With a blend of centuries of history and culture, the heritage sites in India offer a unique experience to all visitors. With little understanding of the country and its heritage sites, one can easily sign up for a successful experience.
India is famous around the world for its rich history and vibrant culture. This is what attracts tourists from all around the world to travel all the way to this country. The number reached 9.66 million in 2024, a 4.7% increase from the previous year.
While there are many things for one to explore in the country, the heritage sites are definitely one of the notable ones. With a total of 44 world heritage sites till the first half of 2025, India is a treasure trove for history lovers from the UK, USA, France, Canada, and all over the world.
However, visiting all the places with an India tourist visa can be a little challenging. This is why it is best to have a clear idea of the top heritage sites and plan your trip accordingly. This way, it becomes easy to experience a successful trip.
Understanding the Indian Tourist Visa for Heritage Travel
Well, before starting your journey to India, you must have a clear understanding of a few things, and your visa is one of them. Traveling to India to explore its heritage sites involves getting a tourist visa. However, before you proceed to apply for an Indian visa for French citizens, UK citizens, or others, you need to understand the specifics of it.
India offers two types of tourist visa: embassy visa and online visa. For the sake of convenience and ease of traveling, we are going to focus on the latter in this blog.
Eligible Nationalities
An online India tourist visa or e-Tourist Visa is applied for through the online portal without needing to visit the embassy or consulate. Nationalities from 100+ countries are eligible to apply for this visa, making this a top choice among all. The list includes:
| Asia | N. America | S. America | Europe | Africa | Oceania |
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Argentina | Finland | Rwanda | Australia |
| Kyrgyzstan | Costa Rica | Bolivia | France | Kenya | Cook Islands |
| Cambodia | Haiti | Brazil | Austria | Burundi | Vanuatu |
| Malaysia | Antigua and Barbuda | Colombia | Romania | Gabon | Kiribati |
| Armenia | Anguilla | Chile | Georgia | Madagascar | Federated States of Micronesia |
| Russia | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Aruba | Italy | Gambia | Fiji |
| Azerbaijan | Bahamas | Ecuador | Belgium | Malawi | Palau |
| DarussalamBrunei | Belize | Paraguay | Albania | Botswana | Niue |
| Indonesia | Barbados | Uruguay | Andorra | Djibouti | Solomon Islands |
| Cyprus | Dominican Republic | Suriname | Bulgaria | Equatorial Guinea | Tonga |
| Laos | Cuba | Trinidad and Tobago | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Angola | Tuvalu |
| Israel | Dominica | United Kingdom | Comoros | ||
| Thailand | Guatemala | Macedonia | Ivory Coast | ||
| Kazakhstan | Canada | Russia | Lesotho | ||
| Japan | Grenada | Czech Republic | Timor Leste | ||
| Mongolia | Jamaica | Azerbaijan | Tanzania | ||
| Taiwan | Cayman Islands | Hungary | Cameroon | ||
| Philippines | Panama | Belarus | Eritrea | ||
| Oman | Turks and Caicos Islands | Croatia | Morocco | ||
| Tajikistan | Iceland | Ghana | |||
| Palestinian Territory | San Marino | Benin | |||
| Vietnam | Vatican City | Nicaragua | |||
| Singapore | Denmark | Mauritius | |||
| Uzbekistan | Germany | Niger | |||
| South Korea | Estonia | Namibia | |||
| Sri Lanka | Greece | Seychelles | |||
| Liechtenstein | Cape Verde | ||||
| Ireland | Swaziland | ||||
| Latvia | Uganda | ||||
| Luxembourg | South Africa | ||||
| Moldova | Togo | ||||
| Switzerland | Sierra Leone | ||||
| Norway | Senegal | ||||
| Malta | |||||
| Montenegro | |||||
| Lithuania | |||||
| Monaco | |||||
| Ukraine | |||||
| Sweden | |||||
| Serbia | |||||
| Spain | |||||
| Slovenia | |||||
| Slovakia |
Table: Eligible Countries for the Indian E-tourist Visa
Required Documents
The e-Tourist visa requires you to use the necessary documents like a valid passport (one with a minimum of 6 months validity and at least 2 blank pages), a recent passport-sized photograph, bank statements, both-way flight tickets, and a travel itinerary.
Other than these, you might also be required to offer a few additional documents; however, the chances of that are low.
