The regional city of 📍Aurangabad rarely gets included in India itineraries, but this unsuspecting destination is a goldmine for historical lovers.
Not only is it the gateway to 2 of the largest cave temples in the world (the famous Ellora & Ajanta Caves), but Aurangabad has been the capital of several of India’s greatest dynasties, all of whom left behind countless historical sites for you to explore.
I’ve travelled India extensively, and whenever I’m asked for the most underrated historical destination in the country, my answer is always Aurangabad.
In this guide, we’ll narrow down the many gems this city has to offer and give you the top 10 historical sites in Aurangabad.
The BEST historical tours in Aurangabad:
⭐️ Best 1-day tour: Ajanta & Ellora Day Tour with All Inclusion
⭐️ Best 2-day tour: Ajanta and Ellora Caves Private 2-Day Tour
⭐️ Most comprehensive tour (3 days): Private tour to Lonar Crater, Ajanta, and Ellora Caves
Contents
Aurangabad Historical Sites Map
The 10 Best Historical Sites in Aurangabad
1 | Ellora & Ajanta Caves
If Aurangabad ever makes it onto anyone’s India itinerary, its to visit the Ellora and Ajanta Caves.
Carved into a hillside over a thousand years ago, these sites feature some of the largest cave temples in the world.
The📍Ajanta Caves are the older of the 2 sites, being located about a 3 hour drive from Aurangabad, while the📍Ellora Caves are located much closer to the city, only a 1 hour drive away. While they may not be located in the city itself, Aurangabad is the usual homebase as visitors venture out to to see them.
The incredible architecture on display at the Ellora & Ajanta Caves puts them into the same league as world-famous rock-cut sites like Petra or Abu Simbel. Not only are they one of the historical places in Aurangabad, they are among the best historical sites in the world.
Best way to see the Ellora and Ajanta Caves
The Ellora and Ajanta Caves are located a long way outside of Aurangabad, so the best way to see them is on a guided tour. Here are the best tours to choose from, depending on how much time you have:
⭐️ Best 1-day tour: Ajanta & Ellora Day Tour with All Inclusion
⭐️ Best 2-day tour: Ajanta and Ellora Caves Private 2-Day Tour
⭐️ Most comprehensive tour (3 days): Private tour to Lonar Crater, Ajanta, and Ellora Caves
2 | Bibi Ka Maqbara
After the caves, the next most popular historical place in Aurangabad is 📍Bibi Ka Maqbara, otherwise known as the Taj of the Deccan, or colloquially as the mini Taj Mahal.
While the Taj Mahal in Agra was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his lover, this version was commissioned by his grandson, in memory of his mother.
The roughly 400 year old structure is relatively well maintained and serves as an example of the wealth & grandeur (and love) of India’s elite during the height of their final great empire.
If you can’t get to Agra and visit the actual Taj Mahal, you can instead stop by Bibi Ka Maqbara during your visit to Aurangabad. It’s stunning architecture alone makes it one of the best historical places in Aurangabad.
⭐️ Best way to see the Mini Taj Mahal
Bibi ka Maqbara is located on the northern outskirts of Aurangabad. Definitely too far to walk if you’re staying near the city centre.
Thankfully, a visit to the mini Taj Mahal is included in most 2-day guided tours to the Ellora and Ajanta Caves, like this one.
3 | Daulatabad Fort
As you’re on the road to the Ellora caves, you won’t be able to miss this towering fortress overlooking the region.
📍Daulatabad Fort is one of the most historically significant sites in the region.
In 1327, this fort briefly became the capital of India when the Sultan of Delhi decided to move his capital city here, along with its entire population. Unsuprisingly, moving hundreds-of-thousands of people over 1000km to built a new city from scratch turned out to be a bad idea. So Daulatabad’s reign lasted only a few years.
But thanks to this strange event this unsupsecting site now holds the claim of once being the capital of India.
Not only that, its also an interesting structure to explore, being built into the hill itself and offering stunning views at the peak.
Daulatabad Fort is an essential stop on the way to the Ellora Caves.
Below are the best Ajanta and Ellora Caves tours that include a stop at Daulatabad Fort:
⭐️ Best 2 day tour: 2-Day Ajanta and Ellora Caves tour w/ Daulatabad Fort
⭐️ Best 3 day tour: 3-day Ajanta and Ellora Caves tour w/ Daulatabad Fort
4 | Khuldabad
In the vicinity of Aurangabad lies an important historical site, one which carries a lot of religious significance within Islam.
