Top 10 most visited states in India

India is one of the most visited countries in Asia. Every state/UT of India has its own charm and uniqueness that attracts tourists. In this article, we will see the lists of the top 10 most visited states/UTs in India by domestic and foreign tourists separately. Let’s begin.

Top 10 most visited states/UTs in India by foreign tourists

India is growing as a travel destination. In a few decades’ time, India is set to become one of the most visited countries in the world. The majority of tourists visit India for holidays and leisure. A large number of foreign tourists also visit India for medical and business purposes.


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A large country with great cultural and geographical diversity, India offers so many places to see and explore. There are a total of 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites in India.

Top 10 most visited states/UTs in India by foreign tourists

RankingState/UTTop tourist destinations
1GujaratGir National Park, Statue of Unity, Dwarka, Shri Somnath Temple, Rann of Kutch, etc.
2MaharashtraKailasa temple, Ajanta and Ellora caves, Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar, etc.
3West BengalSunderbans National Park, Darjeeling, Kolkata, Siliguri, etc.
4DelhiRed Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Akshardham, Lotus Temple, etc
5Uttar PradeshVaranasi, Taj Mahal, Sarnath, Prayagraj, Vrindavan, Kushinagar, etc.
6Tamil NaduMahabalipuram, Madurai, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Rameshwaram, etc.
7RajasthanUdaipur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, etc.
8KeralaMunnar, Kochi, Alleppey, Kovalam, etc.
9PunjabAmritsar, Wagah border, Chandigarh, etc.
10Madhya PradeshBandhavgarh Nationnal Park, Kanha National Park, Ujjain, Khajuraho, Orchha, Pachmarhi, Amarkantak, etc

Top 10 most visited states/UTs in India by domestic tourists

  1. Uttar Pradesh
  2. Tamil Nadu
  3. Andhra Pradesh
  4. Karnataka
  5. Gujarat
  6. Maharashtra
  7. Rajasthan
  8. West Bengal
  9. Telangana
  10. Uttarakhand

Uttar Pradesh ranks number 1 when it comes to domestic tourist visits. In terms of foreign tourist visits, Gujarat tops the list.


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Tamil Nadu

Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur
Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur

Tamil Nadu is a state in Southern India famous for its culture, ancient temples, beaches, and various spiritual sites. The top destinations in Tamil Nadu are Mahabalipuram, Madurai, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Rameshwaram, etc. Apart from the numerous tourist destinations, the thing that works in favor of Tamil Nadu is that the state has many international airports. The Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu is one of the busiest airports in the entire country.

(Also read: Tamil Nadu facts – Overview, geography, temples, etc.)

Uttar Pradesh

Taj Mahal
Image by joakant from Pixabay

Uttar Pradesh is a state in Northern India famous for its religious sites and monuments. The famous tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh are Varanasi, Taj Mahal, Sarnath, Prayagraj, etc. Uttar Pradesh has a fast-developing infrastructure. It will not be a surprise if the state becomes the top tourist destination for foreign travellers in the future.

(Also read: Uttar Pradesh facts – The mini India within India)

Gujarat

Two Gir Lions
Gir Lion

Gujarat is a large state in western India. It is primarily famous for its temples, beaches, Rann of Kutch, and its Lions of Gir National Park. Dwarka, one of the Char Dhams in Hinduism is located on the coast of Arabian Sea in Gujarat.

(Also read: 15 interesting facts about Gujarat)

Maharashtra

Mumbai city

Maharashtra is a coastal state with a multitude of tourist destinations. From beautiful beaches to scenic hill stations to ancient temples, there is so much to see and experience in Maharashtra. Prime destinations in Maharashtra are Kailasa temple, Ajanta and Ellora caves, Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar, etc.

(Also read: Maharashtra facts – Overview, economy, tourism, districts, etc.)

Rajasthan

Jodhpur
Jodhpur

Rajasthan is the largest state in India. Famous for its forts, palaces and the Thar desert, Rajasthan attracts a lot of domestic as well as foreign tourists. The top destinations in Rajasthan are Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, etc.

(Also read: 11 interesting facts about the Rajasthan state)

West Bengal

Kolkata Tram

West Bengal is visited by both domestic and foreign tourists in numbers. The most visited places in West Bengal are – Sunderbans National Park, Darjeeling, Kolkata, etc.

(Also read: West Bengal facts – Overview, geography, districts, tourism, etc.)

This post is based on “India tourism statistics at a glance – 2023” report by the Ministry of Tourism.

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