What to do in Varanasi when it rains
A wet day in Varanasi is no write-off: spend it among the museums and galleries, browse an indoor market, or linger over coffee somewhere cosy.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Sampurnanand Sanskrit University (Archaeological Museum), Varanasi Jagatganj, Chaukaghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- Kashi Dham Museum K 20/125 Brahma Ghat, Rajmandir, Ghasi Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Virtual Experiential Museum, (Varanasi) 8256+39M, Manmandir Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Ustad Bismillah Khan Residence 8274+PM3, Harha Sarai, Benia Bagh, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Ganga Mahal Ghat, (Varanasi) Ganga Mahal, Sonarpura Road, Pandey Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Kalika Gali (Vishwanath Gali) 8255+WQF, Kalika Gali, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Kriti Gallery Raman Niwas, Raja Sir Motichand Road, Mahmoorganj, opposite Akashwani, Sri Nagar, Mahmoorganj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010, India
- Art Junction Ravindrapuri Rd, opposite Baba Keenaram Ashram, Anandbagh, Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- SHRI MAHADEO PICTURE & GLASS STORE'S Sigra-Siddhigiri Bagh Rd, Maulvibagh, Jahumandi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010, India
- Sarnath Gallery Opposit Thai Temple, Rishpattan Rd, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007, India
- Minni Bartan Wale Thatheri Bazar, Govindpura, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Jaya art and craft D 21/21, Ranamahal, chausatti ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Nandi sthup circle 8254+Q5W, Girja Ghar Chauraha, Girja Ghar, Sidhgiribagh, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010, India
- Maharaja Harishchandr Ghat Varanasi- (Burning Ghat) 72X4+8WX, Ghats of Varanasi, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ghat, (Varanasi) 8256+332, Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, near Observatory, Man mandir, Ghats of Varanasi, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Narad Ghat, (Varanasi) 8225+V39, Narad Ghat Road, Mansarover Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Pahariya Chauraha 9244+G5W, Bhakti Nagar Colony, Paharia, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007, India
- Jantar Mantar Varanasi Man Mandir Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, Observatory, Man mandir, Rajendra Prasad Ghat, Dashaswmedh, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Daalmandi Market Varanasi 209, Dalmandi Rd, Harha, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Bhojubeer Chauraha S-25, 274, Panchkoshi Rd, Near Bhojuveer Sabji Mandi Chouraha, VDA Colony, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- Gaudoliya Street Market, (Varanasi) 72, Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Reliance SMART Bazaar IP Grand, C19/135-6, Gulab Bagh Rd, gula bag, Sigra, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- Shri Khatu Ji Wholesale Bazar | Banarasi Saree Shop J.S C.21, 30 A, Pisachmochan road, near Ganga Palace, Maldahiya, Chetganj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- KENT RO VARANASI 71, Bhojubir Rd, Ordali Bazar, Tagore Town, Hamrautia, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Lakshmi Chai Wale CK 56/34, near chowk thana, Govindpura, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- The Ram Bhandar (Sugga Gali) CK 14/14, Shitala Gali, Thatheri Bazar, Sugga Gali, Govindpura, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Mona Lisa Cafe Bangali Tola Rd, Pandey Ghat, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- The Mudhouse Cafe D 54/16, D Ravniketan, Aurangabad Rd, Kamlapati Tripathi Nagar Colony, Sidhgiribagh, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010, India
- Pristine Hotel The Mall Road, Cantonment S-20/53-4-B Buddha Vihar Colony, Varanasi cantonment, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- Aadha-Aadha Café D.20/15 Munshi Ghat, near, Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- IP Sigra Mall Vidyapeeth Rd, Shastri Nagar, Guru Nanak Nagar Colony, Sigra, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- PDR Mall, (Varanasi) MISIR POKHARA, Luxa, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010, India
- JHV Mall The Mall Rd, adj. Hotel Ramada Plaza, Varanasi cantonment, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- IP Vijaya Mall 72W2+XF4, Bhelupur - Durgakund Rd, Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
- Vinayak Plaza C30/37-A-1, Maldahiya Crossing, Fatman Rd, Maldahiya, Chetganj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
- HOLYWEAVES- Finest Handloom Sarees Store in India with LIVE WEAVING HolyWeaves, 1st Floor, Kashi Anathalaya, Maldahiya Rd, Near Lahurabir Chauraha, Lahurabir, Chetganj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.