10 Popular & Off-beat Places In India

There are plenty of destinations in India that’s got their fair share of popularity. However, many are still underrated or unknown to tourists. Therefore, I’m here sharing a list of five popular places and five off-beat places that you can add to your bucket list. 

Click on this link if you’ve missed my previous article, where I have shared a list of five recommended hill stations that you can explore. You can also drop a comment and let me know about more such places, which I can add to the list. 

Off-beat Places

If you love taking roads less travelled, then these underrated destinations crave your attention. Here’s a list of places that you can add to your bucket list this year. 

Diu

We all think of Goa when we think of a beach. But, there are plenty of other beautiful beach destinations in India that you can explore, Diu being one of them. You can also check out my top five beach recommendations here. Diu is a beautiful island residing next to Gujarat and overlooking the Arabian sea. The city is home to quaint churches, a Portuguese fort and tranquil beaches.

Best time to visit – November to February (winters) & August to October (monsoons)
Nearest Airport –  Diu Airport (Domestic) & Ahmedabad International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – Una, Gujarat
Nearest Railway Station – Somnath, Bhavnagar

Keylong

Kyelang or Keylong is a beautiful town amidst the snow-capped Himalayan ranges. It serves as an ideal detour destination on your way to Ladakh from Manali. Residing in the Lahaul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, Keylong is home to beautiful valleys and monasteries. 

Best time to visit – May to October
Nearest Airport –  Bhuntar Airport, Kullu (domestic) & Chandigarh International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – Keylong Bus Station
Nearest Railway Station – Amb Andura Train Station & Una Railway Station, Himachal Pradesh

Tawang

Tawang is a picturesque town in Arunachal Pradesh known for its majestic monastery. It is an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts as this place offers a plethora of hikes. Moreover, it is also home to a few beautiful glacier lakes like Sangetser and Sela.

Best time to visit – March to September
Nearest Airport –  Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati & Salonibari Airport, Tezpur
Nearest Bus Stand – APS Bus Station, Tawang
Nearest Railway Station – Rangapara, Tezpur, Assam

Bikaner

Bikaner is a north-Indian city that shares its border with Pakistan. Unlike its neighbouring cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur etc. Bikaner is less popular as a tourist spot and more as a spiritual destination because of the famous Karni Mata Temple, also known as the Rat Temple. However, there are plenty of places to explore from majestic forts to museums. 

Best time to visit – November to March
Nearest Airport – Jodhpur Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – Bikaner Roadways Bus Stand
Nearest Railway Station – Bikaner Junction

Ooty

Ooty is a beautiful hill town in the Nilgiri ranges of India. Known as the Queen of Hills is home to scenic tea estates, gardens, lakes and toy trains. Click on this link to read more about this quaint hill station. Moreover, you can also head to the neighbouring city Mysore and explore the history and architecture of the Wadiyar dynasty. It will surely leave you spellbound.

Best time to visit – September to June
Nearest Airport – Coimbatore International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – Ooty Bus Stand (TNSRTC)
Nearest Railway Station – Coimbatore Junction or Mettupalayam railway station – from here head to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway Station to board a train to Ooty Railway Station.

Here’s a map with off-the-beat places marked out in blue and popular ones in red to help you locate them better.

 

Popular Places

Here’s a list of five popular cities loved by tourists. All of them are worth a visit. Therefore, add these to your bucket list if you still haven’t.

Varanasi

Benaras, also known as Kashi or Varanasi, is a popular destination among photography enthusiasts and spiritual seekers. Residing by the banks of holy Ganges, Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities. This place can be a bit intimidating because of the rituals you might encounter while exploring the city. However, you will also get to see some of the best sunsets by the ghat, Sandhya aartis which will leave you spellbound and the food.

Best time to visit – November to February
Nearest Airport – Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – Chaudhary Charan Singh Bus Stand, Varanasi
Nearest Railway Station – Varanasi Junction railway station

Amritsar

Amritsar is a lively city known for its delicious food and vibes. It is also one of my favourite cities in India. I’ve been here thrice but still can’t get enough of it! Golden Temple, Jalianwala Bagh & Wagah Border are a few of the main attractions in the city. However, here’s a complete list of things you can do at Amritsar.

Best time to visit – September to April
Nearest Airport – Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar
Nearest Bus Stand – Inter State Bus Terminal Amritsar
Nearest Railway Station – Amritsar Junction

Mumbai

The largest city of India has many names, from “the city of dreams” to “the city that never sleeps” to “the commercial capital of India”. Thousands come here to seek opportunities and fulfil their dreams. However, the city also offers a rich heritage and culture that you can explore, from incredible monuments like the Gateway of India to beautiful beaches to lip-smacking street food. 

Best time to visit – November to March
Nearest Airport – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – Mumbai Central (MSRTC)
Nearest Railway Station – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

Alleppey

Alleppey or Alappuzha is called “the Venice of East”, is a favourite among the tourists. You can go on a day tour and take a boat ride to explore the backwaters or stay here for a few days in a Houseboat and enjoy the spectacular beauty around.

Best time to visit – November to March
Nearest Airport – Cochin International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – Alappuzha KSRTC Bus Stand
Nearest Railway Station – Alappuzha Railway Station

Pondicherry

Puducherry or Pondicherry is a picturesque town overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Known as the “French Capital”, Pondicherry is home to marvellous cafes serving authentic French cuisine, pristine beaches, a Botanical garden and the famous Auroville.

Best time to visit – October to March
Nearest Airport – Chennai International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand – PRTC Bus Station
Nearest Railway Station – Puducherry Railway Station.