Dashashwamedh Ghat
The main ghat of the city and the setting for the Ganga Aarti, performed on the riverfront every evening. Arrive early if you want a place on the steps.
Temples, Ghats & More
Things to Do in Varanasi near Hotel Bliss Banaras
Varanasi, also called Banaras, is among the oldest living cities in the world, and most visitors come for the same few places: the temples of the old city, the ghats along the Ganga, and Sarnath. These are the ones our guests visit most, with the distance to each from Hotel Bliss Banaras.
Kedar Ghat
A quieter ghat in the southern stretch of the river, below the Kedareshwar Temple. It is a good stop on a boat ride between Assi and Dashashwamedh.
Assi Ghat
The southernmost of the main ghats, where the Assi river meets the Ganga. It is known for its morning aarti and as a starting point for boat rides at sunrise.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the temple most pilgrims come to Varanasi for. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and stands in the old city, close to the Ganga.
Kaal Bhairav Temple
Dedicated to Kaal Bhairav, regarded as the guardian of Varanasi. Many pilgrims visit it alongside Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Sarnath
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The Dhamek Stupa, the monastery ruins, and the archaeological museum make it a calm half-day away from the city.
Swarved Mahamandir Dham
A seven-storey meditation temple at Umaraha, opened in December 2023, with room for 20,000 people to meditate at once. Verses of the Swarved are carved into its walls.
Also in the City
More Things to Do in Varanasi
The front desk can point you to these as well, and tell you how long to allow for each.
- Banaras Hindu University
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
- Durga Kund Temple
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Tulsi Ghat
- Harishchandra Ghat
Planning Your Day
Getting to the Temples and Ghats
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is 3.5–4 km from us and the main ghats 5–5.5 km, so plan on going by road and walking the last stretch through the lanes. Our travel desk arranges paid guided tours and sightseeing, and every distance is listed under how to reach us.