With its grand palaces, ancient ruins and dramatic natural landscapes, India is bursting with beauty. Whether you want to roam off the beaten track to remote national parks or make a beeline for popular destinations like the ancient city of Hampi and the magical backwaters of Kerala, there’s no shortage of paradisical places on India tours. Ready to spark your wanderlust? Read on for our roundup of the most beautiful places in India…
- Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
- Pangong Tso, Ladakh
- Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand
- Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
- Hampi, Karnataka
- Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
- Kumarakom backwaters, Kerala
- Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
- Madikeri, Karnataka
- Chilika Lake, Odisha
1
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
First up on our list of the most beautiful places in India is the spectacular Hawa Mahal. Built in 1799 as an extension to the Royal City Palace in Jaipur, this pink sandstone structure is an ornate beauty with over 950 latticed windows. This honeycomb-like design was intended to circulate the breeze in summer (hence the building’s nickname, the ‘Palace of the Winds') and allow royal ladies to watch passing street processions without being seen by the public. To see the palace looking its best, we’d suggest visiting in the early morning when the sun streams in through the windows and bathes the building in syrupy sunlight.
Best time to visit Jaipur: Visit between October and March for pleasant sightseeing temperatures.
Image by Lucy Laucht
2
Pangong Tso, Ladakh
Sitting at an altitude of 13,944ft and stretching more than 62 miles long, Pangong Tso saline lake perfectly embodies the majesty of Ladakh's landscapes. Its peaceful, crystalline waters are framed by imposing mountains and draw in photographers from around the world. While two-thirds of the lake belongs to China, the rest belongs to India, and is the most accessible. You can reach this stunning site in around five hours in a 4x4 from the capital of Ladakh, Leh. A special permit is required to access the lake, so we’d recommend planning ahead if you want to include this impressive natural wonder in your itinerary.
Best time to visit Ladakh: The lake freezes over in winter, so visit between June and September for mild temperatures, sunny days and sparkling waters.
Image by GorazdBertalanic / Getty Images
3
Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand
Tucked within the remote Garhwal Himalayas in northern India’s Uttarakhand state, the Valley of Flowers is a delightful dreamscape of lush alpine meadows. Blanketed in over 500 different flower species, including the blue poppy, the sacred Brahma Kamal flower and the cobra lily, the valley is also home to rare fauna such as the Asiatic black bear and the musk deer. Covering an area of almost 34 square miles and surrounded on both sides by towering peaks, this high-altitude heaven deserves a spot in any roundup of beautiful places in India.
Best time to visit Uttarakhand: Visit between July and September to see the fantastic flowers in full bloom.
Image by Vivek Ranukaprasad / Getty Images
4
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Divided between the Kutch district of Gujarat state in northwestern India and the Sindh province in southeastern Pakistan, the Rann of Kutch is a vast seasonal salt marsh and one of the largest salt deserts in the world. The dazzling white plains of this otherworldly site are home to a variety of wildlife species, including wild donkeys, wolves and antelopes, plus more than 200 bird species. Visit this biodiversity hotspot in the winter during its annual festival, Rann Utsav, for a dose of culture and celebration.
Best time to visit Gujarat: The winter months (between November and February) offer the most comfortable climate for visiting the salt flats.
Image by KS-Art / Getty Images
5
Hampi, Karnataka
Make for Karnataka’s undulating hills and valleys to explore the architectural marvel and ancient city of Hampi. This UNESCO World Heritage site forms part of the ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, which was established in the 14th century and eventually controlled the region’s cotton and spice trade; the city became incredibly wealthy and covered an area of 16 square miles. When the empire collapsed in the 16th century, the city was abandoned, leaving the remarkable buildings to ruin.
Best time to visit Karnataka: Visit between October and March for cool, pleasant temperatures and lush greenery, thanks to the previous months’ monsoon rains.
Image by gilitukha / stock.adobe.com
6
Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
In a remote corner of southern Madhya Pradesh, perched at an altitude of over 2,000ft on a vast plateau in the Vindhya mountains, lies the ancient Muslim capital of Mandu. Dating back to the 15th century, the impressive site retains its grandeur throughout the moss-clad palaces, mosques, tombs and baoli (reservoir). Wander the magnificent ruins and soak up the nostalgic atmosphere of this site, where legends of heartbreak and tragedy are numerous. At night, the plateau is populated by leopards and panthers, so keep your eyes peeled…
Best time to visit Madhya Pradesh: Avoid the sweltering monsoon season and visit between October and March for comfortable weather.
Image by CR Shelare / Getty Images
7
Kumarakom backwaters, Kerala
On the shores of Lake Vembanad in Kerala, you’ll find the charming town of Kumarakom. This is the ideal starting point for a cruise along the Kerala backwaters – a network of lagoons, canals and lakes stretching across the lowlands between the coast and the Western Ghats mountain range. Immerse yourself in the local culture of this uniquely preserved ecosystem, easily one of the prettiest places in India. Climb aboard a refurbished houseboat for a serene cruise complete with views of swaying palm trees, rice paddies and a bevy of birdlife.
Best time to visit Kerala: The cool, dry winter months (October to March) are the optimal time to enjoy Kerala’s backwaters.
Image by Miren Al
8
Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
Perched in the hills of Meghalaya, the dinky village of Mawlynnong has earned a reputation as one of Asia’s cleanest. In this eco-conscious haven, everyone helps to clean the village streets and common spaces, youngsters are taught about the importance of cleaning, rainwater is harvested and gardeners help maintain the flora. As you explore this beautiful community-led village, you’ll wander past exotic vegetation, traditional bamboo houses and living bridges made from tree roots – it’s a truly magical place.
Best time to visit Meghalaya: Visit between October and February for cool temperatures, March to May to see blooming flowers, or during the monsoon season (June to September) for verdant landscapes and gushing waterfalls.
Image by Danielrao / Getty Images
9
Madikeri, Karnataka
Next up is Madikeri in Karnataka’s mountainous Coorg (Kodagu) region, nicknamed the ‘Scotland of India’, thanks to its rolling emerald-green landscape. This mist-shrouded hill town is framed by the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats mountains and is famous for its historic Madikeri Fort. From here, you can visit fragrant spice plantations and sprawling coffee estates, trek to Tadiandamol Peak for spellbinding views, and marvel at natural wonders like the jaw-dropping Abbey Falls. Enjoy the warm hospitality from the people in Coorg during your stay in this peaceful part of the country.
Best time to visit Karnataka: The cool, dry conditions from October to February are ideal for outdoor activities. March to May offers warmer temperatures and summer blooms.
Image by Bambam Kumar Jha / Getty Images
10
Chilika Lake, Odisha
Last but not least on our roundup of the most beautiful places in India is Chilika Lake. Located about 30 miles from the coastal city of Puri and nestled among rice fields, swamps and coconut trees, this lovely lake is the largest lagoon in India. Separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land, Chilika is fed fresh water from the rivers and cleaned with saltwater from the sea. This is a tranquil place where fishermen set their nets on thin bamboo poles, migratory birds flock to for the winter and the rare Irrawaddy dolphins play in the waters.
Best time to visit Odisha: Visit between October and February for comfortable temperatures, or the equally pleasant shoulder season (June to September) for fewer crowds.
Image by Arnab_Maity / Getty Images
Header image by abhisheklegit / Getty Images
