The new year brings a fresh start to everything, including a new desire to travel and explore. With the perfect winter temperatures in the initial months, exploring the country seems fit!
From snow-capped mountains in the Himalayas to the tropical havens in the Andaman, everything you wish to see is jotted down in this blog.
Know where to stay, when to travel, and how to travel, and tick off your 2025 bucket list for travel destinations in India with ease! For additional savings on your trips, use MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
Best Places to Visit in India 2025
#1 Best Places to Visit in India: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Resting at the westernmost point of the nation, Rann of Kutch offers mesmerizing views of its endless white sands. After you land at Bhuj airport, the scenic ride to cover the remaining 90 km begins. Apart from the endless white sands of Kutch, it also happens to be home to lovely architecture and traditional forts. In the peak winter season, the Rann Utsav becomes a major attraction, celebrating the diverse culture and art of Gujarat, with regional craft, music and dance. With scrumptious Gujarati cuisine known for its diverse vegetarian dishes like dabeli, undhiyu, and many delightful sweets, the Rannotsav is bound to make your visit to the place delicious and memorable
Where to Stay
- Luxury tents or Bhungas (Mud Cabins)
- Radisson Resort & Spa, Kandla
- Rann Visamo Village Resort
Things to Do
- Attend Rann Utsav and the International Kite Festival
- Visit Kala Dungar
- Experience camel rides & folk performances
- Handicraft shopping from Dhordo and Hodka villages.
How to Reach
By Air: Bhuj airport is the nearest flight strip to Kutch
By Train: Well connected through Kutch Railway Station
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using the MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#2 Best Places to Visit in India: Pushkar, Rajasthan
Resting in the heart of Rajasthan is the bustling and spiritual town of Pushkar. Located just 8 hours away from Delhi, riding through the heart of Ajmer, the temple town of Pushkar is a perfect winter weekend getaway and one of the best places to travel in India. Savour the spiritual experience at the Brahma temple, immersed in the tales of Lord Brahma’s battles, and wash away your worries with a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake. Revel in the remnants of the Pushkar Camel Festival, a grand celebration of Rajasthan’s culture and traditions, which happens every year in November. Apart from massive livestock trading, you can enjoy camel races and parades, camel beauty pageants, and longest mustache competitions. Enjoy the camel rides and walks through the colorful bazaars of Rajasthan while nibbling on delicious baati, and soaking in the cultural flavors of Rajasthan.
Where to Stay
- Moti Mahal
- Sahdev Bagh
- Pushkar Fort
Things to Do
- Visit Brahma Temple, Savitri Temple, and Pushkar Lake.
- Camel safaris after the Pushkar Mela
- Pushkar Aartis at Ghats.
How to Reach
By Air: Kishangarh Airport (50 km) is the nearest flight strip to Pushkar
By Train: Connected through Ajmer Railway Station (15 km)
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using the MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#3 Best Places to Visit in India: Goa
Goa’s weather is at its prime in January making it one of the best places to go with friends in India. You can fly to the lovely beaches of Goa, directly through Dabolim Airport, to unwind and enjoy. Many travel companies in India offer great discounts on Goa packages throughout the year. Once in the tropical heaven of Goa, use two-wheelers and rental scooters, starting at Rs 350, for smooth sailing through the markets and streets.
Apart from the main attractions you can visit Fontain has – decorated with colorful lanes and art galleries. Head to Saligao to experience the local Goa lifestyle and take in the charm of the soothing countryside. Adorned with beautiful Portuguese architecture and sandy beaches, Goa adds to its tropical charm with amazing nightlife and music festivals.
Where to Stay
- Grand Hyatt
- ITC Grand
- Vinsons Cottages
What to Do
- Basilica of Bom Jesus, Dudhsagar Falls, Fort Aguada
- Water Sports – Jet skiing, scuba diving, and parasailing.
- Experience amazing nightlife
- Goa Sunsplash Music Festival.
How to Reach
By Air: Direct flights to Dabolim Airport from all major cities.
By Train: Well connected through Madgaon and Thivim railheads.
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#4 Best Places to Visit in India: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Situated just 12 hours away from the National Capital, the City of Lakes welcomes the winter season with cool breeze and clear skies. Udaipur, also known as the Venice of the East, is a beautiful city in the heart of Rajasthan, brimming with rich cultural heritage and captivating lakes.
You can navigate the city with cabs and public transport with ease, but rental scooters and bikes are a more economical and faster option with daily rents starting at Rs 220/ day. Enjoy the serene and romantic boat rides on Lake Pichola or catch the stunning sunsets on Lake Fatehsagar. Udaipur, without the summer heat, offers lovely weather making it one of the best places to visit in India with friends and family.
