India in 2026 is best understood as a destination of scale, continuity, and global relevance rather than a simple checklist of well-known landmarks. India received 9.52 million foreign tourists in 2023, with arrivals increasing to approximately 9.95 million in 2024, reflecting sustained international travel demand and continued investment in tourism infrastructure.
India’s heritage sites remain central to any 2026 visit, offering carefully conserved monuments that reveal the country’s architectural, political, and cultural foundations.
The Taj Mahal remains India’s most recognisable monument for a reason. This white-marble mausoleum on the Yamuna, built between 1631 and 1648 by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, is described by UNESCO as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”
In 2026, it remains the single site that ties many trips together: not just for its beauty, but for the way it introduces Mughal history, garden design, and Indo-Islamic architecture within a single, walkable complex.
Jaipur’s walled city is not simply “colourful”; it is formally recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being an exceptional example of 18th-century planned urban architecture, laid out on a grid in accordance with Vedic planning principles.
Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and the collonaded bazaars around the chaupars together give visitors a clear sense of how trade, astronomy, royal ritual, and everyday commerce were designed to coexist.
As the national capital, Delhi condenses multiple historical eras: Sultanate and Mughal complexes, colonial avenues, and modern institutions. Sites such as the Red Fort and Qutub Minar stand alongside post-Independence memorials and museums.
Rather than treating Delhi as a mere transit point, visitors in 2026 can see it as the place where many of India’s political and cultural debates are still anchored in the physical.
India’s major cities give 2026 travellers a clear view of how tradition, globalisation, and modern urban life interact in everyday settings across the country.
Mumbai remains India’s financial and entertainment hub, offering travellers in 2026 a vivid mix of waterfront skylines, colonial landmarks, and evolving cultural districts. Key sights include the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and the Elephanta Caves.
For visitors in 2026, the city provides a direct sense of contemporary India through its fast-paced work culture, late-night food streets, and constant urban movement.
Kolkata blends literary culture, historic clubs, tram lines, and 19th-century architecture with a strong festival calendar. Landmarks such as the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, the Indian Museum, the Marble Palace, and College Street anchor the city’s cultural identity. It is also the main stage for Durga Puja, which UNESCO inscribed in 2021 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
For 2026 travellers, Kolkata offers both the classic addas of historic coffee houses and contemporary galleries and restaurants, particularly vibrant around major festival periods.
Goa is far more than a beach destination. It is officially supported tourism infrastructure complements a rich cultural landscape anchored by the Churches and Convents of Old Goa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), including the Basilica of Bom Jesus and theSé Cathedral, alongside the historic Fontainhas Latin Quarter.
In 2026, Goa remains an ideal place to slow down through visits to Anjuna and Colva beaches, Chapora Fort, Dudhsagar Falls, and village interiors that reflect the coexistence of coastal Catholic and Hindu traditions.
Beyond cities and monuments, India in 2026 continues to protect large natural landscapes where wildlife, rivers, and seasonal rhythms shape the travel experience.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam, lies within the Brahmaputra River floodplains of Northeast India and remains the world’s most important refuge for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
For 2026 travellers, it offers a compact yet varied wildlife experience across grasslands, wetlands, and riverine forests, with the Central and Western ranges providing the most reliable sightings, while the Eastern range is known for birdlife and quieter safari routes.
Across Northern and Central India, protected landscapes allow 2026 travellers to experience alpine meadows, dense forests, and iconic wildlife with controlled access. The Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh) and Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand) represent high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems, while reserves such as Ranthambore (Rajasthan), Kanha, and Pench (Madhya Pradesh) showcase central Indian forests and well-known tiger habitats.
India’s backwaters and wetlands offer a slower, landscape-driven travel experience for 2026 travellers across Southern and Eastern India. The Kerala backwaters around Alappuzha and Kumarakom (Kerala) remain the most accessible, while Vembanad Lake (Kerala), Nal Sarovar (Gujarat), and the Sundarbans (West Bengal) highlight freshwater and mangrove ecosystems shaped by daily life, migratory birds, and tidal rhythms.
India’s annual festival calendar adds a time-specific dimension to travel in 2026, offering visitors immersive cultural experiences tied closely to place and season.
Rann Utsav, Great Rann of Kutch (Gujarat)
Running until early March 2026, Rann Utsav transforms the white salt desert into a seasonal cultural hub featuring crafts, folk performances, and desert experiences, making it an ideal highlight for winter travel.
Jaipur Literature Festival (Rajasthan)
Held in January 2026, this globally recognised literary gathering offers visitors a chance to experience contemporary Indian and international thought within Jaipur’s historic setting.
Surajkund International Crafts Mela (Haryana)
Typically organised in February, the Surajkund Mela near Faridabad showcases traditional crafts, textiles, and folk arts from across India.
Hornbill Festival (Nagaland)
Taking place in December 2026, the Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village highlights the music, dance, food, and traditions of Naga tribes, drawing visitors to Northeast India.
Durga Puja, Kolkata (West Bengal)
Celebrated in September or October, Durga Puja remains one of India’s most immersive festivals, transforming Kolkata with artistic installations, rituals, and community celebrations.
Before finalising your travel plans, ensure you have obtained the required travel authorisation, the India eVisa, which eligible travellers can apply for online in advance to support a smooth visit in 2026.
Step1: Complete the online application by providing your passport details.
Step2: Submit payment online using a credit card.
Step3: Monitor your email for confirmation of payment and receipt of your eVisa, which will be sent electronically.
