Last Updated on: 20th November 2025, 07:56 am
Not many foreign travelers have Indore on their radars. But the city of 3.5 million – the largest in Madhya Pradesh – is the starting point for noteworthy towns like Ujjain, Maheshwar and Mandu. And if you find yourself passing through, you’re likely wondering about the top things to do in Indore.
Though nearby Ujjain has been an important holy city for centuries, Indore largely established itself in the 18th century under the Holkar Dynasty, and most of Indore’s top sites are related to that era.
In modern times, Indore holds the distinction of being ‘India’s Cleanest City,’ and an increasing number of domestic travelers are coming to see it for themselves.
All in all, you shouldn’t need more than a day to see everything Indore has to offer. For more information on reaching the city and where to stay, be sure to check the end of the article.
Rajwada Palace
Rajwada Palace is the unofficial symbol of Indore and the Holkar Dynasty that built it. Constructed between 1747-1766, it was initiated by the Holkar Dynasty’s founder, Malhar Rao Holkar.
The Holkars first ruled Indore under the Maratha Empire (arch-enemies of the Mughals) and then ruled independently as a princely state under British protection. That means that they ruled the city for over 200 years until India’s independence.
The palace is now managed by the Madhya Pradesh state government which seems to charge foreigners an arbitrary Rs 400 at all attractions. Frustratingly, those wanting to use a proper camera must also pay an additional Rs 250.
The palace is open daily from 10:00. And considering how it’s Indore’s most famous attraction, expect a queue of visitors lining up in advance.
Consisting of seven stories, Rajwada Palace features a unique blend of Maratha, Mughal, and French architectural styles.
But if you’ve already been to some of the royal palaces of Rajasthan, don’t set your expectations too high. You won’t find any artwork or artifacts on display, while the only section resembling a museum merely features written information about the Holkar rulers.
On one end, you can enter a fancy hall featuring numerous Corinthian columns and marble flooring decorated with geometric patterns.
Back near the entrance, meanwhile, visitors can climb up a few stories and walk through a series of numerous rooms.
But other than some decorated stone columns, they were void of furniture or decoration at the time of my visit. You can, at least, enjoy a nice view of the city.
All in all, Rajwada Palace just takes twenty minutes or so to explore at a leisurely pace. With the photo fee in place, I ended up paying as much here as I would at certain forts and palaces in Rajasthan that take hours to explore!
If Indore hopes to attract more tourists someday, they need to rethink their strategy.
With that said, there actually is an additional part of the original palace that visitors can see, and it even contains a museum. Known as the Holkar Gallery, the entrance is located to the west of Rajwada’s main entrance.
But it seems to be run by separate management, and they demand a couple hundred rupees from foreign visitors.
The Holkar Chhatris
Just down the road from Rajwada Palace are the Holkar Chhatris (also known as Krishnapura Chhatris) that were built over spots where significant Holkar rulers were cremated.
The beautiful stone structures were built in the mid-1800s. Three of them are considered chhatris (special domed structures) while the others are ordinary cenotaphs.
Today, visitors are free to enter the site and walk around. Inside the chhatris, you’ll find carvings of Nandi the bull, Shiva’s animal mount, facing the main shrines. And carvings of what are presumably Holkar dynasty rulers adorn the exterior.
Just keep in mind that you’re supposed to take off your shoes before walking inside the structures, as they’re still considered holy. The floors are not regularly cleaned, though, so expect to get your socks dirty.
Also be wary of the site guard. While we initially greeted each other and he didn’t seem to mind that I was there, he later spotted my camera as I was on my way out. He then attempted to extort me for an outrageous 5,000 rupees!
Even he seemed to realize it was absurd, as he didn’t do anything as I laughed and walked away.
Kanch Mandir
Known as the Temple of Glass, this stunning Jain temple is arguably the most beautiful piece of architecture in Indore. Unfortunately, however, photography is strictly prohibited inside.
Built in the early 20th century, the temple interior is entirely covered in colorful mosaic glass. It was commissioned by local businessman Seth Hukumchand, who hired artisans from Jaipur, and even from as far away as Iran, to work on it.
Inside, you’ll find numerous shrines dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras as well as gorgeous mythological scenes created by countless small pieces of glistening glass.
Jain temples are often the most beautiful temples you’ll encounter in India, and Kanch Mandir is no exception. But this was also unlike any other Jain temple I saw during my travels.
Mahatma Gandhi Hall
Built in 1904 as King Edward Hall, this structure is arguably Indore’s most eye-catching landmark from the outside. Designed by architect Charles Frederick Stevens, it was built in the Indo-Gothic style, much like some of the more notable structures in Mumbai.
Note that this isn’t a structure that visitors normally go into, though it does occasionally hold exhibitions and events. In any case, it’s central enough that you won’t regret heading over to admire it from the outside.
But how did it get its current moniker?
Mahatma Gandhi first visited Madhya Pradesh in 1918, during which he inaugurated a literature exhibition in this building.