📍Khuldabad is as much a mausoleum as it is a town. Since the mass migration to the area in 1327, hundreds of Sufi saints have chosen it as their home and tomb. Because of this, Khuldabad has become a holy site and sees Islamic pilgrims from all over.
In Khuldabad you can find a number of impressive tombs, including that of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, after whom the city of Aurangabad is named.
Aurangzeb is one of the most important historical figures in India and ruled over one of the largest empires in its history. To find his tomb in a small village so far from Delhi is part of what makes Khuldabad so special.
Best way to visit Khuldabad
Khuldabad is located on the way to the Ellora Caves, although its rarely included in guided tours that go there.
However, there are other guided tours in Aurangabad that will take you to Khuldabad, like this one:
5 | The Gates of Aurangabad
Among Aurangabad’s busy streets you’ll find what remains of the old city walls.
The walls of Aurangabad were constructed over decades, beginning in the 16th century, and earning it a reputation for its defensibility.
In the 17th century the walls of Aurangabad even held off a massive Mughal invasion before the city was eventually annexed by them.
Today, the walls have been swallowed up by modernity and the remaining 13 gates can be found scattered throughout the Aurangabad, earning it the nickname ‘City of Gates’
You’ll probably come across a gate just by walking around the downtown area, but some of the best examples include:
6 | Grishneshwar Temple
Just outside the entrance of the Ellora cave complex lies another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
📍Grishneshwar Temple is 1 of the 12 Jyotirlingas across India, religious sites in Hinduism which are said to represent Shiva.
The site itself is believed to be almost 3000 yrs old, but the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt over time as the dominant religion in the area has changed back & forth. The current structure is relatively young, built in the 18th century, but is no less impressive.
You can visit Grishneshwar Temple after exploring the Ellora Caves, and it’s also included in many Ellora Caves tours.
7 | Aurangabad Caves
If you couldn’t get enough of the Ellora & Ajanta Caves, or you don’t have time to visit them, then there’s another cave you can visit thats much closer to the city.
The 📍Aurangabad Caves are often overshadowed by their more famous counterparts, but they similarly feature 12 rock-cut Buddhist tempels dating back to the 6th century CE, some of which rival those at Ellora/Ajanta.
The caves are carved into a hillside which overlooks the city itself, offering an amazing panoramic view and an interesting contrast between past & present.
8 | Panchakki
If you’re interested in a bit of engineering history, check out 📍Panchakki.
Built in 1744, this watermill is an example of Mughul mechanical prowess. Using a series of underground pipes, it draws water from a spring 6km away and drops it onto a waterwheel that’s then used to grind wheat into flour.
The water then ends up in a large reservoir used for rituals, gardening and other purposes.
Of course, the mill is no longer used today but the pipes still carry water through the system. Panchakki (which literally means watermill) is an interesting place to learn about the daily lives of those who once lived under the Mughul Empire.
9 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum
Named after a famous Marathi emperor, the 📍Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum is the main history museum in Aurangabad.
You might not expect much from a small regional museum like this, but thanks to the city’s rich history, it has some impressive artefacts on offer.
Its collection focuses heavily on Maratha history, especially the conflict between the Marathas and the Mughals.
Its collection includes:
- A handwritten copy of the Quran written by none other that Mughual emperor Aurangzeb
- Weapons and armour
- Coins from throughout India’s history, from the Mauryans to the Mughuls.
- Maratha sculptures
- Paintings and illustrations depicting Aurangabad throughout its history
The museum may not be comparable to those in Mumbai or Delhi, but its worth checking out if you’re interested in learning more about the storied history of the Aurangabad.
10 | Soneri Mahal
Last, but not least, there’s the 17th century palace of 📍Soneri Mahal (meaning ‘Golden Palace’).
Located in the hills just outside of Aurangabad, close to the Aurangabad Caves and Bibi ka Maqbara, this palace was built in 1651 for one of Aurangzeb’s high-ranking officials. A reward for helping the Mughuls conquer the region.
Today, the majestic royal palace has been turned into a museum, and houses a collection of artefacts from Aurangabad’s Mughal era, like weapons, paintings and sculptures.
If you’re interested in learning more about Mughal history, Soneri Mahal is worth a visit.
Best time to visit Aurangabad
You can visit Aurangabad all year round, but choosing the right season makes the experience all the better.
- Monsoon season runs from July to September. While this season adds to the scenic beauty of the region (the Deccan Plateau), going at this time also means you risk your trip being spoiled by torrential rainfall.
- March to June are the hottest months, with the daytime temperatures staying consistently around 35 to 40 degrees. During your visit to Aurangabad you’re likely going to be spending a lot of time walking around outdoors so this season is not ideal.
