Hey, just back from Varanasi 2 weeks back. I'd suggest on day 1, opt for an early morning ganga aarti, at 5 30, along with a boat ride and sunrise. we stayed at HosteLavie so we got the package at 300 per head. avoid evening boat rides, as it's too crowded.
Visit the temples, have the prasad at Annapurna temple. walk into the narrow lanes, just wander. have puri sabzi at the stalls. and jalebi. keep a day for the temples and the ghats. next day you could do Sarnath, monkey temple, benaras university. experience the vibe at the ghats. it's the best.
You can easily avail good hotels near Varanasi Railway station in budget. In morning go for Subah-e-Banaras along with morning Ganga aarti which is organised at Ganga Ghat. Enjoy morning boat ride there.
Vishwanath Temple darshan.
New Vishwanath Temple in BHU. Do enjoy famous cold coffee and samosas.
Sarnath temple along with Museum.
Ramnagar Fort.
Evening Ganga aarti.
They are also organising Hot Air Balloon rides I guess.
If you are big fan of temples do try Bharat Mata Temple, Annapurna Devi Mandir, Bhairav Mandir, Sankat Mochan and many more :) If you are foodie do try Malaiyo, Pandeypur k gulab Jamun and launglatte.
You can travel ghats in 4 hr and by the time left visit BHU after that go to Street food and another day visit Sarnath , for shopping visit chaura Bazar .. best place for shopping you can buy any thing you want at cheap price but don't take a car there take a scooty and park it over
Day 1: Go on a boat ride, you'll get to know about all the ghats of varanasi.
Day 2: Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Annapurna Temple and Kaal Bhairav Temple. Time To visit this place depends on the crowd.
Day 3: Visit New Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Durga Temple and Tridev Temple. This would take 2-3 hours. If you have time you can head towards sarnath where you can visit Sarnath Temple, Tibetan Temple, Chinese Temple, Japanese Temple and Sarangnath Temple