Interestingly, during his Indore lectures, he advocated for making Hindi the national language and encouraged those in the South to speak it. The issue remains controversial in South India to this day.
Decades later, following Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, the building was renamed Mahatma Gandhi Hall by Tukojirao Holkar III.
Lalbagh Palace
Lalbagh Palace is located to the south of central Indore, so you’ll want to take an Uber there. From the Rajwada Palace area, expect the drive to take 10-15 minutes.
Note that even if your driver doesn’t wait for you, you’ll have to pay Rs 30 to get through the complex by vehicle. But the palace is just a ten-minute walk or so from the main entrance gate.
This palace was also built by the Holkar Dynasty, albeit over a century after the construction of Rajwada Palace. Commissioned by Tukojirao Holkar II, it was built in 1886 and later expanded in 1926 by Tukojirao Holkar III.
But that was also the same year he abdicated the throne. Nevertheless, he continued residing here until as recently as 1978.
It’s now managed by the state of Madhya Pradesh, which means they charge their standard Rs 400 entry fee for foreigners. While a sign outside mentions Rs 250 for photos (smartphone cameras are free), I was told that no DSLR photos are allowed inside whatsoever.
Featuring 45 rooms in total, Lalbagh Palace fuses Italian Renaissance Revival architecture with Palladian and Baroque styles. But some Mughal influences can be seen in the surrounding gardens.
Highlights include a banquet Hall with a 40-seat table, an elaborate sitting room featuring Greek mythological scenes on its ceiling, and a Western-style dining hall.
Visitors from the West looking for something distinctly Indian may want to pass on this one, especially considering the price. On the other hand, it can sometimes be interesting to see how Eastern cultures interpret Western art and architecture.
More Around Indore
Though not featured in the guide above, Indore has a few additional attractions for those with more time and energy on their hands. One option is the Central Museum Indore which houses various sculptures and ancient artifacts.
While this is normally the type of place I go for, I had already been to the larger State Museum Bhopal, while this museum also charges the standard Rs 400 for foreigners.
For those interested in temples, consider visiting the Bada Ganapati, known for its large Ganesha idol. But if temples are your thing, you’ll definitely want to set aside a day for the holy city of Ujjain.
Additional Info
As Madhya Pradesh’s largest city, Indore is well-connected by rail with the rest of India (Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, etc.)
The nearest major city is Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh state capital. From Bhopal, numerous direct trains depart throughout the day, with the ride lasting from 3-5 hours, depending on which train you take.
Indore also has its own well-connected airport.
As mentioned above, the main reason for most foreign visitors to visit Indore is to use it as a base for visiting Ujjain, Mandu and Maheshwar. Be sure to check our dedicated guides for each for detailed transportation info.
If you’re doing a long trip through India, it’s best to create an account on the official Indian Railways (IRCTC) website. But that’s much easier said than done!
If you’re just doing a shorter trip, it’s best to book train tickets through 12GoAsia. You’ll pay a significantly higher fee, but it’s a much smoother experience.
The above link is an affiliate link, but I did use 12GoAsia a few times before I got my IRCTC account set up and I had no issues.
I stayed at Hotel Lakshya Sheesh Mahal Indore which was one of the better hotels I stayed at in central India. While only the manager spoke English, he was quite friendly and helpful and told me to call him anytime I had a question.
The hotel provides chai or coffee whenever you request it, while the shower had both warm water and strong pressure.
(If you’re traveling in winter like I was, note that hotels lack heating, so a hot shower is the only way to warm up. Most midrange hotels only have lukewarm water at best.)
Regarding the location, I was able to walk numerous landmarks, though Uber works quite well in Indore overall.
Remember that when traveling even a little bit off the tourist trail in India, you can’t just stay at any hotel you like. Only certain hotels will accept foreigners, and sites like Booking will not specify this!
You’ll have to double-check with your hotel that you’ll be allowed, or at least check to see if people with foreign names and flags have left reviews.
As mentioned above, Indore has been gaining a lot of recognition in India these days for being declared ‘India’s Cleanest City’ multiple years in a row.
To be completely frank and honest, India’s cities are among the filthiest in the world, with festering piles of rubbish everywhere you look. Think of the dirtiest neighborhoods you’ve seen in Southeast Asia or Latin America, and that’s considered perfectly normal throughout most Indian cities.
On that note, Indore, one of the only Indian cities with a proper waste management system, should come as a breath of fresh air, right? Well, not so fast.
Walking around Indore, I did indeed observe much fewer piles of rotting garbage compared to other parts of the country. But it seems that Indore is simultaneously in the running for the ‘India’s Worst Traffic’ award.
Like trash, traffic is another huge problem in urban India. And somehow, Indore’s traffic seems even worse than other places. There’s seemingly zero regulation in place and the drivers here are especially aggressive. I felt quite unsafe exploring the city as a pedestrian.
Despite the media hype, I’m not sure how anybody could walk through Indore and think they’re doing a great job as a city. If you’re intent of finding an Indian city that’s both clean and walkable, Chandigarh is probably what you’re looking for.