India is known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and historical sites, and although famous places like Agra or Goa should be on your India bucket list, there are many lesser known yet fascinating Cities to explore.
With travel bubbles opening up around the world, visitors to Asia can choose several airlines to fly to India, for example you can catch a Dubai to India flight. Visit Mumbai (formerly Bombay) with its vibrant nightlife and home to the Bollywood industry, check out the Windsor Castle inspired Bangalore Castle, or Ahmedabad which was home to Mahatma Gandhi and his wife.
Let Feet Do Travel inspire your wanderlust with 7 alternative cities to visit in India.
With travel bubbles opening up around the world, visitors to Asia can choose several airlines to fly to India, for example you can catch a Dubai to India flight. Visit Mumbai (formerly Bombay) with its vibrant nightlife and home to the Bollywood industry, check out the Windsor Castle inspired Bangalore Castle, or Ahmedabad which was home to Mahatma Gandhi and his wife.
Let Feet Do Travel inspire your wanderlust with 7 alternative cities to visit in India.
Hawa Mahal "the Palace of Winds" is a must-visit in Jaipur
1. Jaipur
Jaipur or “the Pink City of Rajasthan” as it’s commonly known, is the Land of Maharajas and Rajputs. The most famous building is the stunning Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, a five storied wonder with a pyramidal facade and overhanging windows which have latticed screens, domes and spires. It was built for the Prince of Wales visit in 1876.
Rich in history, Jaipur is part of the Golden Triangle tour which also includes Agra and Delhi, and this City is surrounded by many beautiful forts.
Jaipur or “the Pink City of Rajasthan” as it’s commonly known, is the Land of Maharajas and Rajputs. The most famous building is the stunning Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, a five storied wonder with a pyramidal facade and overhanging windows which have latticed screens, domes and spires. It was built for the Prince of Wales visit in 1876.
Rich in history, Jaipur is part of the Golden Triangle tour which also includes Agra and Delhi, and this City is surrounded by many beautiful forts.
India Gate in New Delhi was designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens
2. New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital of India and home for the benevolent. The British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, played a large part in designing and building New Delhi, which includes the famous India Gate.
This City is laden with many historical monuments such as Humayun’s Tomb which resembles the iconic Taj Mahal Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, and Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret which was built in 1193.
New Delhi is the capital of India and home for the benevolent. The British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, played a large part in designing and building New Delhi, which includes the famous India Gate.
This City is laden with many historical monuments such as Humayun’s Tomb which resembles the iconic Taj Mahal Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, and Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret which was built in 1193.
Mumbai is the home of Bollywood
3. Mumbai
Mumbai (formerly Bombay until 1995) is called the ‘City of Dreams’ and is the financial, commercial, and entertainment capital of India. What it lacks in historical monuments, it’s diversity more than makes up for it. For party people, it has a vibrant nightlife, and is also home to the billion dollar Bollywood industry.
Rich in flora and fauna, Mumbai also has dense forests, parks and reserves, and for foodies, there are multi-cuisine restaurants and street foods.
Mumbai (formerly Bombay until 1995) is called the ‘City of Dreams’ and is the financial, commercial, and entertainment capital of India. What it lacks in historical monuments, it’s diversity more than makes up for it. For party people, it has a vibrant nightlife, and is also home to the billion dollar Bollywood industry.
Rich in flora and fauna, Mumbai also has dense forests, parks and reserves, and for foodies, there are multi-cuisine restaurants and street foods.
Bangalore has gorgeous green spaces such as the Lal Bagh botanical gardens
4. Bangalore
Bangalore is known as the ‘Silicon Valley’ or ‘Garden City’ of India, and because of its pleasant climate, it can be visited any time of the year. For nature lovers there are the Lal Bagh botanical gardens and Cubbon Park with acres of green spaces to explore. Bangalore is not short of palaces either, and has the beautiful tudor-style Bangalore Palace inspired by Britain’s Windsor Palace. One of the most visited places is the ISKCON temple, the largest temple complex in India dedicated to Sri Radha Krishna Chandra (also known as Lord Krishna).
