15 of the Most Instagram-Worthy Places in India

Planning to visit India and are on the lookout for beautiful spots that will make your Instagram followers jealous? We have got you covered. From the magnificent Mughal empire heritages to the combination of natural serenity and day-to-day life, it does not shy away from showing you its beauty. These 15 India Instagram-worthy places show you the best light conditions and stunning scenes. You'll have the dual satisfaction of visual and story sense.

The Chamba Camp, Thiksey

It is very likely that you have never heard of Thiksey, which is located in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, with vast nature and mysterious culture to inspire your photography. The scenery of Chamba Camp is like a postcard, making your Instagram photos special. The Thiksey Monastery stands quietly in the distance, with white tents against the blue sky, which seems to be a secret place in the movie. When golden light of sunshine fills the mountains, and the bells of the monastery near the camp echo, you can capture this sacred atmosphere.

Chamba Camp in Thiksey

Spice Market, Old Delhi

Want to throw more color into your Instagram story? The bustling spice market sitting in Old Delhi's Khari Baoli Street will quench your thirst for a hybrid of sound, color, and smell unique to India. Time doesn't seem to run here as the market has been existing for more than 400 years with its original vibrant mood. Bright red peppers, bright yellow turmeric and brown cinnamon fill the stalls, creating a visual and olfactory impact. Capturing the spice stalls from a low angle in natural light can fully demonstrate the vitality and colorfulness of this market, allowing your audience to smell the aromas in the photos. Street food stalls in the market are also great subjects for photography, adding life to the photos and evoking your imagination of taste.

Indian Street Snack in Old Delhi Spice Market

Taj Mahal, Agra

Hands up - who is scrolling down to spot this one? This paragraph won't take another 200 words to describe how Instagram-friendly the Taj Mahal is, as most people often travel to India to see it for themselves. Especially standing across from the Taj Mahal at sunrise or sunset, the white marble emits a soft glow in the golden light, paired with the reflection on the lake, the perfect light creates a romantic atmosphere. Whether you're a photographer or just a casual tourist, this charming photo-taking moment is worth sharing on your Instagram. A backup plan is to find a different angle to minimize the effect of people in the photo as our guest Gene Tobia did.

Taj Mahal in Agra

Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra

Often misinterpreted as the "baby Taj", the Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (translated pillar of the state) in Agra was constructed before the Taj Mahal and is the first Mughal mausoleum dressed in white marble, resembling an exquisite jewel box. The white marble of the main building is intricately carved and inlaid with colored gemstones, and its fine textures and shadows are best highlighted in the morning and evening light. Shoot around the mausoleum and capture the symmetry of the entire building from a low angle at the entrance to let your photos show this jewel-like mausoleum.

Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah in Agra

City Palace, Jaipur

Located in the center of Jaipur, the City Palace is an impressive fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Inside the complex, there are remarkable courtyards, gardens, and mansions, where still resides the last royal family in the private section of the palace. This photo was taken at the Green Gate in Pitam Niwas Chowk, a beautiful courtyard that features four colorful gates which are all worth snapping your Instagram shot. In the soft light of early morning or evening, the golden sunlight shines on the white walls of the palace, and the bright Green Gate contrasts sharply with the blue sky in the background. The visually impactful picture will make your Instagram full of appeal.

Pitam Niwas Chowk of City Palace India

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Time to get down to some microphotography. The charm of Amber Fort lies not only in its grand scale, but also in the exquisite details that are worth sharing on Instagram. The Jali Screen cleverly brings light into the room, creating a dreamy light and shadow effect. When the soft sunlight penetrates these intricate patterns, the interweaving of light and shadow will give your photos a charming sense of story. Whether you capture the details of the lattice windows with macro shots or show the magnificent scenery outside the windows with long-range shots, Amber Fort will become a highlight moment in your Instagram.

Amber Fort in Rajasthan

Jal Mahal, Jaipur

Jal Mahal literally means "water palace" and was built in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, like a pearl inlaid in the lake. When shrouded in mist in the early morning, it exudes a hazy and dreamy feeling, while the setting sun dyes it golden at dusk, blending with the calm reflection of the lake. Although you are not allowed to get near or inside it, shooting from the lakeside with a wide-angle lens to capture this palace and the distant mountains can bring blockbuster effects to your Instagram.

