I travelled to Gwalior in mid-October 2021. I was in Gwalior for a day before heading to Uttrakhand. Gwalior is a big city with lots to see, experience and taste. 24 hours are sufficient to explore Gwalior, but you can explore all the main attractions in a day.

If you are short of time or just passing through, this guide is perfect for you. Discover all that Gwalior has to offer and how to make the most of it.

This guide will cover the following topics:-

• GETTING TO GWALIOR
• COMMUTING WITHIN GWALIOR
• PLACES TO EXPLORE IN 24 HOURS IN GWALIOR
• EATRIES TO VISIT DURING YOUR 24 HOURS IN GWALIOR
• BEST TIME TO VISIT GWALIOR
• ACCOMMODATIONS IN GWALIOR
• DAY TRIPS FROM GWALIOR

GETTING TO GWALIOR

Gwalior is a well-known city in Madhya Pradesh and is accessible by flights, trains and roads from numerous Indian cities.

FLIGHTS:- Gwalior airport is 9 km away. You can reach Gwalior from major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru etc.

TRAINS:- Gwalior railway (GWL) station is the closest train station. You can travel to Gwalior by train from Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi and other Indian cities.

ROADS:- All roads lead to Gwalior. Roads connect Gwalior to Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru and many other cities. Mentioned below is the distance between major Indian cities and Gwalior.

• Pune:- 1,116.3 km
• Mumbai:- 1,090.7 km
• Delhi:- 323 km
• Kolkata:- 1,262.6 km
• Chennai:- 1,834 km
• Bengaluru:- 1,801.8 km

I stopped by at Gwalior on my to the Char Dham. I was in Gwalior for only a day. Within the limited time, I visited most of the attractions. Don’t have a lot of time and want to make the most of it? Then continue reading to discover all the sites you can visit within 24 hours in Gwalior.

COMMUTING WITHIN GWALIOR

Gwalior is huge. If you are self-driving, you can commute in your vehicle. But let me warn you, like any other city there is traffic. If navigating traffic in a foreign city is not your idea of fun, then you better stick to public transport. There are various public transport options available.

You can take the auto to Gwalior fort. Most of the attractions on this list are around the fort. The Gwalior fort has two entrances. Both entrances do not allow public transport vehicles beyond the entry gates. So you have to walk. But don’t worry, you will find electric autos idling near the monuments. They charge a fee for touring all the attractions around the fort. You can negotiate the price.

I agree commuting by public transport is the best way to explore a city. Private cars can drive around the fort, whereas public transport cannot. The Urvai gate allows vehicles inside the fort. So you don’t have to walk to visit the monuments. Also, there is ample parking space at each attraction.

*NOTE:- You can drive around the fort, but vehicles are not allowed inside the palace premises. There is ample parking space outside the palace.

PLACES TO EXPLORE IN 24 HOURS IN GWALIOR

24 hours is enough time to explore the main attractions in Gwalior. Most of the sites are around Gwalior fort. So, you can take your time exploring each monument without rushing. You can explore and experience the below-mentioned places in 24 hours in Gwalior.

•  Siddhanchal Jain caves temple
• Gwalior Fort
• Man Mandir Palace
• Johar Kund and other palaces
• Gujari Mahal
• Saas Bahu temple
• Jai Vilas Mahal (palace)
• Tansen tomb
• Lights and Sound show at Gwalior Fort

Start your day early after a hearty breakfast. You can skip the gym for today as you will be walking a lot. Commence your sightseeing tour by visiting the Gwalior fort. Early morning means fewer people and bearable sun. Exploring all the monuments in the Manmandir palace takes a while. It’s better to cross it off the list early.

SIDDHANCHAL JAIN CAVES

As you drive up from Urvai gate, you will notice stone carvings along the road. They are visible from the road leading to Gwalior fort. The Siddhanchal caves are different from Gopachal Parvat. They are about 1 km away from each other.

Here you can see the statues of the Jain Tirthankars. Some sculptures are in a sitting position, whereas the others are in a standing position. The sculptures are as old as the 7th century and the 15th century. Some sculptures are in a sitting pose, whereas others are standing. The Siddhanchal caves depict tales of Jainism’s origin and evolution.

You can see that the sculptures are missing a few parts. It is because of the Mughal emperor, Babur. The caves are a must-visit for all, especially the history buffs.

TIMINGS:- 6 am to 7 pm. TICKETS:- Entry is free for all.

