Gwalior
India · Asia
About Gwalior
Gwalior is the fourth largest city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh where it serves as the capital and the administrative headquarters of the eponymous district and division. It is an important cultural, industrial, sports and political centre. Known as the music city of India, it is home to the oldest musical gharana of the Indian subcontinent and of the earliest known epigraphical inscription that uses the number 0 (zero) as part of the Hindu numeral system. The grand historic city and its fortress have been ruled by several Indian kingdoms from the Alchon Huns to the Gurjara Pratihara and Kachchhapaghata dynasties. Later it fell into the hands of the Delhi Sultanate before passing on to their vassals, the Tomars.
The Mughal Empire conquered the city and its fortress in the 16th century. Following the decline of the empire, the city fell into the hands of Jat rulers, then to the British East India Company in 1730. The Scindia Dynasty of the Maratha Empire took control of the city in the early 18th century.
Gwalior was one of the major locations of the Sepoy Mutiny. Prior to Indian independence, the Kingdom of Gwalior remained a princely state of the British Raj with the Scindia as rulers and the city became the winter capital of the Central India Agency. Gwalior was a premier twenty-one Gun Salute State along with Hyderabad, Mysore, Jammu and Kashmir and Baroda.
Post Independence, the city became the capital of the short-lived state of Madhya Bharat, now part of the larger state of Madhya Pradesh. Located in its northern part, it is one of the counter-magnet cities hosting many administrative offices of the Chambal division including the state and national headquarters of several organisations, commissions and boards and is surrounded by industrial and commercial zones of neighbouring districts, Malanpur, Bhind, Banmore, Morena.
Gwalior occupies a strategic location in the historical Gird region. Surrounded by high rocky hills, the city is situated in the valley in the Ganga-Yamuna Drainage Basin. The city's metropolitan area includes Lashkar, Old City (Fort City), Gwalior West, Gwalior East, Greater Gwalior, and Morar Cantonment.
Gwalior is one of the cities selected under the central government's flagship Smart Cities Mission and startup centre programmes.
One of UNESCO's cities of Music as part of the world creative cities network, Gwalior's identity is strongly associated with its rich musical, artistic traditions and vibrant culture, making it one of India's most touristic cities.
Gwalior travel guide
Understand
Climate
Gwalior is also known for its extreme climate. In winter the mercury may dip to 1°C, and on hottest summer days it may rise to 48°C. But normally, winter temperature ranges between 6°C and 21°C, while summer temperature hovers between 24°C and 45°C. Rainy season starts in the third week of June with Monsoon rains washing central India. The rains gradually become weak during September and the wet season ends in the last week of September. The best season to visit Gwalior is pre-winter and spring, with the best months being September to November and February to March. It is very hot from April to August, when sightseeing is inadvisable.
Getting there
By plane 1 Gwalior Airport (GWL IATA). One of four airports in the region. It is also the site of an Indian Air Force Base. Gwalior airport has some scheduled domestic services from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jammu and Indore on daily basis. (updated Mar 2022)
By train 2 Gwalior Junction NCR (ग्वालियर जंक्शन Gvāliyar Jaṅkśan). Gwalior is very well connected to major cities across India by direct train links. You can reach Gwalior from New Delhi, in less 3 hours by the New Delhi-Rani Kamalapati Vande Bharat Express (India's fastest train). This city is directly connected to Jammu, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Dehradun, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Visakhapatnam, Patna and Kolkata. (updated Mar 2024) Reserving a train ticket is fully computerised and can be done at the railway station itself or online on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation website. Auto rickshaws and Tempos (shared auto rickshaws) are available from the station to most parts of the city 24 hours. There is a prepaid booth at the railway station for hiring an auto-rickshaw. It is advised to negotiate the fare before hiring one. Taxis are also available at the station.
By road Gwalior is on the north–south corridor (NH 44). The Agra-Mumbai highway connects Gwalior to Delhi, Agra, Indore and Mumbai.
