India Family Holidays

Visiting India’s Golden Triangle with Kids

Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan

Take one of the most popular and rewarding trips in northern India, around Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan. In Delhi, take a deep breath, flag down a rickshaw and throw yourselves into it to discover the cheerful chaos of Old Delhi’s labyrinthine bazaars and wonderful relics, including the Red Fort (Jama Masjid).

Taj Mahal

Head to Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal, a white-marble memorial built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for one of his wives, Mumtaz Mahal; it took 20,000 labourers 22 years to complete.

Fatehpur Sikri

Not far from Agra, discover another Mughal masterpiece, Fatehpur Sikri, an ancient royal city guarded by massive gates.

Bharatpur

At Bharatpur, on the edge of Rajasthan, cycle around a wonderful bird sanctuary occupying a royal hunting reserve.

Rajasthan

Visit the lovely capital of the colourful state of Rajasthan, the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, famous for its bright-hued jewellery and handicrafts. Don’t miss the City Palace, full of regal costumes and weaponry, and the Palace of the Winds, an evocative place with 953 pink windows that make the air around it shimmer.

Jodphur

Continue to the ‘Blue City’ of Jodphur, so-named for its indigo-tinged brahmins' houses, and the ‘Golden City’ of Jaisalmer, built on a yellow sandstone ridge and topped by a fort. The latter has some lovely havelis (private mansions), and you can ride a camel out into the Thar desert to eat dinner under the stars and sleep on a sand dune.

Udaipur

Stop by Udaipur, famed for its lake palace (now a luxury hotel) and for being where some of the Bond movie Octopussy was filmed.

Ranthambore National Park

Also in Rajasthan, venture into the Ranthambore National Park to try to spot its tiger population. 

Visiting Mumbai with Kids

Sassoon Docks and Dhobi Ghat

Explore the Maharashtran capital, especially Sassoon Docks, where colourfully dressed Koli fisherwomen sort out the day’s catch, dazzling Colaba market, full of dazzling sights and sounds, and Dhobi Ghat, the worlds largest open-air laundry. 

Dharavi

You might even want to take a tour of Dharavi, the world’s largest slum – but one known for its thriving informal economy, especially in water recycling, leather goods, pottery and textiles.  

Chowpatty Beach

Watch the sun set from famous Chowpatty Beach; hundreds of snack-sellers converge on the shore to catch the evening crowd.

Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum

Visit the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum for thought-provoking displays on the civil rights activist and anti-colonial nationalist known for his non-violent resistance.

Visiting South India Beaches with Kids

Goa and Kerala

Enjoy the beaches of Goa and Kerala. Goa is best known for its 130km string of gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, but inland lie wildlife sanctuaries and temples also worth visiting. Some of the best beaches in Goa are Morjim, a turtle nesting site, Colva, the longest beach in the state, and Calangute, which is particularly good for watersports. 

Head south to Kerala for more lovely beaches, including Kovalam. Another must in this state is a trip through the Malabar backwaters, a tangled maze of canals and rivers best explored by houseboat or even canoe. We also recommend Cochin to see its Portuguese fort, and the Periya National Park to see the elephants.