Indian Destinations Every Art and History-Loving Couple Should Explore Together

If art and history are what connect you and your partner, and both of you bond over architecture and stories etched in stone, then India is the best place to visit. Every corner of the country hides a story, a piece of history. From temples to towns to royal cities, every part of India gleams with mirror mosaics. You can go for moonlit strolls at the lakesides or through the Mughal courtyards, explore through the centuries-old caves, or admire paintings that have outlived empires altogether.

India is your playground if you’re both art-school dreamers or absolute history buffs at heart, with these destinations that do not just promise beauty but mysticism, the kind that lingers on long after the trip ends.

6 Indian Destinations To Visit If You Love Art And History

Hampi, Karnataka

What was once the flourishing capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi, is one of the top destinations for history enthusiasts. A vast open-air museum of art and architecture, Hampi houses temples, palaces, and boulder-strewn landscapes, each with a distinct story of its own. These landscapes form a romantic and surreal backdrop for you and your partner to spend some romantic time whilst exploring the beauty of the architecture and even the ruins of the city. Find souvenirs to bring back  like the stone-carved miniatures, or the Lambani embroidered bags and handmade brass trinkets from the local Hampi Bazaar.

Manifest Recommends: Begin with sunrise at Hemakuta Hill, then explore the Vittala Temple’s iconic stone chariot together, and finally take a coracle ride on the Tungabhadra at dusk for a magical light-and-rock panorama. If you are looking to try their local cuisine, enjoy the traditional Karnataka thalis at Mango Tree Restaurant or grab a banana pancake at a riverside cafe in Hippie Island.

Agra, Uttar Pradesh

While most people go to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, Agra city is so much more. Home to the icon of love, Agra also houses the mighty Mughal fortress of Agra Fort with intricate pietra dura inlays, the technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images. Not just that, it also houses the tomb of  Itmad‑ud‑Daulah, often called the ‘baby Taj’. Agra is a city that blends architecture, craft and imperial ambition, creating the perfect consonance for art and history lovers.

Manifest Recommends: Begin your visit at dawn at the Taj-Mahal, then wander through Agra Fort’s audio-guided halls. Finish the day at Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna for a golden-hour view of the mausoleum’s reflection. Try the famous Agra petha and bedhai-jalebi breakfast while you are there and grab some of those marbles inlay boxes and miniature Taj replicas to bring back

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho is one of the dream destinations for any art and history lover with its extraordinary group of monuments that showcase stunning Nagara-style temple architecture that dates back to the 9th-11th centuries. Its intricate sandstone sculptures of divine, human and intimate forms present make for an experience in itself for all the art lovers.

Manifest Recommends: Visit the temples in the early morning light when the carvings glow gold; linger by the Lakshmana or Vishvanatha temples, and after dusk attend the sound-and-light show as legends whisper through the night. If you visit Madhya Pradesh, it will be a waste if you don’t get to try the local Bundelkhandi dishes like bhutte ki kees and korma roti. If you want to buy souvenirs, look for the stone-carved figurines, or miniature temple replicas and even the handcrafted brass items made by the local artisans.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

Nestled in the Deccan Hills, the Ajanta and Ellora caves comprise 29 or 30 rock-cut Buddhist Monuments that date back to the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. Famed for some of the country’s most exquisite mural paintings and sculptures, these present a unique ensemble of Hindu,  Buddhist and Jain temples that are carved into one cliff face—most spectacularly the monolithic Kailasa temple.

Manifest Recommends: Walk into Cave 17 hand-in-hand, stand before the Bodhisattva Padmapani mural and then picnic by the Waghora stream outside. You can also pause at the Kailasa Temple’s vast hall to marvel at its single-rock origins, then rest on a shaded terrace. Try the local Maharashtrian meal, like pitla-bhakri and varan bhaat and maybe even the kokum sherbet. Pick up paintings that are inspired by the ajanta murals or the bamboo crafts to bring back.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Nothing less than heaven for art and history lovers, Jaipur is rich in Rajput-era art and architecture. Popularly known as the Pink City, it is home to mirror-filled Sheesh Mahal in the Amber Fort, to murals and frescoes in palaces and narrow lanes.

Manifest Recommends: At twilight, climb up to Nahargarh Fort for a panoramic view of the pink-hued city and palace lights; then wander through the old bazaar’s lanes, spotting frescoes and handicraft pieces together. What’s a Jaipur visit without trying the famous dal baati churma or the laal maas. For souvenirs, look for the block-printed textiles, the blue pottery or beautiful gemstone jewellery and lacquer bangles.

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Situated at the coast of the Bay of Bengal, this heritage site dates back to the 7th/8th century and features rock-cut temples, monolithic rathas or chariots and stunning bas-reliefs that make it the perfect spot for couples who love an artistic depth to their holiday destination.

Manifest Recommends: Take a dawn walk on the beach, watch the sunlight hit the Shore Temple, then explore the Arjuna’s Penance relief together and let the sound of waves amplify the moment. Try the frsh seafood at beach shacks or the South Indian staples like ghee dosa. Mahabalipuram is known for stone sculptures—look for small hand-carved pieces or shell-based trinkets.