Getting around
For moving in the area around Gwalior Fort, either autos or bike rickshaws work. Walking is also viable if you have time.
By tempo Tempos are the cheapest way to move inside the city, but you may need to share them with other passengers.
By auto-rickshaw Costlier than tempos but convenient for going to internal parts of city. Remember, auto rickshaws in Gwalior do not have fare meters. So, never forget to negotiate the fare before hiring one.
By bus Buses are available to visit nearby places as well as for travelling to different cities. These buses are available from the bus stand near the railway station. M.P., Rajasthan, U.P, State Road Transport Corporation have a number of bus services connecting to cities and towns around Gwalior. Some private operators also have luxury bus services on selected routes starting from various parts of the city.
See
Chhatris of Scindia Dynasty. Literally meaning "canopy", Chhatris are elevated, dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture. These chhatris were built in 1817 in memory of the king Jayajirao Scindia. 1 Gwalior Zoo. One of many of the beautiful zoological parks of Madhya Pradesh. This park includes a white tiger, golden pheasants, sambhar, bison, and many other animals. (updated Sep 2025) Italian Garden (2 km from Gwalior Junction, next to the Gwalior Zoo in the Phool Bagh area of Gwalior). 6AM - 6PM. an ideal picnic spot for the whole family or a group of school children. The garden adjacent to the palace grounds is built in Italian style. Beautiful fountains, cascading waters make this is a beautiful place. The lush green gardens make the place even more beautiful. It is very closely connected to the Moti Mahal, the former Palace of Scindia dynasty which is now turned into a Government office. The garden is also connected with the Baiji Ki Tal which is a garden along with a beautiful pool. The major attractions here are the boating area and stone fountains add to the beauty and splendor of this park.
Gwalior Fort 2 Gwalior Fort. (updated Sep 2025) 3 Chaturbhuj Temple. (updated Sep 2025) 4 Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum. The museum has a diverse range of exhibits, including sculptures made from terracotta, bronze and stone, paintings, inscriptions, weapons and other excavated material from the Sunga, Gupta and Pratihara dynasties. ₹10 for Indian citizens, ₹100 for foreigners, children under 15 are free. (updated Sep 2025) 5 Gurudwara Data Bandi Chod. (updated Sep 2025) Jahangir Mahal. (updated Sep 2025) 6 Karan Mahal. (updated Sep 2025) 7 Man Singh Palace. (updated Sep 2025) 8 Sas Bahu Temples. (updated Sep 2025) 9 Siddhachal Caves. (updated Sep 2025) 10 Teli Ka Mandir. (updated Sep 2025) 11 Vikram Mahal. (updated Sep 2025)
Memorials and museums
12 Jai Vilas Mahal. A former residential palace turned museum of Scindias. Contains the world's largest chandelier as well as many diverse collections of antiques and gadgets. ₹140 for Indian cititzens, ₹800 for foreigners +₹100 for camera. (updated Sep 2025) 13 Moti Mahal. (updated Sep 2025) 14 Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus. (updated Sep 2025) 15 Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai. (updated Sep 2025) 16 Tomb of Tansen. (updated Sep 2025)
Religious buildings Achaleshwar. Gargaj ke Hanuman (close to Gwalior Central Jail). Garhi Padavali (About 40 km from Gwalior). A very ornate 10th-century Hindu temple, probably dedicated to Shiva, of which only the Mukhamandapa remains, w
Do
Go to the Sun City. If you are visiting in winter, you can go to the famous annual Trade Fair and shop. You can also enjoy beautiful Indian classical music both (vocal and instrumental) at 'Tansen Music Festival' during the winter.
Activities 1 Tighra Dam. A great place for an outing, boating and other water facilities are available. Nalkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Waterfall (Nalkeshwar Dham). Be Safe while Visiting.10+ Peoples have died while bathing. (updated Nov 2025)
Events Gwalior Trade Fair. The biggest fair of Madhya Pradesh and a very colourful one. It begins in the second week of January and continues until February.
