Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the greenest cities in India. As a city, Bhopal has incredible natural and urban diversity. You will find a piece of everything in Bhopal, from ancient history to modern architecture. The city has existed for thousands of years, and the lifestyle and local culture still reflect that old-world charm. Your trip to Bhopal is nothing short of a live trip through history, thanks to incredibly well-preserved pieces of ancient artefacts and architecture present in Bhopal.
As Bhopal is the state’s capital city, your trips will be most convenient when you start from Bhopal. So, let’s review how you can get to Bhopal, following which you can check out the incredible places to visit near Bhopal.
By air: The Raja Bhoj International Airport is the closest airport to the Bhopal city centre. Located at a distance of around 15 km from the city centre, you can travel to this airport from all major Indian cities as well as some international locations. Public transport such as taxis and even busses are available from outside the airport for easy access to Bhopal and other prominent tourist spots in the state.
By road: Inter-state bus services can help you reach Bhopal from different parts of the country. However, you have to check locally to find out if your state/city has any bus service directly connecting to Bhopal. Once you are in Bhopal, you can find both state and private bus services to reach the various tourist destinations in and around Bhopal.
By train: Thanks to its location at the heart of the country, Bhopal intersects major train routes from Delhi and other major lines connecting the north and south states of the country. You can easily reach Bhopal by train from all major metropolitan cities in India. Once you are in Bhopal, you can find public transport to get yourself to the city centre and the other tourist spots in the state.
The top 15 places to visit near Bhopal
Sanchi Stupa
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Sanchi Stupa is one of the most popular Buddhist tourist places in the world. It is located relatively close to Bhopal at a distance of only 50 km. The stupa is a stone structure that was built in the 3rd century BCE by the great Mauryan ruler Ashoka. It hosts various relics of Buddha inside the huge semi-circular dome.
It is a well-preserved monument that is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In combination with all of this, the road trip that you have to take to reach the stupa is also one of the most scenic expeditions you can experience in Madhya Pradesh.
Satpura National Park
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The Satpura National Park is one of the several important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries found in Madhya Pradesh. The variety and diversity of wildlife you can encounter at this national park are staggering. Spread over an area of over 500 km, you can enjoy a safari ride in this park to experience the wildlife up close.
If you are lucky, you can spot tigers, leopards, wild dogs, Indian Bison, black bucks, and many more rare animal species. The Satpura National Park is located at a distance of approximately 150 km away from Bhopal, so you have to take your time and plan this trip.
Timings:
- Summers: 5:45 AM to 9:30 AM; 3 PM to 6:30 PM
- Winters: 6 AM to 10 AM; 2:20 PM to 5:30 PM
Jeep Safari Charges:
- Indians: Rs 3800
- Foreigners: Rs 5800
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
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The Bori wildlife sanctuary is a part of the Pachmarhi biosphere reserve. This park is also closely linked with the Satpura national park, where you can view and visit various endangered and rare animals in their natural habitat. The Bori wildlife sanctuary was established over 150 years ago and remains a popular tourist attraction in Madhya Pradesh to this day. The Bori wildlife sanctuary is located at a distance of around 170 km from Bhopal.
Raisen Fort
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Another incredible historical monument at Sanchi other than the Stupa, the Raisen fort, is a humongous fort built on top of a hill. The city of Raisen is built at the base of the hill. This name Raisen roughly translates to Royal residence.
Today, this incredible fort is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a great trek and trip for tourists that visit Madhya Pradesh. This fort is located at a distance of only 45 km from Bhopal, allowing you to plan a day trip to the fort easily. You will also find an easy commute to and from Bhopal to reach Raisen.
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
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Let’s consider the history that is hundreds of thousands of years old. That is exactly what you will find at the Bhimbetka rock shelters. These caves were home to early humans from the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic ages of human evolution.
You can find cave drawings inside these caves, which can very well be some of the earliest examples of art in India. It is a mind-boggling experience that you must go through on your trip to Madhya Pradesh. The best part is that these caves are located at a distance of only 45 km from Bhopal, allowing you to go for an easy day trip at these caves.
Vidisha
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Located at a distance of just 55 km from Bhopal, Vidisha is an ancient city located right at the heart of the country. This city was very prominent in the Gupta period and had mentions of being a major city in Pali literature of the age. The best part about a trip to Vidisha is that it has many important historical monuments from the Gupta era. The sheer amount of important sites at Vidisha allows you to spend hours and days just exploring the ruins of the city.
Bhojeshwar Temple
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The Bhojeshwar temple was built by Raja Bhoj almost a thousand years ago. This temple is an unfinished building. If it was completed, it would have been the largest temple for Lord Shiva in India. This temple houses an impressive 18 feet tall Shivling, which is carved from a single stone. This Lingam is one of the largest of its kind seen in India. This temple is an incredible visit as it’s located at a distance of only 30 km from Bhopal. You can easily plan a day trip to this temple and explore its secrets.
Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary
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The Ralamandal wildlife sanctuary is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh. The park is so huge that the only way you can travel inside the sanctuary is by a rented or private vehicle. You can spot exotic wildlife in the sanctuary if you are lucky. Some of the animals you can spot include Jarak, Blue Bull, Barking Deer, Sambhar, and Leopards. This wildlife sanctuary is located at a distance of almost 200 km from Bhopal, so make sure you plan your trip to the Ralamandal wildlife sanctuary accordingly.
