This is Part 7 of Incredible India, our state-by-state travel series. Start from Part 1: Ladakh or read the previous part, Part 6: Rajasthan.
Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and one of its richest in history. Mughal monuments, the world's oldest living city, Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Krishna's birthplace and Awadhi culture all lie within a few hours of each other.
Best time to visit
October to March is best. Winter mornings can be foggy, which sometimes delays flights and trains. Summers (April-June) are very hot. Festivals like Diwali and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, Holi in Mathura-Vrindavan and Deepotsav in Ayodhya are spectacular.
Top places to see
- Agra: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh for sunset views of the Taj. Read our Taj Mahal guide.
- Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar's abandoned red-sandstone capital, 40 km from Agra.
- Varanasi: the ghats, the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a dawn boat ride and the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
- Sarnath: where the Buddha gave his first sermon, near Varanasi.
- Lucknow: Bara Imambara and its maze (Bhool Bhulaiya), Rumi Darwaza and the food lanes of Aminabad and Chowk.
- Ayodhya: the Ram Mandir and the ghats of the Saryu.
- Mathura and Vrindavan: temples linked to Lord Krishna.
- Prayagraj: the Triveni Sangam, confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.
Getting there and around
Lucknow and Varanasi have international airports, and Agra, Ayodhya and Prayagraj have domestic ones. The Gatimaan and Vande Bharat express trains link Delhi with Agra and Varanasi. The Yamuna and Agra-Lucknow expressways make road trips easy. In cities, use autorickshaws, e-rickshaws and app cabs; walk in Varanasi's old city.
Sample itineraries
- Golden Triangle add-on (2 days): Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
- 7 days: Agra (2), Lucknow (2), Varanasi and Sarnath (3).
- Spiritual circuit (6 days): Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi.
Practical tips
- The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; arrive at sunrise for the best light and fewer crowds.
- In Varanasi, ask before photographing cremation ghats and avoid aggressive touts.
- Carry a mask in winter, when air quality can be poor.
What to eat
Agra's petha, Varanasi's kachori-sabzi, malaiyyo and paan, and Lucknow's kebabs. Try our galouti kebab recipe.
Next in Incredible India: Madhya Pradesh.
