What to See in Western India

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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Location Map of Western India

Western India Open the interactive map

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Western India has 10 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Delhi:

Red Fort (2007)
This beautiful Mughal-era fortress, recognizable by its color, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the country's most visited landmarks.

Qutb Minar Minaret (1993)
Built in "stages" between the 12th and 14th centuries, it is one of the tallest minarets in the world at 72.50 metres.

Humayun's Tomb (1993)
This vast 16th-century necropolis, featuring Mughal-style architecture, houses the tomb of Emperor Humayun.

Rajasthan:

Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
A collection of six hilltop fortresses typical of the region, built between the 5th and 18th centuries. The UNESCO-listed forts are Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber Fort, and Jaisalmer.

Jaipur (2019)
The stunning capital of Rajasthan, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019, is home to several palaces (including the famous Hawa Mahal), forts, temples, gardens, and museums of considerable interest. Along with Amber and its nearby fortress, it’s a must-see on any trip to Rajasthan.

Observatoire Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Inde

Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur (2010)
This is an observatory consisting of a series of astronomical instruments built in the 18th century. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Keoladeo National Park (1985)
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 200 bird species. It is located on the outskirts of Bharatpur.

Gujarat:

Champaner (2004)
This vast UNESCO-listed archaeological park features the ruins of cities and Hindu temples.

Rani-ki-Vav Stepwell (2014)
This 11th-century structure in Patan is a massive stepwell (64 x 20 m) with seven levels adorned with over 1,500 religious sculptures. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Old City of Ahmedabad (2017)
Founded in the 15th century, it boasts a rich architectural heritage, including its citadel, fortified gates, temples, mosques, and traditional houses and streets. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Delhi and Haryana

Haryana is a small state bordering Delhi, not at all touristy, with much of it effectively serving as a suburb of the capital.

Delhi
Or more precisely New Delhi, the capital of India with the status of a "National Territory". The metropolis (Delhi, New Delhi, and Delhi Cantonment) is a vibrant and contrasting urban area home to countless monuments and buildings, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Kurukshetra
A holy city and Hindu pilgrimage site with many temples.

Natural Heritage

Sultanpur National Park
This natural park in Haryana is home to numerous migratory and resident birds.

Rajasthan

This is India’s most visited state and one of the richest regions in terms of tourism, with stunning cities (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pushkar), wildlife parks, and the Thar Desert.

Ajmer
The city is an important pilgrimage site for Muslims. Beyond its several mosques, Ajmer is also home to other Hindu and Jain religious buildings.

Amber
This locality, now part of the municipality of Jaipur, boasts two stunning 16th-century fortresses: Amber Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Jaigarh Fort.

Bikaner
The city at the heart of the Thar Desert is known for its fortress, temples, and palaces. You can take camel rides to explore the desert and its communities.

Bundi
This traditional Rajput city in southeastern Rajasthan boasts old quarters, temples, a fortress, and a palace.

Chittorgarh
In southern Rajasthan. The city is known for its stunning and imposing fortress overlooking the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Forts of Rajasthan".

Churu
A city in northern Rajasthan with several temples and mosques, as well as many havelis (former mansions).

Deeg
A small town in eastern Rajasthan with a beautiful palace-fortress.

Dungarpur
A city in the south of the state with a fortress and several temples.

Eklingji
This vast complex consists of 108 Hindu temples located near Udaipur.

Forts of Rajasthan
A collection of six hilltop fortresses typical of the region, built between the 5th and 18th centuries. The UNESCO-listed forts are Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber Fort, and Jaisalmer.

Jaipur
The stunning capital of Rajasthan, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019, is home to several palaces (including the famous Hawa Mahal), forts, temples, gardens, and museums of considerable interest. Along with Amber and its nearby fortress, it’s a must-see on any trip to Rajasthan.

Jaisalmer
This beautiful desert city in the Thar Desert, near Pakistan, boasts a magnificent UNESCO-listed fortress, several Jain temples, and havelis (former merchant mansions). It’s also a starting point for camel treks into the desert.

Jodhpur
A historic city and the second largest in Rajasthan, offering a stunning fortress-palace, old quarters with blue houses, and several temples.

Kota
In southeastern Rajasthan, it’s a (large) city of temples and palaces. You can also enjoy boat rides on the Chambal River to see crocodiles.

Kumbhalgarh
A vast hilltop fortress located 80 km from Udaipur, part of the UNESCO-listed "Forts of Rajasthan". It overlooks the eponymous wildlife reserve, rich in birdlife, leopards, bears, and more.

Mount Abu
Built at an altitude of 1,200 m, this small town is one of the main Jain pilgrimage sites, with its countless temples.

