8 Stunning Destinations Perfect For A Getaway This Long Weekend

Diwali's extended weekend often goes unnoticed on travel calendars, but this year offers a perfect opportunity for a short escape. With 2025's dates aligning just right, it's time to stop scrolling through vacation reels and start planning your own. Whether you prefer popular spots like royal palaces and tea-covered hills or lean toward quieter, more scenic places like fire-lit valleys and hidden ashrams, there's a destination waiting for you. 

Many locations are celebrating with carnivals, illuminated festivals, night markets, and cultural events. So pack your diyas, gather your sweets, and get ready to trade city life for mountain air, coastal calm, or desert charm. Here are eight destinations ideal for a memorable Diwali weekend.

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Here Are 10 Indian Destinations For A Long Weekend Getaway:

1. Hampi, Karnataka - Rustic Romance and Ruins

Hampi feels less like a city and more like a dreamscape. Its massive boulders, ancient temples, and slow-moving rivers offer a peaceful escape. Cycle through banana groves, kayak on the Tungabhadra, or watch the sunrise from Matanga Hill. Don't miss the cozy cafés and evening rituals at Virupaksha Temple.

2. Kolkata, West Bengal - Heritage, Culture and Night Markets

Kolkata's festive spirit is unmatched. From street processions and iconic sweets like sandesh to illuminated book bazaars and cultural performances, the city is alive with energy. Explore art pop-ups and food walks around College Street and Park Street. You might even catch a festival parade or a riverside concert.

3. Puducherry - Serenity by the Sea

With pastel French quarters, candlelit cafés, and breezy beaches, Puducherry offers a calm and stylish retreat. Wander through Auroville, sample Franco-Tamil desserts, and shop in White Town. Yoga sessions on the beach and moonlit walks along the promenade add to the charm.

4. Kutch, Gujarat - The Great Rann's Festival of Lights

Imagine lighting lamps on a salt desert under a star-filled sky. The Rann Utsav begins around Diwali this year, bringing folk music, kite flying, traditional feasts, and dancing that lasts through the night. Stay in a luxury tent and explore local handicrafts for festive shopping.

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5. Munnar, Kerala - Teascapes and Tranquillity

Leave behind the city buzz for the peaceful tea hills of Kerala. Stay in a planter's bungalow, wake to the sounds of Nilgiri langurs, trek through misty valleys, and enjoy a cup of masala chai. Diwali-themed cultural programs at Blossom Park add a festive touch.

6. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh - Mountain Peace and Monastery Magic

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Nestled in the Himalayas, Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj blend Tibetan calm with adventure. Hike forest trails, meditate in hilltop monasteries, or join a cooking class to learn how to make thukpa. This weekend, look out for poetry readings or find a quiet spot near Bhagsunag Falls.

7. Udaipur, Rajasthan - Romance on the Lake

Udaipur is one of India's most romantic cities. Its royal palaces, lakeside cafés, and vibrant markets create the perfect getaway atmosphere. Take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, explore the City Palace, and enjoy Rajasthani cuisine at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the illuminated city.

8. Shillong, Meghalaya - Falls, Forests and Festivities

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Shillong offers a mix of colonial charm, music, and natural beauty. Visit waterfalls in Sohra (Cherrapunjee), try soft momos at Police Bazaar, or drive to Laitlum Canyons for stunning views. Sometimes, the best plan is simply to explore and enjoy the moment.

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Whether you're tracing temple shadows across ancient landscapes, sipping spiced tea in misty plantations, watching stars rise over a salt desert, or soaking in the energy of a vibrant city, this long weekend is your chance to experience something different. The best escapes don't just change your surroundings, they refresh your perspective and leave you with stories that last far beyond the holiday.

So go ahead. Pack that extra sweater. Try a new dish. Meet someone new or simply relax in a quiet café. Whether you're seeking solitude or planning to share envy-worthy moments with friends, let this getaway be the one you'll remember all year. Sometimes, stepping away is the best way to reconnect with the world, and with yourself.