It's really magic place. Take a boat trip in the evening.

Sure is worth going to Varanasi and don't miss out on fabulous Sarnath nearby for the Buddhist temples from all the different countries practicing Buddhism besides the Dhamekh Stupa and Ashoka's Pillar. Lovely archaeological museum next to the Stupa / Deer garden.

Yes. Go for a walk away from the river into the city, get yourself lots in the labyrinth of little streets and when it's time to get back to your hotel get some kids to show you the way. Try to keep up and be sure to be taken to the less traveled parts of town.

Oh God, YES! It's the most "Indian" city in the whole of India! The essence of what you expect from that country. It's damn dirty and occasionally smelly, but it's full of vivid colours, diverse and having a spirit of its own. It's also the holiest place for hinduists, and here you can see literally hundreds of hindu temples, jogis and what not. Travelling there is not that exhausting. In fact it's both cheap, pretty much safe, and easy. You just get on a train, and you wake up in Varanasi. You really want to buy there some silks and, if you're lucky to find one - an original pashmina from Kashmir. Don't buy silks anywhere else. You shouldn't pay for the boat trip more than 100rs for an hour ride. In the morning, for the sunrise ride the prices will be higher though. It's good to have a local "guide" (though they will never call themseves like that). Simply local young guys, who "want to show you around". There's a guy named Krishna, "stationing" next to Alka Hotel entrance. He'll give you a really great tour (remember to be asertive, though). Without him I wouldn't have seen 1/10th of what I did. And pick a hotel as close to the Ghats as possible. It's pointless to live deep in the city, when you can have a view at the river Ganges.

Just got back from there. So far when it comes to cities it's number one on my list and and number 2 is way behind. Alka hotel on the Meer Ghat has fantastic location

Yes yes YES! Magical place! Dirty, shocking, sometimes a bit macabre, but beautiful. My favourite Indian city!

Absolutely, it's the most Indian place in India...be careful with getting ill though, it's really common to get sick in Varanasi.

Varanasi is a must see! I took a boat ride at sunrise and sunset and were able to take amazing photos. The place is magical and there's a lot of culture but also dirty. Theres a lot of S#$% floating around the Ganges.

Varanasi is amazing!! It is the only place I went that makes the idea of going back to India bearable!! It's beautiful if you get a local to take you around and really explain the culture and depth of what goes on in the city. Just amazing. But be warned you WILL see dead bodies, just the name of the game. But it's not a bad thing there, it's hard to explain if you haven't lived it.

a must go place!

It's really dirty, but an experience to remember.

Varanasi is probably the most dirty place I ve ever been. But it s worth a visit as it s such an extreme place. You don t need to much time there but surely worth a visit. I was happy to leave dirty Varanasi behind me and to head to the some more relaxed Nepal. But you have to have been there once ;)

A good friend of mine, was there and she was really impressed about "the oldest city in the world" i hope your stomach is tough enough.

I first went in 1989 and was amazed. A really interesting, quiet place. I then went again in 2004 and hated it. Loud, noisy and polluted. Permanent headache and sore throat. Don't bother with it!

Are you joking??!! YES! YES! YES! (The oldest 'city' in the world, by the way. First proof of peaple turning from dwellers/hunters to farmers and settle is there, at that spot on earth. You still see it. Not to mention Gnages and it is the musical capital of India. So the music coming from the houses when somebody is practicing...... cup of tea, looking out of the Ganges, hearing some tamboran...mmmm And you wonder if you should go? Nutter!! Go!

Quite an experience, either you like it or hate it.. very mystical, definitely worth a visit!

Its a historical City beside The Ganges. If you are a photographer then you must visit. Even if you are not a photographer you will surely enjoy the Ganges the different ghats around it and the most beautiful this is the "evening prayer" ..don't miss the evening prayer its starts @6:00 Pm in Dasaswamedh Ghat. The food is not exotic but decent enough be prepared for non-veg food in Varanashi.

Too many tourists.

good place

I though the city of learning and burning very interesting. All those corpses burning and people swimming and bathing the the Ganges (not recommended to do the same). The town also has a lot of historical buildings.

the best city in india, dont miss it!

Certainly ! But call it Benares.

i ve been travelling in India for 7 months more or less but did not stop in varanasi cause i preferred spend more time in the western part of India. I got used to the constant stomach troubles that India generously gives to u. I ve been in very remote places without drinking water and energy, walking throug andhra pradesh in a period where the farmers hanged themself as a strike against the governement. I think i ll be prepared for varanasi if i ll go there.... still not sure but THANKS ANYBODY for the useful advices!!!!

varanasi is the most spectacular city. But be prepared is also the most shocking.

And remember to see Ganges both in sun rise and sun set! It´s amazing!

Very dirty and a very cynical city. But if you have a hard enough heart and an inquisitive enough mind, you'll enjoy the city and be intrigued. Do not miss the ghats. To see what the people do in the water of the Ganges makes you feel like a wuss when in comes to your personal hygiene needs. These people have hardboiled immune systems... makes me jealous. Very intriguing. In a city like this, do not do what I did. Do not stay in a fancy western hotel. Sacrifice comfort and get deep down in the city if you can. Separating yourself from it in a 5-star hotel will only add to the cynicism. And the beauty of a city like this, is its' history, melded with hardship, city-living attitude and holiness. Strange and wonderful.