Plan to get here around dawn to capture unobstructed views of the incredible sunrise over the horizon of the Ganges River.

Location: Near Ahilyabai Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi

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Strict security measures around the complex require that tourists stash their cameras, phones, bags, and other belongings in a rentable locker nearby. Expect to ditch your shoes and wait in line with hundreds of other visitors, all eager to touch the 60-centimeter-tall, sin-absolving Shiva lingam in a silver alter. It’s an intense, yet rewarding experience

The devout believe that the Buddha came to Dhamek Stupa to give his first sermon, which revealed the Eightfold Path, after he achieved enlightenment. Take a look at the elegant carvings of birds, people, and flowers that cover the walls of the stupa as you wander around the attraction.

Sarnath also has plenty of other tourist places that make it a worthwhile day trip destination from Varanasi. Check out the Chaukhandi Stupa (a Buddhist shrine that dates back to at least the 6th century), then make your way to the Sarnath Museum to see the Lion Capital of Ashoka, a sculpture that used to sit atop the Ashoka Pillar in 250 BCE and became the official Emblem of India in 1950. Round out the day with sightseeing at the peaceful Tibetan Temple before making your way back to Varanasi.

Priests or guides frequently offer to lead tourists through the fascinating ghat, however some can be aggressive in their demands for money. You may see doms (members of an untouchable caste) carrying cloth-wrapped bodies on makeshift stretchers, along with piles of firewood stacked up, ready to feed the pyre.

You may also be offered the chance to see a cremation up close — for a fee, of course. While profound, the experience is not for the faint of heart, nor is it a tourist attraction in the traditional sense. Know your limits, be respectful, and avoid taking photos of the funerals, mourners, and the departed.

Hot tip: If you’re interested in the ritualistic cremations, but can’t stomach the idea of seeing them up close, consider passing by Manikarnika Ghat on a boat tour along the Ganges River. The distance dampens the effect while still giving tourists a sense of what’s happening in this important place.

After enjoying an archeological treasure hunt at the museum, check out the fort’s temples, one of which honors Veda Vyasa, author of the Mahabharata and other important Hindu epics.

There are no hill stations near Varanasi, so if you’re looking for an escape from the crowds and busy city, come to this lush 1,300-acre campus. The serene area is shaded by hundreds of tall trees and offers a breath of fresh air from the hectic atmosphere at the Banaras Ghats.

While on campus, swing by the New Vishwanath Temple, a famous temple that finally finished its decades-long construction in 1966. Standing 77 meters high, the temple is one of the tallest in India and draws architectural inspiration from the nearby Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Visitors to the university should also make a point to explore the on-campus museum, Bharat Kala Bhavan. The cultural institution features a spectacular collection of miniature paintings, along with over 100,000 other artifacts of archeological and artistic importance.

Feeling a little stiff from traveling? Swing by Assi Ghat at sunrise, when you can get your downward-facing dog on with dozens of others during morning yoga accompanied by live music every day. Tourists can also see another Ganga Aarti performance here in the morning,

Hindu priests put on the Ganga Aarti every night at the Dasaswamedh Ghat, starting at around 7pm. Donning saffron-hued robes, the priests spread out plates of flower petals and other offerings and blow a conch shell to signal the start of the spiritual ceremony. Thousands of tourists gather to watch the priests chant and wave tiered plates of sandalwood-scented incense in intricate patterns for about 45 minutes. It’s an extravagant sight that you won’t want to miss.

Hot tip: Get to the ghat at least a couple of hours early if you want to beat the crowds and score a great spot for the show. You can also get incredible views from boats along the river or in shop balconies above the ghat.

Hindus come to Varanasi from all around the world to purify themselves in the holy Ganges water and perform rituals along the dozens of ghats along the river. For tourists, the river helps provide a fixed point of orientation for navigating around the city, and you’ll no doubt spend lots of time sightseeing and watching life happen around the Ganges.

Consider waking up early and taking a sunrise cruise along the river — negotiate with one of the countless boatman hanging out along the ghats.

In the afternoon or early evening, one of the top things to do in Varanasi is purchase a small floating offering filled with fresh flowers and a candle, and release it onto the Ganges River. The blissful experience will connect you more deeply with Hindu culture and stay in your mind for years to come.