Visa Validity
The India online tourist visa comes with a few different types of validity, like:
- 1-month visa, offers 30 days validity and double entry, but it is non-extendable and non-convertible.
- 1-year visa, offers 365 days validity and multiple entries, but has a maximum stay of 180 days.
- 5-year visa, offers a validity of 5 years and multiple entries, but comes with a maximum stay of 180 days in a year.
Application Process
The process to apply for this visa is extremely easy and involves simple steps like:
- Open the online application portal for the India tourist visa.
- Fill out the application form with accurate details.
- Add scanned copies of the necessary documents.
- Pay the visa fee using a credit card or debit card that has sufficient funds.
- Wait for 24 to 72 hours to get the application processed and approved.
- Receive an email containing the approval letter at the email ID that you used during the application.
- Print a couple of copies of the letter and bring them with you during immigration.
- Notify the Helpdesk in case of any issues.
Top Heritage Sites to Visit in India
India offers a long list of world heritage sites that are a favourite among tourists. However, here we have added a few that, according to us, are the top options.
- Taj Mahal
Situated in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, the Taj Mahal isn’t just a UNESCO-listed world heritage site. The white marble monument is also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. This site was built in the 17th century, but it has a similar shine even today.
Taj Mahal was built as a symbol of love by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is famous around the world for its architecture that showcases a mix of Mughal, Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles.
With beautiful gardens, huge arch-shaped gates, tall minarets, and many more things, the Taj Mahal is definitely a must-visit for all.
One can visit this place all year round, but the best time is from October to March. The site remains open all day from 6 AM to 6:30 PM, but remains closed on Fridays, so plan your trip accordingly.
- Qutub Minar
Built around the 13th century, this is one of the tallest brick minarets. Qutub Minar is located in Delhi and is one of the most important monuments in the city.
The red sandstone tower is over 70 meters in height and surrounded by many other important historical structures. From Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque to Alai-Darwaza and from Alai Minar to Iron Pillar and funerary buildings, there are many things worth visiting.
The best time to visit this place is between October to March, as Delhi otherwise experiences hot summers. Qutub Minar stays open from 7 AM to 5 PM every day, so you won’t have much trouble planning your trip.
- Jaipur City
Listed as the “Pink City” by UNESCO, Jaipur City is located in the state of Rajasthan and is one of the most aesthetic cities. Jaipur is filled with different palaces and forts, which prove the royalty of the city.
From the Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort to the City Palace, Jaipur has a long list of places that you can enjoy with an Indian visa for French citizens, UK citizens, or others. The majestic architecture of the city is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. And while you are visiting, don’t miss clicking pictures in front of the havelis.
The best time to explore the city is between October to March. However, make sure you carry winter clothes with you as the nighttime tends to get a little chilly.
- Khajuraho Temples
If you are aiming to explore the rich architecture of ancient India, then this location in Madhya Pradesh will definitely be the best option for you. The Khajuraho Temples are a group of monuments that showcase the famous Nagara-style of architecture.
This heritage site includes many ancient Hindu and Jain temples, which were built during the Chandela dynasty’s reign. Sadly, with time, most of the temples have become dilapidated and you can only visit 20 out of the 85 temples.
However, it is worth noting that the temples and monuments feature erotic figurines and sculptures that are carved on the walls. So, you must consider that factor before taking your kids.
The site remains open from 8 AM to 6 PM every day, and best to visit between October to March.
- Ajanta & Ellora Caves
If you have plans to explore Maharashtra during your visit, then these two caves are definitely a must-visit. The Ajanta caves give you a glimpse into ancient Buddhist culture and have a total of 29 caves.
Ajanta caves are famous for their beautiful monuments, murals, paintings, and sculptures, and they even have many monasteries and chapels. And the best part is highlights of the artwork in the caves showcase the past lives and rebirths of Lord Buddha.
The best time to visit this place is between November to March, and it stays open from 8 AM to 5 PM, except on Mondays.
On the other hand, the Ellora caves are one of the most unique places in the world that are built from a single piece of rock and feature vertical excavation. From tall victory towers to statues featuring elephants, paintings, temples, and sculptures, this complex has it all.
There are over 100 caves, but only 34 of them can be accessed. 17 out of these belong to Hinduism, while 12 belong to Buddhism, and the remaining 5 belong to Jainism.
The best time to visit the Ellora caves with an India tourist visa is between June to March, and it remains open from 9 AM to 5 PM, except on Tuesdays.