Where to Stay
- The Ananta Udaipur
- Madri Haveli
- Udai Kothi
Things to Do
- Fatehsagar Lake, Lake Pichola,
- City Palace, Jag Mandir and Sajjangarh Fort
- Enjoy Cultural performances, boat rides, and sightseeing
How to Reach
By Air: Direct Flights to Maharan Pratap Airport from major cities
By Train: Connected through Udaipur City Railway Station.
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#5 Best Places to Visit in India: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Just 5 hours away from Delhi, Jaipur has a lot to offer including its royal ambiance, royal forts, and majestic palaces like the Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal. Visit the Nahargarh Biological Park and enjoy the diverse flora and Fauna. In January, with cool and clear weather, the chances of sightings of animals like tigers, leopards, and deer are more prominent. Enjoy the hot air balloon ride over the Pink City, starting from Rs 13,500. Take in the beauty of the entire city surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and the countryside. Jaipur can be easily navigated with friends and family by rentals and cabs while enjoying the multitude of festivals that ensue. Enjoy the Jaipur Literature Festival bringing together a diverse range of writers, thinkers, and public figures, and the International Kite Festival on the day of Makar Sankranti
Where to Stay
- Radisson Blu
- Regenta Palace
- Nirbana Palace
Things to Do
- Visit Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar
- Chokhi Dhani, and Birla Mandir.
- Enjoy local delights in the Markets
- Shop for souvenirs at Johari Bazaar.
How to Reach
By Air: Direct flights to Jaipur International Airport from all major cities.
By Train: Connected through Jaipur Railway Station
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#6 Best Places to Visit in India: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Just 7 hours away from Delhi, located on the banks of Ganga, the tranquil city of Rishikesh offers beautiful sceneries, unending lush forests, and clear blue skies. Rishikesh in January offers a peaceful retreat with surreal views of the Ganges. The cool and pleasant weather makes it perfect for meditation and yoga. Have a spiritual retreat at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, one of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh, or at the Chaurasi Kutia, made famous by the Beatles’ visit in 1968. If you’re a spiritual seeker you can enjoy the legends of the gods in numerous temples but if you’re an adventurer, you can enjoy adventure sports like river rafting (based on the water level) and bungee jumping.
Where to Stay
- Parmarth Niketan Ashram
- Mountain Whispers
- Raj Resort
- Mustache Rishikesh Luxuria
Things to Do
- Visit Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula
- Triveni Ghat for Ganga Aarti.
- Combine the trip with Dhanaulti and Mussoorie.
How to Reach
By Air: Direct Flights to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport
By Train: Connected through Haridwar Railway station (25 km)
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using the MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#7 Best Places to Visit in India: Munnar, Kerala
Above the serene backwaters of Kerala, Munnar’s lush green tea plantations and calm and cool weather make it the best place to visit in march india. You can land at Cochin Airport and begin your scenic journey through the peaceful valleys laid with tea shrubs. The Kolukkumalai Tea Estate offers fragrant and hypnotic views of the vast tea plantations, getting there can be slightly tricky. Make sure you get a local 4×4 or jeep as the offroad terrain makes it hard to travel.
The peaceful hills and unending greenery are a haven for honeymooners or tourists avoiding the hustle and bustle of the cities. Without the summer crowds of peak season, you can enjoy the calm and stunning views at the Anamudi Peak and Lock Heart Gap. Don’t forget to capture the stunning views at the Alappuzha Lighthouse
Where to Stay
- The Windermere Estate
- Fragrant Nature Munnar
Things to Do
- Visit Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
- Mattupetty Dam, Lock Heart Gap,
- Anamudi Peak, Alappuzha Lighthouse
- Eravikulam National Park.
How to Reach
By Air: Direct Flights Cochin International Airport
By Train: 110 km from Aluva Railway Station. (around 3 hours)
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings with MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#8 Best Places to Visit in India: Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Nestled in the North West Region of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is one of the state’s most well-known destinations known for its panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks.For such an experience, visit during end of this year. Its one of the best places to travel in october in india. A faster and slightly more adventurous option is taking a helicopter from Guwahati to Tawang, which you’ll have to book one day in advance.
You can board the helicopter ride from Guwahati Airport, Pawan Hans counter, for a price of Rs 3,500 per head. However, the ride will be confirmed 2 hours before departure. Once there, you can soak in the cultural beauty of Tawang with the second largest monastery in the world, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama – Urgelling Gompa, and the Buddha Park, giving you a taste of the rich North East India Tourism.
