Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh and the commercial heart of the Malwa plateau. It rose under the Holkar dynasty: Malhar Rao Holkar was appointed Maratha chief of Malwa in 1730, and in 1766 his daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar moved the capital from Kampel to Indore. Her reign is remembered as a golden age of temple building across central India, and her name is still everywhere in the city, from the airport to the statue outside Rajwada.
The sights are modest in number but varied. Rajwada, the seven-storey Holkar palace, and the later, European-style Lalbagh Palace show two sides of the dynasty. Kanch Mandir, a Jain temple covered in glass, and the Khajrana Ganesh Temple show the city's devotional life. The Central Museum holds sculpture from the Parmar period. None of this takes more than a day or two, which suits a relaxed trip.
What sets Indore apart is food. Sarafa Bazaar, a jewellery market by day, turns into a night food court after the jewellers close, and Chhappan Dukan in Palasia offers a tidier, car-free alternative. Poha-jalebi, dahi bade, kachori, bhutte ka kees and kulfi are the staples. The city has also been ranked repeatedly as India's cleanest, which makes walking around easier than in many large cities.
Indore works well as a base. Ujjain, Mandu, Maheshwar and Omkareshwar are all within a day's drive, each with its own page on Raahzo. For parents and older travellers, the city is flat, has good hospitals and hotels, and rewards a rhythm of one outing in the morning, rest in the afternoon, and food in the evening.
Before you plan
Indore at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is the most…November to February is the most comfortable; October and March are good. April to June is very hot, and July to August is rainy.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days for the city2 days for the city; 3 to 4 days if you add a day trip to Ujjain or Mandu
- Airport
- Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International…Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport (IDR), about 8 km west of the city; usually 20 to 40 minutes by road depending on traffic
- Railway station
- Indore JunctionIndore Junction (INDB) is the main station; Lakshmibai Nagar (LMNR) has also been used by some services during redevelopment
- Getting around
- App cabsApp cabs, autos and hired cars work best. A metro priority corridor from Gandhi Nagar to Radisson Square has been opening in stages since 2025.
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person…Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person per day excluding hotel, for food, local transport and entry fees; varies with car hire
- Senior comfort
- Good: the city is flat and well servedGood: the city is flat and well served, but old-city lanes and temple queues are crowded, and April to June is very hot
- Language
- HindiHindi (with Malwi spoken locally); English is understood in hotels and by many drivers
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Indore: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Indore itinerary
One good day
1 day in Indore
Start at Rajwada Palace in the morning, then walk the short distance to the Krishnapura Chhatris. Visit Kanch Mandir in Itwaria Bazar on the way back toward your car. After lunch and a rest, spend an hour at the Central Museum, which is quiet and indoors. In the evening, go to Sarafa Bazaar after the jewellers close for poha-jalebi, dahi bade and kulfi, and keep your portions small.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Indore
Begin with Rajwada Palace and the Krishnapura Chhatris, then visit Kanch Mandir. Break for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, go to Lalbagh Palace by car and walk the gardens, then visit the Central Museum if time allows. End with an early evening snack at Chhappan Dukan, which is easier than the night lanes.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Indore
Rajwada Palace in the morning, the Krishnapura Chhatris, Kanch Mandir and the market lanes of the old centre. Lunch near Rajwada, then a rest. In the evening, a gentle snack walk at Chhappan Dukan.
Day-by-day plan →
