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Best Things to Do in Gwalior

If history and architecture are your areas of interest, there is no better place for you to visit in the entirety of Madhya Pradesh than Jai Vilas Palace. This palace, designed by Michael Filose and built by Maharaja Jayaji Rao Scindia in 1874, is an exemplifying example of fine European architecture in India.

A palace once, Jai Vilas serves as a museum now. From chandeliers to carpets, everything about this palace expresses elegance and regality. The museum boasts a great collection that will leave you awe-inspired and wanting for more.

It consists of the world’s largest pair of chandeliers, malabar furniture, oil paintings, silver train, and much more that surpasses your imagination. The museum also features an excellent collection of artifacts belonging to the 19th and 20th-century and find itself among the top places to visit in Gwalior.

Highlights: Architecture, interiors, and artifacts.

Location: Jai Vilas Palace, Lashkar, Gwalior

Entry Fee: Indian- INR 120 | Foreigner- INR 800

Timings: 10 AM to 4:45 PM (April- September) | 10 AM to 4:30 PM (October- March)

Gwalior Fort is one of the most prominent heritage sites in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The fort tells the tales of the glorious past of Madhya Pradesh and the turbulences the fort has stood through its structure, its architecture and through the sound and light show that is held here every evening.

Attending the show is a great means to get an insight into the interesting history of the fort and the region. The show is quite popular among local and foreign tourists. Sometimes, visiting a place is just not enough to know everything about it. Hence, the sound and light show takes the responsibility to convey the details in an intriguing manner.

The show is held at the amphitheater at Man Mandir Palace at Gwalior Fort. Moreover, the show is available in Hindi and English languages separately.

Highlights: History of the fort and the region through a sound & light show

Location: Man Mandir Palace, Gwalior Fort, Gwalior

Price: Indian- INR 75 | Foreigner- INR 250

Timings: Hindi version- 7:30  PM | English version- 8:30

Gwalior is replete with fun places which will not let boredom enter your life for a moment. Apart from varied historical and religious places, Gwalior also has a number of places of amusement within its ambit that provide the much-needed relief to the residents of this city from the daily grind of urban life.

Splash The Sun City is one of such places, offering a full day fun to visitors. This amusement park features a good range of slides, rides, and pools, and caters to visitors of all age groups. Spend a day here, teasing your adrenaline or basking under the sun in a pool.

Experiencing a day full of laughter and joy at Splash The Sun City with friends and family is one of the most fun things to do in Gwalior.

Highlights: Amusement park, Theme rides, and pool.

Location: Race Course Road, Gwalior

Entry Fee: Adult: INR 500 | Kid: INR 300 | Couple: INR 800

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

Sasbahu Temple, located close to the Gwalior Fort, is one of the major factors behind the popularity of Gwalior among local and foreign tourists. The temple was built in 1093 by King Mahipala of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty and has endured numerous attacks since then.

It is said that the original name of the temple is Sahastrabahu Temple which has been altered into Sasbahu Temple over time. The architecture of the temple is brilliant and the temple stores, within its walls, intricately built idols of Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.

A site is an interesting place for anybody with curiosity for history and culture. Visiting this temple to take a dive into the cultural heritage of Gwalior is one of the most recommended things to do in Gwalior.

Highlights: History, architecture, and idols.

Location: Gwalior Fort, Gwalior

Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM

If you are under a wrong impression that Gwalior has nothing to offer other than the places of historical and religious significance, boating experience at Tighra Dam is all you need to change your conception of Gwalior.

Tighra Dam is an ultimate destination for adventure seekers, offering an opportunity to indulge in various kinds of boating, namely speed boating, paddle boating, and Jalpari boating. One can even ride a water scooter here.

Besides, the breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery enhance the experience of visiting this place. It is frequented by locals and tourists visiting Gwalior alike. Tighra Dam is an excellent retreat for adventure lovers and is also a great spot for landscape and nature photographers in Gwalior.

Highlights: Scenic beauty and boating.

Location: Sank River, 23 km from Gwalior

Boating Fees: Speed Boat- INR 50 per person | Paddle Boat- INR 100 | Water Scooter- INR 350 | Jalpari Boat- INR 50

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Gwalior possesses a number of explored as well as hidden gems for history lovers in the form of places of historical significance like palaces, forts and ancient temples. Gujari Mahal is another historical site in Gwalior treating its visitors with its unmatched beauty. The building has exceptionally beautiful exteriors and equally captivating interiors.

This grand palace was built by Raja Mansingh for queen Mrignayani in the 15th century, and since then, the palace has seen many ups and downs but stood through it all. A part of Gujari Mahal Fortress, this building serves as a museum now.

You can find an excellent collection of Hindu and Jain sculptures, articles from the 2nd and 1st century, weapons, and many other things that will give you a sneak-peek into the culture and lifestyle of that period.

Highlights: Hindu and Jain sculptures, archaeological pieces, and architecture.

Location: Lohamandi, Gwalior

Entry Fee: INR 10 per person

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM

Wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh and the biodiversity they hold to act as a magnet to wildlife lovers all around the world. Madhav National Park, located in Shivpuri town of Madhya Pradesh is among the most prominent ones, offering a thrilling escapade to adventure junkies visiting Gwalior.

Within its area of 354 sq. km, the park features a great range of flora and fauna species. The terrain of the park encompasses plateaus and lakes, adding picturesqueness to its aura. The major animal species one can witness here are a leopard, porcupine, wild boar, wolf, jackal and marsh crocodile among many others.

Since this sanctuary is located at a short distance of 120 km from Gwalior city, it qualifies for a thrilling weekend destination from Gwalior.

Highlights: Animal species, jungle safari, and lakes.

