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dating in varanasi

Dating in Varanasi: first dates and weekend trips

Updated · by the SwipeTrip team

Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, and life here happens on the ghats of the Ganga. A first date might be a boat at sunrise, chai on the steps at Assi or a slow walk through the lanes, and there are forts, waterfalls and the Sangam at Prayagraj nearby for a first trip together.

First date ideas in Varanasi

  • Dawn boat on the Ganga

    The ghats

    Take a rowing boat along the ghats as the city wakes up. Quiet, beautiful and unforgettable.

  • Assi Ghat

    Assi

    The southern ghat, with morning music and yoga and cafés nearby. Relaxed and popular with students.

  • Dashashwamedh Ghat aarti

    Dashashwamedh

    The evening Ganga aarti with fire and chanting. Watch it from the steps or from a boat on the river.

  • Banaras Hindu University

    Lanka

    A huge campus founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya, with wide, green avenues and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum.

  • Sarnath

    Sarnath

    Where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with the Dhamek Stupa, a museum and calm gardens just outside the city.

  • Ramnagar Fort

    Ramnagar

    The old fort of the Kashi royal family on the far bank of the Ganga, with a museum.

  • The old city lanes

    Godowlia and around

    Narrow galis full of temples, silk shops and food, from kachori sabzi to tamatar chaat and malaiyo in winter.

Weekend trips from Varanasi

For when a few good dates turn into a plan to go somewhere together.

  • Chunar Fort

    Uttar Pradesh

    An old fort on a bend of the Ganga with sweeping river views.

    about 1 hour by roadOctober to March

  • Vindhyachal

    Uttar Pradesh

    A temple town in the Vindhya hills by the Ganga, with forest and hills around.

    about 2 hours by roadOctober to March

  • Rajdari and Devdari Falls

    Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh

    Waterfalls in a forest sanctuary, at their best in and just after the monsoon.

    about 2 hours by roadJuly to October

  • Prayagraj

    Uttar Pradesh

    The Sangam, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet, with old colonial buildings and Anand Bhavan.

    about 3 hours by roadOctober to March

  • Bodh Gaya

    Bihar

    The Mahabodhi Temple and international monasteries, for a calm, meaningful weekend.

    about 5 to 6 hours by roadOctober to March

First-date tips for Varanasi

  • Go early: Mornings on the ghats are calm and beautiful. Evenings are busy and festive.
  • Respect the ghats: Some ghats, like Manikarnika, are cremation grounds. Be respectful and avoid photographs there.
  • Pick your season: October to March is pleasant. Dev Deepawali in November, when the ghats are lit with lamps, is spectacular but very crowded.
  • Agree a meeting point: The lanes are a maze. Meet at a named ghat, and tell a friend your plan.

Questions people ask

  • Is SwipeTrip available in Varanasi?

    Not yet. SwipeTrip is pre-launch and opening city by city across India. Join the waitlist for early access when it opens in Varanasi.

  • What are good first date ideas in Varanasi?

    A dawn boat on the Ganga, morning at Assi Ghat, the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh, a walk on the BHU campus, or a trip to Sarnath.

  • Where can couples go for a weekend trip from Varanasi?

    Chunar and Vindhyachal are close; the Rajdari and Devdari falls are best in the monsoon; Prayagraj and Bodh Gaya make longer trips.

  • Is it safe to meet a match from a dating app in Varanasi?

    Do a video call first, meet at a well-known ghat or café rather than deep in the lanes, use a boat or auto you arranged yourself, and tell a friend where you are. SwipeTrip members are verified with Aadhaar and a live selfie.

SwipeTrip is opening city by city.

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