Heritage
Laxmi Vilas Palace
Completed in 1890 for the reformist Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Laxmi Vilas Palace was designed chiefly by Major Charles Mant in an Indo-Saracenic. Style mixing Rajput, Mughal and European elements. Is popularly described as roughly four times the size of Buckingham Palace. The Gaekwad family still resides in part of the complex. A museum wing displays the dynasty’s armoury, sculpture. A collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, who worked under Sayajirao’s patronage. Its grounds, laid out with the help of a European landscape designer.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Overview
Completed in 1890 for the reformist Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Laxmi Vilas Palace was designed chiefly by Major Charles Mant in an Indo-Saracenic style mixing Rajput, Mughal and European elements, and is popularly described as roughly four times the size of Buckingham Palace. The Gaekwad family still resides in part of the complex, while a museum wing displays the dynasty’s armoury, sculpture and a collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, who worked under Sayajirao’s patronage. Its grounds, laid out with the help of a European landscape designer, also contain a golf course, making the palace one of the largest private residences in India. Laxmi Vilas Palace is typically explored in about 2 hours. The most favourable months to visit are January, December, November, and February, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Other notable highlights include moti Baug clock tower with intricate mosaics, raja Ravi Varma’s original oil paintings gallery, and eleven-acre manicured gardens with Italian fountains. It falls within Vadodara, Vadodara district, and Gujarat.
Highlights
- Moti Baug clock tower with intricate mosaics
- Raja Ravi Varma’s original oil paintings gallery
- Eleven-acre manicured gardens with Italian fountains
- Durbar Hall’s Belgian stained-glass windows and chandeliers
- Vintage car collection in the palace garage
- Guided tour of the still-used royal residence wing
Getting There
Things To Do
Explore the Armoury and Weapon Gallery
View a fascinating collection of swords, daggers, shields, and firearms used by the Gaekwad rulers, including a jewel-encrusted sword and a pair of pistols that once belonged to Tipu Sultan. The gallery is housed in a long corridor near the main entrance, and the displays are well-labelled, offering a quick but detailed insight into the martial history of the region.
1 hour
Ride the Miniature Train Inside the Palace Grounds
Take a short, slow ride on the small gauge railway that circles the palace grounds, originally built for the royal children and their guests. The train passes through the gardens and offers a relaxing, shaded view of the palace’s western wing and the Moti Baug lake, without any strenuous walking.
30 minutes
Guided Heritage Walk Through the Durbar Hall
Explore the opulent Durbar Hall with its Italian marble flooring, Belgian stained-glass windows, and the intricate mosaic ceiling, while a guide explains the Gaekwad dynasty’s royal ceremonies and receptions held here. You’ll also see the life-size portraits of the royal family and the impressive chandeliers that date back to the palace’s 1890 inauguration.
1.5 hours
Visit the Palace’s Private Chapel and Ganesh Temple
Step into the small, ornate chapel within the palace’s inner wing, which features a mix of Hindu and European architectural motifs, and then walk a few steps to the adjacent Ganesh temple, still used by the royal family for daily prayers. You can observe the intricate carvings on the temple’s pillars and the silver doors, but note that photography is not allowed inside the temple sanctum.
45 minutes
Tour the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum’s Art Collection
Visit the museum housed within the palace complex, which displays a remarkable collection of European paintings by Veronese and Murillo, as well as a large cache of Indian miniature paintings and a unique set of 40 stuffed animals in the Trophy Room. The highlight is the personal art collection of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, including works by Raja Ravi Varma, who was a court artist.
2 hours
Stroll the Formal Gardens and Fountains
Walk through the sprawling, manicured lawns that surround the palace, which feature Victorian-era fountains, a small lake, and a variety of ancient banyan and palm trees. This is a peaceful, flat walk where you can photograph the palace’s full facade, including its distinctive domes and minarets, from multiple angles.
1 hour
Travel Tips
Carry a valid photo ID for the ticket counter
Senior citizens get a discounted entry, but only with a government-issued ID like a passport or Aadhaar card. Keep one ID per person handy in a single ziplock bag to speed up the group’s ticket purchase.
