Travel while you’re still young. Lose yourself to find your own self. Live like there’s no tomorrow. And whatever you’ll explore today will last a lifetime with you.So, here’s a list of 30 best places to visit in India for a life changing experience BEFORE you turn 30. What are you waiting for? It’s time to pack your bags and set on a journey to scratch off a few destinations from your bucket list.
Disclaimer: This list of tourist places in India isn’t just for men!
1. Party in Goa: Unarguably, Goa has to be the amongst the first few places to visit in India in your twenties. Young and energetic! Amazing nightlife, variety of booze, beach shacks and dirt cheap prices – Goa has everything to make a trip memorable.Best time to visit: November to FebruaryHow to reach
- By air: Dabolim International Airport is the major airport in Goa.
- By rail: Madagaon Railway Station and Thivim Railway Station are the main railway heads of Goa.
- By road: Margao Bus Terminal, Kadamba Bus Terminal, and Mapusa Bus Terminal are best connected bus terminals in Goa. However, many people prefer taking a car/bike ride from Mumbai and Pune.
Attractions: Beaches like Vagator, Calangute, Anjuna, Colva, & Benaulim, Fort Aguada, Church of Mae De Deus, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Temple of Bodgeshwar, Dudhsagar Waterfalls, St Xavier’s Church, Grand Island (for watersports), and clubs like Cafe Mambos,Titos, LPK (Love Passion Karma), SinQ, & Club CubanaMust Read: India’s Most Insane Music Festivals
2. Dwell in the Valleys of Ever Changing Srin If you’re in your twenties, it’s time to add Kashmir to your list of best places to visit in India. If there is heaven on earth, this it is! Experience its charismatic charm before the natural hits & turmoil spoils it all. And when would be a better time to explore a flood-hit, terror-stricken heaven on earth if not now?!Best time to visit: April to OctoberHow to reach
- By air: Srinagar has its own airport.
- By rail: The Srinagar Railway Station is under construction. Till then, passengers can take a train to Udhampur Railway Station(229 km from Srinagar)
- By road: Unless you are traveling from a city of Jammu & Kashmir, road is not a preferred way to reach Srinagar.
Attractions: Dal Lake (boating in shikaras & nightstays in houseboats), Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Tomb of Zin-ul-Abidin, Jama Masjid, Hazratbal Mosque, and Shankaracharya Hill
3. Conquer the fears of water with Scuba Diving in Andaman:
Scared of water? Never swam? Maybe it’s time to beat the fear out of you and dive in to the deep sea and overcome the fear of water and depths, ZNMD Style. Trust us, you’d be delighted at the sites underwater and it will keep you coming back for more. And woah, aqua lovers, it is no less than a paradise!Best time to visit: November to mid-MayHow to reach
- By air: Vir Savarkar Airport in Port Blair is the archipelago’s major airport.
- By sea: Ships ply between Haddo Wharf Port in Port Blair and cities of Chennai, Kolkata, & Vizag.
Attractions: Cellular Jail National Memorial, Radhanagar Beach, Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Port Blair, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Chidiya Tapu, and watersports like scuba-diving, snorkeling, & parasailingMust Read: The Most Amazing Instances of Scuba Diving in Andaman ISLANDS
4.Ride on the Leh-Ladakh Highway and camp under the stars in Ladakh:
Undoubtedly, Leh – Ladakh is on every travel enthusiasts list of places to visit in India before they turn 30. Ride on the crazy winding roads, get stuck in the middle of no where, sleep with the locals and learn to be independent on the desert mountains as you undertake this adventurous journey.Best time to visit: April to mid-May and mid-September to mid-OctoberHow to reach
- By air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the airport connecting the region to other places by air.
- By rail: Jammu Tawi Railway Station (700 km from Ladakh) is the nearest rail head. From here, one can hire a cab or board a JKSRTC bus to Ladakh.
- By road: The most popular means of reach Ladakh remains to be road. Travelers can go on a bike/jeep ride to the destination. Bike trips from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Manali are most popular.
Attractions: Zanskar Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, Khardung-La Pass, Spituk Gompa, and Hemis National ParkMust Read: Don’t Tell Yourself You’ve Been To Ladakh If You Haven’t Done These Things
5. Stay overnight at Marine Drive in the never sleeping city of Mumbai:
The city that never sleeps and lets you live a carefree life. Mumbai is about its people, the spirit of enjoying the nightclubs and of course Bollywood. Live like a mumbaikar, bite into the vada pav and sip a chai on your way to the locals.Best time to visit: November to FebruaryHow to reach
- By air: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport lies 30 km north of the city. Santa Cruz Domestic Airport lies 26 km north of the city.
- By rail: Trains from Central, East, and West India arrive at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (erstwhile VT). Trains from the North arrive at Bombay Central Station.
- By road: Most of the inter-Maharashtra buses arrive at Mumbai Central Bus Station. But the ones from Pune and Nasik arrive at the ASIAD bus stand near Dadar railway station.
Attractions: Gateway of India, Haji Ali Dargah, Elephanta Caves & island, Siddhivinayak Temple, Essel World, Kanheri Caves, Rajabai Clock Tower, Kamala Nehru Park, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Nehru Planetarium, Worli Fort, and Marine DriveMust Read: The Definitive Weekend Getaway Destinations for Mumbaikars
6. Explore the Scotland of the south – Coorg, one of most peaceful tourist destinations in India:
Coorg simply cannot be skipped from the list of best places to visit in India. A quick getaway for many from Bangalore, this mesmerizing hill station in Karnataka is breathtakingly beautiful. A visit here sure would heal you and energize you!Best time to visit: October to MarchHow to reach
- By air: The nearest domestic airport is in Mangalore, 156 km away. The nearest international airport is the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, 285 kilometres away.