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Entry fees: Rs 60
Indore
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Indore is a very outdoor city. It is, in fact, the largest city in Madhya Pradesh and is also known as the cultural capital of the state. There are incredible historical monuments and other tourist spots in Indore where you can spend quality time with your loved ones. You can also experience the rich culture of Madhya Pradesh at Indore.
From sightseeing to religious spots, this city has it all. Indore is located at a distance of over 190 km from Bhopal, so make sure you plan your schedule accordingly for your Indore. Transport is available easily, but the travel can be long as the distance is considerable.
Ujjain
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If you are a spiritual person or you would like to find a path to your spirituality, a trip to Ujjain can surely help you get in touch with your spiritual self. Known to be one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, this city is filled with temples at every street corner. There are multiple major ancient temples in Ujjain that are popular tourist destinations today.
Best of all, Ujjain is the city that hosts the Kumbh Mela, which is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimages. Visiting Ujjain during the Kumbh Mela would be a trip of a lifetime, but the mela is at its peak every 12 years, so you might have to wait for it. Even without the Kumbh Mela, you can visit Ujjain at any time of the year. The city is located at a distance of around 190 km from Bhopal.
Pachmarhi
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The year 1857 is not only the year of the famous revolt against the British Raj. It is also the year the Pachmarhi hill station in Madhya Pradesh was discovered by Captain James Forsyth. Want to know an even more interesting historical fact about the Pachmarhi hill station? It is said that the Pandavas resided in these hills during their 14-year exile period.
Today, these lush forests of the Satpura hills are one of the most famous tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh that attract thousands of visitors every year. Pachmarhi is located at a distance of around 195 km from Bhopal. You can easily reach the hill station using rented transportation, private vehicles, or public transport.
Khajuraho
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Khajuraho temple in Madhya Pradesh is one of the most popular temples in the world for its intricate and extensive stone carving artwork. The walls of these temples showcase the incredible artistry of ancient artisans who carved every aspect of their life and times on the walls of these temples.
This city and the temple are popular for their art, all of which are almost 1000 years old now. Khajuraho is a tad bit far from Bhopal, at a distance of over 370 km from the city. You can easily get to and from Khajuraho to Bhopal using public transport, but make sure you keep track of your journey time when planning your trip.
Chanderi Fort
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Chanderi Fort is an excellent example of Mughal architecture in Madhya Pradesh. The fort is situated atop a hill that is over 70 metres tall. The walls of the fort are carved with small and large intricate designs that give this fort its iconic look. The main gate of the fort, known as the Khooni Darwaza, is also a popular spot for you to see at this fort.
Chanderi fort is located at a distance of over 200 km from Bhopal, but the trip to Chanderi fort is a scenic trip through Madhya Pradesh. So, make sure you enjoy the panoramic views on the way when travelling to this majestic fort.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 6 PM
Gwalior Fort
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Revered as the ‘pearl amongst fortresses in India,’ Gwalior fort is considered to be an impenetrable fort that is a beacon of defensive architecture in India. Perched atop a rocky hill, Gwalior fort is the pride of the city. You can see the fort from every part of the city.
The fort is also very well decorated with incredibly skillful craftsmanship that makes this fort a sight to behold. This incredible fort is a must-visit even if it is located over 400 km away from Bhopal; you can easily go on a road trip to visit the fantastic city of Gwalior and, of course, its pride, the Gwalior fort.
Timings: 7 AM to 5:30 PM
Entry fees:
- Indians: Rs 75
- Foreigners: Rs 250
Bhedaghat
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Madhya Pradesh is inseparable from emperor Ashoka. From the actual great Mauryan emperor to the Shah Rukh Khan starring in the Bollywood movie (Asoka), Bhedaghat is a popular destination where the movie Asoka was shot. Even if Asoka is not one of the best works of Shah Rukh Khan, it is indeed one of the best works of nature.
The beautiful marble rocks and the river flowing through them are incredibly scenic. It’s a unique tourist spot in Madhya Pradesh that you must visit; it is located at a distance of around 320 km from Bhopal.
Bhimbetka rock shelters, an archaeological site in Bhojpur near Bhopal.
Sanchi Stupa, Bhopal.
Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal.
View of a tomb located on the side of a highway in Bhopal.
Satukunda Rock Paintings, 24 km fom Bhopal.
Beautiful Bada Talab, Bhopal.
Upper lake, Bhopal.
Van Vihar in Bhopal.
FAQs
What is the best place to visit near Bhopal?
If you speak strictly in regards to distance from Bhopal, the Sanchi Stupa is the best place you can visit from Bhopal as it is located less than 50 km from Bhopal.
Is Bhopal the capital of Madhya Pradesh?
Yes, Bhopal is the state capital of Madhya Pradesh; it is also a district and a city.
Are Bhopal and its surrounding spots safe tourist destinations?
Yes, Bhopal and its surrounding tourist spots in Madhya Pradesh are safe tourist destinations for everyone.