The best time to visit the Aurangabad is from October to February. These are the winter months, when the daytime temperatures are the most agreeable and rainfall the least likely.
How to get to Aurangabad
The city of Aurangabad is located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, about 250km east of Mumbai.
Aurangabad is off the typical tourist route, but reaching the city is still very simple.
You have 3 main options for getting there:
Reaching Aurangabad via Bus
Depending on where you’re coming from, a bus may be your best option. India has an extensive bus network that can take you just about anywhere you need to go.
You’ll most likely be headed to Aurangabad from Mumbai, which takes about 8 hours via bus. I recommend taking advantage of the overnight sleeper buses. This way you combine your transport with your accommodation for the night and save more time in your days.
You might also be reaching Aurangabad from Pune, which takes around 5 to 6 hours.
The best place to book your bus ticket to Aurangabad is on 12Go Asia.
Reaching Aurangabad via Train
India has an extensive railway network, and that includes Aurangabad.
Just like the bus, you can catch a train to Aurangabad from both Mumbai and Pune.
A train from Mumbai to Aurangabad will take about 7 to 8 hours. A train from Pune will take about 8 hours, which is longer than the bus because the route is less direct.
Just like with a bus, you have the option of booking an overnight sleeper ticket to save time.
The best place to book your train ticket to Aurangabad is on 12Go Asia.
Reaching Aurangabad via Flight
You also have the option of flying to Aurangabad.
The airport in Aurangabad is 📍Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport and is located on the eastern outskirts of the city.
While this is certainly the most expensive option, its still relatively cheap. A flight from Mumbai can cost as little as $60 and will get you to Aurangabad in about 1 hour.
The best place to find cheap flights to Aurangabad is on Skyscanner.
Where to stay in Aurangabad
Despite having the Ellora & Ajanta Caves right on the doorstep, Aurangabad is rather underdeveloped as a tourist destination, but there are still plenty of decent accommodation options for you to choose from.
Personally I stayed at Zostel Aurangabad. This is the only hostel in town, but thankfully Zostel is an established franchise and has all the basic luxuries you would expect from a quality hostel.
It’s also located in a convenient location in downtown Aurangabad.
If you’re looking for a private room, consider FabHotel Prime Opulence. While its located on the outskirts of town, its a high-quality hotel for a very affordable price.
How long to spend in Aurangabad
3 days is plenty of time to comfortably get the most from your visit to Aurangabad. That includes one day to visit the Ellora Caves, a second to visit the Ajanta Caves, and a third to visit historical sites around the city.
If you only have two days in Aurangabad, you can visit both Ellora and Ajanta in the same day, (although expect a long day with a lot of walking and driving) and keep the second day for the city.
If you’re only in town for one day, I suggest skipping the city sights and prioritising a daytrip to the Ellora and Ajanta Caves.
Planning your trip to India
Now that you have all the information on visiting Aurangabad, it’s time to start planning your trip to India. Here are some resources to help you get started:
✈ Flights: Trip.com and Skyscanner are the best resources for finding cheap flights to India.
🚅 Transport: 12Go is the best online platform for booking trains and buses in India, and across Asia.
🏨 Accommodation: Booking.com is the best resource for finding amazing hotels in India, while Hostelworld is the best for finding hostels.
🏥 Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers all the essentials in India, including theft, medical and cancellations.
🛜 Internet: To stay connected in India, you can use Airalo. They offer an eSIM, meaning all you need is a smartphone and and the app.
🌐 VPN: To stay connected and access service that may not be available in India, use NordVPN.
🏄 Tours & Day Trips: Get Your Guide and Viator are the top platforms for tours and activities in India.
🎟 Tickets: Official websites to historical sites in India rarely sell tickets online. But often you can purchase them from Klook, allowing you to save time by booking in advance.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
Further reading on India
Here are more guides on India to help you plan your trip:
⬤ If you’re in Aurangabad, you’re of course going to visit the Ellora & Ajanta Caves. Check out: Complete Guide to the Ellora & Ajanta Caves | India’s Largest Cave Temples
⬤ Chances are you’re going to be reaching Aurangabad via Mumbai. Check out: 17 Best Historical Sites in Mumbai.
⬤ During your visit in India, don’t miss out on visiting one of its iconic stepwells. Check out: Complete Guide to Visiting Stepwells in India.
⬤ If you’re looking for more amazing historical sites in India, look no further than the state of Rajasthan. Check out: 2-Week Rajasthan Itinerary for History Buffs.
⬤ For more historical travel guides on India, check out our India page.
