You can't see all of Banaras in two days, but with the right plan you can certainly feel its soul.
In this guide
Day 1: ghats and temples
Reach Assi Ghat before sunrise for Subah-e-Banaras. Then take a boat from Assi to Manikarnika to see the ghats.
Have kachori-sabzi and jalebi for breakfast. After that, go for darshan at Kashi Vishwanath and walk around the corridor.
Rest in the afternoon, and watch the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening. End the day with tamatar chaat and a paan.
Day 2: Sarnath and old Banaras
In the morning visit Sankat Mochan and Kaal Bhairav. Then head to Sarnath: the Dhamek Stupa, the museum and the Buddhist temples take about half a day.
Back in the city, wander the old lanes in the evening, drink a lassi, and shop for a Banarasi saree or wooden toys.
Where to stay
Staying near the ghats makes both the morning boat ride and the evening aarti easy. On a budget, there are many guest houses around Godowlia and Assi.
Best time to visit
October to March has the most pleasant weather. Banaras looks its most beautiful on Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima), but book your hotel well in advance.
