Lakshmi Vilas Palace
A 4× size-of-Buckingham palace, still home to the Gaekwad royals. Allow 2 hours; photography is limited.
Central Gujarat · Heritage & arts city
Vadodara (Baroda) — Lakshmi Vilas Palace & culture
Once the seat of the Maratha-ruled Gaekwad dynasty; today Gujarat's most cultured city. A royal palace still owned by the family, two superb museums, the arts university Indira Kala Sangeet Vidyalaya, and a perfect day-trip to the UNESCO Champaner-Pavagadh hills.
Best seasonOct – Mar
Ideal stay2 nights
AirportVadodara (BDQ)
From Ahmedabad≈ 110 km · 2 h expressway
To Statue of Unity≈ 3 h · add a day
About the city
A royal city, still alive with tradition
Vadodara (or Baroda — locals still use both) is intellectually more traditional than Ahmedabad and ratably less crowded. The Lakshmi Vilas Palace is four times the size of Buckingham Palace and still partially inhabited by the royal family. The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum in the palace grounds holds a stunning collection of European paintings, Asian bronzes and Raja Ravi Varma originals.
The city has a strong arts scene — the MS University Faculty of Fine Arts is one of India's most respected; check the Tagore Memorial Hall for evening classical concerts. If you travel in mid-March, time the visit for Holi in Vadodara, when the royal family hosts a private Holi in the palace garden — arguably the most elegant celebration of Holi anywhere.
Must-do
What to see in & from Vadodara
Sayaji Baug & zoo
A 100-year-old riverside garden with a planetarium, two museums and an excellent kids' zoo. Wonderful in winter evenings.
Day trip: Champaner-Pavagadh (UNESCO)
50 km to the east — abandoned Mughal citadel, Jain temples and the active Kalika Mata hill pilgrimage.
Add Vadodara
The most cultured city in Gujarat.