GWALIOR FORT

Next, head over to Gwalior fort, the city’s main attraction. Be it tourists, travellers or locals, everyone flocks here. The impenetrable Gwalior fort has a tragic history. The fort was invaded and ruled by Mughals, the Marathas, the British and the Maratha Scindia family. Also, Rani Lakshmibai sought shelter at Gwalior fort, and here she sacrificed her life while fighting against the British.

The fort includes several palaces, monuments and water tanks, and requires 2 – 3 hours to tour. The palace interiors are a maze, and rooms have several entrances and exits. Without a guide, you can get lost.

*TIP:- Guides charge a lot for tourists, so try negotiating.

The fort has many palaces, but Man Mandir Palace and Gujari Mahal (palace) are the main. During their reign, different kings built palaces around Gwalior fort.

The Gwalior fort sits on a mountain overlooking the city. The daytime view is beautiful but the nighttime view is spectacular and resembles thousands of twinkling stars. I recommend coming here after sunset.

MAN MANDIR PALACE

King Man Singh Tomar built the Man Mandir palace in the 15th century. Painted Palace and chit Mandir are the other names given to the palace. The palace is yellow with blue tiles in several places. It is because of the sandstone used. The blue tiles add a pop of colour to the structure.

While touring the palace, you will notice carvings on ceilings, walls and pillars. You will also see yellow and blue tiles in some places. It was once the residence of King Man Singh Tomar and his wives, but later it was used as a prison.

The palace is an architectural masterpiece and is built like a maze. The stairways lead to different rooms and chambers. You will be walking down the stairs and somehow end up in a room on the upper floor. Without a guide, you will have difficultly navigating the maze. During wars and invasions, the enemy was unable to navigate the labyrinth. It gave the soldiers time to evacuate the palace and plan surprise attacks on the enemy. There is a chamber in the palace where gold swings hung for the queens. Later this chamber was used for hanging prisoners and a torture chamber. The Mahal is beautiful but has a tragic history.

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TICKETS:- There are different tickets for different mahals. The ticket for Man Mandir palace is Rs. 75 and is valid for Teli ka Mandir and Saas Bahu temple. TIMINGS:- 6 am – 5:30 pm. The fort opens at 6 am, but the palaces are open from 9 am – 5:00 pm.

JOHAR KUND AND OTHER PALACES

There are several Kunds on Gwalior fort, but the most famous is the Johar Kund. Initially, it was a well and supplied water to the mahals. In 1232, Gwalior fort was attacked and defeated by Iltutmish. Rajput women to escape capture by the soldiers, practised Johar by jumping into the well. Therefore it is known as Johar Kund.

There are other palaces on Gwalior fort built by various kings during their reigns. Karan Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, Shah Jahan Mahal and Vikram Mahal are the other palaces on Gwalior fort. Each has its history and significance. They are all within a few meters of each other.

TICKETS:- Tickets for other palaces is Rs.10 for Indians; Rs. 250 for foreigners; Rs. 25 for photography; Rs. 200 for videography. TIMINGS:- 9 am – 5 pm.

GUJARI MAHAL

Up next is the second main palace on Gwalior Fort, Gujari Mahal. Rana Man Singh built it for his ninth wife, Mrignayani. Queen Mrignayani put forth three conditions for marrying king Man Singh. The first condition was she wanted equal status and rejected covering her face like the other queens. Therefore Man Singh built the Gujari Mahal for her. The king’s other wives stayed in the main palace and Queen Mrignayani at the Gujari mahal. Second, a steady supply of water from the Rai River. The water made her courageous and beautiful. The third condition was she would accompany the king into the battlefield.

The Mahal is now an archaeological museum and houses artefacts dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries BC. Visitors spend 1 – 1.5 hours here. All the history buffs and art lovers should add this Mahal to your sightseeing.

The palace can also be accessed from the Quila gate and is less than 200 m away. However, vehicles are not allowed beyond the gate. Another option is to enter via the Urvai gate. The Gujari Mahal is a short distance from Man Mandir Palace. It is a 7-minute drive and a 15-minute walk to the Mahal.

TIMINGS:- 10 am – 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. TICKETS:- Rs. 20 per person. You can buy tickets at the palace.

