Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and is called the City of Lakes. It has big lakes, old palaces, mosques and good museums.
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sanchi and Bhimbetka, are about an hour away. Want a ready trip with hotel and car? See our Bhopal tour packages.
- Known as: the City of Lakes.
- Days needed: 2 days (1 for the city, 1 for nearby places).
- Top nearby: Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Bhojpur.
- Best time: October to March.
- Note: Van Vihar is closed on Fridays.
- Note: most museums are closed on Mondays.
Top Places to Visit in Bhopal City
1Upper Lake (Bada Talab)
A huge old lake, said to be made by Raja Bhoj about 1,000 years ago.
- Take a boat ride at Boat Club.
- Best at sunset.
2Taj-ul-Masajid
One of the biggest mosques in India, with pink walls and white domes.
- Dress simply, cover your head inside.
- Not open to visitors at prayer time.
3Van Vihar National Park
A green park on the lake with tigers, bears and deer in open areas.
- Go by walk, cycle or car.
- See our Van Vihar guide.
4Tribal Museum
A colourful museum on the life of the tribes of Madhya Pradesh.
- Great for kids and photos.
- Plan at least 2 hours.
5Lower Lake
The smaller lake next to the Upper Lake, in the old city.
- See it from the bridge at evening.
6Birla Mandir
A Lakshmi Narayan temple on a hill, with a wide city view.
- Calm and clean, good in the evening.
7Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil
Old palaces of the Begums of Bhopal, in the old city.
- See them from outside, close to Chowk market.
8State Museum
Old stone statues and coins from across Madhya Pradesh.
- Cool and quiet inside.
9Bharat Bhavan
An art centre by the Upper Lake, with art, plays and music.
- Check for shows in the evening.
Places to Visit Near Bhopal
| Place | Distance from Bhopal | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Sanchi Stupa | About 46 to 48 km | Half day |
| ⭐ Bhimbetka Rock Shelters | About 45 km | 2 to 3 hours |
| Bhojpur Temple | About 28 km | 1 hour |
| Pachmarhi (hill station) | About 200 km | 2 to 3 days |
10Sanchi Stupa
The oldest stone stupa in India, first built by Emperor Ashoka.
- See our Sanchi Stupa guide.
11Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Caves with paintings thousands of years old.
- See our Bhimbetka guide.
12Bhojpur Temple
A temple with one of the biggest Shivlings in India, never finished.
- See our Bhojpur Temple guide.
Tip: Do Bhojpur and Bhimbetka together on one day. Do Sanchi on another day.
2 Day Bhopal Plan
- Day 1Bhopal city
- Taj-ul-Masajid
- Tribal Museum
- Van Vihar National Park
- Birla Mandir
- Sunset at the Upper Lake
- Day 2Nearby places
- Bhojpur Temple
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
- Back to Bhopal for the evening
Want Sanchi too? Our Bhopal 3 Nights 4 Days tour covers Sanchi and Bhimbetka with hotel and car.
Best Time to Visit Bhopal
| Season | Months | In one line |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Winter | October to March | Cool and pleasant, best time. |
| Monsoon | July to September | Lakes are full and green. |
| Summer | April to June | Very hot, over 40°C. |
How to Reach Bhopal
- ✈️ By air: Raja Bhoj Airport, flights from Delhi, Mumbai and more.
- 🚆 By train: Bhopal Junction and Rani Kamlapati stations, on the Delhi to Mumbai line.
- 🚗 By road: Indore about 190 km, Ujjain about 190 km, Pachmarhi about 200 km.
Things to Do in Bhopal
- ⛵ Boat ride on the Upper Lake.
- 🍢 Eat street food in old Bhopal near Chowk.
- 🛍 Shop for bags with beads (batua) and Chanderi cloth.
- 🐅 Cycle through Van Vihar.
- 📸 Photos at Taj-ul-Masajid.
Planning a Bhopal trip? We plan the hotel, car and all sightseeing in and around Bhopal. See our Bhopal tour package options. Want to see more of the state? See our Madhya Pradesh tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top places to visit in Bhopal?
Upper Lake, Taj-ul-Masajid, Van Vihar, Tribal Museum, Birla Mandir and Bharat Bhavan.
Which places can I visit near Bhopal?
Sanchi Stupa, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and Bhojpur Temple, all within about 50 km.
How many days are enough for Bhopal?
2 days: 1 for the city and 1 for nearby places.
What is the best time to visit Bhopal?
October to March, when the weather is cool.
Why is Bhopal called the City of Lakes?
Because it has many lakes, the biggest being the Upper Lake.
On which day is Van Vihar closed?
On Fridays.
