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Best Tourist Places to Visit in Gwalior

Perched atop a rocky mountain in Madhya Pradesh, this phenomenal fortress was impenetrable during attacks. The fortress has witnessed many historical events and it is proudly stated as the “pearl amongst the fortresses in India."

Sprawling over an area of 3 km, Gwalior fort can be seen from every nook and cranny of Gwalior. It is the only monument among the Gwalior tourist places that dominate the entire cityscape.

Timing: 8 AM to 5:30 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: INR 75 per Indian adult and free for children below the age of 15 years.

Time Required to Explore: Around 2 to 3 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 2 KM

Resorts in Gwalior are so amazing that you won't miss any of the luxuries here. 

This temple was originally named as Sahastrabahu Temple which is another name for Lord Vishnu with many hands. By gradual mispronunciation in the course of time, it got famous as Saas Bahu Temple.

This temple was constructed in the reign of King Mahipala of the Kacchapaghata Dynasty who wished for a prosperous and successful kingdom from the Lord of the universe. This temple is also praised for its intricate designs and impeccable carvings.

Timing: 8 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of charge.

Location: Fort Campus, Near Post Office, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Less than an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 3.5 KM

If you are interested in witnessing the armors from the era of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb to the freedom movement during the reign of Rani Laxmi Bai, then head to Jai Vilas Palace. This well-preserved palatial monument was built by Jayaji Rao Scindia who was once the Maharaja of Gwalior.

The palace sprawls its regal branches over an area of 75 acres and it serves as a grand resident to the descendants of Jayaji Rao Scindia as well as a huge museum constituting to 35 rooms.

Timing: 10 AM to 4:45 PM (April to September) and 10 AM to 4:30 PM (October to March) on all days of the week except Wednesday.

Entry Fee: INR 100 per person (Indian).

Location: Jai Vilas Palace, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 2 to 3 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 6 KM

Gopachal Parvat is situated in the Gwalior fort and is a great place to witness some age-old Jain iconography. It is a group of rock-cut sculptures which are situated on the south side of the fort is a sight to behold and visiting the place among the best things to do in Gwalior. These carvings date back to the 7th and the 15th centuries.

The Tirthankaras are either found meditating in seated or standing positions making Gopachal Parvat one of the many Jain findings in Gwalior. Gopachal Parvat is a noteworthy and revered site, especially among the followers of Jainism.

Timing: 24 hours open for visitors.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Gwalior Fort.

Time Required to Explore: Around an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 4.5 KM

Bateshwar is a group of temples belonging to the 8th and 10th centuries whereas Padavali is a fortress that was built in the 18th century. Embark on a short drive to witness these marvels dating to various ages.

Where Bateshwar has a cluster of around 200 mini temples made of sandstones, Padavali has just one notable temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The site is unique, gripping and can send you back in time.

Timing: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: INR 15 per person.

Location: 40 km from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: At least a day.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 40 KM

Gujari Mahal is a perfect example of architectural brilliance which dates back to the 15th century. It was constructed by Raja Man Singh in the premises of Gwalior Fort, making it one of the finest among the six mahals enclosed within the walls of the fort.

It is one of those places to visit in Gwalior that stand the test of time. It now encompasses an archeological museum that has an assorted collection of antiques related to Hindu and Jain religions from the first and the second centuries.

Timing: 8 AM to 5:30 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: INR 75 per Indian adult and free for children below the age of 15 years.

Location: Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Less than an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 2 KM

This serene oasis was constructed in the remembrance of the sixth Guru Sant Har Govind Singh. The gurdwara was built in white marble and was ornated in gold. It is believed that the Mughal emperor Jahangir confined Sant Har Govind Singh at this spot; thereby, a Gurudwara was built in his memory.

The serenity of the place can be heard in the chants and the hymns recited from the holy book - Guru Granth Sahib. It is a prestigious place of worship, especially for the followers of Sikhism.

Timing: 10 AM to 10 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: 45 minutes to an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 3.6 KM

The tomb of Tansen which is famous as Tansen Memorial is an obvious choice among the many Gwalior tourist places. Tansen was a pioneer of Gwalior Gharana in Hindustani Classical music during the reign of Mughals.

He was an ardent follower of the Sufism and learned ragas from his teacher Muhammad Ghaus. The tomb has a simple architecture in Mughal archetypal. Tansen was buried in the same complex as Muhammad Ghaus and this complex is famous as Tansen Memorial where the national level music festival is organized in the months of November and December.

Timing: 8 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Tansen Nagar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 2 KM

The construction of this magnificent temple dates back to the year 1988 by the renowned industrialist G.D. Birla. The temple is dedicated to Sun God and the architecture is inspired by the world-famous Sun Temple in Konark.

The sculptures and the edges are carved out of marbles and Red sandstone giving it a unique appearance in contrast with the lush Green garden that encircles the temple. Sun Temple is one of the sacred places to visit in Gwalior for devotees.

