Indore, the commercial heart of Madhya Pradesh, is a city where royal Holkar history mingles with markets that stay awake past midnight. From the seven-story Rajwada Palace to glass-inlaid Jain temples, it’s tailor-made for photography and family-friendly wandering.

Food lovers flock here for poha-jalebi breakfasts and a carnival of snacks at Sarafa Bazaar after dark. Nearby day trips to Mandu and Maheshwar layer on storybook ruins, riverside forts, and serene boat rides on the Narmada—great for kids and shutterbugs alike.

Practical notes: peak visiting months are October–March; summers are hot. Dress modestly for temples, carry small change for rickshaws, and expect digital payments (UPI) to be widely accepted. App-based cabs (Ola/Uber) are easy, and e-rickshaws make short hops a breeze.

Indore

Indore rose under the Holkar dynasty in the 18th–19th centuries, leaving behind ornate palaces, cenotaphs, and grand boulevards. Today, it’s also India’s street-food sweetheart—UN-awarded for cleanliness—and a gentle launchpad for central India’s heritage circuit.

• Top sights: Rajwada Palace; Lal Bagh Palace (European-style interiors); Kanch Mandir (glass temple); Krishnapura Chhatris (riverside cenotaphs); Indore Museum; Annapurna Temple.
• Family fun: Pipliyapala Regional Park for boating and gardens; Sirpur Lake (Ramsar site) for sunrise birding; Gomatgiri hilltop for easy sunset views.
• Food icons: Chappan Dukan’s snack lane by day; Sarafa Bazaar’s dazzling late-night eats—bhutte ka kees, sabudana khichdi, garadu, malpua, and the famous flying dahi bada.
• Photo moments: Rajwada’s façade at golden hour; mirror-work interiors at Kanch Mandir; Mandu’s Jahaz Mahal reflected in its tanks; boats and saree weavers along Maheshwar’s ghats.

Where to stay (mid-range, family-friendly): Search options and filter for family rooms or apartments near Vijay Nagar/Old Palasia for easy dining and transport.

• VRBO: Family apartments and homes in Indore on VRBO
• Hotels.com: Indore hotels (filter for 3–4★ with breakfast and pools)

How to get there: Fly into Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport (IDR). Typical nonstop flights: ~1 hr 30 min from Mumbai or Delhi, ~2 hr from Bengaluru/Hyderabad. Trains are available from major cities (overnight from Mumbai/Delhi).

• Flights (global): Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com flights
• Trains (India): Search trains on Trip.com

Day 1: Palaces, Temples, and Street-Food Night Market

Morning: Arrival day. Check in and refresh. If you’re early, let little travelers stretch at Pipliyapala Regional Park—pedal or rowboat on the lake, then stroll the themed gardens and musical fountain.

Afternoon: Dive into Indore’s royal core at Rajwada Palace; its wooden balconies and arched gateways are great for photos. Continue to the shimmering Kanch Mandir (entirely glass-inlaid) and the Krishnapura Chhatris by the river—cenotaphs that glow at dusk.

Evening: Make it a family food safari at Sarafa Bazaar (opens after jewelry shops close). Must-try stalls: Joshi Dahi Bada House (the “flying” dahi bada show), Jaleba (giant jalebi), Vijay Chaat House–style sev puri, bhutte ka kees, garadu (spiced fried yam), and hot malpua. Keep small notes handy and share plates so kids can sample more.

Optional guided experience:

Indore Local Tour – A convenient way to cover Rajwada, Lal Bagh Palace, and key temples in a single half/full day, with stories that bring the Holkar era alive.

Day 2: Mandu’s Romance and Maheshwar’s Narmada Boating (Full-Day Tour)

All day (family-friendly day trip): Head out by 7:00–7:30 AM for a scenic drive to Mandu (approx. 2.5 hours). Explore the photogenic Jahaz Mahal (the “Ship Palace” floating between two lakes), Hindola Mahal with its slanted walls, and Roopmati Pavilion overlooking the Narmada valley. Kids enjoy the open courtyards and echoing halls.

