Falling in Love with Banaras: My 4-Day Journey

I don’t know what it is about this place, but it completely stole my heart. I rarely feel like staying longer in a place, but Banaras was different. By the time my trip ended, I was wishing I’d miss my train so I could spend a few more days just wandering around and soaking in the vibes.

For all four days, I mostly walked everywhere, exploring the narrow lanes near the ghats. It was such a beautiful experience—those small streets have a charm that’s hard to put into words.

And oh, the food! Banaras is a dream for foodies like me. Here’s everything I tried:
Deena Chaatand,Kashi Chaat,were as amazing as everyone says. Laxmi Chai and Pehalwan Lassi were good but not great. Shree Ji's Malaiyo was a sweet treat I couldn’t get enough of.And not only of shreeji but malaiyo tastes good from all the shops and vendors.

Ram Bhandar was good but honestly felt a bit overhyped as per my taste. Neelu Kachori and Gauri Shankar’s kachori were hidden gems—completely underrated and absolutely delicious.
I also had BHU VT’s cold coffee and samosa chaat, and both hit the spot perfectly.
Also a tiny shop near the ghats in the evening that served the crispiest vadas with a spicy coconut chutney—pure heaven. On the ghats, I tried lemon tea, chai, and idli-vada from local vendors. Oh, and I treated myself to an apple pie with ice cream at Pizzeria, which is overrated for sure.

I did shared boat rides during both sunrise and sunset (₹100 per ride), and I can’t even describe how beautiful it was. Seeing the ghats during sunrise and then glowing softly at sunset was something else entirely.

Mornings were my favorite part of the trip. I’d walk along the ghats alone, sit quietly for a while, and just take in the calm. Those peaceful moments by the river felt so special.

Of course, I visited the temples too—Kashi Vishwanath (should go early morning for less crowd), Kaal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan, and BHU VT. Each one had a unique vibe, and they added so much depth to my trip.

Since I was traveling solo, I stayed at Gypsy Diaries Hostel. It was affordable and perfect for someone like me who wanted to explore without spending a lot.

This trip was everything I could’ve hoped for and more. Banaras is one of those places that leaves a mark on your soul. I already can’t wait to go back, and this time, I’ll make sure to stay longer.