Timing: 6:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 6 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: free of cost.

Location: Sun Temple Gwalior Mahaveer, Morar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 5.5 KM

Tighra Dam was constructed in the year 1916 on the river Sank and since then, this freshwater reservoir serves as a major source of water to the city dwellers to fulfill their daily water needs. It serves as a great spot to picnickers where a wide variety of boat rides such as Jalpari boating, paddle boating, speed boating, and even water scooters rides can be enjoyed.

Apart from the domestic usefulness, it is also a major source of irrigation and fishing in the nearby villages. The picturesque getaway is a birder’s delight.

Timing: 24 hours open for visitors.

Entry Fee: Entry is free but boating and other activities are chargeable.

Location: Sank River, Tigra, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: 3 to 4 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 25 KM

To commemorate the well-known woman warrior, Rani Laxmi Bai, an eight-meter tall statue is installed in the middle of Phool Bagh. She rebelled and fought to save the princely state of Jhansi in the war of 1857 against the British rule.

 She died fighting against the British, but she is remembered even today and the stunning statue honors her valor and courage. The Samadhi is quite distinct in the garden and is one of the places to visit in Gwalior for enkindling your spirit.

Timing: 24 hours open for visitors.

Entry Fee: Fee of cost.

Location: Phool Bagh Complex, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 30 minutes.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 4.5 KM

It is one of the prominent places to visit in Gwalior to learn the rich history of the Scindia Dynasty. Chhatris of Scindia Dynasty is located in Chhatri Bazar and is a marvelous site to admire the detailed architecture and design.

The entrance and the outside walls are adorned with stone carvings of animals like horses, tigers, elephants, etc. Daulat Rao Scindia, Jivaji Rao Scindia, and Jankoji Rao Scindia among a lot of others are some popular names from the Scindia Dynasty who are associated with the monument.

Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Chattri Bazaar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Less than an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 8 KM

This place turned Museum used to be the royal abode of the Scindia family. A stretch of rooms in Jai Vilas Palace is allotted to the Museum space where you will witness gadgets and antiques belonging to the bygone era.

You will feel proud upon witnessing the world’s largest chandelier that is on display in the museum. The palace has a touch of both Indian and British architectures and the palace sprawls across a large area.

Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM (summers); 10 AM to 4:45 PM (winters).

Entry Fee: INR 100 per person (Indian).

Location: Jaivilas Palace, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 1 to 2 hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 5.5 KM

To know more about the history, check here the historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

One of the few places to visit in Gwalior which are built by Man Singh Tomar or by the Tomar Dynasty. The stunning carved stonewalls and the perfectly placed tiles can give you the best sense of Rajput style architecture.

 Jauhar Pond in the palace is famous as suicide point where Rajput women would commit suicide to save their honour. The various chambers for different purpose like dining, sitting hall, etc. can give you quite a tour of the palace.

Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Man Mandir Palace, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: About an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 2.5 KM

Whether you want to indulge in photography, adventure or you just want to spend a day away from the hubbub of the city life in the middle of nature, Pagara Dam is your ultimate retreat. 

Located on Asan River, this dam is an ideal place in Gwalior where you can come with family or friends, and spend some quality time together and is one of the best places to go for a bike trip in Madhya Pradesh.

Apart from being exceptionally beautiful and serene, Pagara Dam is also an excellent campsite. The presence of water bodies and grasslands makes the landscape appear quite scenic. 

Boating and cycling services are also available here should you decide to add more fun to the affair.

Timing: 24 hours open for visitors.

Location: Joura Town, Morena District, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: 1-day stay.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 75 KM

Sprawled across an area of 8 hectares. Gwalior zoo was established in the year 1922 by the family of Madhav Rao Scindia. It is one of the protected areas in  Phool Bagh which is under the care of the Municipal Corporation of Gwalior.

The zoo has a vast collection of animals like hyena, sambars, bison, golden peasants, monkeys, spotted deer, black bucks, crocodiles, snakes, white tiger, etc.

Timing: 8 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week except Fridays.

Entry Fee: INR 20 per adult and INR 5 per child.

Location: Maharani Laxmi Bai Marg, Shinde Ki Chhawni, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 2-3 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 5 KM

If jungle and nature inspire you, check this list of national parks in Madhya Pradesh.

This magical tank is situated within the walls of Gwalior Fort and it was constructed in the 15th century. The tank is shrouded by a story that reveals that the discoverer of Gwalior city Raja Suraj Sen suffered from leprosy once but when he drank the tank’s water, he was cured.

The historical significance lures many believers to worship the tank. The entire surrounding is pristine and quiet, making it a perfect place to unwind in Gwalior.

Timing: 8 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: In the Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 1 to 2 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 3.5 KM

The establishment of Madhav National Park dates back to the year 1958 when the state of Madhya Pradesh earned independence. Before the year 1959, this park was known as the Madhya Bharat National park. The National Park is around 120 Km from Gwalior and is among the top attractions to visit near Gwalior.

