By: Payal
Image Credit: Pexels
In 2025, travel patterns across India showed a clear shift. Official tourism data revealed that travellers moved beyond beach-focused destinations, with inland and spiritually significant states recording the highest visitor numbers.
Image: Unsplash
Uttar Pradesh ranked as the most visited state in India in 2025, overtaking Goa and Gujarat. The state recorded massive footfall due to religious tourism, heritage travel, and improved infrastructure.
Image Credit: Pexels
Spiritual tourism played a major role in Uttar Pradesh's rise. Pilgrimage travel to Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Mathura remained steady throughout the year, attracting both domestic and international tourists.
Image Credit: Pexels
Ayodhya emerged as one of the most visited cities in India in 2025. Large-scale religious travel, enhanced connectivity, and upgraded visitor facilities contributed to sustained tourist inflow.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Varanasi continued to attract visitors for its religious rituals and riverfront culture, while Mathura remained a key destination for Krishna pilgrimage tourism during festivals and peak travel periods.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Tamil Nadu remained one of India's most visited states, supported by temple tourism, classical heritage, and coastal travel. The state continued to draw travellers seeking culture-led experiences.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Rajasthan maintained strong tourism numbers through its forts, palaces, and desert destinations. Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer continued to anchor heritage tourism in the state.
Image Credit: Pexels
Maharashtra recorded steady tourism demand due to its mix of metropolitan travel, hill stations, and coastal regions. Mumbai, popular hill towns, and the Konkan coast remained key draws.
Image Credit: Pexels
Madhya Pradesh gained attention for its heritage sites, wildlife reserves, and religious centres. Destinations such as Khajuraho and Ujjain strengthened the state's tourism profile in 2025.
Image Credit: Unsplash
India's 2025 tourism data highlights a growing preference for spiritual, cultural, and experience-based travel, signalling a shift away from purely leisure-driven destinations.
Image Credit: Unsplash
For tips to stay safe on night outs in foreign countries, click here:
Image Credit: Unsplash