Stops Hostel

Varanasi


Varanasi's original hostel is in a four-storey residential building 2km or so from Assi Ghat. Dorms in six-, eight- and 14-bed variations are livened up by colourful lockers, and there are ample hang-out spaces on various floors that cultivate the right vibe – a rare find in UP.

The four private rooms are basic and a bit overpriced; the real draws are the dorms, common areas and the rooftop showers, each uniquely painted by various artistic volunteers. The hostel offers all sorts of tours and activities, from cooking classes and market tours to sunrise river trips, making it easy to get the most out of your stay. It's a solid choice for the socially inclined – the only downside is its distance from the ghats.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Varanasi attractions

1. Kedar Ghat

0.51 MILES

A colourful ghat with many steps and a small pool, where a fire aarti is held every evening at 6.30pm.

2. Harishchandra Ghat

0.52 MILES

Harishchandra Ghat is a cremation ghat – smaller and secondary in importance to Manikarnika, but one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi.

3. Hanuman Ghat

0.53 MILES

Popular with Rama devotees (Hanuman was Rama's stalwart ally in his quest to rescue Sita from the demon Ravana).

4. Dandi Ghat

0.55 MILES

The Dandi Ghat is used by austere ascetics known as Dandi Panths.

5. Shivala Ghat

0.59 MILES

A small Shiva temple and a 19th-century mansion built by Nepali royalty sit back from Shivala Ghat, built by the local maharaja of Benares.

6. Pandhey Ghat

0.64 MILES

Lots of laundry is spread to dry at this ghat along the Ganges.

7. Bachraj Ghat

0.71 MILES

This small ghat is marked by three Jain temples.

8. Durga Temple

0.73 MILES

This temple, dedicated to the goddess Durga, was built in the 18th century by a Bengali maharani and is stained red with ochre. It's also known as the …