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Varanasi Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Varanasi

Varanasi guide

Check out the boo.com guide to Varanasi - places to stay, things to see, where to eat and the best places to go out. If you have been to Varanasi, why not share your reviews with boo. Add your review for Varanasi.

Latest reviews of Varanasi

Varanasi is a holy town where Hindi people try to get to at least once in their lifetime. It is said that it is the closest place to heaven so the elderly try to come here to die, so they are one step closer to heaven. It is located on the Ganges and along the river there are various ghats...more Varanasi is a holy town where Hindi people try to get to at least once in their lifetime. It is said that it is the closest place to heaven so the elderly try to come here to die, so they are one step closer to heaven. It is located on the Ganges and along the river there are various ghats (holy places) where people come to pray (and wash) in the river. You can get sunset and sunrise boat trips along the ghats which is highly reccommended to see the full impact of the ghats. One particular ghat where they dont really like to take tourists, is where they burn the deceased and then send the burning body out on a small raft decorated with flowers. It is a priviledge for people to die here and they celebrate their loved ones passing in such a holy place. Needless to say the town itself has quite a morbid feel, but it is colourful and cheery in its own ways, wuch as the praying that occurs nightly on particular ghats along the river, where everyone is decorated with flowers and bright colours and loud colourful music is blared from speakers as their form of praying. Highly reccommended is a trip around the temples in the area where your tour guide will give you a summary of the religion. The town is also amazing for shopping to get the usual backpacker gear along with clothes made to fit, and brightly coloured jewelery and sari's, along with indian artifacts. These shops are located in the small lanes of the town, where you sometimes have to wait for that cow to move out of your way to get to the next shop.close

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by orla – posted on May 1, 2007

orla, from Ireland, has 78 reviews 78

Try the sizzling brownies at Mings Garden Restaurant... they are sooo good! Shopping is fantastic and heaps cheaper then Deli and Rajastan. Lots of culture and traditions. getting around is easy. Make sure you jump in a boat to watch the sun rise and the evening cremation ceremony plus the...more Try the sizzling brownies at Mings Garden Restaurant... they are sooo good! Shopping is fantastic and heaps cheaper then Deli and Rajastan. Lots of culture and traditions. getting around is easy. Make sure you jump in a boat to watch the sun rise and the evening cremation ceremony plus the blessing ritual.close

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by lovinb – posted on Jan 21, 2007

lovinb, from Australia, has 4 reviews 4

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Top Rated Varanasi Places to Stay

  1. Maruti Guest House 91%      

    I enjoy staying at Maruti Guest House so much!!! It gave me warm home feeling!!! Highly recommended!

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    by nghonhei7041 – posted on Jul 2008

    nghonhei7041, from Hong Kong, has 1 reviews 1

    The people running this place are extremely nice and are definitely up for helping you find things or just sitting for a chat. The room was cozy although my friend didn't find it as wonderful as some places we had stayed in in other cities but I found it perfect for our stay in Varanasi. Worth...

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    by dflash – posted on Jun 2008

    dflash, from USA, has 5 reviews 5

  2. Rashmi Guest House 83%      

    we was booked in for 3 nights, but only stayed for 1, we upgraded, to top room, the power went out within the 1st hour, so no A/C, and the heat was un-bearable, also no lift in the hotel, and it is very high up from the river bank, personally, i would not go back to varanisi, all the people are...

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    by e830835958 – posted on Apr 2008

    e830835958, from England, has 2 reviews 2

    We were very put off by being led to the hotel through the somewhat scary and very dirty alleyways. There is a safer-seeming approach via the steps down to the Ganges and then back up to the hotel which we much preferred. The lobby could be updated, the rooms repainted, and the bedspreads...

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    by jawalden5058 – posted on Mar 2008

    jawalden5058, from USA, has 1 reviews 1

  3. Hotel Surya 77%      

    There was not hot water all the time Restaurant was expensive and not that good but beers were at a reasonable price

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    by jcrousillac9876 – posted on Aug 2008

    jcrousillac9876, from France, has 1 reviews 1

    Warning: This place didn't know anything about my reservation on hostelworld! Luckily they had space but it wasn't for the same price quoted on here. It is NOT in the city center near all of the ghats, which was nice for me because Varanasi has the most touts out of any city that I visited in...

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    by heynic – posted on Jul 2008

    heynic, from USA, has 9 reviews 9

  4. Hotel Sonmony 74%      

    The hostel is located as close as possible to a minor crematory ghat, with roughly 20-30 funerals running daily. The room offered in hostelworld is very simple, with basic furniture, fan, and no sink (no hot water either). If you don't want your clothes to get smoky, it's better taking a room...

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    by guilhermemiziara3683 – posted on Oct 2008

    guilhermemiziara3683, from Brazil, has 5 reviews 5

    Stairs are clean, but my room was not mopped in months. When power goes off, if they have few guests, they don't turn the emergency generator on and you bake in the hot room, when I complained that whas what I was told, The staff mis friendly.

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    by hecsan2400 – posted on Oct 2008

    hecsan2400, from Cuba, has 6 reviews 6

  5. The Golden Buddha, Sarnath 73%      

    A shame overall. Many things just didn't happen. The guy working here is totally and utterly useless and shouldn't be near guests. Location ok as Sarnath has things to look at, hour away from the river but you see a lot on way. I got bitten to pieces in the night as the bed is built into the...

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    by nathanjh136110 – posted on Jul 2008

    nathanjh136110, from England, has 11 reviews 11

    The staff at the Golden Buddha are some of the most wonderful and genuine human beings you will ever meet. Beware of the slick, duplicitous American owner, however.

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    by Stottle – posted on Jun 2008

    Stottle, from USA, has 2 reviews 2

  6. Pallavi International Hotel 60%      

    A Magnificient Palace --Now a 3 Star Hotel. For Pallavi International, a Heritage Hotel, it has been a transformation from being a home for the salvation of the rulers of Hathwa Raj of Bihar in the 19th century, to a heritage hotel a three star get away in eastern Uttar Pradesh where one can enjoy all the trappings of the former royalties. The hotel promises to its visitors the twin advantage of a princely...

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