Weekend getaway from Delhi · #8 of 10
Alwar
Fort-studded gateway to rural Rajasthan - Bala Qila ramparts, the City Palace, Siliserh Lake and heritage stays like the 14th-century Hill Fort Kesroli.
Alwar is Delhi's best-kept secret escape, 160 km away. Enjoy a stunning city palace, a soaring hilltop fort, a peaceful lake palace, and the spooky ruins of Bhangarh. It is Rajasthan minus the usual tourist crowds.
Getting there
Hang a left off NH48 at Dharuhera to catch the toll road. It cuts straight to Alwar and is easily the quickest route from south Delhi.
Ditch the car and catch one of the regular buses or direct trains from Delhi straight to Alwar Junction. It is super easy.
Saturday
Palace history, royal relics, and sweet old-bazaar bites- 16:30 AMDrive
Depart Delhi for Alwar
Beat the Delhi exit traffic via Gurgaon and Dharuhera. This 160 km road trip takes about 3.5 hours, depending on how long you linger over highway chai.
- 210:30 AMSight
City Palace (Vinay Vilas Mahal)
Built in 1793, this gorgeous blend of Rajput and Mughal design features lotus-shaped marble pavilions. Since local officials work here now, it stays wonderfully real and crowd-free.
📍 City Palace, Alwar
- 311:45 AMSight
Government Museum, Alwar
Head upstairs to find Akbar's personal sword, stunning Ragamala miniatures, and a life of Babur manuscript. The golden durbar hall is an absolute showstopper.
📍 Government Museum, City Palace, Alwar
Tip · Entry costs next to nothing, and it is totally free on Mondays if you want to save a few coins.
- 41:15 PMFood
Lunch at Prem Pavitra Bhojnalaya
The city's ultimate go-to spot for pure-veg comfort food. Expect massive, unlimited-style thalis that taste like home cooking at incredibly low prices.
📍 Prem Pavitra Bhojnalaya, Alwar
- 52:45 PMSight
Bala Quila (Alwar Fort)
Perched high on the ridge, this pre-Mughal fortress has 5 km of ramparts and six historic gates. The winding road up offers jaw-dropping views of the Aravallis.
📍 Bala Quila, Alwar
Tip · You might need local police clearance to head up, and closures happen. Get your hotel reception to double-check before you start the climb.
- 65:30 PMFood
Milk cake in the old bazaar
Alwar is the birthplace of legendary milk cake (kalakand). Wander the old bazaar, grab a warm box straight from the sweet shops, and taste-test a few.
📍 Old city bazaar, Alwar
- 76:30 PMFood
Coffee at Tija Coffee House
Rub shoulders with locals at Nangli Circle. It is the perfect spot to sip hot filter coffee or a creamy lassi while watching the market spark to life.
📍 Tija Coffee House, Nangli Circle, Alwar
- 88:30 PMStay
Overnight in Alwar
Unwind at a hotel in town, or make the 20-minute drive to the RTDC Lake Palace at Siliserh to wake up right next to the peaceful water.
📍 Alwar
Sunday
Morning lake breezes and the spooky ruins of Bhangarh- 98:00 AMSight
Siliserh Lake
A peaceful 19th-century oasis just 14 km outside town. It is framed beautifully by the Aravallis, with a former royal lodge sitting right on the edge.
📍 Siliserh Lake, Alwar
Tip · You can rent boats here all year, but keep in mind they stop operating during the monsoon rains.
- 109:00 AMActivity
Boat ride on the lake
Hop into a paddle or motor boat to glide across the glass-like morning water. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers and herons along the banks.
📍 Siliserh Lake, Alwar
- 1110:00 AMFood
Terrace tea at the Lake Palace
Sipping a hot cup of tea on the Lake Palace terrace with views stretching across the water is a lovely little ritual you simply cannot skip.
📍 RTDC Hotel Lake Palace, Siliserh
- 1211:00 AMDrive
Drive to Bhangarh
Drive 80 km south through Thanagazi and the green Sariska buffer zone. The winding countryside views make this road trip incredibly scenic.
- 131:00 PMSight
Bhangarh Fort
Explore the spooky ruins of a 17th-century town, famous for its ghost stories. Old temples and a palace rise above quiet, banyan-shaded pathways.
📍 Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
Tip · Strictly sunrise to sunset only! The authorities lock the gates once the sun goes down, so do not get left behind in the dark.
- 143:00 PMFood
Late roadside lunch
Stop for a quick, comforting dhaba thali near Thanagazi or along the highway to fuel up before the final stretch of your drive.
- 154:00 PMDrive
Return to Delhi
Trace your steps back via Alwar and Dharuhera. You will roll into Delhi by around 9 PM, even with a leisurely stop along the way.
Tip · If you do not fancy the long drive to Bhangarh, head to Jaisamand Lake instead for a more relaxed route home.
Where to eat
The town's famous crumbly kalakand. Grab it fresh and warm straight from the old market halwais.
A legendary pure-veg spot. Incredible, hearty thalis that will cost you next to nothing.
Our favorite pitstop at Nangli Circle for a quick filter coffee fix or a huge, cool lassi.
When to go
Perfect weather. You get crisp days for exploring forts and gorgeous, misty winter mornings on the lake.
Super hot. Stick to exploring during early mornings or late evenings, and definitely avoid the forts at noon.
Everything turns lush green and the lake fills up, though boat rides are paused for the monsoon.
Good to know
- You might need police clearance for Bala Quila, and they close it randomly. Ask your hotel before heading up.
- Bhangarh is strictly sunrise-to-sunset. Keep an eye on the time so you are out well before the gates lock.
- Keep cash handy. Museum entry, boat rentals, and local sweet stalls rarely accept cards.
- Want to see tigers? Book a jeep safari at Sariska in advance; it is less than an hour's drive from Alwar.
