India is a hugely popular destination for travellers and tourists across the globe.
It’s easy to see why. It has a rich, vibrant and exciting history, awe-inspiring architectural works and world-class cuisine that never fails to tantalise the tastebuds.
But in a huge country where there’s so much ground to be covered, which places do you give priority to?
To save you from trawling through travel blogs for inspiration, here’s our pick of four must-visit cities in India.
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Madurai
Madurai is a city of epic proportions in terms of both beauty and age.
It’s home to number of impressive temples, including the Meenakshi Amman Temple, which is one of India’s oldest and the site where Hindu goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva are believed to have married.
It has a rich history too, which can be traced back to the 4th century BC when ancient Greek historian Megasthenes visited and wrote about it. In fact, the city is now commonly referred to as the “Athens of the East” due to its similar architectural style to that of the Greek capital.
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Agra
Why visit Agra? The answer is simple – the Taj Mahal. This marble mausoleum is one of history’s most impressive works of architecture, so much so, that it’s often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.
However, there’s more to Agra that the Taj mahal. For example, the Mehtab Bagh – this horticultural haven is the last of the 11 Mughal-built gardens in India. Here you can take a leisurely stroll through the enchanting square garden and enjoy beautiful distant views of the Taj Mahal.
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Bangalore
Bangalore is a bustling cosmopolitan centre of industry. It’s a city with a modern outlook where visitors are welcome to relax and let their hair down.
It has everything you’d expect a contemporary city to have – shopping malls housing the biggest high street brands, top-quality restaurants and a superb selection of bars for those who of you looking for a bit of night time entertainment.
Whilst here, it’s worth visiting the Krishnarajendra market – lined with colourful and lively stalls selling a variety of goods, you’ll get a real taste of Indian culture.
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Mumbai
Mumbai is a city with an extraordinary blend of rich and poor, with modest slums overshadowed by stylish skyscrapers – it’s a city that has to be seen to be believed.
One of the city’s must-visit spots is The Gateway of India, a beautiful arch-monument made from yellow basalt and concrete, built during the early twentieth century – it’s basically the Taj Mahal of Mumbai.
India is home to a deliciously diverse range of cities which more than satisfy the needs of the modern traveller. Hopefully this list has inspired you to head off and check some of them out.
So book your flights, choose your accommodation and find airport parking on Looking4.com – it has ace deals for major hubs such as Melbourne. With all that done, you’ll be all set for an incredible and inspiring Indian adventure!
What are your favourite Indian cities? Let us know in the comments section.