A travel Guide to Aurangabad

Aurangabad Tourism

Located on the banks of the Kham River and surrounded by hills, Aurangabad India is situated in the northern region of Maharashtra. It is in close proximity with some heritage sites of the world and this makes it a major tourist spot. Most of the Aurangabad tourist attractions have a historical significance since many of them are associated with the Mughal period.

The city itself is named after Aurangzeb, a very famous Mughal emperor. Apart from heritage sites and Mughal architectures, Aurangabad tourism also allows you to experience Buddhism through many caves located around this beautiful city.

Aurangabad tours take place all year round, and tourists come in abundance to learn more about history from here. This city has a very welcoming atmosphere which makes tourists feel comfortable. If you wish to travel to this serene city, this article will act as a complete Aurangabad travel guide for you so that you can make your trip to the ‘City of Gates’ a memorable one.

Places to visit in Aurangabad

1. Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves is one of the famous places that you must visit in Aurangabad. A cluster of 30 Buddhist caves, dated way back to the 2nd century, is carved beautifully out of solid rocks. The architecture of these caves will leave you awestruck. What makes these caves one of the famous Aurangabad attractions is the fact that they have been listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Through the different carvings done on the walls of the caves, you will see how monks used these caves for studying and meditating purposes. This is the place for peace lovers.

2. Bibi Ka Maqbara

The Bibi ka Maqbara is a historic place that you should not miss if you visit Aurangabad. Bibi Ka Maqbara is known to be a symbol of Aurangzeb’s love towards his wife, Dilras Banu Begum and that is why it holds historical importance. Tourists prefer visiting this place to have a look at its great architecture. Although Bibi ka Maqbara is not as big and popular as the Taj Mahal, its beauty will leave you mesmerised.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum

One of the very frequently visited Aurangabad tourist places, this museum is for those who want to have an insight into the life of great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji. This huge museum has six different halls and all are filled with historically significant trinkets. Take a walk down this museum and explore the halls filled with weapons, ancient rifles, and shields. There are other things like the Quran written by Aurangzeb and 400 years old Paithani saree which is considered to be the royal saree of Maharashtra and is generally worn by the brides of this region. You will have to pay a nominal fee to visit this place but it is the perfect place to get a deeper insight into the history of Aurangabad and know about its culture.

4. Bani Begum Garden

Aurangabad tourist places are all about serenity and getting a feeling of royalty. One such place you can visit is Bani Begum Garden. This place also holds historical significance as it is named after Aurangzeb’s daughter-in-law and her tomb is also located in the middle of the garden. You will see Mughal architecture in the domes of this place along with lush green trees, grass, and beautiful fountains surrounding the garden. You can definitely consider spending a lazy evening in this beautiful garden.

5. Goga Baba Hill

This place is recommended to everyone who adores hiking. Although this will be a short hike, the view at the top of the hill will leave you mesmerised. This place is frequently visited by photographers, hikers, and people who want to feel connected to nature. You can watch the sunset from here and also spend time at a small temple located near the bottom of the Goga Baba Hill. You can end up spending your whole day hiking, having a small picnic at the top of the hill, and also praying at the temple.

Things to do in Aurangabad

There are innumerable attractions that you can visit throughout your stay in this city. From exploring the century-old caves to feeling connected with nature and learning about the deep history, there are many things to do in Aurangabad.

Bird Watching at Salim Ali Lake

You can definitely consider experiencing bird watching at Salim Ali Lake. This beautifully built lake is like a magnet for every visitor who adores nature. It was built several hundred years ago by the Mughals and is another historical jewel of Aurangabad. You must take a walk here and watch a variety of beautiful birds that visit this city. The tropical trees surrounding this lake will give you a very refreshing experience. Bird watching at Salim lake is open throughout the week. You will have to pay a nominal fee to enjoy your day at this beautiful place.

Seeking blessings at Bhadra Maruti

India is known for its temples, and one of the famous Indian temples is located in Aurangabad. You can visit this old temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and seek his blessings. This will be an extremely religious experience for you. What makes it so famous is the fact that it is one of the three places where Lord Hanuman is portrayed in a sleeping mudra. This temple is flocked with tourists during the month of Shravan and is crowded on Saturdays as well. The temple timings are fixed so you are advised to check the timings before coming here.

Visiting Valley of Sufi Saints

This place is on the way to Ellora Caves and is located in Khuldabad Village. It got the name Valley of Sufi Saints because there are many tombs of Sufis that you can see here. The tomb of Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor is also located here. You can visit this place to get a sniff of our rich history.

Eating at Yalla Yalla

This is one of the best restaurants in Aurangabad and is perfect for all food lovers. You just cannot leave Aurangabad without eating at this place. This is a newly opened place, but the mouthwatering food attracts so many people that it is crowded most of the time. This is a pocket-friendly eating joint.

Best time to visit Aurangabad

The best time to visit Aurangabad is from October to March. The Winter season experiences very pleasant weather which makes it possible for the tourists to explore most of the places. You can do all sorts of outdoor activities without experiencing the scorching heat of the sun, which makes winter the best season to visit Aurangabad.

However, December to February is the time when Aurangabad is most crowded with tourists. Most of the tourists prefer visiting this city during Christmas and New year. Hotels in Aurangabad get expensive during this time. But, if you plan your holiday well in advance, you will get a good deal on both hotels and flights.

How to reach Aurangabad

Aurangabad is a well-connected city and hence you need not worry about how to reach Aurangabad. You can reach here easily by roadways, railways or airways.

By Road: This city is connected by national and state highways from all the nearby states. The roads are well-maintained and National Highway 211 passes through the city of Aurangabad.

By Train: The railway connectivity to Aurangabad is also easy and convenient. This city is connected through rails with Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal, Vadodara, Hyderabad, Erode, etc.

By Air: There are many flights to Aurangabad from different parts of the country. The airport is located at a distance of 10 km from the city. You can take flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Udaipur, Indore, etc.