Bangalore is known as the ‘Silicon Valley’ or ‘Garden City’ of India, and because of its pleasant climate, it can be visited any time of the year. For nature lovers there are the Lal Bagh botanical gardens and Cubbon Park with acres of green spaces to explore. Bangalore is not short of palaces either, and has the beautiful tudor-style Bangalore Palace inspired by Britain’s Windsor Palace. One of the most visited places is the ISKCON temple, the largest temple complex in India dedicated to Sri Radha Krishna Chandra (also known as Lord Krishna).
Hyderabad has it's own Arc de Triomphe of the East - the Charminar
5. Hyderabad
The ‘Pearl City’ and capital of Telangana, Hyderabad, is becoming a must-visit City for people seeking luxury. Indian curry connoisseurs may know that biryani comes from Hyderabad, so you simply must try this dish in one of the many biryani houses.
There are many other awesome sites to visit, from historical monuments and extravagant palaces to museums and gardens. It even has its own “Arc de Triomphe of the East”, the Charminar built around 1591 to commemorate the eradication of the plague, which is also a mosque as well as a monument.
The ‘Pearl City’ and capital of Telangana, Hyderabad, is becoming a must-visit City for people seeking luxury. Indian curry connoisseurs may know that biryani comes from Hyderabad, so you simply must try this dish in one of the many biryani houses.
There are many other awesome sites to visit, from historical monuments and extravagant palaces to museums and gardens. It even has its own “Arc de Triomphe of the East”, the Charminar built around 1591 to commemorate the eradication of the plague, which is also a mosque as well as a monument.
6. Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is where Mahatma Gandhi and his wife lived, and where his revolutionary movements took place. The Sabarmati Ashram or the Gandhi Ashram is now recognised as a national monument where you can see every glimpse of Gandhi’s life. For more information, visit the Ghandi Memorial Museum.
Visitors to Ahmedabad during December, make sure you catch the Christmas carnival by Kankaria Lake which is one of the biggest carnivals in India. If you come during the second week of January, be sure to catch the huge kite held with much pomp and ceremony as part of the Makar Sankranti festival. It’s unique to India, and travellers from all over South East Asia come to see this colourful display.
Ahmedabad is where Mahatma Gandhi and his wife lived, and where his revolutionary movements took place. The Sabarmati Ashram or the Gandhi Ashram is now recognised as a national monument where you can see every glimpse of Gandhi’s life. For more information, visit the Ghandi Memorial Museum.
Visitors to Ahmedabad during December, make sure you catch the Christmas carnival by Kankaria Lake which is one of the biggest carnivals in India. If you come during the second week of January, be sure to catch the huge kite held with much pomp and ceremony as part of the Makar Sankranti festival. It’s unique to India, and travellers from all over South East Asia come to see this colourful display.
The insta-worthy Kapaleeshwarar Temple is found in Chennai, South India
7. Chennai
For beach lovers, The Marina Beach in Chennai is the largest beach in India. Take a stroll along the golden sands, join in a game of cricket, watch children flying kites, or soak up the sun. Foodies will love Chennai for its South Indian cuisine, try the delicious masala dosa which we first encountered in Indonesia.
The vibrant insta-worthy Kapaleeshwarar Temple dedicated to Shiva is definitely worth a visit. Dating back to the 7th Century CE, it’s a fine example of Dravidian style architecture which has a shorter more pyramidal tower.
For beach lovers, The Marina Beach in Chennai is the largest beach in India. Take a stroll along the golden sands, join in a game of cricket, watch children flying kites, or soak up the sun. Foodies will love Chennai for its South Indian cuisine, try the delicious masala dosa which we first encountered in Indonesia.
The vibrant insta-worthy Kapaleeshwarar Temple dedicated to Shiva is definitely worth a visit. Dating back to the 7th Century CE, it’s a fine example of Dravidian style architecture which has a shorter more pyramidal tower.
