Travel in India today feels different from even a few years ago. Whether you’re young, retired, or somewhere in between, the urge to explore closer to home is strong. More people want the experiences of unique landscapes, culture, and food, but with friendly hosts in real homes something you find best with homestays rather than big hotels or crowded resorts. Booking through platforms like HomeyHuts gives you local advice, true prices, and personal comfort that the usual online travel agencies just can’t match. Based on my journeys and talking to other travelers, here are ten places that stand out this year.
Goa never goes out of style, but in 2025, it’s buzzing more than usual. Beyond the usual party beaches of North Goa, the quiet sands of South Goa, and the growing list of colorful markets, more travelers are discovering villages, heritage homes, and simple guesthouses tucked between coconut groves. Homestays here let you wake to birdsong instead of club beats, eat local breakfasts, and take sunset walks with hosts who know all the secret spots.
Rishikesh is still the go-to for yoga, riverside calm, and adrenaline lovers who try rafting, bungee jumping, and mountain walks. The town is smaller than most, but it packs in cozy homestays, homemade meals, and guides who take you off the beaten track. Staying with a local family, especially when you book through HomeyHuts, means safe recommendations and honest prices for those big adventures.
In the backwaters of Kerala, time moves gently. Most people head for houseboats, but 2025 sees more travelers picking homestays along quiet lagoons and small fishing towns. I’ve found that staying with local hosts means you eat what’s fresh from the water, join family rice harvests, and learn about spices while stirring curry over a wood fire. HomeyHuts is a good way to skip pushy hotel packages and find the humble, welcoming spots.
Shimla and Manali remain favorites, but real travelers are picking villages in Kullu, Spiti, and Kangra for both adventure and peace. Friendly hosts make it easy to arrange treks, meet neighboring families, or join picnics on the hillside. With homestays found on HomeyHuts, there’s less worry about last-minute cancelations or finding help in a pinch.
More people are heading to Jaipur for local food, history, and block-printed shopping. The best experiences come from staying in restored old city homes where you’re greeted with chai, guided through bazaars, and invited to try pottery or painting. Booking through HomeyHuts means you hear stories directly from hosts, not just reading a print-out at the hotel desk.
As Goa gets busy, Gokarna is trending for slow beach days and laid-back homestays. Most accommodation here is simple, comfortable, and right off the shore. With hosts who cook simple meals and show you quiet coves, the trip becomes less about checking sights and more about resting in warm sand and sea breeze. On HomeyHuts, listings are straightforward, with no sneaky extra fees or push to pick premium options.
In the tea hills of Darjeeling and the peaceful corners of Sikkim, 2025’s travelers look for clean air and easy walks, not crowded hotels. Homestays give you the real local tea, family meals, and short treks with hosts who know the mountains better than any guidebook. On HomeyHuts, it’s easy to chat and plan your trip how you like, confident someone’s looking out for you.
Udaipur’s white buildings, lake sunsets, and relaxed pace make it a top trending pick. Here, homestays mean you skip the hotel rush and find a spot with a rooftop view, simple meals, and evening chats with neighbors. Hosts will point you to markets, quiet temples, and home-style food stalls even big hotel concierges miss. HomeyHuts helps you avoid overpriced stays and find rooms that feel truly local.
Mysore’s palace and Coorg’s coffee hills are trending for travelers who want a mix of culture, history, and green escape. Homestays in both cities often listed on HomeyHuts are run by families who know the best picnic spots, walking paths, and where to buy real local coffee. It’s less about luxury and more about freshness and comfort.
As travel gets busier in 2025, personal connection matters more. HomeyHuts helps you skip complicated bookings, high fees, and the frustration of hotel chains. Their hosts care, speak your language, and offer advice that suits real travelers. Each place on this list feels welcoming and alive but that’s only guaranteed when you book through those who value happiness above hotel profit.
In all these trending destinations, homestays let you live the moment, taste local food, and make new friends. If you want to travel well this year, skip the big hotel sites and look for honest homes where the welcome is real and the journey lasts long after you return.
Turn your property into profits with Homeyhuts
