Aurangabad is one of the most stunning and historically important cities you can visit in India. While it’s true that 48 hours may not be enough to explore the entire city, you can still manage to fit in some of the amazing places to visit in Aurangabad in a 2-day itinerary. Read on to know how you can plan the perfect 2-day trip to this magnificent city.
DAY 1
Morning:
Among the first Aurangabad tourist places you should visit are the Ellora Caves. These famous Aurangabad caves also happen to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are simply breathtaking to explore. Cave no. 16 is where the Kailashnath temple is located. Constructed more than 150 years ago, the caves are a stunning example of glorious Hindu architecture. Caves 10 and 12 are also awesome to explore. You will simply love the mind-blowing carvings the walls of these caves hold. You can easily spend the entire morning being mesmerized by the spectacular beauty these caves hold.
Lunch:
You can have lunch at the Ellora canteen or Ellora restaurant before moving on to your afternoon sightseeing session.
Afternoon:
Since you may be a bit tired from exploring the Ellora caves, let your afternoon session be a bit relaxed. Therefore, head to the Shivaji Maharaj Museum, one of the star attractions of Aurangabad tourism. This is a must-visit place as it offers an incredible insight into the life and times of the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Showcased in about 6 galleries, the exhibits here include weapons and other artifacts from famous wars fought by the marathas. Major attractions include a copy of Aurangzeb’s handwritten Quran, a 500-year war suit, and a 400-year-old Paithani Sari. Additionally, there are some great museums in Pune you can visit as well on your next trip to the region.
Evening:
An evening visit to the famous GrishneshwarJyotirlinga Temple will take you about one hour. One of the most famous places to visit in Aurangabad, this temple is a highly revered one by Hindus in the country. Reportedly, it is the last Jyotirlinga temple in the world making it a must-visit site. Entry here is free but if you wish to make an offering to the Hindu deity Shiva, then you will need to pay a small amount. Spectacular prehistoric architecture and intricate carvings are just some of the many things that will leave you fascinated by the temple.
Night:
You must be spent on exploring the famous historical places to visit in Aurangabad all day long. So to end the day on a high note, head to some amazing nightclubs Aurangabad has to offer. No matter what type of a night scene you prefer – the loud one or the low-key one – Aurangabad has plenty of options to choose from. Some of the most famous places to visit in Aurangabad to experience its amazing nightlife include KA Lounge, D Sutra, Harry’s Bar, and Bistro Bar among others. You can enjoy a delicious round of starters and fabulous cocktails at any of these before moving on to your hotel to bid the night goodbye.
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DAY 2
Morning:
Kick off your second day in the city with a visit to another one of the best historical places to visit in Aurangabad – the Daulatabad Fort. The strongest fort in the Deccan region of the state, Daulatabad Fort is about 13 km from the city. Placed on a cone-shaped hill, this magnificent 190-meter hill fort is among the most popular tourist attractions in Aurangabad. Within the fort’s premises, you can explore fantastic attractions such as Chand Minar, the Baradari, and ChiniMahal. Since the uphill journey may be a bit taxing, it’s best to visit this fort first thing in the morning when you are most energized.
Lunch:
There are scores of restaurants and other eateries near Daulatabad Fort where you can stop by for lunch once you’re done with your visit to the fort. Options you can consider include Bhoj Restaurant, Tandoor Restaurant & Br, and d’ Curry House among others.
Afternoon:
For your afternoon session, head to Siddharth Garden and Zoo, one of the best places to visit in Aurangabad especially if you’re traveling with kids. You can take along a few snacks with you for a visit to this spectacularly landscaped garden. Major attractions here include a small aquarium and the zoo which is home to some of the most exotic and beautiful wildlife. So if you’re traveling business class to Aurangabad with kids in tow, you should definitely visit this place. Children will absolutely love visiting Siddharth Garden and Zoo. This can be a fun as well as an educational trip for them as they watch wild animals such as white tigers, lions, crocodiles, hyenas, deer, and snakes among others.
Evening:
In the evening, head to BibikaMaqbara, one of the most important heritage sites and famous mausoleums in Aurangabad. Dating back to 1678, this is the burial site of Aurangzeb’s wife DilrasBanu Begum. It was built by Prince Azam Shah, one of the sons of the emperor in memory of his mother. The striking thing about the monument is the resemblance it bears to the world-famous Taj Mahal. Standing amidst beautiful gardens, spectacular ponds and other water channels, this is one of the most iconic places to visit in Aurangabad. Being less crowded this time of the day, you can enjoy a leisurely visit to the monument.
Night:
To wrap up your 2-day trip to Aurangabad, you can either head back to explore some more amazing nightclubs in the city or head to one of the many restaurants for dinner. Depending on how tired you are, take your pick and end your visit to Aurangabad on the highest note possible.
How to reach Aurangabad:
Aurangabad Airport is well-linked with major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Udaipur, and Jaipur among others. So you can book cheap flights to any of these cities and catch a connecting flight to Aurangabad from there. From the airport, you can take a cab to your hotel. If you don’t have time to book flights in advance, you can book last minute flights with Indian Eagle travel agency that offers them at discounts.