It encompasses several valleys and hills of Vindhya range of Central India. The dry deciduous forest comprises of mixed species of plants and trees like teak, sal, kair, gooseberry etc. It is preserved under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and is a major tourist attraction, located on the Mumbai-Agra highway.

Timing: 6:30 AM to 10 AM; 2:30 PM to 6 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: INR 15 per person (Indian)

Location: Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 3 to 5 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 121 KM

No number of modern shopping complexes are capable of dulling the charm of traditional bazaars. Sarafa Bazaar and its popularity in Gwalior proves it right. Offering an endless variety of Jewelry, textiles, handicrafts and much more, Sarafa Bazar is the ultimate abode of shopaholics and is one of the most exciting places to visit in Gwalior.

It is one of the oldest markets in the city. Besides, the variety of lip-smacking food items that you can savor here make this an ideal spot for foodies as well. Do not slip this place on your visit to Gwalior!

Timing: 10 AM to 10 PM.

Entry Fee: No entry fee.

Location: Daulat Ganj, Gwalior

Time Required to Explore: Around an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 7 KM

The seven-storied palace belonged to Maharaja Bir and is situated on a hillock, a few kilometers away from Datia town in Madhya Pradesh. As you walk through the galleries of Bir Singh Palace, you will notice the resemblance it draws from Jahangir Mahal, Orchha.

This palace is one of the finest places to visit in Gwalior for its Bundela architectural excellence.  The palace falls on the Gwalior to Jhansi route overlooking the famous lake Datia, and is also known as Datia Palace or Govind Palace.

Timing: 8 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Main Datia Road,Datia, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 2 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 105 KM

Among the places you should not miss on your visit to Gwalior are the heritage sites of Mitavli and Padhavli. Visiting these sites is a great means to discover the not-so-known aspects of the heritage of Madhya Pradesh and also to add some interesting pictures to your Madhya Pradesh folder.

These are temples, the construction of which dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Though the site is in ruins, you can still marvel at the stunning architecture they exhibit. The two sites, that are easily accessible from Gwalior, sit at a closer distance from each other. Besides, Jat Rana Fort located at Padhavli is equally interesting and one of the most scenic road trips to take in Madhya Pradesh.

These two historical villages must be on the bucket list of all history enthusiasts.

Timing: 8 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week.

Location: Morena District, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: 4 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 36 KM

Phool Bagh is hemmed by a museum, a residential palace, and a few other buildings and it was built by late Madho Rao Scindia. It is a scenic and serene garden within the vicinity of Gwalior railway station and is easily accessible.

The campus comprises a temple, a mosque, a gurdwara, and the city zoo. When Prince of Wales visited Gwalior in the year 1922, he inaugurated the garden and since then, it is considered to be a prime location in the city to spend an evening with friends and family.

Timing: 6 AM to 7 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Railway Station, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 30 to 45 minutes.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 5 KM

With more than 10 water rides and around 18 amusement rides, Splash the Sun City Park is the ultimate fun destination in Gwalior. The electrifying joy rides and splashing pools have the power to keep you cheerful and excited throughout the day. People who have visited this park praise it for its value for money experience.

Timing: 10 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: INR 300 per kid for waterpark; INR 500 per head for the amusement park and INR 800 for couple entry.

Location: Race Course Road, Near Bhagat Singh Garden, Gole Ka Mandir, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 4 to 5 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand:  Around 4 KM

Check out more: Watersports adventure in Madhya Pradesh.

This museum is one of its kind and is also known as Kala Vithika. A visit is highly recommended to the music enthusiasts who are traveling to Gwalior. It exhibits a distinctive range of musical instruments both ancient and modern.

One interesting fact about the museum is that this museum used to be the ancestral house of Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, a legendary Indian Sarod player. It also displays an assorted collection of photographs and documents associated with past music meetups and the pioneers of the bygone era.

Timing: 24 hours open for visitors.

Entry Fee: Free of cost.

Location: Sheikh ki Bagiya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Time Required to Explore: Around 2 hours.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Around 7 KM

Shyam Vatika got recognition not long ago but you can know it as a banquet hall and an auditorium which restores the world’s largest indoor mural work - a measured dimension of 904 sq. meters. The long mural is the masterwork of six artists who did not stop for one week between 27th February 2005 to 5th March 2005.

It is said that the painting broke the previous record of an Australian Mural work that measured around 713 sq. meters. It was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Indoor Mural in August 2005.

Timing: 8 AM to 8 PM on all days of the week.

Entry Fee: INR 15 per person.

Location: Saraswati Estate, Cimmco Tiraha, Near Birla Nagar Railway Station, Gwalior

Time Required to Explore: Around an hour.

Distance from Gwalior Bus Stand: Approximately 2.5 KM