India attractions

When Ahmad Shah I founded Ahmedabad as the new capital of the Gujarat Sultanate in 1411, he built Bhadra Fort to fortify the city. The former site of a medieval court and a British colonial jail, the fort was fully renovated in 2014 and remains one of the modern city’s great landmarks—a squat fortress with Indo-Saracenic-style arches, balconies, and latticework.

Delhi isn’t short on green spaces, but a top spot for experiencing a colorful riot of spring color is Amrit Udyan, formerly Mughal Garden, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Although built in the 1920s, long after Mughal rule ended, the gardens were based on Mughal gardens found throughout North India, depictions in exquisite Persian miniature paintings, and English flower gardens.

An architectural marvel, Kothari’s Patwon Ki Haveli is the first, finest, and largest of five sections of Jaisalmer’s most elaborate haveli, a traditional manor house with intricate carvings and large courtyards. Dating back to the 19th century, this sandstone mansion showcases exquisite craftsmanship, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of bygone Rajasthani merchants, and is today a public heritage museum.

Arguably Hampi's most popular viewpoint, Matanga Hill is a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset or simply take photos of the city. According to legend, it was once the hermitagehome of Matanga, a sage who provided guidance for Lord Rama.

Bhuj’s Prag Mahal strikes visitors with its cultural and geographic contradictions: The 19th-century red-brick palace resembles something you might see in Oxford, England, yet rises out of the desert landscape of western Gujarat. Although the building isn’t ancient—it was built in 1865—it isn’t in great shape, as it was badly damaged by a major earthquake in 2001.

Travelers interested in religious architecture will enjoy visiting Ahmedabad’s Sarkhej Roza, a 15th-century mosque, palace, and tomb complex centered around a man-made water tank. The carved stone geometric screens by the entrance are especially beautiful, and the whole complex melds Islamic and Hindu elements. Swiss–French modernist architect Le Corbusier famously compared Sarkhej Roza to Athens’ Acropolis, highlighting its beauty and architectural significance.

Hyderabad’s Sudha Cars Museum isn’t your typical classic car museum. Established by Kanyaboyina Sudhakar, an inventor who holds a Guinness World Record for creating the world’s largest tricycle, the museum contains all kinds of weird and wonderful cars, from a hamburger car to a high-heeled shoe car. As well as having plenty of fun, visitors can also admire more traditional vintage cars here.

On the outskirts of Gurugram in India’s National Capital Region, Sultanpur National Park is a bird-watcher’s paradise. Within a short drive of the city, its wide-open spaces and lake are home to a wealth of migratory and resident bird species, which you’ll spot either from observation towers dotted around the site or as you wander its grounds.

Among the more popular of Mahabaleshwar's many viewpoints, Elephant's Head Point is a great place to take in views of the Sahyadri mountains and beyond. Be prepared to do a bit of light hiking to reach the top, but you’ll be rewarded with impressive vistas worth the climb.

Bhuj’s 18th-century Aina Mahal is a must-visit attraction in the western Gujarati city. Though both the palace’s exterior and the collections within have seen better days—Bhuj was the epicenter of a large earthquake in 2001 that badly damaged the Aina Mahal’s top floor—it still houses an interesting collection of locally made, European-inspired arts, crafts, and historical artifacts.

The Quest Mall in Kolkata is a stylish place to shop, eat, or just escape from the hustle of the city outside. The 5-story mall isn’t just home to a wealth of luxury, upmarket clothes and lifestyle brands, but has a multiplex cinema and a food court, which serves a variety of Indian and international fare.

Undoubtedly one of Ahmedabad's more out-there experiments in craftsmanship and architecture, Amdavad Ni Gufa is an underground art gallery that showcases the works of Maqbool Fida Husain, among the most celebrated Indian artists of the 20th century. Visit to see the artist's paintings and experience a gallery space that looks like a giant caterpillar/spaceship half buried underground.

In the heart of Old Bikaner, Rampuria Haveli is a group of nine havelis (city mansions), constructed in pink Dulmera sandstone. Most of the havelis were likely built around the 15th century, and are a great example of Rajasthani architecture.

Drive from Jaisalmer toward the Pakistan border, and you'll eventually reach the Longewala War Memorial. This memorial marks the spot where the 1971 Battle of Longewala, a key early battle in the Indo-Pakistan War, took place. Here, you can see ruined tanks and visit a museum with exhibits focused on the battle and the war.