Use the main entrance’s drop-off point, not the parking lot
Ask your driver or cab to drop you at the main gate, then have the vehicle park separately. This avoids a long walk from the car park to the palace, which can be tiring for older travellers.
Book a guided tour in advance for easier mobility
Reserve the palace’s official guided tour before you arrive, as the guides know the flattest routes and can arrange for wheelchairs or resting benches. This saves seniors from walking extra distances and helps groups stay together.
Wear slip-resistant shoes and carry a small folding stool
The palace has polished stone floors and a few uneven steps in the Durbar Hall area, so non-slip footwear is essential. A lightweight folding stool lets group members rest during the longer walk through the armoury and art galleries.
Plan your visit for the first hour after opening (10 AM)
Arrive right at opening time to avoid the midday heat and crowds, especially on weekends. The palace’s marble floors and courtyards are cooler in the morning, making it safer for seniors with heat sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no strict dress code, but modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) is appreciated as a mark of respect, similar to most heritage sites in India. Photography is allowed in the museum and Durbar Hall without a flash, but tripods, selfie sticks, and video recording are prohibited inside the building.
Visit either in the morning (right at opening, around 9:30 AM) or late afternoon (after 3 PM) to avoid the midday heat and crowds, as the palace gets busy with school groups. Combine your trip with the adjacent Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum (housed in the palace's former school building) and the lush Sayaji Baug gardens, which are just a short walk away.
Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours to comfortably see the museum, the Durbar Hall, and stroll the vast grounds. Guided tours are not mandatory, but hiring a local guide at the entrance is highly recommended to understand the history and spot details like the Italian mosaics and Belgian glass you might otherwise miss.
Yes, the palace is the private residence of the Gaekwad family, so only the ground floor museum and certain courtyards are open to the public. The upper floors and private rooms are off-limits, but the ornate Durbar Hall, with its stained-glass windows and mosaic floors, is a highlight of the tour.
The ground floor museum and Durbar Hall are largely wheelchair-friendly, but there are a few steps at the main entrance and uneven stone paths in the garden. You can request a wheelchair at the ticket counter, and the staff will assist with ramps; however, the upper floors are not accessible, so ask for a route that avoids stairs.
Suggested Itineraries
2 Days in Laxmi Vilas Palace
Day 1
Begin your Vadodara journey with a relaxed morning, allowing ample time to explore the magnificent Laxmi Vilas Palace at your own pace. The afternoon is dedicated to the palace’s sprawling grounds and its fascinating museum, followed by a gentle evening drive around the city’s heritage core to get your bearings.
- Morning: Guided walk through the main palace interiors, admiring the ornate Durbar Hall, Venetian mosaics, and the royal family’s private collection of art and weaponry.
- Afternoon: Stroll through the palace gardens and visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, housed within the palace complex, to see Raja Ravi Varma’s original paintings and European sculptures.
- Early evening: Short drive to the nearby Sayaji Baug (Kamati Baug) for a leisurely walk along the riverfront, passing the zoo and the museum’s exterior, before returning to your accommodation for rest.
Day 2
On your second day, focus on the city’s royal and spiritual side, starting with a visit to the smaller but equally charming Nazarbaug Palace (exterior view) and the adjacent Kirti Mandir, the crematorium memorial of the Gaekwad dynasty. The afternoon is reserved for a relaxed exploration of the bustling Mandvi Gate area and a taste of local street food, before wrapping up with a peaceful sunset at the Sursagar Lake.
- Morning: Visit Kirti Mandir, an elegant marble memorial with intricate carvings, followed by a photo stop at the clock tower near Nazarbaug Palace.
- Late morning: Explore the Maharaja Sayajirao University’s art faculty building (exterior), known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, and the nearby Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery for a quick look at its artefacts.
- Afternoon: Walk through the vibrant Mandvi Gate market, sampling local snacks like sev usal or khaman from a trusted vendor, then proceed to Sursagar Lake for a calm boat ride (if available) or a bench-side rest.
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