Jal Mahal the Water Palace in Jaipur

Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

Jaipur is no doubt the biggest winner when it comes to collecting Insta memories. Renowned as the "pink city", Jaipur shows its best side when you are up at Nahargarh Fort, which is located on a rising ridge that provides a commanding view. The extended, mile-long wall generously offers plenty of space for taking all those Instagrammable shots. At sunset, the setting sun bathes the entire fort and the Aravalli Range in a warm orange glow, and the sight of the city lights just coming on adds to the romance. The aromas from the food courts wafting in the air add a lived-in feel to your experience. Try to capture it all with a wide-angle lens, and your photos will be filled with layers and depth.

Blue City of Jodhpur

Some might mistake this for Chefchaouen in Morocco at first sight, but India has a qualified counterpart. Known as the Blue City, Jodhpur is famous for having the entire town painted blue. Interestingly enough, not a local we met on the street knows why! Walking into the fascinating collection of azure residential areas is simply a feast for the eyes, not to mention capturing the vibrant, contrasting colors when street vendors bump into your camera lens with their flaming products. Apart from that, there are famed ancient heritage buildings and tranquil lakes to enjoy.

Blue City of Jodhpur

Ganges River, Varanasi

Ganges River in India

The Ganges River is considered a divine goddess by Hindus, who connect it to their heart and soul. A visit to the river grants not only stunning Instagram shots but also mixed feelings for the sights that you might never forget. Each of the Ghats (steps that lead to the river) bears a story of devoted prayer, or a bather, or a son who just cremated his old man on the riverbank, or a boatman who has been paddling along the river for his whole life. You can capture the moments of devotees praying devoutly at the Ganga Aart ceremony in Varanasi, candles floating on the river and the golden morning light. This is a place full of spirituality and history, which will become one of the most story-filled and emotional photos on your social media.

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Lake Pichola, Udaipur

An artificial freshwater lake built in 1362 AD, the color-changing Lake Pichola is surrounded by scintillating views of nature and heritage palaces. Many of these hotels once served as a retreat for the royal family with extravagant interior design, now they are a great selection of Insta-ready spots. Mohan Mandir Island, located northeast of the lake, was the exclusive spot for the kings to watch the Gangol Festival. Sitting back and enjoying the serene lake views while enjoying breakfast and dinner at a luxury hotel is also a great option for photo opportunities.

Lake Pichola in Udaipur

Beaches, Goa

Beaches in Goa

Goa has been cited as India's sunshine state for a long time, and it deserves to be featured in your Instagram photo. The sunlight here is a natural filter, reflecting the golden sand and blue water. You can take pictures of the palm-fringed coast, the waves hitting the rocks at sunset, and take a stroll on the beach. The changes in light and natural colors will make your photos dynamic and easily become popular photos on your Instagram.

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Tea Plantations, Munnar

A clogged and small town in Kerala, Munnar is a hill station and was once the summer resort of the British Raj elite. Apart from the captivating landscapes of beautiful waterfalls and the highest peak in South India, Munnar also draws tourists' attention to its Instagram-worthy tea plantation. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the rolling lines of tea trees in the misty morning tea plantations, and the picture is full of poetry. The sun shines through the mist on the tea trees, adding a natural soft glow to your photos. The tea museum documents the history of tea cultivation and production, adding a storytelling background to your shots.

Munnar Tea Plantation in Kerala

Backwaters, Kerala

Alleppey (Alappuzha) Houseboat in Kerala

If you want to capture photos that blend perfectly with nature, you can't miss the backwaters of Kerala, which is a must-visit for Instagram users. The best way to immerse yourself in the charming beauty of the backwaters is to embark on an overnight houseboat trip, or at least a 3-hour boat ride. The different scene experiences provide rich visual materials to help you emerge with shooting inspiration, such as birds perched on tropical vegetation during the day, golden sunlight in the evening casting a layer of retro filter, and the clear sound of water flowing at night switching the world to slow motion mode.

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Toy Train Ride

Want to try something a little off the beaten path? Take India's toy trains! These trains travel slowly through misty mountains, tea plantations, and lush forests, showing a movie-like landscape. The moment when the train turns a curve in the mountains, you can capture the front of the train and the winding track together, injecting a sense of story and a retro vibe into your photos. Or stand by the open door of the carriage and place yourself in a corner of the picture, with a flowing landscape painting in the background. These photos will receive countless likes and become a highlight of your travel memories.

Taking Photos in India's Toy Train

Explore Worthy Places With Odynovo

It would be a real challenge to get a poor picture in India as there are so many diversities to catch. After all, the images here speak for themselves! To up your pre-travel research game, you will discover more inspiration by looking under the hashtags or location tags of India on Instagram. Don't hesitate! Contact us or write to [email protected], our India travel experts can craft a personalized India trip according to your specific requirements for mind-blowing photography-taking or simply leisure purposes.