20 Best Places to see in Gwalior

Gwalior, ‘The Best Heritage City’ having lot of places to witnesses an Ancient history, Medieval History and Modern History since thousand years. Lies in northern Madhya Pradesh, India, there are lot of places to see in Gwalior. City of Gwalior witnesses dynasties like Naag, Kushan, Shunga, Gupta, Pratihar, Kachhwaha, Tomars etc. Turks and Mughals shaped Gwalior’s history, creating numerous landmarks. Gwalior Fort, called “The Gibraltar of India,” saw many wars and dynasties..

The city of Gwalior witnessed a number of dynasties for the longer period of time and it occupies a lot of Heritage monuments. It was also witnesses ‘First War of Independence’. All these historical monuments attract tourists to stay and live the great history of Gwalior.

There are lots of Tourism Attractions in Gwalior city that Tourist should not miss are:

Places to see in Gwalior Fort

1. Gwalior Fort

Local king Shoor Sen built Gwalior Fort on Gopachal Hill. According to some historian, Gwalior Fort belongs to Mahabharata age. It is famous as ‘Gibraltar of India’ and ‘Pearl in the necklace of the castles of Hind’. The splendid outer walls of the fort stand 3.5 km in length and 350 feet height, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. Monuments on Gwalior fort are below

2. Maan Mandir Palace

Raja Maan Singh Tomar built this iconic Rajputana monument between 1486 and 1571. More than 3 storey Royal palace is the wonderful example of civil engineering. King’s chamber, Queen’s chamber and common hall, vast chambers, galleries, and verandah ornamented with beautiful carving and colorful tiles.

3. Chaturbhuj Temple:

4. Teli ka Mandir

The 100-feet-high temple, built during the 8th-century Pratihar Dynasty, honors Shiva or Vishnu. It beautifully merges Dravidian and Indo-Aryan architectural styles, forming the Valabhi style. Some locals believe merchants once gathered here to meet, trade, and stay.

5. Saas-Bahu Temple

King Mahipal of the Kachchhapaghata (Kachhwaha) dynasty built Sahastra-bahu in 1092 on Gwalior Fort. The twin temples honor Lord Vishnu, captivating both devotees and tourists. Standing side by side, they showcase exquisite carvings and sculptures.

6. Gurudwara Sri Data Bandi Chhod

7. Assi Khamba ki Baori

Assi Khamba ki Baori is the ancient monument in the Gwalior Fort in front of Man Mandir Palace. Built by Maharaja Man Singh Tomar this ancient monument consists of different chambers which were made for the Queens to bathe. It has 80 pillars and hence is called as ‘Assi Khamba ki Baori’.

8. Jain Sculptures and Caves

Between the 13th and 15th centuries A.D., artisans excavated over a hundred Jain rock-cut sculptures and caves around Gwalior during the Rajputana Rule. These remarkable carvings adorn the rock on all sides, showcasing the era’s artistic grandeur.

9. Gujari Mahal

10. Light and Sound Show

It is one of the most interesting shows to see in Gwalior. The half-hour show, presented in both Hindi and English, vividly showcases the history of Gwalior Fort. Furthermore, through the mesmerizing blend of colors, lights, and sound effects, it brings the fort’s rich past to life, making it an engaging and immersive experience..

Places to see in Gwalior City

11. Jai Vilas Palace

One of the eyes soothing monument architecture by Sir Michael Filose, designed on the plan of an Italian Palazzo is worth visiting. The construction of Palace distinct in three styles of architecture, the ground floor represents Tuscan style, the first floor depicts the Italian design and the topmost floors depict the Corinthian style.

It’s Darbar Hall along with eye-catching treasures including a silver train with cut glass wagons serving guests as it chugged around on miniature rails on the tables; a glass cradle from Italy, Mughal carpets, Swords of Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan etc. Check the updated timings here.

12. Sarod Ghar

This Museum of Music has been set up in the old ancestral house of the legendary Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan. It houses ancient instruments of the great Indian Masters of yesteryears. It also houses an impressive collection of photographs and documents. Sarod Ghar is a unique institution devoted to promoting Indian classical music, heritage, and culture.

Through this ‘window’ to the past, music lovers can gain a better understanding of the evolution and history of our classical music and a deeper perspective and insight into the context of the art as it exists today.

13. Rani of Jhansi Memorial

During the First War of Independence in 1857, the British Army surrounded Maharani. With no chance of survival, she jumped off Gwalior Fort with her horse and succumbed to her wounds at this very place. The memorial honors her sacrifice.

14. Chhatris (Cenotaphs) of Scindia Dynasty

It is situated on the Theme Road and in front of most famous Maharani Laxmi Bai College. It is a cremation place for the member of Scindia Royal Family who rules city for many years. Another premise of Scindia Family Chhatri is near to Maharaj Bada.

15. Municipal Corporation Museum

It is also called ‘Nagar Nigam Museum’. I can bet you that this one is as best as another one. Artifacts, arms, animal and bird skin, belongings of Rani Laxmi Bai, and other documents related to the city’s history, First War of Independence etc can get here.

16. Ladhedi Gate

17. Tomb of Tansen and Gaus Mohammad

The great Sufi saint Hazrat Mohammad Gaus is situated at Hazira and was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Gaus Mohammad was one of the notable Sufi in the history of India. The tomb is a beautiful piece of early Mughal architecture.

The place also famous for the ‘Samadhi’ of Tansen, the great Singer, and Musician of Hindustani Classical Music. Tansen was one of the ‘Navratnas’ of Akbar. World Famous Tansen Music Festival organized every year in this premises.

18. Jain Golden Temple

Devotees contributed 80 kilos of gold for the temple’s golden and ornamental work during its construction in 1761. They installed the main idol, Lord Parsvanath, in 1212 originally placing it in an ancient temple. When they built the current temple, they relocated the idol here. Whether the old temple still exists or was completely dismantled over time remains unclear.

19. Sun Temple

The Sun Temple is a facsimile of the famous Sun Temple of Konarka, Odisha and now this Sun Temple is one among the significant pilgrimage centers in Gwalior. It was constructed by Shri G.D Birla (a famous industrialist of India) in the year 1988.

20. Maharaja Bada

‘Heart of the city’ Maharaj Bada is the biggest and important marketplace of Gwalior. Maharaj Bada, also called Jiwaji Chowk, stands amid buildings showcasing European, Maratha, and Indian-Islamic architecture. It is the best place for shopping and street food.

Apart from this, there is cultural and rural tourism site in which is one of the best place to visit in Gwalior i.e. Adarsh Gaushala located in Murar of Gwalior.

This is not an end of tourism places in Gwalior. Once you come, you came to about the historical richness and beauty of the city.

Where to stay in Gwalior

All categories of hotels, resorts, Home-stays, inns and Guest Houses are available in the city like Tansen Residency, Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Radisson Blu, Central Park, etc.

When to visit Gwalior

October to March is the best time to visit Gwalior.

How to Reach Gwalior

Airways: Gwalior is connected with Mumbai and Delhi
Railways: Connected with almost all big cities of India.
Roadways: Buses are available of all nearby big cities like New Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal, Indore, Kanpur etc.

Other places to see in Gwalior and around Gwalior:

Moti Mahal, Surwaya ki Garhi, Tikla, Mitawali, Ranighati, Ater Fort, Karera Fort, Gwalior Trade Fair and many more.