Palace on Wheels
In about a week, this luxury train lets you discover the main sites and landscapes of Rajasthan, starting from Delhi. Other similar trains operate on the same principle: the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels and the Maharaja Express.

Pushkar
Near Ajmer, this stunning lakeside city filled with temples and monuments is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. It also hosts one of the country's largest camel fairs.

Ranakpur
This village near Udaipur is home to one of the region's main (and most beautiful) Jain temples.

Shekhawati
This region in northeastern Rajasthan is renowned for its temples, fortresses, and especially its havelis—restored and painted ancestral mansions.

Udaipur
Lakes and palaces (including the famous Lake Palace, now a hotel) make this stunning city in the southwest a must-see on any visit to the region.

Natural Heritage

Lake Dhebar
A large artificial lake southeast of Udaipur with beautiful landscapes in a nature reserve. It is also known as Jaisamand Lake.

Thar Desert
This vast desert bordering Pakistan is a major tourist destination. You can explore it—and the people who live there—on camel rides, particularly from Bikaner, Jaisalmer, or Pushkar.

Keoladeo National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 200 bird species. It is located on the outskirts of Bharatpur.

Ranthambore National Park
Amid stunning lake and cliff landscapes, this is the realm of tigers, bears, crocodiles, and over 250 bird species.

Sariska National Park
It's a tiger reserve that also contains a few historical remains (fort, temples).

Gujarat

Bordering the Arabian Sea and neighboring Pakistan, this state is home to many significant sites for both Hindus and Jains. It also reveals traces of India’s Maharaja era. In terms of nature, the region is known for the Kutch Desert and the presence of the last Asiatic lions.

Ahmedabad
It is one of India’s largest urban areas, with a UNESCO-listed old city. It features post-colonial modernist architecture and several Muslim buildings and monuments but is not very touristy.

Bhavnagar
This city on the Gulf of Khambhat, by the Arabian Sea, is primarily a base for exploring the surrounding area (Blackbuck National Park, Palitana...).

Bhuj
This is the main locality in the Kutch region. It is also a historic city with numerous remnants and testimonies of the past, as well as a good base for exploring the surrounding area.

Champaner
This vast UNESCO-listed archaeological park features the ruins of cities and Hindu temples.

Dholavira
This small archaeological site of one of the ancient Indus Valley civilisations is located in the Kutch Desert.

Dwarka
On the shores of the Arabian Sea, Dwarka (with Bet Dwarka Island) is one of India’s seven sacred cities. It is home to numerous temples.

Jamnagar
The large city on the shores of the Arabian Sea is home to several palaces, forts, and other historic buildings.

Junagadh
This city, surrounded by small mountains, boasts several religious and civil structures worth visiting (fort, temples, mausoleum, Ashoka’s rock edict).

Modhera
Like Konark in Odisha, the site is home to the Surya (Sun) Temple. It is just less well-known.

Palitana
This city near Bhavnagar is a major Jain pilgrimage site. It is famous for its temples (1,300!), foremost among them the 850 on Mount Satrunjaya, whose summit is reached after climbing several thousand steps.

Porbandar
This is the birthplace of Gandhi, where you can also visit his house.

Rani-ki-Vav Stepwell
This 11th-century structure in Patan is a massive stepwell (64 x 20 m) with seven levels adorned with over 1,500 religious sculptures. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rajkot
This is where Gandhi spent part of his youth. The city also boasts several monuments and buildings from the colonial era.

Somnath
Located on the west coast, this temple dedicated to Shiva is one of the most important in the Hindu religion.

Surat
The vast port city in southern Gujarat is best known for its diamond and textile trade.

Vadodara
A city of over two million inhabitants with several remarkable buildings (palaces, universities, temples), including the Lakshmi Vilas Palace.

Natural Heritage

Lake Nal Sarovar
This lake in central Gujarat is a bird sanctuary that hosts over 250 bird species.

Blackbuck National Park
A small park near Bhavnagar known for its large population of blackbuck antelopes.

Gir National Park
This site in southwestern Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can still see Asiatic lions.

Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch
A group of small islands in the Gulf of Kutch forming the country's first marine park. It features coral reefs and diverse marine wildlife.

Rann of Kutch
In northwestern Gujarat, forming the border with Pakistan, this vast "blend" of salt marshes and desert is home to several nature reserves and hosts diverse communities whose cultures remain very much alive.

Former Portuguese Territories

Daman and Diu

These two former Portuguese colonies within Gujarat are known for their beautiful colonial architecture, beaches, and the sale of alcohol, which is banned in neighboring Gujarat.

Daman
The city of Daman (and its surrounding villages) bears the marks of the Portuguese' long presence in the area. Its beaches and alcohol sales make it attractive, primarily for local tourism.