- Sun Temple
Built in the 13th century, the Sun Temple is located in Konark, Puri, Odisha. This marvel is also known as the Black Pagoda and is shaped like a chariot, making it quite unique. It is famous for its carvings and spiritual importance.
The Sun Temple is an example of the spectacular Kalinga architecture and represents the chariot of Lord Surya, or the God of the Sun, hauled by 7 horses. The temple also features 3 idols of Lord Surya, which are placed in such a strategic manner that the sun rays during the morning, afternoon, and evening always fall first on them.
The best time to visit this place is between the months of October to March. This stays open from 6 AM to 8 PM, so you will not face difficulty in planning.
- Hampi
Hampi was once the flourishing Vijayanagar Empire capital. However, now it stands as an ancient city that still holds a similar significance due to its heritage site. The group of monuments in Hampi, Karnataka, has more than 1600 structures that give you a glimpse into the empire.
From shrines to forts and temples to gateways and even museums, Hampi has it all that speaks about true Indian architecture. The list of monuments in Hampi includes the Palace of Harihara, Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Queen’s Bath, Hazara Rama Temple, Lotus Mahal, Hampi Bazaar, and the famous museum.
This world heritage site remains open 6 AM to 6 PM, and best to be visited between October to February. However, the museum opens only after 10 AM, so plan the visit accordingly.
- Kaziranga National Park
Sitting on the banks of the Brahmaputra, Assam, this UNESCO-listed site is best known for its biodiversity. The Kaziranga National Park is famous for its natural landmarks and stretches over 400 sq. kilometres.
What makes this park unique is that it houses a diverse category of fauna, flora, streams, lakes, and forests. However, the best part is that it is also home to the famous one-horned rhinoceros.
Other than that, you will also get a glimpse of buffalo, elephants, otters, Gangetic dolphins, swamp deer, and tigers when you visit this national park with your Indian visa for French citizens, UK citizens, or others. Lastly, Kaziranga also has different species of birds, which are a sight worth experiencing.
The place stays open 24 hours and is best visited between November to April. However, you will need expert guidance when exploring the place.
- Suggested Itineraries for Heritage Lovers
Here are a few travel itineraries that you can choose from, depending on how many days you are travelling for.
7-day itinerary
This includes the Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
Day 1–2: Delhi
Explore Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and Chandni Chowk.
Day 3–4: Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, and Mehtab Bagh for sunset views.
Day 5–7: Jaipur
Discover Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and local bazaars.
10-day itinerary
Now that you have 3 extra days, you can also add prominent places like Khajuraho and Varanasi
Days 1–7:
Follow the Golden Triangle that we suggested for the 7-day itinerary.
Day 8: Khajuraho
Admire UNESCO-listed temples famed for intricate carvings.
Day 9–10: Varanasi
Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath, and experience Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
14-day itinerary
For the 14-day itinerary, you can add Hampi, Ajanta-Ellora, and Konark to the existing plan.
Days 1–10
Follow the Golden Triangle + Khajuraho + Varanasi as before.
Day 11–12: Hampi
Explore the Vijayanagara Empire ruins, Virupaksha Temple, and the stone chariot at Vittala Temple.
Day 13: Ajanta & Ellora Caves
Marvel at Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain cave temples.
Day 14: Konark
End at the UNESCO-listed Sun Temple, an architectural marvel of Odisha.
Tips for Heritage Tourism in India
As you proceed to experience heritage tourism in India with an India tourist visa, it is essential that you remember these things.
- Always research your destination beforehand to understand its cultural significance.
- Consider visiting during the off-season or the early hours of the day if you do not want to experience the crowd.
- Hire a tour guide for a detailed experience.
- Engage with the local community to learn something that even the internet won’t be able to provide you.
- Learn about the local traditions and respect them.
- Do not litter the heritage sites.
- Check instructions before clicking pictures or using photography equipment like Drones.
- Pack according to the season, and research about the Indian season and temperature beforehand.
- Wear fully covered clothes when visiting temples or religious sites.
- Buy tickets online, if that is possible.
Confident to Explore Top Indian Heritage Sites?
India’s heritage is diverse and offers the perfect experience for history enthusiasts. The country is filled with a wide variety of world heritage sites, meaning there is no scarcity of options.
However, the best part is that all these places are easily accessible with an India tourist visa. So, plan your trip accordingly, get your visa at least 2 weeks in advance, and start on your journey of the perfect heritage experience.
