During the first pandemic lockdown, I asked my wife and kids to rate every country that we had traveled to. I added in my votes and ranked them, and the result was my post on the The Best Countries to Visit. Then, as more of our travel plans were cancelled and we were still at home, we did the same with cities, rating 120+ cities that we’ve visited. This ranking of our favorite cities in the world is a de factoid list of the Best Cities in the World (according to us!). Our kids, at the time of voting, were 10, 13 and 15.
As before, we ranked each city 1-10. I’ll count down our top 20 cities below, and include with each its average rating. A note: the top city in our rankings got a 9.25. The bottom city received a 3.0. And no, I’m not going to reveal the cities that finished at the bottom of our list – people take it very personally when we didn’t love their cities! Plus, others have likely had different experiences everywhere and would have very different lists of the best cities in the world. This list is simply based on our experiences. In some cases we’ve visited these cities dozens of times, but in a lot of cases we’ve only visited once. Hopefully this list inspires future travel planning with your kids!
Best Cities to Travel To & Their City Guides
It is utterly hard to plan your trip abroad without having complications. And if you are still unsure what country or city to visit, then you are probably lost due to the large number of destinations to choose from.
And when you have figure that out, you will need to find the right information to plan your trip accordingly.
Thankfully, there are many trusty sources on the internet that help out with most of that. But finding the right source, that always seems to be a problem.
However, I am a travel blogger, and finding the right information on the net is what I excel at.
Therefore, I have a few website recommendations that offer the best guides and tips for travelers. I have included them in this list of the best cities to visit all over the world.
That means, you are getting one article for the quality of two.
India is known for its cities – vast pulsating urban centres of temples and mosques, markets and bazaars, exceptional museums, grand monuments and sites of astonishing antiquity. From the regal fortified cities of Rajasthan and the revered pilgrimage centres of Varanasi, Amritsar and Madurai to the world-famous colonial capitals of the British Raj and those that are less well known, below is a guide to 21 of India’s very best cities.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
India’s holiest city, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for over 2000 years. Set on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, Varanasi has changed little over the centuries and the old town is an atmospheric maze of narrow alleyways, colourful temples, ascetic holy men and crowded waterfront ghats. Although principally associated with Hinduism, Varanasi is also considered holy by Joins, was visited by the Buddha in 500 BC and has a strong Muslim influence. Follow pilgrims to the Ganges to attend an evening Aarti ceremony, visit the Durga Temple and learn about Indian Buddhism at Sarnath.
Kolkata, West Bengal
Kolkata is a city of intellectuals and, over the years, has inspired numerous writers, artists, thinkers and academics. Developed by the East India Company at the end of the 1600s, Kolkata grew into one of Asia’s foremost commercial centres and served as the capital of the British Raj until 1911. The historic heart of the city overflows with historical landmarks including the Indian Museum, which is the largest in the country, St. John’s Church housing a memorial to the city founder Job Charnock, the silver-domed General Post Office and imposing white marble Victoria Memorial which was completed in 1921.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Considered the most beautiful city in India, Udaipur is set in the Aravalli Hills of southern Rajasthan. Over the centuries Udaipur maintained a fierce independence from both neighbouring princely states and the British resulting in a way of life and cultural traditions that have changed little over the centuries. The impressive City Palace complex is still home to the Maharaja of Udaipur and houses an extraordinary collection of temples, royal apartments and precious objects, a number of historic havelis dot the old town and the Lake Palace, floating perfectly in the centre of Lake Pichola, is the iconic image of princely India.
Hyderabad, Telangana
Unique in being a major Islamic centre and southernmost Mughal city in India, Hyderabad was ruled by a succession of Muslim Nizams until independence in 1947. Exceptionally rich, the city benefitted from this wealth and there are a number of impressive monuments to see including the Chowmahalla Palace, Char Minar and Golconda Fort. Hyderabad is also known as a centre for pearls, fabrics and semi-precious stones that can be found in one of the many traditional markets including Lad Bazaar. For those interested in textiles, a visit can be made to Pochampally which is known for its traditionally produced sarees.
Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Founded in 1610 and named in honour of the last great Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, Aurangabad is an attractive town and best known as a base from which to visit the remarkable cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora. The predominately Buddhist rock-cut caves at Ajanta are renowned for their frescoes and have been compared to those at Assisi, Sienna and Florence whilst the carvings at Ellora date, at their earliest, to 600 AD. In Aurangabad itself, highlights include the Jamar Masjid and the 17th century Kali Masjid mosques as well as the Bibi-Ka-Maqbara mausoleum that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Taj Mahal.