SAAS BAHU TEMPLE

Up next is the Saas-Bahu temple. A little further away is the Saas Bahu temple. There are two twin temples, and the big one is known as the Saas (mother-in-law), and the smaller one is the bahu (daughter-in-law). King Mahipala, in 1093 built the twin temples. Both temples are dedicated to Vishnu, and the idol is in Padmanabha form. The various wars fought on the Gwalior fort damaged the temples. Despite the damage, their architecture, carvings and artistry are worth witnessing. Both the temples are in the same compound. Aside from the beautiful temple, people come here for views of the city.

TICKETS:- Rs. 75 per person. The tickets are available only at the ticket counter outside Man Mandir Palace. It is a combo ticket for Saas bahu mandir, Man Mandir Palace and Teli ka Mandir. You cannot purchase new tickets at the temple.
TIMINGS:- 9 am to 5 pm

JAI VILAS MAHAL

Jai Vilas Palace is a 19th century palace built by Jayajirao Scindia. The palace has 400 rooms, and 35 rooms are now a museum. The Scindia family resides here.

All the history buffs and architecture lovers don’t forget to visit this mueseum. The Jai Vilas Palace is a mix of architecture. It is a combination of Tuscan, Italian-doric and Corinthian styles. The museum houses carriages, swords used during Aurangzeb’s reign, the original shield used by Rani Lakshmi Bai and many more artefacts. The museum is a glimpse into the lives of the Scindia family.

The Durbar Hall, with gold furnishings, is the museum’s highlight. Also, Asia’s heaviest chandelier hangs in the Durbar hall. The chandelier weighs as many as eight elephants. So, to ensure the ceiling could withstand the heavy chandelier, they suspended eight elephants from the roof. Another highlight is the 5000 book library. The library has a vast collection of books on varied subjects.

The museum tour lasts up to 1.5 – 2 hours. The best time to visit Jai Vilas palace is in the afternoon. It is the best way to avoid the afternoon sun.

TIMINGS:- The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. On Mondays, the museum is closed. TICKETS:- Rs. 300 for Indians; Rs.800 for foreigners. The car park is Rs.50.

TANSEN’S TOMB

Tansen was one of the nine jewels of Akbar’s court. During his lifetime, Tansen composed and created many new ragas and wrote books on music. Tansen’s tomb is adjacent to the mausoleum of his Sufi master, Shaikh Mohammad Ghaus.

Tansen’s tomb is a small and simple structure. Yearly a music festival is held here in his honour. Musicians from all over come here and compete. Many people forgo visiting this tomb when visiting Gwalior.

People usually spend up to 15 minutes exploring the tomb of Tansen. The tomb complex is located deep in the city. Travelling by autos is the best option. You can drive here. It is 4.8 km from Jai Vilas Palace and takes 15-minutes. From Gwalior fort, it is a 15 minute drive.

TIMINGS:- 9 am to 6 pm daily. TICKETS:- Free entry for all.

LIGHTS AND SOUND SHOW AT GWALIOR FORT

At night the Gwalior fort conducts a light and sound show. The light and sound show narrates the fort’s history using lights and sounds. It is different from a laser show, which uses lasers beams. I confused the light and sound show with a laser show. I went to the show after reading the positive reviews. But I was let down. The tickets were pricey, so I expected more.

I had hired a guide while touring Gwalior Fort, who explained the history. So I was already aware of the backstory, and listening to it again during the show was repetitive. If you don’t know the fort’s history, you might enjoy listening to Bollywood celebrities narrating it. The highlight of the show was the night view of Gwalior. At night, Gwalior resembles thousands of twinkling lights. Whether you attend the light and sound show is totally up to you. You don’t need to buy a ticket to watch the night view.

TIMINGS:- There are two sets for the light and sound show and both run for 45 minutes. The first set narrates in Hindi, and the second one in English.

TIMINGS	HINDI SHOW	ENGLISH SHOW
March to October	7:30 pm – 8:15 pm	8:30 pm – 9:15 pm
November to February	6:30 pm – 7:15 pm	7:30 pm – 8:15 pm

TICKETS:- The tickets for the show are available at the shop near the Fort view Cafe.

TICKETS	ADULTS	CHILD
Indians	Rs. 140	Rs. 65 for children between 5 to 12 years.
Foreigners	Rs. 320	Rs. 185 for children between 5 to 12 years.

EATERIES TO VISIT DURING YOUR 24 HOURS IN GWALIOR

You cannot leave Gwalior without sampling the different sweets. Gwalior is famous for its variety of sweets. A trip to Gwalior is incomplete without visiting Bahadura Sweets. It is the renowned sweet shop in Gwalior. All those who have a sweet tooth, I recommend coming here.