Location: Madhav National Park, Shivpuri

Entry Fee: Indian- INR 15 per person | Foreigner- INR 150 per person

Timings: Morning- 6:30 AM to 10 AM PM | Evening- 2:30 PM to 6 PM

Gwalior possesses some great sites that are prominent in the history of this place – Tansen’s Mausoleum is one of them. Tansen is hailed as one of the most prominent figures of Hindustani classical music and was one of the nine jewels of Akbar’s court.

His tomb is located inside the mausoleum complex of his Sufi Master, Muhammad Ghaus, in Gwalior. The tomb displays simple Mughal architecture and is a major tourist attraction in Gwalior. The place is frequented by music lovers and history buffs in great numbers all through the year.

To honour the legendary musician, an annual festival called ‘Tansen Samaroh’ is organized here.

Highlights: Mughal architecture and Tansen's tomb.

Location: Tansen Nagar, Gwalior

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM

If you want to explore wildlife in Madhya Pradesh, but not by indulging in jungle safari adventure at one of its wildlife sanctuaries, Gwalior Zoo is the most convenient option you have.

This place is fun for adults as well as kids. The wide range of wildlife species at the zoo is one of the best things to see in Gwalior. From leopards to black bucks, the zoo houses some exotic animals for you to watch. Spanning across an area of 8 hectares, the zoo also has a variety of exotic birds and snakes.

The star attraction at the zoo, however, is a majestic white tiger.

Highlights: White tiger, crocodiles, and birds.

Location: Lashkar, Gwalior

Entry Fee: Indian- INR 20 per adult | INR 5 per kid

Timings: Morning- Saturday to Thursday | 9:15 AM to 5:30 PM

A group of around 200 sandstone temples, Bateshwar Temples are one of the most iconic things to see in Gwalior. Built during the reign of Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty, these temples are an architectural marvel that renders the spectator speechless.

The intricate carvings that the temples feature are brilliant. These temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu and are located in Padavali Village at a distance of 36 km from the city of Gwalior. Their proximity to Gwalior makes them an excellent choice for a weekend outing.

Having such a huge number of temples so closely built is a wonder in itself. A visit to these wonderful temples is one of the most exciting things to do in Gwalior for any architecture or history enthusiast.

Highlights: 200 temples and architecture.

Location: Padavali Village, Morena

Entry Fee: Indian- INR 15 per person

Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

The state of Madhya Pradesh is dotted with religious places that date back to the ancient times. One of the places in Gwalior that claim huge religious and historical prominence is Gopachal Parvat that is the home to Giant Jain Tirthankara Statues, cut out of rocks.

The major attraction at this interesting site is the 40 feet tall statue of Parshavanatha. Besides, statues of Rishabhanatha, Neminatha and Mahavira can also be seen here. The carvings are believed to have their origin between the 7th and 15th century.

Taking a tour of this interesting site replete with ancient idols is one of the best things to do in Gwalior and this is one of the most scenic road trips to take in Madhya Pradesh..

Highlights: Jain statues, and intricate carvings.

Location: Lashkar, Gwalior

Timings: 24 hours

If you are a fan of fine architecture, there is no chance you are not going to enjoy visiting Teli Ka Mandir. Located within the Gwalior Fort, this Hindu temple was constructed sometime around the 8th or 9th century.

Though the temple was badly damaged during the plunder raids over time, it still holds its enchanting charm and impresses its visitors with the intricate carvings and the unique architectural it exhibits. Owing to its charismatic structure, it is frequented by locals and tourists visiting the Gwalior Fort in great numbers.

Highlights: Hindu temple and architecture.

Location: Gwalior Fort, Gwalior

Entry Fee: INR 10-20

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM

Though Gwalior has no dearth of excellent cafes and restaurants serving toothsome delicacies and rich coffee, Indian Coffee House holds a special spot for coffee lovers in the city. Located outside the railway station of Gwalior, Indian Coffee House, owing to its simple ambiance and excellent food quality, enjoys a great reputation among the residents of Gwalior.

Among many other delectable food items, one must try at this coffee house, coffee is the most important one. Moreover, the prices are quite reasonable here. Start a day with a cup of creamy and flavorsome coffee at Indian Coffee House, enjoying its peaceful ambiance and quick service.

You must try the coffee here in order to comprehend as to why doing so is among the best things to do in Gwalior.

Highlights: Simple ambiance, south indian food, and rich coffee.

Location: Indian Coffee House, Near Gwalior Railway Station, Gwalior

Timings: 7:30 AM to 10 PM

Among the places in Gwalior that are loved by locals and tourists alike are Patankar and Sarafa Bazars. These lively markets, clad in a thousand different shades of joy are unmissable spots while you are in Gwalior. Owing to the great range of handicrafts, jewellery and textiles that you can find here, Patankar and Sarafa are a shopaholic’s paradise.

Whether you want to decorate your house or want to make some interesting additions to your wardrobe, these bazars will meet your desires. Besides shopping, you can also indulge in a street food spree at these markets as some mouthwatering food items are also available here.

Shopping at these shoppers’ paradises is among the most exciting thing to do in Gwalior.

Highlights: Textiles, jewellery, artifacts, handicrafts and street food.

Location: Daulat Ganj, Gwalior

Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM

Numerous ancient and newly built religious place adorn the land of Gwalior with their presence, dissolving spirituality in its air. The Sun Temple, built in 1988 by G.D. Birla is one such place in Gwalior. This beautiful temple features a wonderful architecture and houses a brilliant sculpture of Lord Surya within its bounds.

The style of the temple draws inspiration from the Sun Temple at Konark, Orissa. The exteriors of the temple are built out of red sandstone and the interiors are made of white marble. The outstanding beauty of this temple is one of the best things to see in Gwalior.

Highlights: Architecture and sculpture

Location: Morar, Gwalior

Timings: 6:30 AM to 6 PM