The short answer
Lakshmi Vilas Palace: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you want one sight that sums up Baroda's royal era. Treat it as a half-day with the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, and confirm current visiting arrangements first, because parts of the estate are private and plans for the palace have been changing.
History and context
The story behind Lakshmi Vilas Palace
Construction began in 1878 and was completed in 1890 for Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda State. The architects were Charles Mant and Robert Chisholm, working in an Indo-Saracenic idiom.
The Gaekwad family still owns the palace and lives in part of it. The estate includes the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, a golf club opened to the public by the present head of the family, and cricket grounds at Moti Baug. In 2024 the family announced plans to convert the palace into a hotel and visitor resort, so access may change.
Useful facts
Lakshmi Vilas Palace facts at a glance
- Location
- Fatehgunj / Moti Baug area, Vadodara
- Experience type
- Palace visit; check access first
- Known for
- Indo-Saracenic design, Gaekwad family home
- Architect/Built
- Charles Mant and Robert Chisholm; 1878-1890
- Time or schedule
- Confirm opening arrangements before visiting
Why it matters
Why Lakshmi Vilas Palace is worth your time
Lakshmi Vilas was commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the ruler who shaped modern Vadodara through museums, libraries, schools and civic buildings. Construction began in 1878 and finished in 1890 under British architects Charles Mant and Robert Chisholm. It is a good example of Indo-Saracenic building, which mixes Indo-Islamic forms with European planning.
The palace also tells a technology story. Records describe lifts, a telephone exchange and its own electricity supply in the nineteenth century, which was unusual for any residence in India. It remains the home of the Gaekwad family, which is why visiting it feels different from a museum: the building is still lived in, not only displayed.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The palace facade
A large Indo-Saracenic front of domes, arches and towers; the scale is easiest to judge from the grounds.
- 02
Durbar Hall
The ceremonial hall used for concerts and dinners, with painted and decorated interiors.
- 03
The wider estate
The museum, golf course and Moti Baug grounds make the palace a full morning, not a quick photo stop.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Begin by looking at the palace from the approach rather than rushing in. The facade pulls together domes, arches, towers and carved stone in a style the architects described to their patron as Indian in feeling but European in planning. The size is the first thing that registers, and the grounds around it are where the scale makes sense.
If the interiors are open on your day, go slowly through the public rooms and look at the details: mosaic floors, stained glass, heavy wooden doors, and the large Durbar Hall that held concerts and dinners. The collection of paintings associated with the family includes works by Raja Ravi Varma, though the better-labelled place to see his work is the museum on the same estate.
Pair the visit with the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and, if you have energy left, the gardens and golf-course side of the estate. Do not try to add Sayaji Baug on the same morning. Have lunch in the Fatehgunj area and rest before a second outing in the evening.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm current visiting arrangements on the official palace website
- Go in the morning and keep the afternoon free
- Ask about vehicle access within the estate if walking is difficult
- Check photography rules at each section
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Near Moti Baug and Fatehgunj, central Vadodara
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours with the museum
- Best time
- Morning, October to March, when the lawns and verandas are comfortable
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Most of the visit is level walking on paths and polished floors, but the estate is large and the distances between buildings add up. Ask for vehicle access where possible and plan seating breaks; shade is better in the morning.
- Tickets and access
- Parts of the palace are the family's private residence, so access has been managed rather than open-ended. Arrangements for tickets, audio guides and timings have varied, so confirm on the official palace website or at the gate before you travel. Photography rules inside differ by section.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Lakshmi Vilas Palace
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Most of the visit is level walking on paths and polished floors, but the estate is large and the distances between buildings add up. Ask for vehicle access where possible and plan seating breaks; shade is better in the morning.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Lakshmi Vilas Palace open to visitors?
Access has varied and parts are a private residence. Check the official palace website for the current arrangements before travelling.
Who built Lakshmi Vilas Palace?
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III commissioned it, with Charles Mant and Robert Chisholm as architects. Work ran from 1878 to 1890.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Mostly, because floors are level, but the estate is spacious. Plan seating breaks and use a car between sections where permitted.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
