Indore is one of the most colourful and vibrant cities in central India. It has a rich history, tasty street food and gorgeous palaces, and these are the reasons it attracts travellers from all over the country. Be it quiet temples, bustling bazaars or green gardens, one can find many delightful places to visit in Indore.
The city is a beautiful blend of old charm and modern lifestyle and is thrilling for all types of travellers. It is also among the top attractions that shouldn’t be missed out on by anyone planning a trip to Madhya Pradesh. In this blog, we will take you through the best places to visit in Indore that makes the city really special.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Indore
Indore is an absolute mix of royal heritage, spiritual sites, and modern attractions. Read on to the top 10 places to visit in Indore that show you the true charm of the city.
1. Rajwada Palace
Rajwada Palace, constructed by the Holkar dynasty of the mid-1700s, is a grand seven-story palace close to the centre of Indore. Its blend of French and Indian Maratha style, wooden columns, fountains and a statue of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar makes it absolutely stunning. It had rested in ruin for decades before being beautifully restored and reopened in early 2023. The Rajwada palace is one of the most famous places to visit in Indore and is a reminder of Indore's royal heritage and cultural resilience.
Location: Khajuri Bazaar, central Indore
Timings: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Entry Fee: ₹10 (Indians), ₹250 (Foreigners)
2. Lal Bagh Palace
Lal Bagh Palace, constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, was the grand residence of Holkar's family and now well known among historical places in Indore. Its European-style halls have marble pillars, chandeliers, Persian rugs, stained glass windows and even a springy wooden floor for the ballroom. The entrance is a replica of Buckingham Palace, India. It has now been turned into a museum and features furniture, portraits and artefacts of the royal era, which provide an insight into the life of the Holkars.
Location: Southwest Indore, by River Khan
Timings: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Entry Fee: ₹20 (Indians), ₹250 (Foreigners)
3. Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)
The Kanch Mandir or Glass Temple is a Jain temple built in 1903 by Seth Hukumchand Jain. The whole interior, floors, walls, pillars and ceiling, is adorned with multicoloured glass panels and mirrors. Idols seem endless because their reflection just goes on and on. This wonder is handmade by Jaipur and Iranian artists and is definitely one of the most famous tourist places to visit in Indore. It is peaceful and calm, and unlike any temple in Indore, it is a true manifestation of old-world charm made of glass.
Location: Itwari Bazaar, Indore
Timings: 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
4. Sarafa Bazaar (Night Food Market)
Sarafa Bazaar, one of the best places to visit in Indore city, is a crowded marketplace that is a paradise for foodies in the evening. By day, it is a crowded jewellery market beside Rajwada; from around 9 PM, food stalls fill the roads. Night owls for food visit here for street food such as bhutte ka kees, jalebi, rabdi, garadu and dal bafla. It is well known for Malwi snacks and nightlife, welcoming locals and tourists to indulge in Indore's food.
Location: Behind Rajwada, central Indore
Timings: Jewellery market till evening; food stalls from 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Entry Fee: Free
5. Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary
Just 15 km from Indore city, the 5 sq km Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most adventurous places to visit in Indore that offers nature in the city's lap. Once a hunting ground of Holkar royals, this is now a haven for deer, blackbuck, rabbits, peacocks and various birds. You can walk, have a camel ride or bike on forest tracks. There is a small museum showing fossils and a butterfly park that helps you learn more. It is a peaceful escape from nature just outside the city.
Location: Ralamandal, about 15 km from Indore
Timings: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: ₹20 (Indians), ₹200 (Foreigners)
6. Central Museum (Indore Museum)
The Central Museum in Indore is one of the oldest museums in Madhya Pradesh, built in 1929. It showcases stone carvings, tools, coins and sculptures dating back to the prehistoric and medieval times. The most famous items here are the Parmar dynasty statues of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Parvati. Visitors also enjoy rare coins and weapon collections. For history lovers, this museum is one of the best places to visit in Indore and a treasure house that explains Indore’s journey through different centuries.
Location: Near General Post Office, Indore
Timings: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays & Govt. Holidays)
Entry Fee: ₹10 (Indians), ₹100 (Foreigners)
7. Patalpani Waterfall
Patalpani Waterfall, 30 km from Indore, is a popular monsoon spot in the midst of green landscapes. The waterfall falls 300 feet in height, generating mist and cool air. Water falls so deep in the ground that it is believed to touch 'Patal' (hell) and therefore, the name. People often visit this location for picnics, photography and trekking around. There is a railway track in the vicinity of the location, so the location becomes all the more lovely when the trains pass by. It's one of the most beautiful places near Indore.
Location: Near Mhow, 30 km from Indore
Timings: Open throughout the day (best visited 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Entry Fee: Free
8. Chhappan Dukaan
Chhappan Dukaan means ‘56 Shops’. This Indore street is famous for Indori snack stalls. From poha-jalebi during the morning to pav bhaji, samosa and sweets during the evening, the place is always crowded and is one of the most famous places to visit in Indore. The beauty here is that every shop has something different, so the tourists get to enjoy many things at a time. It is also very clean and well-organised compared to other crowded food streets. For foodies, it is heaven to taste the food of Indore.
Location: New Palasia, Indore
Timings: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM (Food stalls active all day)
Entry Fee: Free
9. Gomatgiri
Gomatgiri is a Jain pilgrimage site on a small hill, located around 10 km from Indore Airport. They have a 21-foot-high statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a replica of the original in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. The hill also has 24 temples of the 24 Tirthankaras scattered all around. A peaceful view of Indore city is also seen from here, especially sunrise and sunset. For peace seekers and devotees, the site is one of the most peaceful and spiritual places to visit in Indore.
Location: Near Indore Airport, 10 km away
Timings: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
10. Annapurna Temple
Annapurna Temple is an extremely famous Hindu temple in Indore dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, who is the goddess of food and nourishment. Constructed in the 1950s, its entrance itself is magnificent with four life-size elephant statues. There are idols of Lord Shiva, Hanuman and Kal Bhairav too in the temple. Its colourful carvings and high gate appeal to people. It is among the most visited temples of the city, particularly during festival seasons when the air is filled with devotion.
Location: Kranti Kriplani Nagar, Indore
Timings: 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Conclusion
Indore is a wonderful blend of royalty, spiritual temples, bustling bazaars and streets with delicious food options. The city has some of the best places to visit that can provide travellers with a lot to discover and experience. A visit here is not only a trip around Madhya Pradesh but an experience to experience the magnificent beauty of the heart of central India. Therefore, pack your bags and explore the most beautiful places to visit in Indore and create memories that will remain with you throughout your life.
