Bundi, India – Rajasthan’s Peaceful City (2026 Guide)!
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Bundi in India is what the Indians would call a ‘Shanti, Shanti’ place, which means peaceful to you and me.
A tiny city tucked away in the state of Rajasthan, it doesn’t draw as many tourists as its neighbours like Jaipur.
This makes it the perfect getaway if you want to see a bit of the ‘real India’ while you’re here. If you’ve been travelling around the major cities, you’ll know that loud traffic, constant horns and busy streets are the norm.
But, in Bundi, there’s none of that. Just colourful buildings, friendly locals and a pretty mirror lake to enjoy.
Keep reading for a guide to the Shanti city of Bundi in India.
Related Post: the only Rajasthan itinerary you will ever need!
How to reach Bundi
Bundi in India is located just 3 hours away from Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, so, you can easily grab a bus heading there for around 300 rupees.
Alternatively, you can catch the Mewar express train from New Delhi which stops in Jaipur on the way.
This is a direct train to the neighbouring city of Kota and will be the most convenient as it’s a sleeper train.
A little travel tip; this train books up quick, even in low season as it’s popular with locals. So, I would plan your route in advance.
I would highly recommend Cleartrip for booking train travel in India as they have the best functionality on their website.
You will need an IRCTC (Indian Rail Company) profile set up to use it, but it’s SO worth it.
I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen out with the IRCTC website, we’re kind of frenemies.
Related Post: tips for travelling around India by train!
Where to stay in Bundi
There aren’t a lot of places to choose from in Bundi, especially in the ‘off’ seasons of May – July when I visited.
The place was like a ghost town with most restaurants closed until more tourists started popping up.
Not being able to find anything much online, we decided to ‘wing it’ and just find a place when we got there.
We pulled up quite late at night and were walking through the streets to find a hotel when we bumped into Shivam who offered us a room at his guest house. It turned out to be the best-rated in town and featured in Lonely Planet, so it was a bit of luck!
I would highly recommend the Shivam Tourist Guest House to stay. Not only did they have the best food in town on their rooftop, but the rooms were also clean, cheap and comfortable.
The family are friendly and they have the cutest pet Tortoise which always tucked its head in when I went in for a stroke…darn maybe next time he’ll warm to me!
Things to do in Bundi
There isn’t an incredible amount to do in Bundi.
I guess it just adds to the peaceful nature of the place. It’s actually nice sometimes not to have a lot to do and just feel it.
Get to know the people, the streets and the vibe. But, I’ll lay down some of the things you can get up to here.
Walk the streets of Bundi
This was my favourite part of Bundi. Wandering through the streets, admiring the awesome shop signs and murals painted on the walls.
It actually was a little bit of a time warp. Like, if you were going to pick the typical Indian street for a movie, this would be it!
Although a Gori (white person) seemed to be a rarity judging by the stares I got, the locals would say ‘Namaste’ with a smile.
The chai walla would sell the most awesome street tea for 5 rupees a piece and a café on the main street with ‘The best masala chai in Bundi’ cooked fresh Aloo Paranthas for 15 rupees.
It was heaven on earth. I would spend some time exploring and getting to know Bundi, you never know what you’ll find.
Bundi palace
I was quite unsure about going into this palace at first. At 500 rupees per foreign tourist plus 100 for a camera permit, it does eat into your daily budget.
I’d already seen the city palaces in Jaipur and Udaipur, so I wasn’t sure if I’d see anything different here and the fact it was partly in decay also swung it out of favour.
But, as there was quite literally nothing to do and I was curious, we did eventually decide to go in to see what it was all about.
Aside from the potent smell of bat poop as they’ve made a home there, the palace was actually quite pleasant.
A lot of it is broken/abandoned now but the parts which remain to see are beautiful.
The main attractions are the amazing colourful paintings and murals. All painted in traditional Rajasthan style. There are quite a few pesky monkeys who hang around causing chaos in parts of the fort.
For one part, a Bandar walla had to help us fight the monkeys off to see the exhibition so hide your valuables!
Bundi lake
Bundi lake is a picturesque lake in the middle of the town and when there isn’t a breeze it casts a perfect mirror reflection of the city from all around.
Even without the reflection, it is a nice place to visit, as you can see a great panoramic view of the palace from here.
There is also a lake view restaurant here to enjoy dinner in the evening, but put on your bug spray as the mosquitos were out in full force!
Fort View Point
Just beyond the lake, you can get a fantastic viewpoint of the whole city. It’s along a dirt road, so you may find it pretty dusty and a bit crazy but the view from here is well worth it.
It’s a photographer’s best spot for a photo of the whole town, but be sure to protect your camera lenses from the dirt track.
Bundi stepwells
Ancient stepwells have been quite common in India from the times of Indian royalty to collect water for their families.
Bundi is called the city of step wells as it has around 50 to boast!
