What to See in Central India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Central India has 11 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Uttar Pradesh:

Fatehpur Sikri ★★★ (1986)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri is a 16th-century Mughal city. Exceptionally well preserved, it has become a "must-see" over time, thanks to its proximity to Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Agra Fort ★★★ (1983)
Recognisable by its red sandstone walls, this is the largest fort in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Taj Mahal ★★★★ (1983)
This is India’s most famous monument. This white marble mausoleum-palace, built in the 17th century, welcomes millions of visitors and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Madhya Pradesh:

Bhimbetka ★★ (2003)
This archaeological site consists of rock shelters, some adorned with prehistoric cave paintings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Khajuraho ★★★★ (1986)
This is one of India’s most famous sites, renowned for its stunning temples and sculptures, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sanchi ★★ (1989)
This locality near Bhopal is home to around fifty Buddhist monuments (temples, stupas) that together are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Maharashtra:

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai ★ (2004)
This historic late-19th-century UNESCO-listed building is also one of India's busiest train stations. It blends Indian and Victorian architecture.

Western Ghats ★★★ (2012)
This is a mountain range stretching approximately 1,600 km along the Arabian Sea, known for its stunning landscapes, biodiversity, and hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Munnar...). It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Ajanta Caves ★★★★ (1983)
This collection of 29 caves carved into cliff faces, some furnished and adorned with frescoes, is a must-see for any visit to the region. They are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Elephanta Caves ★★★ (1987)
This network of sculpted caves, located on the island of the same name off the coast of Mumbai, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ellora Caves ★★★★ (1983)
This UNESCO-listed site is famous for its Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu monasteries and temples carved into the rock.

Uttar Pradesh

Located between Delhi and Nepal, the region is rich in history and religion. It is home to sacred Hindu and Buddhist cities, as well as places like Agra with its Taj Mahal and Varanasi (Benares) with its ghats.

Agra ★★★★
This is the city of the famous Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it a must-visit destination for any trip to India.

Ayodhya ★
This town in Uttar Pradesh is home to many temples and the remains of an ancient citadel.

Chunar ★
The small town is locally known for its old fort.

Fatehpur Sikri ★★★
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri is a 16th-century Mughal city. Exceptionally well preserved, it has become a "must-see" over time, thanks to its proximity to Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Jhansi ★
This large city is home to the remains of a fort and palace built in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as numerous temples.

Kushinagar ★★
One of the four sacred sites of Buddhism. The city is home to many temples and structures dedicated to this religion.

Lucknow ★★
The capital of Uttar Pradesh is a vibrant cultural city. It is home to numerous buildings showcasing both European and Indian architecture, as well as many parks.

Mathura ★★
The birthplace of Krishna. The city, located between Delhi and Agra, logically boasts numerous temples and religious sites.

Sarnath ★★
This is a Buddhist site near Varanasi, comprising ruins of various religious buildings and monuments. The area is also home to many recent Buddhist temples and is a pilgrimage destination.

Varanasi ★★★★
Formerly Benares. While its old city is remarkable, Varanasi is primarily known for its ghats along the Ganges. Dedicated to Shiva, it is the main holy city of Hinduism and a renowned pilgrimage site with a unique atmosphere.

Vrindavan ★★
This is where Krishna spent his childhood. A pilgrimage site, the city has many temples and pretty ghats along the Yamuna River.

Natural Heritage

Madhya Pradesh

This state at the heart of India holds a wealth of cultural treasures (Gwalior, Mandu, Sanchi, Khajuraho) as well as natural wonders, including the country's highest concentration of tigers.

Bhimbetka ★★
This archaeological site consists of rock shelters, some adorned with prehistoric cave paintings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bhojpur ★
This town in central Madhya Pradesh, near Bhopal, is home to a famous temple: the Bhojeshwar.

Bhopal ★
Surrounded by lakes, the capital of Madhya Pradesh features an old city and several mosques.

Datia ★
A city with old quarters, a palace, and temples.

Gwalior ★★
A historic city in the north known for its magnificent fortress, the city is also home to an old town and several temples.

Indore ★
It's the commercial city of Madhya Pradesh, with several interesting palaces and temples.

Khajuraho ★★★★
This is one of India’s most famous sites, renowned for its stunning temples and sculptures, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Maheshwar ★
It's a small riverside town with temples and palaces.

Mandu ★★
This vast abandoned fortress-city located in western Madhya Pradesh is one of the region's main attractions.

Orchha ★★
A beautiful riverside town with its palaces and temples.

Pachmarhi ★★
This hill station attracts many visitors in summer. It is surrounded by forests and waterfalls, decorated caves, and several protected areas of the Pachmarhi Reserve, home to tigers, leopards, bears, birds, and other wildlife.

Sanchi ★★
This locality near Bhopal is home to around fifty Buddhist monuments (temples, stupas) that together are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Ujjain ★
A holy Hindu city with several interesting temples, including the Mahakaleshwar.

Natural Heritage

Dhuandhar Falls ★★
Located near Jabalpur, these beautiful waterfalls and their gorge on the Narmada River are a local attraction. Short boat trips are available.

Bandhavgarh National Park ★★
The park east of Bhopal is one of the places with the highest tiger populations.

Kanha National Park ★★
A place you can explore on elephant-back, home to a large tiger population.

Panna National Park ★★
This national park is home to tigers, bears, and numerous bird species, among others.

Pench National Park ★★
Plus que par sa faune composée pourtant de tigres, le lieu est d'abord connu pour être celui où se déroule l'histoire du Livre de la jungle.

Maharashtra

Beyond Mumbai, Maharashtra is home to several tourist attractions, starting with numerous caves turned into Buddhist monasteries (Ajanta, Ellora, Karla), hill stations (Matheran, Mahabaleshwar), and beaches along the Arabian Sea.

Ahmednagar ★
A fort and temples in this city located east of Bombay.

Aurangabad ★★
Temples, a fort, a miniature Taj Mahal, and a solid base for exploring the nearby Ellora and Ajanta Caves from this city of over a million people.

Mumbai ★★★★
Or Mumbai. A cosmopolitan and vibrant city brimming with tourist landmarks and monuments. A "must-see" for any trip to India...

Konkan Coast ★★
This is the coastal strip stretching from the south of Mumbai to the borders of Goa. It boasts numerous beautiful beaches (Alibag, Dapoli, Kihim, Nagaon).

Ajanta Caves ★★★★
This collection of 29 caves carved into cliff faces, some furnished and adorned with frescoes, is a must-see for any visit to the region. They are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bhaja Caves ★★
Close to the Karla caves, these 22 caves form a complex of Buddhist monasteries and temples.

Elephanta Caves ★★★
This network of sculpted caves, located on the island of the same name off the coast of Mumbai, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ellora Caves ★★★★
This UNESCO-listed site is famous for its Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu monasteries and temples carved into the rock.

Mahabaleshwar ★★
A well-known hill station in southern Pune. You can hike here in a beautiful setting.

Malshej Ghat ★★
A popular hill station and mountain pass in the Western Ghats range, known for its stunning landscapes and hiking opportunities.

Matheran ★★
A small hill station near Mumbai. You can hike or horseback ride through beautiful surroundings.

Nashik ★
It is a holy city of Hinduism with many temples.

Pune ★
The cultural and student city of Maharashtra, with various museums, a few palaces, and temples.

Natural Heritage

Western Ghats ★★★
This is a mountain range stretching approximately 1,600 km along the Arabian Sea, known for its stunning landscapes, biodiversity, and hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Munnar...). It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.