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I remember witnessing two very different sides of Aurangabad during my trip. While some parts of the city had a heavy Mughal influence, other parts boasted Marathi heritage. Together, it formed a seamless blend of two varied cultures.
And though modernism has taken over with changing time, history is steeped deep into the veins of Aurangabad, with every corner whispering tales of the past.
Come, let me take you on a virtual journey through Aurangabad (now called Sambhaji Nagar) — including the top things to do, must-try food, stay options and more.
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Best Part About Our Aurangabad Trip
It’s actually tough to pick between the immersive historical trails that the city offers and the delicious local cuisine of Aurangabad. I would say both were equally mesmerizing. Because Aurangabad’s tourist places take you through varied chapters of history, from the 1st century to the more recent time of Mughals and Marathas. Meanwhile, the food takes you on an exciting culinary journey.
Top 10 Things To Do In Aurangabad
1. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Ellora Caves
The mystery, aura and intricate craftsmanship of Ellora Caves can leave you speechless. We spent almost half a day (6 hours) at Ellora Caves during our 2-day trip to Aurangabad.
Right from the insightful guided tour, to feeling the peaceful vibes of the caves, and witnessing the architectural genius of ancient India, this group of 34 caves (dug across 2 kilometers of basalt cliffs) offers much to ponder over for history lovers.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm (Tuesdays closed)
Entry fee: INR 35 (online) and INR 40 (offline) for Indians & citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC countries; INR 550 (online) and INR 600 (offline) for foreigners; free for kids aged below 15 years
Location: Google Maps
Did You Know?
The Kailasa Temple at Ellora Caves has been built by sculpting a single rock from top to bottom, instead of the usual method of building from the base. According to folklore, it was constructed by the queen Manikavati for her ailing husband. However, many believe that it could have been a result of mythological powers.
2. Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara
The beauty of this building is sure to captivate you. Especially around sunset, the atmosphere gets very pleasant, with a small hill in its backdrop, birds returning home and a cool breeze brushing across your face. Bibi Ka Maqbara also exudes a regal charm in the night, when it’s beautifully lit up.
Though smaller in size, the mausoleum will remind you of Taj Mahal as its design is very similar. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Aurangabad.
Timings: 8 am to 8 pm
Entry fee: INR 20 (online) and INR 25 (offline) for Indians & citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC countries; INR 250 (online) and INR 300 (offline) for foreigners
Location: Google Maps
3. Eat authentic Maharashtrian food at Pratham Swayampak Ghar
In our 2 days in Aurangabad, we actually visited Pratham Swayampak Ghar twice! That’s how much we loved their authentic and affordable Maharashtrian food. It’s a small all-women kitchen that has been present for over 30 years.
Some of the must-try dishes here are Thalipeeth, Puran Poli, Methi & Palak Paratha, Kanda Bhajiya and Maharashtrian meals. Trying the local food here is truly one of the best things to do in Aurangabad.
Timings: 8 am to 9 pm
Location: Google Maps
4. Offer prayers at Grishneshwar Jyothirling Mandir
Located a few meters away from the Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Jyothirling Mandir is a holy place to visit in Aurangabad. It is one of the 12 jyotirlinga temples of India.
A sacred place for Hindus, you will get a glimpse of the devotional culture prevalent in India since time immemorial.
Timings: 5:30 am to 9:30 pm
Location: Google Maps
TWT Tip: Right outside this temple, there is a hygienic and popular restaurant called Tulsi Family Restaurant, where you can stop for lunch. It’s one of the few decent options near Ellora Caves and offers both South Indian and North Indian thali. We tried both and found them to be quite delicious.
5. Trek up to Daulatabad Fort
The imposing Daulatabad Fort is visible from quite a distance on the road that connects Aurangabad city to Ellora Caves. Situated on a hilltop, the fort (also known as Devgiri Fort) was constructed in the 11th century CE.
It stood witness to the rule of several dynasties, including the Yadavas, Tuglaqs, Mughals, Marathas and Nizams. Hence, you will find many artefacts from these eras here, such as canons and sculptures. We also found it very interesting to view the cobbled pathways, fortified stone walls, bastions and spiked gates.
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: INR 20 (online) and INR 25 (offline) for Indians & citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC countries; INR 250 (online) and INR 300 (offline) for foreigners
Location: Google Maps
6. Try the famous Usman Bhai Moong Bhajiya
We can never forget the heartwarming experience at this popular snack stall of Aurangabad. After hearing a lot about them from fellow travelers, we landed at Tasty Bhaje Usman Bhai around 8:30 pm.
The owner Usman Bhai and his team were closing for the day. They had already packed the little leftover Moong Bhajiya (Green Gram Fritters) to take them home. At first, they said they were out of stock. Soon, two more groups of customers arrived and everyone looked disappointed that they were late.
In a few minutes, Usmain Bhai actually opened the shop again and served us the few bhajiyas they had packed. And trust me, despite being cold, they were absolutely delicious, slightly crisp on the outside but soft inside — totally worth the trip!
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Price: INR 20 for a plate
Location: Google Maps
7. Shop at Gul Mandi Market
If you’re into shopping and wish to purchase some local souvenirs at an affordable price, this is the most popular market in Aurangabad. You can check out garments and various accessories such as earrings, bags and more.