- By rail: Mysore Junction, 106 km away, is the nearest rail head.
- By road: The 238 km long road trip from Bangalore (Bengaluru) takes 5 hours 30 minutes.
Attractions: Abbey Falls, Nalknad Palace, Barapole River, Brahmagiri Peak, Iruppu Falls, Namdroling Monastery, Nagarhole National Park, Microlight flight at Chelavara, ziplining, and angling in River KaveriMust Read: 10 Places to Visit in Coorg For a Memorable Vacation
7. Explore The Caver’s Paradise – Meghalaya:
If you aren’t afraid of heights, insects, darkness and tight spaces, caving would prove to be a great adventure for you! And if you are, what a better time to beat your fears in the deepest and longest caves of entire South Asia? What if you return as the next Bruce Wayne, err?Best time to visit: March to JulyHow to reach
- By air: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati in Assam (118 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya) is the nearest international airport. Umroi Airport at Umroi, 30 km from Shillong, is the nearest domestic airport.
- By rail: Mendipathar railway station is located in Resubelpara Municipal Board Jurisdiction of Meghalaya at a distance of 225 km from Shillong. However, the Guwahati Junaction in Assam is the nearest rail head with good connectivity to other cities of India.
Attractions: Umiam Lake, Nohkalikai Falls, Elephant Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Shillong View Point, Spread Eagle Falls, Wah Umngot River, Nohwet Living Root Bridge, Kynrem falls, Khasi Hills, Khoh Ramhah or Motrop (Giant conical rock), and Garo HillsMust Read: The Ultimate List of Adventure Holidays In India for Summer
8. Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World – The Taj Mahal in Agra:
Tourists across the world visit India just to witness the spectacular symbol of love. The majestic monument has to be on your bucket list for its the cultural epitome of India.Best time to visit: April to OctoberHow to reach
- By air: Kheria airport, 13 km away from Agra, is a seasonal commercial airport and is connected only by Air India flights from New Delhi.
- By rail: Agra Cantt Station (the main station), Agra Fort Railway Station, Raja ki Mandi, Agra City, and Idgah Railway Station are well-connected by a network of trains to cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, Jhansi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai.
- By road: Agra has two major interstate bus terminals called Idgah Bus Stand and ISBT that connect it to cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, Lucknow, & Kanpur.
Attractions: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh, Jama Masjid, Guru ka Tal, Tomb of Akbar the Great, Chini Ka Rauza, Moti Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri, Dilli Gate, Great gate (Darwaza i rauza), Amar Singh Gate, Kaanch Mahal, and Sikandra
9. Enchant your spirit in Kerala, one of the top tourist places in India:
To all the nature lover’s out there. A trip to God’s own country is a must in your twenties for its enchanting wilderness. Luscious green trees, pristine water, crazy wildlife experience – visit Kerala for more such wonderful delights.Best time to visit: November to January and June to AugustHow to reach
- By air: Kerala has three main airports – Calicut International Airport, Cochin International Airport, and Trivandrum International Airport. These airports connect Kerala with different cities across the world, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Muscat, and Dubai.
- By rail: Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station, Ernakulam Junction railway station, and Kollam Junction railway station
are three major rail heads of Kerala. These stations connect the state with cities and towns across India.
Attractions
- Alleppey: Alappuzha Beach, Krishnapuram Palace, Kumarakom bird sanctuary, Marari Beach, Revi Karunakaran Museum, Marari Beach, Punnamada Lake, Pathiramanal, and Sri Krishna Temple in Ambalappuzha
- Munnar: TATA Tea Museum, Meesapulimala, Blossom Park, Pothamedu ViewPoint, Attukal Waterfalls, Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Kundala Lake, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi, and Eravikulam National Park
- Kumarakom: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Backwaters, Aruvikkuzhi waterfall, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Beach, and Pathiramal Island
- Wayanad: Meenmutty Waterfalls, Chembra Peak, 9 Hairpin Curves, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Ekkadal Caves, Bathery Jain Temple, Neelimala View Point, and Pookot Lake
- Thekkady: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Mangla Devi Temple, Abraham’s Spice Garden, Murikkady, Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, Chellarkovil, Kumily, and Deepa World Spice & Ayurvedic Garden
- Kovalam: Lighthouse Beach, Samudra Beach, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, Halcyon Castle, Akkulam Lake, Jama Masjid, Vellayani Lake, Karamana River, and Rock Cut Caves
- Bekal: Bekal Fort, Ananthapura Temple, Valiyaparamba Backwaters, Bekal Beach, Mallikarjuna Temple, Chandragiri Fort, Kappil Beach, Nileswaram, Bekal Hole Aqua Park, and Pallikere Beach
- Kozhikode: Mananchira, Conolly Canal, Hilite Mall, Kallayi, Tali Temple, Kappad Beach, Kozhikode Beach, Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Sargaalaya, Payyoli Beach, Kozhippara Falls, and Matri Dei Cathedral
- Varakala: Varkala Beach, Janardhan Temple, Sivagiri Muth, Kappil Lake, Papanasam Beach, Janardan Swami Temple, Vishnu Temple, Anjengo Fort, Sarkara Devi Temple, Varkala Tunnel, and Kaduvayil Thangal Dargah
Must Read: 20 Amazing Things To Do On Your Trip to Kerala
10. Visit Golden Temple in Amritsar:
Learn to respect culture and religion before you turn 30. Visit this spiritual getaway that promises the nourishment of the soul. Spend some time in the India’s largest kitchen as you help clean the utensils or prepare langar for the visitors. The experience is simply worth it.Best time to visit: November to FebruaryHow to reach
- By air: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar is well-connected to other cities.
- By rail: Amritsar Junction Railway Station has an extensive network of trains.