Delhi, India has claimed the top spot in Agoda’s 2025 Repeat Visitor Rankings, earning its status as an unrivaled destination due to its rich blend of timeless heritage, iconic landmarks, and vibrant cultural experiences. Travelers return repeatedly to explore the city’s historic monuments, bustling markets, and serene retreats, making it a favorite for those seeking both cultural depth and immersive experiences.

Agoda’s recent analysis highlights Delhi as the leading city in the Repeat Visitor Ranking 2025, underlining its increasing appeal among travelers. The study, covering the first half of 2025, indicates that several Indian cities are seeing a surge in return visits, with travelers making multiple trips to the same locations within months. This trend reflects growing loyalty and a desire for immersive experiences. Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) top the rankings, followed closely by Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Notably, Kochi has also emerged as a repeat-visit favorite, winning over travelers with its unique charm and cultural allure.

Why These Cities Attract Repeat Visitors

Delhi captivates visitors with a combination of history, culture, and modern urban life. Travelers visit its iconic landmarks, including the Red Fort, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar, and enjoy the city’s vibrant streets, markets, and culinary delights. Its central location allows travelers to explore nearby destinations such as Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, or hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie, making Delhi a convenient base for varied travel experiences.

Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru continue to draw repeat visitors thanks to their seamless connectivity and wide-ranging attractions. Serving as gateways to vibrant cultural districts, scenic coastlines, and key commercial hubs, these cities offer a mix of bustling urban life and relaxing leisure activities. The combination of dynamic city experiences and abundant entertainment options motivates travelers to return time and again.

Kochi: A Cultural Gem in Kerala

Kochi emerges as a unique repeat-visit favorite. The city serves as a gateway to Kerala’s famous backwaters, yet it has developed a strong identity of its own. Visitors return to Kochi to explore its historical sites, rich culture, and relaxed pace of life, which contrasts sharply with the busy metros.

The city showcases a colonial legacy through its architecture, with influences from the Portuguese, Dutch, and British eras visible in its streets and buildings. Kochi also narrates India’s maritime history, attracting travelers interested in both culture and heritage. Annual cultural events, particularly the internationally renowned Kochi-Muziris Biennale, draw art lovers repeatedly, reinforcing the city’s position as a top destination for return visits.

A Growing Trend in Travel Behavior

Agoda’s research reveals a clear change in traveler behavior, with a growing number of visitors revisiting the same city within a six-month period, highlighting stronger loyalty to destinations. Modern travelers now value deep cultural experiences, authentic engagement, and immersive exploration more than simply seeking something new.

This trend extends beyond India. Cities such as Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Bali, and Osaka also top the global repeat visitor charts. These rankings highlight a broader change in tourism: travelers now value destinations that offer rich experiences and personal connections, returning multiple times to enjoy what they missed or to deepen their understanding.

Key Attractions Driving Delhi’s Popularity

Several landmarks make Delhi a favorite for repeat visits:

• Red Fort: This 17th-century Mughal fort, built with red sandstone, hosts palaces, halls, and gardens. Visitors enjoy evening sound-and-light shows and cultural events that bring history to life.

India Gate: This iconic memorial pays tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Surrounded by expansive lawns and open grounds, it remains a favorite destination for evening strolls and relaxed outdoor gatherings.

Qutub Minar: Standing 73 meters tall, this magnificent brick minaret holds the title of the world’s tallest and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors are captivated by its detailed craftsmanship and rich historical legacy.

Lotus Temple: Shaped like a blossoming lotus, this Bahá’í House of Worship invites individuals from every faith. Guests are drawn to its tranquil atmosphere and calming surroundings, offering a serene retreat from the city’s hustle.

• Chandni Chowk: One of Delhi’s oldest markets, Chandni Chowk attracts shoppers with its narrow lanes, traditional goods, spices, textiles, and street food. The bustling market offers a quintessential Delhi experience.

Why Travelers Return to Indian Cities

Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kochi share one common trait: they offer varied and meaningful experiences. Travelers return to these cities because they combine accessibility, history, culture, entertainment, and culinary exploration. Kochi’s rise in popularity shows that smaller, culturally rich cities can also compete with large metropolitan hubs.

Repeat visits reflect travelers’ desire to engage with a city more deeply, whether by exploring lesser-known attractions, participating in cultural events, or revisiting familiar sites with fresh perspectives. This evolving pattern of travel indicates that loyalty is becoming a defining factor in tourism, as travelers increasingly prefer experiences that allow them to return and rediscover destinations.

Delhi, India tops Agoda’s 2025 Repeat Visitor Rankings, earning its unrivaled status as travelers return for its captivating landmarks, rich heritage, and immersive cultural experiences.

The Repeat Visitor Ranking 2025 by Agoda highlights a major trend in tourism: travelers now favor cities that provide rich, immersive experiences over novelty alone. Delhi’s top position underscores its enduring appeal, while Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kochi demonstrate the breadth of India’s attractions. Kochi’s emergence as a repeat-visit favorite emphasizes the growing interest in cultural and heritage-focused destinations.

Indian cities are no longer just one-time stops; they are becoming destinations that travelers choose to return to repeatedly, valuing deep engagement, cultural richness, and meaningful experiences. This trend signals a new era in tourism where cities earn loyalty not just through attractions, but by offering immersive and unforgettable experiences that invite visitors back, time and again.