Top 10 Tourist Places Near Varanasi Within 200 Kms

Varanasi is one of India’s oldest cities, but the areas around it have a lot to see too. Within 200 km, there are old temples, forts, a wildlife sanctuary, a waterfall, and another major pilgrimage city. This list covers 10 tourist places near Varanasi within 200 kms, with distance, what to see, and the best time to visit each one. If you want to explore these places with your family or friends, book a Tempo Traveller in Varanasi at the best price.

Why Visit Places Near Varanasi?

A mix of temples, forts, nature spots, and pilgrimage cities
Some places are less than an hour away
Good for both a short day trip and a longer 2-day plan
Easy to combine two nearby places in a single day

Use the table below to compare tourist places near Varanasi within 200 kms at a glance.

Quick Overview

Place	Approx. Distance	Best For	Best Season
Sarnath	10–13 km	Buddhist history, stupas	October–March
Ramnagar Fort	14 km	Fort, museum, river view	October–March
Chunar Fort	32–40 km	History, river view	October–March
Bhadohi	40–45 km	Carpet weaving, local craft	October–March
Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary	65–70 km	Waterfalls, nature	October–March
Vindhyachal	60–80 km	Temple, pilgrimage	October–March
Jaunpur	60–70 km	Old bridge, mosque, fort	October–March
Lakhaniya Dari Waterfall	50–70 km	Trekking, waterfall	July–February
Prayagraj	125–135 km	River meeting point, temples	Year-round
Ayodhya	196–200 km	Ram Mandir, pilgrimage	Year-round

1. Sarnath

Sarnath is one of the most important places for Buddhists. It is the spot where Buddha gave his first sermon after gaining enlightenment.

What to see: Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Chaukhandi Stupa, and temples built by different Buddhist countries.

Things to do:

Walk around the Dhamek Stupa and read the site history boards
Visit the Sarnath Archaeological Museum to see old sculptures and the original lion capital
Stop at the Thai, Japanese, and Chinese temples inside the complex
Watch the sunset light on the stupa in the evening

Nearest railway station: Sarnath railway station, about 1–2 km away, or Varanasi Junction, about 10 km away.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 25 km away.

Time needed: 3–4 hours.

Best time: October to March.

2. Ramnagar Fort

Ramnagar Fort sits on the east bank of the Ganga, across from the main city. It was built by the King of Banaras in the 18th century.

What to see: A museum inside the fort with old weapons, vintage cars, and royal items, plus views of the river.

Things to do:

Walk through the museum galleries of old weapons, clocks, and royal costumes
See the vintage car collection kept inside the fort
Sit by the riverside courtyard and watch boats on the Ganga
Take photos of the fort’s sandstone architecture from the waterside

Nearest railway station: Varanasi Junction, about 14 km away.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 30 km away.

Time needed: 2–3 hours.

Best time: October to March.

3. Chunar Fort

Chunar Fort stands on the bank of the Ganga and has passed through several rulers over the centuries.

What to see: Old fort walls, gates, and a wide view of the river from the top.

Things to do:

Walk along the fort walls and old gateways
Climb to the upper level for a wide view of the Ganga
Look for the old well and underground rooms inside the fort
Spend time at the small local market near the fort entrance

Nearest railway station: Chunar Junction, located in the town itself.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 45 km away.

Time needed: 3–4 hours.

Best time: October to March.

4. Bhadohi

Bhadohi is known as the carpet city of India, with a long history of hand-woven carpets.

What to see: Carpet weaving units and local markets where you can watch the weaving process and buy directly from makers.

Things to do:

Watch weavers work on hand-knotted carpets at a local unit
Learn about the different carpet designs and materials used
Shop for carpets and rugs directly from makers at lower prices
Visit the local market area for other handicraft items

Nearest railway station: Bhadohi railway station, located in the town itself.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 55 km away.

Time needed: Half a day.

Best time: October to March.

5. Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary in Chandauli district is home to two waterfalls, Rajdari and Devdari, located close to each other.

What to see: Two waterfalls, rocky trails, and a quiet forest area away from the city.

Things to do:

Walk the short trail between Rajdari and Devdari waterfalls
Sit near the falls and enjoy the sound of water on rocks
Look out for deer and birds inside the sanctuary
Carry a picnic and spend time in the forest area

Nearest railway station: Chakia or Varanasi Junction, about 65 km away.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 70 km away.

Time needed: Half a day.

Best time: July to February, when the waterfalls have more water after the monsoon.

6. Vindhyachal

Vindhyachal is an important pilgrimage town, home to the Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, one of the Shakti Peeths.

What to see: The main temple, Kali Khoh, Ashtabhuja temple, and a bathing spot on the Ganga.

Things to do:

Take darshan at the main Vindhyavasini Devi Temple
Visit Kali Khoh and Ashtabhuja temple, part of the same pilgrimage circuit
Take a holy dip at the Ganga ghat in town
Walk through the local market for prasad and religious items

Nearest railway station: Vindhyachal railway station, located in the town itself.

Nearest airport: Prayagraj Airport, about 65 km away, or Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 75 km away.

Time needed: Half a day to a full day.

Best time: October to March, with Navratri being a busy time.

7. Jaunpur

Jaunpur was once the capital of the Sharqi Sultanate and still has buildings from that time.

What to see: Atala Masjid, Shahi Bridge over the Gomti River, and Jaunpur Fort.

Things to do:

Walk through Atala Masjid and see its old stone carving work
Cross the Shahi Bridge on foot and view the Gomti River
Explore Jaunpur Fort and its gateway structures
Try local street food in the old part of town

Nearest railway station: Jaunpur Junction, located in the city itself.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 70 km away.

