India's Best Attractions
The Taj Mahal, forts, and sacred sites — and what's genuinely worth the trip.
The essentials: the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra, Amber Fort in Jaipur, the ghats of Varanasi at dawn and dusk, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Each is a genuinely different kind of experience — architecture, history, spirituality, and hospitality — rather than four versions of the same thing. Entry fees for foreign visitors run roughly $5–15; book the Taj Mahal online in advance and arrive before sunrise to beat both the heat and the crowds.
India's 'must-see' list is genuinely must-see, which isn't something you can say about every country's greatest hits. Here's the honest version of the top four, including what they actually cost, when to go, and the etiquette that keeps a visit respectful instead of just a photo op.