Continue to Maheshwar (about 1.5 hours). Walk the Ahilya Fort ramparts, watch weavers making Maheshwari sarees, and take a serene boat ride on the Narmada—a highlight for families. The ghats are wide and safe for supervised children, and evenings turn golden for perfect portraits.

Indore to Mandu and Maheshwar: A Heritage Day Tour – A guided, door-to-door option that maximizes time and weaves in history, legends, and the best viewpoints.

Food today: Pack snacks and water for Mandu (fewer formal eateries inside complexes). For lunch, stop at a local dhaba en route or eat late at Maheshwar’s riverside cafés (simple thalis, hot rotis, and fresh lime soda). Back in Indore, reward the crew with grills at Kebabsville (poolside live grills), or keep it veg-friendly at Shri Gurukripa (quick service, big flavors).

Day 3: Palatial Mornings, Chappan Dukan Lunch, and Departure

Morning: Start at Lal Bagh Palace (check current opening hours; it’s been restored and hosts ornate European interiors). Swing by the Indore Museum for prehistoric tools and Parmar-era sculptures, or choose Sirpur Lake at sunrise for bird photography (bring binoculars).

Afternoon: Do a snack crawl at Chappan Dukan. Try Johnny Hot Dog (veg and egg varieties), Young Tarang for poha-jalebi, and Madhuram Sweets for creamy shikanji (Indore-style, dessert-like). Pick up sweets to take home, then transfer to the airport/train for your departure.

Evening: Departure day—no evening plans. If your flight is late, consider a quick sunset at Gomatgiri (hilltop Jain site with a city view) before you head out.

Optional spiritual add-on (early start):

Divine Trail: Pilgrimage from Indore to Ujjain – If you have a late flight, depart at dawn for the Mahakaleshwar Temple (approx. 1.5-hour drive one-way), then return to Indore by early afternoon.

Family-Friendly Eating and Coffee Stops

• Breakfasts: Shreemaya (clean, dependable buffet and bakery); Young Tarang at Chappan (poha-jalebi combo); Mr. Beans (pancakes and eggs for picky eaters).
• Lunch: Shri Gurukripa (fast veg thalis); Nafees (North Indian & Mughlai, good biryani); simple riverside cafés in Maheshwar on Day 2.
• Dinner: Kebabsville at Sayaji (live grills and salads; kids love the open-air setup); O2 Cafe de la Ville or Café Terazza for relaxed bites with city views.
• Desserts & snacks: Madhuram Sweets (shikanji, mawa bati); Sarafa’s malpua & jaleba for a sweet finale.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Local transport: Ola/Uber are plentiful; auto-rickshaws are inexpensive (negotiate or insist on meter). The iBus BRTS is useful on arterial routes.
• With kids: Carry hats and sunscreen; many sites are stroller-friendly but expect some steps at palaces/ghats. Restrooms are easier at museums, malls, and larger restaurants.
• Cashless: UPI and cards work almost everywhere, but keep small cash for street food.

Arrival/Departure made easy: Prebook a private airport transfer to skip queues.

Private Transfer from Indore to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar (IDR) Airport

Other Great Viator Experiences (if extending your stay)

• 

  Mandu Full Day Tour From Indore – Focus solely on Mandu’s architecture and legends.

• 

  Jyotirlinga Journey: Indore to Omkareshwar Private Day Trip – Spiritual stop at Omkareshwar, a sacred island shrine on the Narmada.

Estimated On-the-Ground Costs (mid-range, family of 4): Meals $25–45/day, intra-city transport $6–15/day, entry fees $2–8 per adult per site, day tour by car/guide varies—check live rates on Viator.

In three days, you’ll savor Indore’s palaces and platefuls, then leap into timeless landscapes at Mandu and Maheshwar—boat oars dipping into the Narmada as the ghats glow amber. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly rhythm that balances history, food, and plenty of photo stops.

Keep this guide handy for quick eats, top sights, and trusted tour links—you’ll move like a local while seeing the best of Madhya Pradesh.