Amritsar, Punjab
Amritsar is the centre of the Sikh religion and best known for the spectacular Golden Temple complex. Explore the narrow lanes of the 400 year old city where crafts and trades are still being practised, unchanged, for centuries and experience the atmospheric evening Palki Ceremony at the Golden Temple – a nightly rite where pilgrims and worshippers participate in the veneration of the Guru Granth Sahib holy book. For drama and pageantry, travel to the Wagah Border to experience the cacophony of the daily border closing ceremony that has acted as a barometer for Indo-Pakistan relations since partition.
Dwarka
The Devbhumi Dwarka is one of those char dham in India with very high pilgrimage importance among-st Hindus not just in India but in the entire world. It also has a very strong historical presence and is considered one of the oldest cities in India.
The whole city of Dwarka has several stories to narrate about Lord Krishna and his youth. Ruler Krishna here is called by the name, Dwarkadeesh, and a famous temple known as Jagat mandir is located in Dwarka which attracts millions of tourists every year.
Road Trip to Dwarka is also popular among pilgrims and travelers due to the scenic beauty and cultural significance along the way. Dwarka is located 450 km from Ahmedabad and is very well connected with roads, Rail, and Air from major parts of the country.
Dwarka is not just famous for its temple but it is also famous for marine life, coastal area, and the diverse ecosystem around it.
Delhi, Union Territory
Delhi is the modern day capital of India. Although a city of great historical importance, Delhi only became the country’s capital in the 1930s but it has always been an important economic and political centre. More than any other Indian city, Delhi has two very distinct characters. Old Delhi, a crowded medieval district of mosques and forts, crumbling monuments and bustling bazaars, has changed little over the centuries whilst New Delhi, the purpose-built British colonial capital, could not be more different with wide tree-lined avenues, well-tended parks, pretty bungalows and the official residence of the President of India.
Kochi, Kerala
Established by Vasco da Gama in 1502, influenced by the Dutch and ruled by the British, evidence of Kochi’s rich heritage can be found throughout the city. Over the centuries Kochi developed into the most important port on the Malabar Coast and grew wealthy in the trade of spices and tea. With its warren of pretty lanes, bougainvillea festooned homes, the oldest European church in India and a 450 year old synagogue, there is plenty to see and do. Kochi is also a morning’s drive from the Keralan backwaters and the small town of Chendamangalam with its Portuguese seminary and Syrian Catholic Church that dates to 1201 AD.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is a city rich in Indian culture and British colonial history. Indelibly linked to both the 1857 uprising and Indian independence, visit the ruins of the Residency where the siege and consequent clashes occurred and Christchurch which was built to commemorate the events that took place. Lucknow is also known for its monumental architectural masterpieces including the Bara Imambara mosque and domed Hussainabad Imambara. The city still also retains a strong link with traditional arts and crafts and is acclaimed as a centre for zari work, chikan embroidery and attar perfume.
Bangalore, Karnataka
One of India’s most progressive cities, Bangalore is a thriving modern global commercial centre. However, few realise it is also a city with a proud heritage that was founded in 1537 and expanded by the British into a spacious garrison town of impressive avenues and beautiful parks, churches, museums and comfortable bungalows. Highlights include Tipu Sultan’s ornate two-storey Summer Palace, 16th century grey granite Nandi Bull and the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens that possess one of the largest collections of rare tropical plants in India with over 1,800 species of tropical, subtropical and medicinal plants.
Hampi, Karnataka
In modern day India Hampi is largely uninhabited, however, until the medieval period it was not only India’s grandest city but also one of the largest and most prosperous urban centres in the world. Capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, the arrival of Muslim armies from the north of India led to its destruction, decline and eventual abandonment. Today this vast site, and the impressive group of monuments that remain, form part of a significant, and still remarkably impressive, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Vitthala Temple, Elephant Stables and beautifully proportioned Lotus Mahal.
FAQ’s
1. What are the best cities to visit for travelers?
Popular choices include Paris, London, Tokyo, Dubai, New York, Singapore, Rome, Bangkok, and Barcelona.
2. How do I choose the best city for my trip?
Consider your budget, interests, preferred activities, weather, travel time, and available attractions.
3. Which cities are best for first-time travelers?
Cities with convenient transportation, tourist-friendly attractions, and good infrastructure are ideal for first-time travelers.
4. What are the best cities for a budget-friendly trip?
Cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Budapest, and Prague can offer affordable accommodation, food, and activities.
5. Which cities are best for cultural experiences?
Rome, Kyoto, Istanbul, Paris, and Jaipur are excellent choices for history, culture, architecture, and traditions.