Stadiums Captain Roop SIngh Stadium. (updated Sep 2025)
Buy
Handicrafts and stone art are local specialities. DD Mall at MLB Road is very big and has local branches of McDonald's and Domino's, in case you were looking for that; a Multiplex; and shops selling brand-name merchandise.
Eat
Gwaliorites like to have a good breakfast with kachories or samosas served with potato curries and chutneys and then there are sweets as jalebies and rabdi. Also try out gazak, made up of jaggery and sesame seeds and available during winter time.
Bahdura Sweets, Lohiya Bazaar Road (Near Bajaj Oil). Famous for its ladoos and gulab jamun. All of the sweets are made from pure ghee. (updated May 2020) 1 Chotiwala Restaurant, Racecourse Road, LNUPE Campus, Kampoo. 2 Double Hatth Ras, Gandhi Rd, Thatipur. Multi-cuisine restaurant. 3 Kwality, Captain Upmanyu Singh Marg (Behind S.P. Office, City Centre), ☏ +91 751 242 3243. 4 Lazeez Restaurant, Sanatan Dharm Mandir Road, Lashkar. 5 Raj Bhog, Dindayal Mall Maharani Laxmibai Marg. 6 SS Kachoriwala, Naya Bazar Road Kampoo, Lashkar (Opp. Scientific Pathology). An institution at Gwalior for over 60 years, the samosas, jalebis and of course kachoris are not to be missed. Try the bedai kachori which is stuffed with potato curry inside. (updated May 2020) 7 Volga, Jayendraganj, Shinde Ki Chhawani, ☏ +91 751 408 7100.
Cafes Cafe Coffee Day. Inside Ushar Kiran Palace 8 Indian Coffee House, LNUPE Campus, Kampoo, ☏ +91 487 233 5275.
Drink & nightlife
1 D'N'D, Dindayal City Mall - 2nd floor - M.L.B. Road. DND is the only discotheque bar ongoing in Gwalior city. (updated Aug 2019)
Sleep
1 The Central Park, Madhav Rao Scindia Marg, City Center (city center), ☏ +91 751 406 0440, +91 77730 01680, [email protected]. 3 star deluxe hotel. €75 per night. 2 Hotel Shelter, Padav Circle, Laxman Pura, Lashkar, ☏ +91 751 237 6209. 3 Hotel Sudarshan, Jinsi Road 1, Chhaparewala Pul (Lashkar), ☏ +91 7512635693. 1100. 4 Hotel Surbhi, Naya Bazar, Lashkar, ☏ +91 9425726777. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. 25 rooms divided into Deluxe, AC and Executive, In-room amenities include: cable television, telephone, and an attached bathroom with modern fittings and hot/cold water. Room and laundry service are also available. €13/23 per night. 5 Landmark, 47, Manik Vilas Colony, Jhansi Road (Near the railway station), ☏ +91 88893 73839. €50 per night. 6 Regency (New Bus Stand Road), ☏ +91 751 234 0670. 7 SitaManor, Gandhi Road, Thatipur, ☏ +91 751 401 0485. €30 per night. 8 Tansen Residency, 6 A, Gandhi Road, ☏ +91 751 234 0370. Govt Tourist Lodge. 9 The Usha Kiran Palace (Jai Vilas Palace), Jayendraganj Lashkar, ☏ +91 751 244 4000. €124 per night.
Go next
Agra (128 km) - Famous for Taj Mahal, Red Fort. Bhind (64.0 km) - Famous for Chambal river and its bandits, chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar. Datia (75 km) - Famous for temples. Jhansi , around 100 km from Gwalior - famous for Rani Jhansi Fort. Orchha , around 120 km from Gwalior. Shivpuri (119.5 km) - Ancient town and a sacred place. Sonagir (60 km on the Jhansi road) - famous for Jain temples.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.