Between Ellora, Ajanta, and Elephanta, Maharashtra has no shortage of spectacular caves of cultural and natural interest. Visitors to the central state can add Nashik’s Pandav Caves to their itinerary. Built into the Trirashmi Hills, these predominantly Buddhist caves are between 1,500 and 2,000 years old and contain intricate carvings and statues.

The Akbari Fort is a 16th-century fort housing the Rajputana Museum. It's also known as Ajmer Fort or the Government Museum of Ajmer. It was established in 1908 to display collections of coins, religious sculptures, miniature art, and arms, much of which came from excavation sites.

Formally known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan and often referred to simply as the "Ajmer Jain Temple," this 19th-century temple is dedicated to Rishabhdev, the first Jain Tirthankara (sage). Its key feature is a massive sculptural depiction of the city of Ayodhya gilded in brilliant and shining gold.

Gujarat’s far-western Kutch region is a culturally, geographically, and artistically rich place. Learn more about it through the diversity of artifacts and exhibits on display at Bhuj’s Kutch Museum. It’s the oldest museum in Gujarat, and though it may show its age and not everything is well-labeled, curious travelers should be able to sift through to find the treasure.

The Auto World Vintage Car Museum, located on the eastern outskirts of Ahmedabad, houses a large collection of classic automobiles, some from the early 20th century. Set in a crenelated building, which resembles a castle on a large private estate, the museums’ collection was once privately owned by local automobile enthusiast Pranlal Bhogilal. Car fans won’t want to miss this niche-interest museum if visiting Ahmedabad.

Snow is a rare sight in India (outside the Himalayas), but Maniar’s Wonderland Snow Park in Ahmedabad provides a wintery experience the whole year round. Kids and adults will enjoy playing in the park, riding the roller coasters and zip lines, and even having snowball fights—a particularly enticing option when it’s hot outside.

Also known as Kempegowda's Fort after the founder of Bangalore (Kempe Gowda), this landmark construction was originally built in 1537 out of mud and converted to stone in 1761. It was later captured by the British East India Company in 1791. Today, only two bastions and one gate remain, along with gardens and a Ganesh temple.

By some accounts, this historic road stretching from Alka Square to Quarter Gate Square in the heart of Pune is named after Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity—hence, the road bazaar overflows with shops and stalls where you can bargain for almost anything, from clothing to textiles and jewelry.

Bandhej (tie-dye) saris, traditional blouses, and colorful wall hangings line the stalls of the Law Garden Night Market, where business starts after sunset. So-called because of its proximity to the Gujarat Law Society University, and the garden of the same name, the market is where locals and tourists shop for traditional Gujarati handicrafts and local street food.

The Kochi branch of South India’s Wonderla Amusement Park chain has state-of-the-art land and water rides for all ages, plus live shows daily. Highlights include two wave pools, a 120-foot-high (37-meter-high) vertical-drop ride, and India’s first reverse looping roller coaster. The water park is a popular way to cool off when the weather’s hot—which it often is in Kochi.

A short drive from central Chandigarh in the town of Pinjore, Aqua Village is a midsize water park featuring attractions for visitors of all ages. Highlights of this family favorite include eight waterslides and a variety of pools, some designed with small children in mind.

Spanning around 55 acres (22 hectares), Mount Opera is the Hyderabad area's largest amusement park. Here you'll find all sorts of rides and attractions, plus a water park offering pools and slides suitable for visitors of all ages. A special kids’ zone includes a playground designed for the littlest of guests.

Archaeology and ancient history enthusiasts will want to make a detour to Lothal, an archaeological site that was part of the Indus Valley civilization about 4,500 years ago. While many Indus Valley civilization sites are less accessible nowadays, in the deserts of modern-day Gujarat and Pakistan, Lothal is just 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Ahmedabad.

Also called the Pu La Deshpande Garden, the Pune Okayama Friendship Garden is among the largest public gardens in Pune, India. Established as a symbol of friendship between the sister cities Pune and Okayama in Japan, this landscaped space is said to be the largest Japanese-style garden outside of Japan, and offers visitors a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Pune’s city life.

Ahmedabad’s Splash the Fun World is a water-based amusement park that offers more than 20 rides, many of which are suitable for both kids and adults. It is particularly popular on hot days and weekends and also offers a number of dry attractions and rides.

Camels are a common sight in Rajasthan and are an important part of the desert state’s ecosystem and workforce. Learn more about the hump-backed, long-legged creatures at Bikaner’s National Research Centre on Camel, run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Tour the museum, ride camels, coo over babies, and even cool off with camel milk ice cream or lassi.