You can choose from UNESCO-listed rock-cut caves, Mughal monuments, a hilltop fort and Jyotirlinga temples, most as day trips from Aurangabad. The ten places to visit in Aurangabad below span the cave circuits and the city’s heritage. The Jain Caves and the Kailasa Temple sit within the Ellora complex.
1. Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves with sculptures and frescoes dating to the 2nd century BCE, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. They lie about 105 km from the city, so they need a dedicated day.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | 30 Buddhist caves with 2nd-century BCE frescoes |
| Location | About 105 km away, by road and bus |
| Suitable travel period | November to March; closed on Mondays |
| Entry | Rs. 40 for Indians, Rs. 600 for foreign visitors; check current rates |
| Things to do | View the murals, sculptures and rock-cut halls |
| Tip | Open 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; allow a full day for the drive |
2. Ellora Caves
The Ellora Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage site combining Hindu, Jain and Buddhist rock-cut temples, including the Kailash Temple to Shiva. They sit about 30 km from the city.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | Hindu, Jain and Buddhist rock-cut temples |
| Location | About 30 km away, by road and bus |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; closed on Tuesdays |
| Entry | Rs. 40 for Indians, Rs. 600 for foreign visitors; check current rates |
| Things to do | See the Kailash Temple and the cave complex |
| Tip | Open 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM; a different closed day from Ajanta |
3. Bibi Ka Maqbara
Bibi Ka Maqbara, called the Taj of the Deccan, is a white-marble mausoleum built by Aurangzeb in memory of his wife. Its design echoes the Taj Mahal on a smaller scale, within Aurangabad.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | Mughal marble mausoleum and gardens |
| Location | Within Aurangabad city |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
| Entry | Rs. 25 for Indians, Rs. 300 for foreign visitors; check current rates |
| Things to do | View the mausoleum and its gardens |
| Tip | Central; reached by auto-rickshaw, taxi or bus |
4. Daulatabad Fort
Daulatabad Fort is a hilltop fort with strong defences and medieval architecture, giving views over the surrounding landscape. It lies about 15 km from the city.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | Hilltop medieval fort and views |
| Location | About 15 km away, by road and bus |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Entry | Rs. 25 for Indians, Rs. 300 for foreign visitors; check current rates |
| Things to do | Climb the fort for the views and defences |
| Tip | The climb is long; carry water and go early |
5. Aurangabad Caves
The Aurangabad Caves are a group of rock-cut Buddhist shrines from the 6th and 7th centuries, with detailed carvings. They lie about 5 km from Aurangabad, so they suit a short visit.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | 6th to 7th-century Buddhist shrines |
| Location | About 5 km from the city centre |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Entry | Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for foreign visitors; check current rates |
| Things to do | See the carvings of the rock-cut shrines |
| Tip | Close to the city; an easy half-day add-on |
6. Bhadra Maruti Temple
The Bhadra Maruti Temple at Khuldabad is dedicated to Hanuman in a reclining posture, near the Ellora Caves. It is busiest during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | Reclining-Hanuman temple near Ellora |
| Location | Khuldabad, about 12 km away |
| Suitable travel period | Year round; 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Entry | No entry fee |
| Things to do | Attend darshan at the reclining shrine |
| Tip | Crowded during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti |
7. Grishneshwar Temple
Grishneshwar Temple, near the Ellora Caves, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, built in Maratha style with carved sculptures. It is a pilgrimage stop about 30 km from Aurangabad.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | Jyotirlinga temple in Maratha style |
| Location | About 30 km away, near Ellora |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM |
| Entry | No entry fee |
| Things to do | Attend darshan and see the carvings |
| Tip | Combine it with an Ellora Caves visit |
8. Jain Caves, Ellora
The Jain Caves at the northern end of the Ellora complex date to the 9th and 10th centuries, with carvings dedicated to the Tirthankaras. Cave 30, the Chhota Kailash, echoes the larger Kailasa Temple.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | 9th to 10th-century Jain rock-cut caves |
| Location | Northern end of Ellora, about 30 km away |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; closed on Tuesdays |
| Entry | Included in the Ellora Caves entry fee |
| Things to do | See the Tirthankara carvings and Cave 30 |
| Tip | Part of the Ellora complex; plan it with Ellora |
9. Bani Begum Garden
Bani Begum Garden is a Mughal Charbagh garden with symmetrical layouts, water channels and the tomb of Bani Begum. It lies about 24 km from the city.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | Mughal Charbagh garden and tomb |
| Location | About 24 km away, by road and bus |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Entry | No entry fee |
| Things to do | Walk the garden and see the tomb |
| Tip | A quieter stop on the wider circuit |
10. Kailasa Temple, Ellora
The Kailasa Temple at Ellora is a rock-cut temple carved from a single block of basalt, dedicated to Shiva and representing Mount Kailash. Its scale makes it the highlight of the Ellora Caves.
| Aspect | Details |
| Highlights | Monolithic rock-cut temple to Shiva |
| Location | At Ellora, about 30 km away |
| Suitable travel period | October to March; closed on Tuesdays |
| Entry | Included in the Ellora Caves entry fee |
| Things to do | View the carvings and reliefs of the temple |
| Tip | Cave 16 within Ellora; the main highlight |