Hey Elan, I am studying in varanasi from last five years (BHU). So according to my experience best things to do in varanasi : 1) Sarnath (Take a auto from BHU main gate or Lanka,Rs 50 per person) 2)Temples lik Old Vishwanath temple,Sankat Mochan ,Birla mandir. 3)Evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. After aarti walk from Dashashwamesdh to Assi ghat ( it will take 20 minutes. Most of the ghats of varanasi will be covered.) 4)Wake up at 4:30AM and go to Assi ghat and see morning aarti and sunrise.After that take a boat ride that will take you across all the ghats (Rs50 in share boat ) 5)You can also go to Devdari or Rajdari waterfalls if you have more days. 6)And for the delicacies try Bhaang Thandai (In godowolia),Non veg at Shah chicken (nayi sadak in Godowolia),Kerala cafe (Bhelupur), Paav bhaaji (at assi ghat), Kullad vali chai (At Kashi cafe at assi ghat),Lassi from pehelwan lassi (Lanka). Try every dish.
Hi Elan, Here are some places you must visit while you are visiting Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat
Dhamek Stupa
Ramnagar Fort
Chaukhandi Stupa
Assi ghat
Ashokan Pillar
and also visit the Ganga Aarti
Wonderful question!
so , I will list places and eateries too..here we go- 1.Assi ghat (sunrise and boating) and while you are there make sure you taste Apple pie from pizzeria also they have oven to bake thin crust pizza (which has a history of its own ).
2.BHU .. go to VT and enjou the outside cafeterias. 3.Vishwnath gali . While you enjoy the narrow lanes , lit up and scented with flowers , itra , incense , go to temple , come back and enjoy the scrumptious lassi loaded with 'malai'.
4.Dashashwamedh Ghat. Must go to capture essence of 'kashi' . Sit through the evening Aarti and later grab tea from any of the numerous tea stalls.
5.Sarnath
6.Sankatmochan temple
7.Varuna Ghat
8.Ramnagar Haveli
9.Rani Lakshmi Bai birth place
10.Kashi Math. A unique experience if you feel like explorer.
11.Nepali Temple
12.Saraswati Bhavan
13.Bharat kala bhavan
14.Doodh ka karz Temple. Its tilted architecture is stunner. Above are few of the numerous places . Varanasi has infinte list of temples and 'galiyan' you can explore for it's history and beauty.