Holiday destinations in India: 10 homestays to explore

With over one thousand homestay hosts in India, there are just as many reasons to visit this colourful, vivacious country. We've put together a collection of our homestays covering the length and breadth of India where you can indulge in natural therapies, learn to cook the local cuisine and even try your hand at catching your own dinner.

1. Bangalore

Host Veena in her garden in Bangalore

Meet our host Veena. She loves cooking and gardening in her home in the First Stage area of eastern Bangalore. Her cosy home is surrounded by greenery, silently tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of the city and yet still a stone's throw away from everything.

The sitting room in Veena's homestay

You'll find Veena's homestay is a very convenient base with the bus stops and a metro station located just a few minutes from the home and some great bars and coffee shops at your doorstep.

2. Kolkata

Sujata and her family

Sujata and her husband Subham live with their son close to the centre of Kolkata and have been hosting guests in their home for nearly ten years. Sujata speaks Bengali, English, Hindi and Japanese. Subham speaks these as well as French and Russian so communicating with guests from all over the world is never a problem.

The view from Sujata's homestay

The couple love to travel and like learning about the cultures of their guests. Sujata is a great cook and loves to serve her guests Bengali food as well as teaching them how to make some traditional dishes at home.

3. New Delhi

Host Vrinda on a boat trip

Located in the heart of West Delhi, Vrindaand her family are avid travellers and love opening their home to international guests. The room available is a large double room facing the lush green garden. Sip your coffee sitting on the balcony or take a walk one of the nearby parks to escape the hustle and bustle of New Delhi.

4. Agra

Mukesh in front of the Taj Mahal on a visit with a guest

Mukesh and his family live in a beautiful, comfortable home only three kilometres from the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum. The family love being homestay hosts and say that their motto is "Walk in as a stranger and walk out as a family member".

Host Mukesh with guest Thomas

Mukesh has been hosting guests for six yeas from all over the world. He recently hosted Thomas, who returned to India having been adopted from there 25 years previously. You can read more about Thomas' journey from the United States and his stay with Mukesh as well as some tips on visiting the Taj Mahal from India-based blogger, Hippie in Heels.

5. Varanasi

Terrace off one of the bedrooms in Puneets homestay

Puneet's homestay is in the heart of Varanasi alongside their active organic farm. His home is ideally located only one and a half kilometres from the River Ganges and is very close to Banaras Hindu University and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The hosts mother Maa Rajeshwari

Puneet loves to give guests insight into his hometown and likes to create a home away from home for guests. His mother, pictured above, is a spiritual and motivational speaker with over forty-five years of experience in natural therapies and healing. Receive treatment or learn from her during your stay in Varanasi.

6. Goa

Hammock in the back garden of Helene's homestay for guests to relax in

Helene's homestay, The Secret Garden, is an ancestral family home located in Bardez in the North of Goa. Helene's family value the role they play in showcasing the best of what Goa has to offer and in helping guests with local tips and advice, as well as offering everything you could ever need to relax on holiday.

Typical breakfast prepared for guests each morning in Helene's homestay

The homestay is less than ten minutes from the beach and even has its own swimming pool for guests to use. There are also plenty of nearby restaurants for guest to try. Helene loves welcoming guests and her motto is "leave your troubles at the gate – unlock luxury in our home".

7. Mumbai

Homestay hosts Sashi and Pearl

Shashi and Pearl live in Goregaon, Mumbai in a gated community. Their home is well located with a large shopping centre close by which has a multitude of restaurants, shops and a cinema in the vicinity. They are also only ten kilometres from the airport so it's easy to get transfers directly to and from their home.

A guest relaxing in the garden of the homestay

The couple love golf, gardening and going to the theatre in their spare time. Having hosted guests from all over the world, they're skilled at helping plan guests' trips through India and making sure they have an unforgettable stay in Mumbai.

8. Kerala

The front of Basil's homestay in Kerala

What better was to explore Kerala then staying at Mylanthra House, the home of Basil and Anne. Their riverside homestay is located in Cochin at the bank of Vembanad Lake backwaters.

Riverside finishing at sunset using a Chinese fishing net

The hosts can arrange kayaking or backwater boating in a covered boat for visiting shrimp farms, paddy fields or bird watching. There are also a number of ponds for fishing and a large Chinese net that can be used by guests in case you want to try your hand at sourcing the catch of the day.

9. Chennai

Dining area of Sabita's homestay

If you want to relax then Sabita's homestay in Muttukad, Chennai is just for you. Situated right along the sea front, you can swim in the warm waters of the Bay of Bengal and take in the incredible sunsets on your doorstep each evening. Sabita is also and English teacher and is happy to arrange special language classes for her guests.

10. Jaipur

Enjoy your breakfast on the terrace

Payal lives in Sodala, Jaipur in a beautiful home with a warm welcome. She loves hosting guests so she can share her culture and cuisine with them. She's passionate about food and takes pride preparing homemade meals for guests each day.

Payal on the street food tour with her homestay guests

Take advantage of Payal's market to table food tour available for guests which offers visitors a guided tour of the local street food stalls and the markets to buy raw ingredients which will then be used to create traditional Rajasthani dishes.


Inspired by our homestays in India? Start planning your next adventure today by finding a host that's right for you.

Older 

 Newer

This website uses cookies