India is one of the world’s most frequently visited countries. It has a booming tourist industry and it’s no mystery why. The nation has a rich culture that many find fascinating. India offers a wide variety of beautiful natural and cultural wonders to behold. The amazing Indian cuisine also draws in many tourists from around the world. There are many beautiful cities to visit in India. These cities are thriving with local flavor and a rich cultural backdrop. If you’re looking for a vacation, consider these amazing cities in the beautiful nation of India.

1. Mumbai

This city is the largest city in all of India and the 10th largest in the world. It was traditionally known as Bombay. It is a sprawling metropolis, in some ways like those we find in the West. Over 6 million tourists visit the city each year. The vibrant city has many natural heritage sites to visit. The city also has many beautiful beaches that are open to the public.

You can also visit majestic naturally-formed caves that are a wonder to behold. Mumbai also boasts a number of historical sites that show its rich history. You can visit a number of forts from India’s British era.

2. Kolkata

Kolkata is considered by many to be the cultural capital of India. The city sits on the east bank of the majestic Hooghly River. The architecture is one of the biggest selling points of this city. Among the many historical buildings is the Victoria Memorial. This majestic and stately building began construction in 1906 and is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria.

Today, the building houses a museum and is a very popular tourist location. The marble building is truly a sight to behold. Other sites include Howrah Bridge, Vidyasagar Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

3. Agra

You might not have heard this city’s name before, but you’ve definitely heard of its largest tourist attraction. Agra is home to the stunning Taj Mahal. The wondrous building is considered to be one of the 7 wonders of the world and is seen as an amazing feat of engineering.

The building was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan to serve as a tomb for his wife. It dates back to the 17th century and is an icon of India’s rich culture. The city has many other sites to visit, such as Agra Fort. The grand and imposing historical fort dates back to the same era as the Taj Mahal.

4. Mysore

This city is well known as the birthplace of yoga. The city is found nestled in the foothills of the famous Chamundi Hills. This city boasts countless architectural marvels for tourists to check out. One of the most popular is the Mysore Palace. This palace was completed in 1912 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of India. The city also has the Chennakesava Temple. This gorgeous temple dates back to the 13th century. It is considered the epitome of the Hoysala style of temple. You could also visit the Shivanasamudra Falls, the twin falls of the Kaveri River.

5. Chennai

Chennai is considered to be the cultural and economic center of southern India. The city offers a number of famous sites to visit. Some of these exquisite architectural sites include Chennai Central, Madras High Court, the Ripon Building, and the San Thome Basilica. Chennai also offers some fantastic beaches. Marina Beach is one of these.

At nearly 4 miles, it’s the longest natural urban beach in the country. The beach attracts up to 50,000 visitors a day during the peak tourist season. Chennai offers many cultural and natural beauties for tourists to enjoy.

6. Delhi

Of course, any list of top tourist cities in India has to include the country’s capital, Delhi. The city is home to the national government of India. As such, it has many beautiful and stately governmental buildings and halls for tourists to take a look at. The city also offers some of the best dining to be found in India.

Delhi is a great sprawling city that is sure to have something for everyone. The city has one of the best nightlives of any city in the country. Other attractions include traditional historical sites like the Baha’i Lotus Temple, the Jama Masjid, and the 17th century Red Fort. This for traditionally housed the Emperor.

7. Bangalore

Bangalore is considered to have one of the highest standards of living of any of India’s major cities. The city has been called the Garden City of India. This is because of the countless natural green spaces found throughout the city. Even within the city itself tourists will find countless parks and gardens that showcase India’s natural beauty.

Beautiful forests are found just outside the city limits and offer great hiking experiences. Today, the city is also the core of India’s IT industry. This modernization allows the city to host many of the modern creature comforts that we enjoy.