Winter is a season known for the festive joy of Christmas and the celebratory music of the new year. It brings with it a sense of the year closing and the anticipation of a new one, inviting the need for rest, rejuvenation and introspection. And what better way is there to get the best out of this season than by going on a bit of vacation? India as a country, is full of wonders and diversity exists not just in culture but in geography too. The country is blessed with mountains as high as the Kanchenjunga and beaches as pristine as the Andamans. Indeed, for the winter season too, there is something for everyone here.
If you are craving the mild tropical sun and want to escape the cold winter of your place, or just looking for some leisure travel during this beauteous season, then this is the list for you:
Jaipur
Described in many epithets like the ‘Pink City’, ‘Paris of India’, and ‘Island of Glory’, it is also distinguished for being a part of the Golden Triangle circuit of tourist destinations, especially during the winter months when the weather is at its finest. It is also a gateway to several other tourist destinations in Rajasthan like Jaisalmer and Udaipur. The reason Jaipur enjoys such a reputation is because of the charm of the Old City where various historical places like Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace and the famous Hawa Mahal, exist. The city is a prime shopping destination, where you get items at the most competitive prices, and has an emerging nightlife as well.
Goa
A popular destination and on the bucket lists of many, either for their winter holiday, honeymoon or destination wedding, the reasons are obvious. Goa has it all, the quiet beaches for a calm and relaxing experience or the vibrant ones teeming with party and festival-goers. However, a few things you cannot miss out on are the variety of seafood, Konkani cuisine, and the famous coconut rum of Goa, Cabo. Winter season is also the time for the famous Sunburn Festival alongside many minor music festivals, flea markets and water sports for a more complete tourist experience in Goa.
Kerala
Kerala is one of the prettiest winter tourist destinations in India for a vacation with your family. It is rightly known as God’s Own Country because of its pristine backwaters, beaches, hills, and heritage structures. Indeed, within this little state, there are beach towns like Varkala, a popular surfing town with black sand on one of its beaches, Kochi which has a rich history as a port town, and the capital Thiruvananthapuram equally rich in culture and history and famous for its backwaters. In Alleppey, you can take a boat and cruise along the famous backwaters of Vembanad Lake, while in Munnar, which has a rich biodiversity and is an ecotourism hotspot, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the hills dotted with tea gardens.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is one of the most beautiful winter destinations in India, known as the Golden City due to its red sandstone, tourists can enjoy a stay inside the Jaisalmer Fort where the city still thrives. It is filled with palaces, quaint houses, and a set of 7 Jain temples that were built around the 12th-16th century. Things you can do in Jaisalmer for a beautiful winter vacation are a foot tour of the entire fort city exploring heritage structures, stop at the new age cafes and shop for traditional handlooms, or spend a night in the desert gazing at the clear skies or enjoy the desert safari and traditional dance performances.
Udaipur
The most romantic destination and known as the “Venice of the East” or “City of Lakes” due to its numerous lakes and grand palaces, Udaipur is a beautiful city during the winter. It is popular for destination weddings, honeymoons, and family vacations and there are plenty of things to do like touring famous palaces like City Palace, Saheliyon Ka Bari, and Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, or enjoying a quiet meal with your loved ones at a place that overlooks the Fateh Sagar Lake.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry or Puducherry is a pretty little coastal town on the fringes of the great Bay of Bengal and aptly named “Little France of India” owing to its history as a French colony. While the town is famous for the Aurobindo Ashram – a spiritual community, the beaches, and its French architecture are some unique features of this place.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is a wonderful option for thrill-seeking adventurers who are unfazed by the cold. There is blanketed with snow during the winter months and skiing is a popular activity. You can also take the Gulmarg Gondola which is the highest cable car in the world, to enjoy the view of the majestic snow-covered mountains. While the best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant, the winter months are popular too, due to the snow. So pack your woollens and be ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Conclusion
We have here, curated a list of the best winter tourist destinations in India to help you in giving yourself and your loved ones a vacation to remember. So take your pick, manifest that magical holiday, and get started!
