Contemporary entertainment, family-friendly attractions and a rich royal history combine to create the enigmatic metropolis of Indore. Despite its modern style, you’ll still find plenty of cultural experiences, from lively bazaars and renowned Indian restaurants to informative museums and centuries-old Hindu temples.

Things to do

Indore’s city centre is dominated by the magnificent Rajwada, a seven-storey palace dating back to the 1700s. It was constructed during the Holkar dynasty and showcases a stunning blend of Maratha and European architecture. Don’t miss the Lal Bagh Palace, another Holkar-dynasty building with Baroque, Rococo and neoclassical architecture.

Discover more about the city’s history at the Indore Museum, where you can see medieval sculptures, coins and weapons. It’s a short walk from Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalay, a zoological garden home to tigers, Himalayan bears and white peacocks. Take a guided tour or attend one of the wildlife education workshops to learn about the zoo’s dedication to animal preservation.

One of India’s pilgrimage destinations, Khajrana Ganesh Temple is a revered Hindu temple dating back to the 1800s and is adorned with a deity with diamond eyes. You can also visit the towering Annapurna Temple, which features an ornate gate, intricate elephant statues and reliefs dedicated to the Hindu goddess of food.

Are you visiting with your family? Treat the kids to a day out at Mayank Blue Water Park, which boasts high-speed water slides and a children’s water play area. Alternatively, relax in the lakeside Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Park, which has boats for hire, a maze and outdoor amphitheatre.

Getting around

Indore is around seven kilometres from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport and connected to all major India cities via trains from the central Indore Railway Station. You can get around using numerous taxi companies, auto rickshaws or the MetroBus, which has multiple stations around the city.