Top places to visit in Aurangabad

• Ellora Caves

  rock-cut-caves · 4.7 rating · about 3.5 h · entry ₹600

  UNESCO World Heritage complex of 34 rock-cut Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples, crowned by the monolithic Kailasa Temple — the world's largest rock-cut monument.

• Ajanta Caves

  rock-cut-caves · 4.6 rating · about 3.5 h · entry ₹600

  UNESCO World Heritage rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments (2nd c. BCE-6th c. CE) renowned for their exquisite ancient murals and sculptures, set in a horseshoe gorge.

• Bibi Ka Maqbara

  mausoleum · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹300, ASI gate rate; online ₹20/₹250. Children under 15 free.

  A 17th-century marble-and-stucco mausoleum built by Aurangzeb's son for his mother, closely modelled on the Taj Mahal and nicknamed the "Taj of the Deccan".

• Daulatabad Fort

  hill-fort · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · entry ₹300

  A formidable 12th-century hill fortress with concentric defences, a moat, dark passages and the Chand Minar tower — once briefly the capital of the Delhi Sultanate.

• Grishneshwar Temple

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A revered Shiva temple near Ellora, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas, with intricately carved red-stone shikhara and steady streams of pilgrims.

• Panchakki

  water-mill · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · entry ₹100

  A 17th-century water mill driven by an ingenious underground channel, with a reservoir, garden and the dargah of a Sufi saint — a feat of medieval hydro-engineering.

• Siddharth Garden & Zoo

  urban-park · 4.1 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The city's central garden and zoo with shady lawns, a small aquarium and the only zoo in Marathwada — a relaxed family outing.

• Aurangabad Caves

  rock-cut-caves · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹300, ASI gate rate; online ₹20/₹250. Children under 15 free.

  A group of 6th-7th-century Buddhist rock-cut caves on a hillside behind Bibi Ka Maqbara, with fine Tantric sculptures and panoramic views over the city.

• Soneri Mahal

  palace · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 17th-century "Golden Palace" once adorned with gold paintings, set against the Satara hills and now housing a small museum amid gardens.

• Jama Masjid Aurangabad

  mosque · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A graceful 17th-century mosque in the old city with a long arcaded prayer hall and slender minarets, built during the era of Malik Ambar and the Mughals.

• Salim Ali Lake

  lake · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A serene lake and bird sanctuary named after the famed ornithologist, near the old city walls — a green spot for birdwatching and quiet walks.

• Himayat Bagh

  mughal-garden · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A vast 17th-century Mughal garden, now home to a fruit-research station and nursery, offering shady avenues and a glimpse of the city's green heritage.

Things to do

• Ellora Caves Guided Tour Heritage · 4 h · from INR 1,500 per person
• Ajanta Caves Guided Tour Heritage · 6 h · from INR 2,000 per person
• Bibi Ka Maqbara Visit Heritage · 1.5 h · from INR 300 per person
• Daulatabad Fort Climb Heritage · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
• Aurangabad Caves & Panchakki Heritage · 2.5 h · from INR 700 per person

Day trips and tours

• Ajanta & Ellora Heritage Day 9 h · from INR 2,200
• Ajanta Caves Full-Day Excursion 10 h · from INR 2,500
• Aurangabad City & Monuments Tour 5 h · from INR 1,200

Where to stay in Aurangabad

• City Center about INR 2,500 per night

  Main area near train station with mid-range hotels

Hotels

• Vivanta Aurangabad 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
• WelcomHotel Rama International 5-star · INR 6,000 to INR 11,000 per night
• Lemon Tree Hotel Aurangabad 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,000 per night
• The Meadows Resort & Spa 4-star · INR 5,000 to INR 9,000 per night
• Ginger Aurangabad 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
• Zostel Aurangabad 2-star · INR 500 to INR 1,800 per night

Where to eat

• Bhoj Thali Gujarati, Rajasthani, Thali · about INR 350 per person
• Tara Paan Centre Desserts, Street Food · about INR 150 per person
• Naan Qalia Mughlai, North Indian · about INR 300 per person
• Green Leaf North Indian, South Indian, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
• Kream N Krunch Cafe, Continental, Bakery · about INR 400 per person
• China Town Chinese, Asian · about INR 450 per person
• Madhuban Restaurant North Indian, Mughlai, Continental · about INR 550 per person
• Swad Veg Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Chinese · about INR 300 per person

Getting to Aurangabad

Airport: Aurangabad (IXU)

How visitors arrive in Aurangabad

• Flight to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport By air from Mumbai, Delhi · common

  The airport lies a few kilometres east of the centre, with flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Direct train By train from Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad · common

  The city's station has direct trains from Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or road from Maharashtra cities By road from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik · common

  The Central Bus Stand serves Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur; the Samruddhi expressway passes through. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi or app cab from the airport unconfirmed

  The airport is at Chikalthana, a short drive east of the city centre. Pre-booked taxis and app cabs are the usual way into town. Source: en.wikipedia.org

• Drivers at stations and bus stands often overcharge visitors, so insist on the meter or pre-book a cab. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Auto-rickshaw from the railway station unconfirmed

  From Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station, autos and taxis wait outside. Insist on the meter and check it is running. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drivers at stations and bus stands often overcharge visitors, so insist on the meter or pre-book a cab. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Auto Rickshaw
• Ride Hail
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Aurangabad

• Jan 29°C
• Feb 32°C
• Mar 36°C
• Apr 39°C
• May 40°C
• Jun 35°C
• Jul 30°C
• Aug 29°C
• Sep 30°C
• Oct 32°C
• Nov 31°C
• Dec 29°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Aurangabad

What are the top-rated places to visit in Aurangabad?

The highest-rated places in our Aurangabad guide are Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Grishneshwar Temple, Daulatabad Fort, Bibi Ka Maqbara.

Where should I stay in Aurangabad?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Aurangabad: City Center.

How do I get around Aurangabad?

Ways to get around Aurangabad covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Ride-hailing app, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Aurangabad?

Scams reported to us for Aurangabad include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Aurangabad?

Average daytime highs in Aurangabad run from 29°C in Dec to 40°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Aurangabad?

The nearest airport to Aurangabad has the code IXU.