Gwalior Tourism And Travel Guide

The enthralling city of Gwalior, founded by King Surajesan has an abundance of beautiful and dramatic palaces and monuments. The city has an innate charm that gives testimony to its glorious past. The culture of Gwalior is identified by a fine amalgamation of Bundeli and Braj cultures. Gwalior, the land of Tansen and Baiju Bawra, also earns the distinction of being unsurpassed in the domain of Indian Classical Music. No travel guide for Gwalior would be complete without the majestic Gwalior fort standing the test of time since the 10^th century. The easiest way to get to the city is by flight and the tourism in Gwalior is predominantly restricted to the months of September to February. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect from the city:

Located in the heart of the country and en route to many of the bigger cities and tourist destinations in India, Gwalior is easy to reach by road, rail, or air. Local transport can easily be found outside the premises of each of the junctions.

By Air:

The Gwalior airport is located just 10 km away from the city centre, and is accessible from all major cities across India.

By Rail:

The Gwalior railway station is comfortably accessed from all towns and cities in India. It lies in the heart of the city and has daily trains coming in from different parts of the country.

By Road:

Gwalior is well connected by national and state highway networks. There are frequent buses to Gwalior available from Delhi, Agra, and Jhansi.

Gwalior has an extreme weather with scorching summers and chilling winters. The city is best visited for tourism activities between the months of September and February.

Summer (March-June):

The summers in Gwalior are sweltering, with temperatures soaring up to approximately 47◦C. The air is hot and moist, and this is not an ideal time to visit the city.

Monsoon (July-October):

August is the wettest month of the year with precipitation reaching peak levels. The weather gets very pleasant especially at night, but the humidity escalates to the highest of the year.

Winter (November-February):

The winters in Gwalior are chilling and it is not uncommon for temperatures to dip to 3-4◦C. The beginning and ending period of this season is arguably the best time to visit the city. Many cultural, artistic and musical festivals are also celebrated in the city at this time of the year.

Explore the wonders of the Gwalior fort:

The Gwalior fort is a breathtaking monument perched atop a hill and visible from every corner of the city. The fort has existed at least since the 10^th century and attracts throngs of tourists each year. Landmarks such as the Gopachal Parvat rock-cut sculptures and Gujari mahal are tucked in the bounds of the fort and contain beautiful artworks and sculptures to witness. 

Discover the splendour of Jai Vilas Palace:

The Jai Vilas Palace or the Jai Vilas Mahal, is a symbol of age-old Indian opulence and culture. Each room in the regal palace contains artefacts of historical importance, including a collection of swords that dates back to the time of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. The palace covers an area of about 75 acres and serves as a residence for the descendants of the Maratha Scindia family. 

Visit the magnificent Sas-Bahu temple:

The Sas-Bahu temple also called the Harisadanam temple or Sahstrabahu temple is an 11^th century twin temple located in Gwalior city. It is an architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and is located on the eastern side of the Gwalior fort.

Enjoy the rides at Splash the Sun City:

Splash the Sun city is a water and amusement park located in the heart of the city. It is definitely one of the most prominent attractions the city has to offer and is ideal for a day of fun and thrill. It is a great place to enjoy with your friends and family and features adventurous and thrilling rides that cater to every age group. 

Reconnect with nature at the Madhav National Park:

Madhav National park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary located in the Shivpuri district of Gwalior division. Being one of the most prominent wildlife sanctuaries of India, it is home to leopards, panthers, hyenas, sloth bears, and crocodiles among others. Visiting the park is recommended in the monsoon season as its acres of land are full of lush greenery. The forest is beautiful and rejuvenating, and the safari is a memorable experience.

The city of Gwalior also offers some refined culinary charms for you to devour. If there were ever two establishments to represent the food of Gwalior, they would be the iconic Bahadoora ke Laddoo and SS Kachoriwala. Situated just a stone’s throw from each other, it is highly recommended that you start off your day with breakfast in this area. You can also have some freshly-steamed, multi-textural poha at the Aggarwal Poha Bhandaar. The region is, after all, known for its elaborate breakfast spreads. Be sure to enjoy delicious street food and chaat at one of the many establishments or handcarts that line the city streets.

To bag some souvenirs from the city to remember your expedition by, head to Patankar or Sarafa bazaars that have some of the most detailed and finely crafted textiles and handicrafts in the country. Both marketplaces are absolutely enormous with a dense set of shops in each area. Other than these two vast market areas, Gwalior also has numerous rustic markets and modern malls. In these markets, you can buy light cotton, Chanderi Silk, designer jewellery, stone carvings, creative handicrafts, leather products, and woolen carpets to name a few. The atmosphere here is bustling and lively and will make you want to come back time and again.