Laxmi Vilas Palace 🇮🇳

Welcome to Vadodara, Gujarat, where you can step into the grand historic realm of Lakshmi Vilas Palace. Commissioned in 1878 by Sayajirao Gaekwad III and completed in 1890, this extraordinary estate served as the royal residence of the Maratha Gaekwad dynasty and remains the home of current ceremonial head Samarjitsinh Gaekwad. Spanning over 500 acres, it is recognized as the world's largest private residence.

You will marvel at its remarkable Indo-Saracenic architecture, which seamlessly blends Indo-Islamic and Renaissance styles. Constructed by British architects Charles Mant and Robert Chisholm at a cost of six million rupees, the palace featured cutting-edge nineteenth-century innovations, including indoor elevators, a telephone exchange, and a private electrical generator. As you explore the grounds, you can see the magnificent 5,000-square-foot Darbar Hall, where the royal family hosted grand dinners and concerts.

Be sure to visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, located within the main palace, which displays the royal family's private art collection, featuring renowned works by Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. Beyond the central structure, the sprawling complex encompasses lush gardens, cricket grounds at Moti Bagh Stadium, and the public Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club, offering a captivating window into India's princely heritage.

What to see at Laxmi Vilas Palace

• Indo-Saracenic architecture blending Indo-Islamic and Renaissance styles
• The impressive 5,000-square-foot Darbar Hall built for royal concerts and dinners
• Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum featuring private artworks by Raja Ravi Varma
• Sprawling 500-acre grounds housing the public Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club and Moti Bagh Stadium

Visiting tips

Be sure to stop by the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum housed inside the main palace to view the royal family's private collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Laxmi Vilas Palace is easy to reach on Vadodara’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Vadodara travel guide.