The shop is in a small crowded lane. It is difficult to find a parking spot and, navigating the small alleys is tiring. So get into an auto and head over. The shop’s exterior will have you second-guessing but don’t judge a shop by its exterior. This sweet shop mostly has gulab jamun and various pedhas. My favourite was the gulab jamuns. The freshly prepared gulab jamuns were the softest and sweetest I have ever had. Eating just one or four isn’t enough.

Location:- Lohiya Bazaar Road Near, Bajaj Oli, Naya Bazaar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474009

*TIP:- They taste best if you eat them hot.

Apart from sweets, kachoris, samosas, and jalebis are popular. Just a little further away is a small shop, S.S Kachoriwala. Here you will find freshly prepared kachoris, samosa, jalebis. Eating kachori is the best palate cleanser before heading to other sweet shops.

Location:- Opp. Scientific Pathology Naya Bazar Road Kampoo, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474009

Another place you don’t want to miss is Gwalior’s renowned Kwality restaurant. They have both veg and non-veg menus. The restaurant is popular and always overflowing with people. You might have to wait for a few minutes to be seated, and the food is worth the wait. The service is quick, and you won’t be waiting for long. It is a family-friendly place. You can come here for lunch, dinner or both.

BEST TIME TO VISIT GWALIOR

October to March are the best months to travel to Gwalior. The afternoons are hot while the evenings are cool. Also, music lovers and artists can visit the Tansen music festival held in November/December every year. From April to July, the temperatures are high and unbearable. If you don’t mind the heat, you can surely visit during summers. July to September, Gwalior receives rainfall. If rainfall doesn’t bother you, you can travel during these months too.

WHERE TO STAY?

Gwalior is a big city and you can easily find accommodations to suit your needs.

• Clarks Inn Suites Clarks Inn is always a good option. I stayed here during my trip to Gwalior and enjoyed my stay. The deluxe rooms are adequate-sized and clean, but the bathrooms are spacious and hygienic. The executive rooms, executive suites and premier suites are spacious. Despite the hotel being on the main road, they have parking facilities. The Gwalior Fort and other attractions are 10 minutes away. There is a mall adjacent to the hotel. It is a family-friendly hotel. 

• Park inn by Radisson This is a 5-star hotel. The superior and deluxe rooms are big and spacious. Each room can accommodate two or three adults. Ample parking space, gym and restaurant are some of the facilities provided by the hotel. It is less than 500 m from Gwalior railway station and 15 minutes from the Gwalior fort.

• Neemrana’s – Deo Bagh 17th century Gwalior If you want to experience living in a 17th-century palace, then stay at Deo Bagh. It is like travelling back in time. The rooms are spacious and have views of the gardens. The hotel is 15 minutes from Gwalior fort and 20 minutes from Gwalior railway station.

DAY TRIPS FROM GWALIOR

I was in Gwalior only for one day. There are several places around Gwalior you can visit in one day. If you are in Gwalior for more than 2 days, be sure to travel to these places.

• Bateshwar temples The temple complex is 35 km from Gwalior and is a 1-hour drive. Bateshwar has 200 small temples dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti. The temple complex dates back to the 8th to 10th centuries. The temples were destroyed, but in 2005, the Archaeological Survey of India reconstructed the temples. The Mitavali and Padavali temples are a must-visit. Architecture lovers shouldn’t miss out on a trip to these temples.

• Agra The Taj Mahal in Agra is 122 km away and takes 2.5 hours by car. Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. It is a mausoleum built by Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. People from across the globe come to visit the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

• Jahangir Mahal The Jahangir Mahal is 121 km away and takes 2 hours. Bir Sigh Deo built this palace for Jahangir. He resided here during his first visit to the city. It also symbolises the friendship between Bir Singh Deo and Jahangir. The palace’s architectural style is a mixture of Indo-Islamic styles. The Jahangir Mahal is massive, and it takes two hours to explore.

CONCLUSION OF THE 24 HOURS IN GWALIOR GUIDE

Gwalior is rich in history and has lots of places to visit. You need at least 2-3 days to thoroughly explore Gwalior. But, if you are short of time, 24 hours or one day is enough. Within 24 hours in Gwalior, you can visit all the major attractions. 24 hours is sufficient time to explore all that Gwalior has to offer.

I visited Gwalior on my way to the Char Dhams. Are you planning a trip to Char Dham? Here is a detailed Char Dham Yatra guide to help you plan a hassle-free trip.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

You’ll never know until you go.