Location: Google Maps
8. Watch birds at Salim Ali Lake
Named after renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, this scenic lake attracts a variety of birds. It’s the perfect place in Aurangabad to carry your binoculars or cameras and spend an entire morning or evening.
Birdwatchers can spot various species, such as storks, kingfishers, herons, ducks, forest owlets and green munia at Salim Ali Lake.
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm
Location: Google Maps
9. Learn about history at Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum
A few meters away from the Salim Ali Lake, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum celebrates the life of respected Maratha warrior Chatrapati Shivaji. It displays artefacts, weapons and photographs related to the king. You can learn about several historical facts here and take your kids on an insightful tour.
Timings: 10:30 am to 6 pm
Price: INR 85 for Indians & INR 300 for foreigners
Location: Google Maps
10. Go to Ajanta Caves
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most stunning places to visit in Aurangabad is the Ajanta Caves. Situated over two hours away from the main city, the group of 29 Buddhist caves are carved on the sides of the Sahyadri hills.
Did You Know?
The Ajanta Caves are believed to have been occupied by around 200 monks. They were apparently abandoned for Ellora for several centuries, until they were discovered again by Britishers.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Entry fee: INR 35 (online) and INR 40 (offline) for Indians & citizens of SAARC & BIMSTEC countries; INR 550 (online) and INR 600 (offline) for foreigners; free for kids aged below 15 years
Location: Google Maps
Top Stay Options In Aurangabad
We were on a budget trip this time. Hence, we stayed at Zostel Aurangabad, a cool backpackers hostel with all the amenities of a hotel at an affordable price. The vibrant stay had board games, musical instruments, kettle, hot water facility, television and a cafe next door.
Here are some of the other top-rated stays in Aurangabad:
- Enrise by Sayaji
- Hyatt Place Aurangabad Airport
- Vivanta Aurangabad
- Ginger
- The Fern Residency
- WelcomHotel by ITC
- Lemon Tree
Right Time To Visit Aurangabad
The best time to visit Aurangabad is the monsoon or winter season, between July and February. Your sightseeing experience will be pleasant around this time of the year, as the weather is more bearable, compared to the summer season. It’s best to avoid the months of March, April, May and June, as places like Ellora & Ajanta Caves require a lot of walking outdoors.
Ways To Reach Aurangabad
Aurangabad has a well-connected railway station, airport as well as bus terminals. So you can easily take a train, flight or bus from most cities of India. For international connectivity, the nearest airports are in Mumbai and Pune.
You can also drive from nearby towns in Maharashtra such as Shirdi, Pune, Mumbai, and Lonavala.
2-Day Aurangabad Itinerary
Day 1
- Reach Ellora Caves early in the morning and spend half a day.
- Have lunch at Tulsi Family Restaurant.
- Visit the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.
- Next, explore Daulatabad Fort.
- Return to Aurangabad city and have your meals at Tasty Bhaje Usman Bhai.
Day 2
- Have local breakfast at Pratham Swayampak Ghar.
- Visit Salim Ali Lake & Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum.
- Have a Maharashtrian thali at Purnabramha restaurant.
- Explore Bibi Ka Maqbara.
- Buy souvenirs at Gul Mandi Market.
Note: You can replace any of these with Ajanta Caves or visit it on the third day if you’re staying for more than 2 days. As it is more than 2 hours away from the main Aurangabad city, it can take up more than half of your day.
TWT Experience Summary Of Aurangabad Trip
Aurangabad turned out to be an interesting harmony of Mughal and Maratha cultures, which you can explore through its rich historical and culinary trails. Some of the must-visit places in Aurangabad are the Ellora Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara and Daulatabad Fort. Meanwhile, the best places to eat local food are Pratham Swayampak Ghar, Purnabramha and Tasty Bhaje. Overall, the city takes you on an insightful trip to the past.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aurangabad
1. What is famous about Aurangabad?
Aurangabad (Sambhaji Nagar) is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Ellora and Ajanta Caves, which date back to the 1st century and feature exceptional sculptural art.
2. Which are the top places to visit in Aurangabad?
Some of the best places to visit in Aurangabad are Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Salim Ali Lake, Pratham Swayampak Ghar and Daulatabad Fort.
3. What are the must-try local vegetarian dishes of Aurangabad?
The most delicious local vegetarian foods of Aurangabad are Moong Bhajiya, Thalipeeth, Puran Poli, Kothimbir Vadi, Patodi Rassa and Maharashtrian thali.
4. Which are the best shopping destinations in Aurangabad?
The most popular shopping destinations in Aurangabad are Gul Mandi Market and shopping malls like Prozone and City Centre.
5. Are Ajanta-Ellora Caves within Aurangabad city?
Ajanta-Ellora Caves are actually in the outskirts of Aurangabad. Ellora Caves take around 1 hour to reach from the main bus stand of Aurangabad, while Ajanta Caves are located over 2 hours away.
6. How many days are enough to explore Aurangabad?
You can explore the major tourist spots of Aurangabad within 2-3 days. Remember that you will need almost half a day each to fully explore the famous caves of Ellora and Ajanta.
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