Indore Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Indore combines royal history, devotion and one of India’s most celebrated food scenes, with heritage towns within easy reach.

• Rajwada — The seven-storey Holkar palace gateway at the heart of the old city, surrounded by busy markets.
• Lal Bagh Palace — A grand Holkar residence with European-style interiors and landscaped grounds.
• Sarafa Bazaar — A jewellers’ street by day that turns into a famous night-time food market after dark.
• Chappan Dukan — A popular cluster of snack shops serving poha, jalebi and other local favourites.
• Khajrana Ganesh Temple — One of the city’s best-loved temples, dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
• Kanch Mandir — A Jain temple whose interior is decorated almost entirely with glass and mirror work.
• Mandu and Maheshwar — Day-trip to the hilltop ruins of Mandu or the riverside fort and handloom weavers of Maheshwar on the Narmada.

Indore sits on the Malwa plateau, which gives it milder nights than many Indian cities. Winters, from about October to February, are dry and pleasant with cool mornings. Temperatures climb sharply from March to May, and the south-west monsoon usually brings rain from late June to September, turning the surrounding countryside green.

October to March is the most comfortable time for sightseeing, eating your way through the night markets and visiting Mandu or Maheshwar. Festivals such as Diwali and Holi are celebrated with enthusiasm, and the monsoon months suit travellers who enjoy lush landscapes and do not mind showers.

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport lies on the western side of the city, a relatively short drive from the centre and the old city around Rajwada, depending on traffic. It is the busiest airport in Madhya Pradesh, with domestic connections across India.

Prepaid and app-based taxis are the most convenient ways into town, and many hotels arrange pick-ups on request. Auto-rickshaws are widely available for shorter hops once you are in the city. Allow extra time at peak hours, when central roads can be congested.

Indore’s hotels range from heritage-style properties to modern business hotels, spread between the old centre and newer districts.

• Vijay Nagar — A modern commercial area with malls, restaurants and business hotels; good for work trips.
• AB Road and Palasia — Central and well connected, with a wide choice of hotels and eateries.
• Old city near Rajwada — Close to markets, temples and Sarafa Bazaar; suits travellers who want local atmosphere.
• Near the airport — Practical for early departures and short stopovers.

• Money: Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted, but carry some cash for street food stalls and small shops.
• Getting around: Ride-hailing apps and auto-rickshaws are easy to use; confirm the fare or use the meter before setting off.
• Etiquette: Dress modestly and remove shoes at temples, including the Jain temples where leather items may not be allowed.
• Health: Choose busy food stalls with high turnover, drink bottled or filtered water and stay hydrated in the hot months.
• Language: Hindi is the main language; English is understood in hotels and most shops, and a few Hindi greetings go a long way.