5 Most Visited States of India by Foreign Tourists (2024 Data)

The most visited states of India by foreign tourists, according to the Tourism Ministry’s India Tourism Data Compendium 2025 (data for 2024), are Maharashtra (3.7 million foreign tourist visits), West Bengal (3.1 million), Gujarat (2.27 million), Uttar Pradesh (2.26 million) and Rajasthan (2.07 million). Tamil Nadu and Delhi, which led older lists, are no longer in the top five.

5 most visited states of India by foreign tourists in 2024

At the national level, India received 9.95 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2024, up 4.52 per cent from 2023 but still 8.95 per cent below the 2019 level, as reported by TravTalk. Counting non-resident Indians as well, international tourist arrivals stood at 20.57 million.

What changed from the older ranking

An earlier version of this article, based on pre-pandemic data, ranked Tamil Nadu first, followed by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. The 2024 figures look different. Maharashtra has moved to the top, West Bengal and Gujarat have entered the top three, and Tamil Nadu and Delhi have dropped out of the top five.

Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have stayed in the list, which is no surprise given the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, Jaipur and the desert circuit. Here is what draws foreign visitors to each of the five states.

1. Maharashtra

Maharashtra tops the 2024 list with about 3.7 million foreign tourist visits. It has held a place near the top for years, and the 2024 data puts it first.

• Caves: the rock-cut Ajanta and Ellora caves, among the best-known heritage sites in India.
• Monuments: forts and historic monuments spread across the state.
• Architecture: Mumbai’s colonial-era buildings, which many visitors explore on foot.

2. West Bengal

West Bengal is the big mover, ranked second with about 3.1 million foreign tourist visits. It mixes a large heritage city, Himalayan hill towns and one of the world’s best-known mangrove forests.

• UNESCO sites: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Sundarbans National Park, home to tigers in the mangroves.
• Kolkata: Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Kalighat and Dakshineswar temples, and Belur Math.
• Hills: Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik, plus treks to Sandakphu, the state’s highest peak.
• Festivals: Durga Puja, the state’s biggest celebration.

3. Gujarat

Gujarat recorded about 2.27 million foreign tourist visits in 2024 and ranked third, according to the Tourism Ministry data reported by Asian Hospitality.

• Heritage: Dholavira, Lothal, Champaner, the Sun Temple at Modhera and the Palitana temples.
• Landmarks: the Statue of Unity, Dwarka, Somnath and Akshardham in Gandhinagar.
• Wildlife: Gir National Park, home of the Asiatic lion, and the Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch.
• Festivals: Navratri garba, the Ahmedabad kite festival in January and the Rann Utsav in Kutch.

4. Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh received about 2.26 million foreign tourist visits, just behind Gujarat. It holds the single most famous monument in the country.

• Agra: the Taj Mahal, the reason many first-time visitors come to India.
• Varanasi: one of the oldest living cities, on the banks of the Ganga.
• The Ganga basin: river towns and religious sites across the plains.

5. Rajasthan

Rajasthan, the land of kings, rounds off the top five with about 2.07 million foreign tourist visits. It is among the most colourful states in India and a favourite for first-time travellers.

• Jaipur: the Pink City, with its palaces and forts.
• The Thar Desert: the sand dunes of western Rajasthan.
• Palaces: royal architecture that reflects the state’s princely history.

States that dropped out of the top five

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu was ranked first in the older version of this list. Its pull for foreign visitors comes from medical tourism, hill stations, a long coastline and a large number of historic temples. It remains a major destination, but in the 2024 data it sits outside the top five.

Delhi

Delhi was fourth in the earlier ranking. The capital’s best-known sights include India Gate, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, and many foreign visitors start their India trip there. In the 2024 figures, it no longer makes the top five by foreign tourist visits.

Neither state has lost its appeal. The shift mainly shows how strongly Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat have grown in the post-pandemic recovery.

Why these rankings matter for travellers

The list shows where the international crowds are. If you are planning a trip to Agra, Jaipur or Mumbai, expect company at the big sights. If you want fewer crowds, West Bengal’s hills or Gujarat’s lesser-known heritage towns can be a calmer choice. The numbers also tell you which states are gaining most from international travel right now. Keep in mind that these are yearly figures, and rankings can shift again when the next compendium is released. For more travel ideas, browse our listicles.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Asian Hospitality, TravTalk India, Ministry of Tourism.