Time needed: Half a day.

Best time: October to March.

8. Lakhaniya Dari Waterfall

This waterfall is in the Lak Valley area of Mirzapur district and has become popular with trekkers.

What to see: A short trek leads to the waterfall, which is at its best just after the monsoon.

Things to do:

Trek through the valley trail leading up to the waterfall
Take photos of the waterfall from the rock viewpoints
Carry snacks and water for a short picnic near the trail
Explore the surrounding rocky hills on foot

Nearest railway station: Mirzapur Junction, about 50 km away, or Chunar Junction, about 28 km away.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi, about 75 km away.

Time needed: Half a day, with the trek.

Best time: July to February.

9. Prayagraj

Prayagraj, earlier called Allahabad, is known for the meeting point of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

What to see: Triveni Sangam, Allahabad Fort, Anand Bhavan, and Hanuman Mandir.

Things to do:

Take a boat ride to the Triveni Sangam, where the rivers meet
Visit Allahabad Fort and its Ashoka Pillar
See Anand Bhavan, once home to the Nehru family
Take darshan at Hanuman Mandir near the riverbank

Nearest railway station: Prayagraj Junction, located in the city itself.

Nearest airport: Prayagraj Airport, about 12–15 km away.

Time needed: A full day, or overnight if you want to take it slow.

Best time: Year-round, though winter is more comfortable for sightseeing.

10. Ayodhya

Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama and is home to the Ram Mandir.

What to see: Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, and the evening aarti on the Sarayu river.

Things to do:

Take darshan at the Ram Mandir
Visit Hanuman Garhi and climb the steps to the shrine
See Kanak Bhawan, known for its temple architecture
Watch the evening aarti at the Sarayu river ghat

Nearest railway station: Ayodhya Dham Junction, located in the city itself.

Nearest airport: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (Ayodhya Airport), about 10 km away.

Time needed: A full day, or overnight for a relaxed visit.

Best time: Year-round, though October to March has more comfortable weather.

These itineraries help you group tourist places near Varanasi within 200 kms into a single trip.

Suggested Itineraries

Half-Day Heritage Trip

Morning: Varanasi → Sarnath
Afternoon: Sarnath → Ramnagar Fort
Evening: Return to Varanasi

Full-Day Nature Trip

Morning: Varanasi → Vindhyachal
Afternoon: Vindhyachal → Lakhaniya Dari Waterfall
Evening: Return to Varanasi

2-Day Pilgrimage Trip

Day 1: Varanasi → Prayagraj (stay overnight)
Day 2: Return to Varanasi via local sightseeing

2-Day Ayodhya Trip

Day 1: Varanasi → Ayodhya (stay overnight)
Day 2: Visit Kanak Bhawan and Sarayu Ghat, then return to Varanasi

Nearest Railway Station and Airport for Each Place

Place	Nearest Railway Station	Nearest Airport
Sarnath	Sarnath (~1–2 km) / Varanasi Jn (~10 km)	Varanasi Airport (~25 km)
Ramnagar Fort	Varanasi Junction (~14 km)	Varanasi Airport (~30 km)
Chunar Fort	Chunar Junction (in town)	Varanasi Airport (~45 km)
Bhadohi	Bhadohi (in town)	Varanasi Airport (~55 km)
Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary	Chakia / Varanasi Jn (~65 km)	Varanasi Airport (~70 km)
Vindhyachal	Vindhyachal (in town)	Prayagraj Airport (~65 km)
Jaunpur	Jaunpur Junction (in city)	Varanasi Airport (~70 km)
Lakhaniya Dari Waterfall	Mirzapur (~50 km) / Chunar (~28 km)	Varanasi Airport (~75 km)
Prayagraj	Prayagraj Junction (in city)	Prayagraj Airport (~12–15 km)
Ayodhya	Ayodhya Dham Junction (in city)	Maharish

How to Travel to These Places

Most tourist places near Varanasi within 200 kms can be reached by road. For a small group or a couple, a car on rent works well. For a family or friend group, a tempo traveller gives more space for people and bags on the same trip.

Keep these tips in mind before you set out to explore tourist places near Varanasi within 200 kms.

Practical Tips

Most nearby places can be combined two at a time in one day
Carry water and comfortable shoes, mainly for waterfall and trekking spots
Check temple timings at Vindhyachal and Ayodhya before you go, mainly during festivals
Start early to avoid heat and crowds at popular spots
Book a hotel in advance for Prayagraj or Ayodhya during festivals

Plan Your Trip

This list of tourist places near Varanasi within 200 kms gives you options for a short day trip or a longer weekend plan. Pick based on what you want to see, whether that is old temples, a fort, a waterfall, or a pilgrimage city, and plan your route around one or two stops per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which is the nearest tourist place from Varanasi?

A: Sarnath is the nearest, about 10–13 km away, and can be reached in 30 minutes.

Q: Can I visit Ayodhya in one day from Varanasi?

A: It is possible, but since the distance is close to 200 km, an overnight stay is more comfortable.

Q: Which places near Varanasi are best for a family trip?

A: Sarnath, Ramnagar Fort, and Vindhyachal are good choices for families, since they are close and easy to visit.

Q: Can I visit Sarnath and Ramnagar Fort on the same day?

A: Yes, both are close to Varanasi and can be covered together in a half-day or full-day trip.

Q: What is the best time to visit tourist places near Varanasi within 200 kms?

A: October to March is the best time for most places on this list, with July to February being better for the waterfalls.