort, a defensive complex known for its towering walls of red sandstone, and Qutb Minar, the second-tallest brick minaret in the world and one of India's most ancient monuments. See the Lotus Temple, a Bahai house of worship that looks like a giant lotus. Catch the water show at Akshardham, a Hindu temple so elaborate it required the labor of 11,000 artisans to build. Or learn about Sikhism at Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib ji, whose golden dome will catch your eye from afar.
Delhi provides the easiest access to the Taj Mahal, the grand white marble mausoleum that's become a symbol of India. The architectural wonder, which blends elements of Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture, was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 to house the tomb of his beloved wife.
At about 100 minutes, the train is the quickest way to travel between Delhi and Agra, where you'll find the Taj Mahal. The drive takes about 2.5 hours, but Delhi traffic can be unpredictable.
Where to Stay in New Delhi
The luxurious Taj Palace Delhi greets guests with sparkling chandeliers, grand staircases, and a never-ending supply of fresh flowers. This hotel takes five-star hospitality to another level, and each of its rooms feels like an oasis, complete with luxurious linens, pool views, and dreamy soaking tubs.
Or opt for The Manor near the Lotus Temple. This comfortable hotel boasts modern, well-equipped rooms and spacious bathrooms with soaking tubs and rainfall showerheads. The property feels more like a private garden community than a big city hotel, and it offers an extensive breakfast buffet.
Where to Stay in Agra
There's nothing like waking up to the Taj Mahal outside your window. At The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, one of the finest five-star hotels in India, there's a Taj Mahal view from every room and every balcony.
Alternatively, there's the Golden Tulip, an oasis of calm near the bustling Taj Mahal. The stylish, contemporary rooms are large and well-furnished. The food and service get frequent accolades from reviewers, and there's a spa, a yoga studio, and a rooftop pool with a Taj Mahal view. Some guest rooms also boast Taj Mahal views.
Best for Beach Lovers
In some ways, Goa feels more like Portugal than India. This laid-back area was under Portuguese rule for more than 450 years, and the influence of Portuguese culture is evident in its architecture, Catholic churches, and many words that have become part of the local Konkani language.
Goa is home to 64 miles of beachfront along the Arabian Sea. Try jet skiing, parasailing, and riding on banana boats at Candolim Beach, or see olive ridley turtles lay their eggs at picturesque Agonda Beach. Enjoy scenic sailing in a catamaran off the coast of Cavelossim, where calm seas make for ideal swimming conditions. Or head south to Palolem, a mile-long stretch of beach you might recognize from "The Bourne Supremacy." The beach remains largely unspoiled and offers some of the best sunsets on India's western coast.
For an adventure, make your way to Butterfly, a remote beach that's only accessible by boat or by trekking through a dense forest. Your efforts will be rewarded by the chance to dig your toes into the sand at a completely secluded beach while watching dolphins frolic off the shore.
Where to Stay
The St. Regis Goa Resort is about as close to paradise as it gets in India. Book a suite or a private villa at this beachfront resort, and let your butler help you create your perfect itinerary. Walk among mango, coconut, and banyan trees. Swim in an idyllic pool or enjoy the stretch of golden sand not far from your door.
Check in to Storii by ITC Hotels if you're looking for an elegant property with a sense of place: The colonial-style hotel has antique furniture and Indian art and oozes charm. A swim-up bar and spa add to its appeal.
Best for History Buffs
Varanasi, a vibrant city along the Ganges River, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. It's also the spiritual capital of India: Varanasi is both one of the holiest places in Hinduism and where Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment.
Ganga Aarti, one of Varanasi's great Hindu traditions, occurs every evening after sunset along the banks of the Ganges River. The nightly ceremony is led by a team of priests who fill the air with chanting as well as smoke from a daily offering to the Ganges.
Wake up early the next morning for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges. Visit Sarnath, the place where Buddha delivered his first religious message, and shop for saris made with India's finest silk.
Where to Stay
To stay like a Maharaja, check into the riverfront BrijRama Palace, the second-oldest palace in the city. This 215-year-old property features modernized rooms with generous bathrooms and every comfort you could need. Book a Varuna Burj Suite to wake up to sunrise over the Ganges.
There's also The Amayaa, a boutique hotel with a swimming pool, gym, and a spa that's lighter on the wallet. The rooms are spacious, the facilities modern, and the food top-notch.
When to Go
Visit between October and April for the most pleasant weather. December and January can get uncomfortably cold in the mountains. Heatwaves can become oppressive in April and May, and monsoons can complicate summer travel.
How to Get There
Fly to Delhi or Mumbai nonstop from San Francisco, New York, Chicago, or Washington, D.C. Several airlines connect the U.S. and India, including India's flagship carrier, Air India. India is about a six-hour flight from Singapore and about 14 hours from New York.
Know Before You Go
- India is home to more than 1.4 billion people, making it the most populated country in the world. Prepare for crowds, chaotic traffic, and less personal space than you may be accustomed to.
- India requires visitors from the U.S. to obtain a visa before travel. Visitors will also need a passport that's valid for at least another six months and that has two blank pages. Apply for an e-visa online ahead of travel, and expect to pay between $10 and $25 for a 30-day visa depending on when you're traveling.
- Make sure your diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid vaccines are up to date. Consider additional vaccinations for meningitis, rabies, and Japanese Encephalitis. Use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and consider anti-malarial pills depending on your itinerary.
- Do not drink water from the tap or use tap water for brushing your teeth. Be wary of drinks containing ice.
- Driving here may be the biggest challenge of your life. Save yourself the stress by hiring a car and driver.