Where to Stay
- Mon Valley
- Tawang Heights
- Vivanta, Tawang
Things to Do
- Visit Jang Falls, Jaswant Garh and Sela Pass
- Trip to Bumla Pass, Madhuri Lake and Penga Teng Tso Lake
- Tawang Monastery – 2nd Largest in the world
- Urgelling Gompa – Birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama
- War Memorial – Dedicated to the martyrs of the 1962 Indo China War
How to Reach
By Air: Connected through Salonibari Airport in Tezpur, Assam from Kolkata and Silchar
By Train: Trains from major cities connect to Rangapara Station
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#9 Best Places to Visit in India: Pondicherry
A trip to the ‘French Riviera of the East’, is nothing short of a dream. Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry, rests on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. The town offers a lovely glimpse into European architecture along with its beautiful sandy beaches, colorful streets and bustling markets. Public transport can be a hassle in Puducherry so renting scooters and bikes is recommended for an independent and easy travelling experience. Visit the lovely quarters of White Town or enjoy a peaceful time at Auroville or Matrimandir Beaches while enjoying authentic French cuisine at Coromandel Cafe.
Where to Stay
- La Villa, White Town
- Ginger Pondicherry, Promenade
Things to Do
- Paradise Beach, Serenity Beach and Rock Beach
- Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Conception Cathedral
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Pondicherry Museum
- French War Memorial
- Cycling Tours around the City
- Delectable Indian French Fusion Cuisine
How to Reach
By Air: Direct flights from major cities to Chennai International Airport
By Train: Nearest station is Villupuram Junction ( Approximately 37 km away).
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings with MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
#10 Best Places to Visit in India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The perfect time to plan a trip to 38 out of the 573 islands collectively called Andaman and Nicobar is during the end of the winter months. The weather makes it the best place to visit in april india. are famous for their palm-lined white beaches, mangroves, and tropical rainforests. Decorated with innumerable coral reefs with vibrant marine life, it is a haven for water sports and scuba diving fanatics. Although direct flights to Port Blair are very rare, you can find many transit flights from major cities and traverse the islands via scooters and ferries. In the cool weather of January, the sea is calm making it ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and much more. You can enjoy beautiful clear waters at Radhanagar and Elephant Beach or enjoy the evening light and sound show at Cellular Jail.
Where to Stay
- Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
- Havelock Island Beach Resort
- Pellicon Beach Resort
Things to Do
- Visit Cellular Jail – Enjoy the Light and Sound Show.
- Explore Chidiya Tapu
- Enjoy Marine Life and Watersports at Elephant Beach
- Experience the amazing nightlife at Havelock Islands and Port Blair
How to Reach
By Air: Direct flights to Port Blair from Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata
Additional Discounts
Get an additional 13% OFF on bookings using the MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
FAQs About Best Places to Visit in India
What are the best places to visit in India with friends?
Goa, Andaman and Nicobar, Rishikesh and Jaipur are the best places to visit in India with friends.
What is the ideal location for a 3-4 days trip in India?
Rishikesh, Munnar, Pushkar, and Jaipur are ideal locations for 3-4 days trip in India.
Which are the best properties in Rajasthan for a luxury stay?
The best properties in Rajasthan are Radisson Blu, Regenta Palace, The Ananta Udaipur and Madri Haveli.
How to reach the White Desert Kutch for the Rann Utsav?
You can fly to Bhuj airport and take a cab from there or directly arrive at the Kutch Railway Station.
Are there any best music festivals in India during January?
Yes, The Goa Sunsplash is one of the best music festivals in India during January
What travel options are available for North East India tourism in 2025?
Tawang is a great destination for exploration of North East India tourism this year.
Where can I go for a peaceful winter vacation in India?
You can go to Munnar and Tawang for a peaceful winter vacation in India
Is Pushkar worth visiting if the Pushkar Festival isn’t in January?
Yes, apart from the Pushkar Festival, the city offers rich cultural heritage and many temples to explore.
Why should I consider MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards to visit places in India?
With MakeMyTrip Gift Cards from GyFTR, you can save an additional 13% on hotels and resorts on your next vacation.
Can I club multiple destinations in one trip?
Yes, you can club multiple destinations like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Rann of Kutch in one trip.
Conclusion
So whether you love a cultural trip, an adventurous getaway, a tropical vacation, or a visit close to its culture and heritage, these 10 best places to visit in India in January, cater to every wanderlust. Whether you’re traveling to tropical beaches or snowy hill stations, make sure you plan ahead and keep a close watch on the weather reports. Pack all essentials according to the weather and ready an itinerary in advance to save time, especially if you’re traveling with friends and family. Make sure your stay is well connected, confirm all your bookings in advance, and save up to 13% on hotels and resorts with MakeMyTrip Hotel Gift Cards from GyFTR.