But, there are two main step-wells that are quite impressive to explore. The main step well, Naga Saga Kund, was shut for renovation in the low season when I went to visit which was a shame.
But, an equally as interesting free stepwell was open called Dhabia Khund. It looked like a maze.
As the town is so small, you’ll have the whole place to yourself; it’s a great spot for picture opportunities!
Don’t miss out on Bundi India
That’s a Travel Guide to Bundi. There isn’t a great deal to do here but you won’t forget it in a hurry!
If you did want to see Kota and its 7 wonders, it’s a quick hour bus trip down the road and there is supposedly a great waterfall around 40km away from Bundi.
But, it’s only got a strong fall after the monsoon season is in full swing.
If you want to see a bit of the ‘real’ India, away from the tourist traps, I’d put this awesome dinky city on your list while you’re here.
Related Post: the perfect two weeks in Rajasthan itinerary!
Recommended Travel Resources
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Save this Bundi travel guide for later!
rfer below list to travel in bundi
https://bundireview.blogspot.com/2018/07/top-10-time-spending-places-and-tips-in.html
Thanks for sharing, Sophie x
Welcome :)
Thank you :)
@Arjun,
Hi Sophie, thank you so much for sharing all your travel advice! I’ll be traveling to Rajasthan for 2 weeks in October and I can’t wait! I’ve already bookmarked many of the places that you mention too. I was thinking Jaipur, Pushkar, Bundi & Udaipur. Do you think Pushkar and Bundi are too similar though? Would you perhaps include Jodhpur instead? Would love to know.
Hi Lana, thanks for reading and your support. I am so excited you’re going to explore Rajasthan! I would definitely replace Bundi with Jodhpur simply as it’s on the way to Udaipur and could break up your journey :). Have a great time. Sophie x
Wow! such a fantastic and fabulous blog. Thank you for share beautiful and wonderful pictures and about Travel.
https://www.bharattaxi.com/jodhpur
Thank you Ankita for the feedback! Sophie x
Thank you Sophie for detailed info on Bundi.
We are travelling next year to the area and staying in jaipur for few days then making our way to Udaipur.
We have picked bundi as an overnight stop to break up the journey.
Have we done the correct thing?
Is this a good route to take.
Got a car and driver.
Hi Menna, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad my post could help you on your trip. Ah that sounds ideal :) Also Jodhpur is a lovely stop! It’s a great idea to take a car and driver. Have an amazing time and wish you a safe journey. Sophie x
Nice Post!! I really appreciated with you, Thank you for sharing your info with us.
Hi Priya, I’m so happy you liked the post! Thanks for the support. Sophie x
Hi thank you very much for promoting Bundi Bundi so beautiful place
Hi Shanu, thanks for your feedback! Sophie x
Nice post . Thanks a lot. Loved the photos you posted. Best Wishes
Hi Chetana, thanks for your feedback and enjoy Bundi! Sophie x
Loved your post and pictures. Gopal ji the artist was just amazing. We stayed at Shivam guest house and also fed the turtle some ocra! The step wells were full of water, Bundi has had amazing rains :)
Hi Tanushree, Ah I’m so happy you liked the guest house. Isn’t the turtle sweet!?! Glad you had a great time in Bundi, such an awesome city. Sophie x
Excellent information you shared on this blog. Your blog is helpful for Bundi travel. Many people visit this place, and you have explained everything in detail about Bundi travel. Great blog!
Hi Ricardo, thanks for your kind feedback. Bundi is such a beautiful city in India. I hope you get to visit one day. Sophie x
Thanks.Wonerfull description and smart compilation about Bundi.Help us to plan with in small period.. keep it up.
Hi Manish, thanks so much for your feedback, I’m glad my post on Bundi could help you! Hope you had a great time, I love that city! Sophie x
Very nice and informative information in this blog.
Hi Dev, thanks for your kind comment! I’m glad you liked the post :) Sophie x
Nice informative blog!
Hi Sophie, glad you think so! I hope it helps. Thanks, Sophie x
This blog doesn’t display correctly on my i phone – you might want to try and repair that
Hi Vernon, thanks for letting me know! I use an iPhone and it’s working okay with me. Is it that the text is too wide for the screen? Or photos? Please could you let me know? Thanks, Sophie
We are just finishing 2 days in Bundi. It’s been cold and even rained. One problem is a severe lack of places to eat! I recommend a couple of home stays for home cooked food Castle View homestay right beside the palace and our hotel Dev Niwas both great places to stay.
And the only place to stop and sit is The Burg for real espresso and food in clean modern tiny cafe. Otherwise there is really nothing.
But yes : great market and interesting streets more blue than Jodhpur! Note the monkeys are scary and need fighting off at fort . There were only about 4 westerners in town past few days. You definitely have the place to yourself ! A taste of a real Indian small town
Hi Jenny, I totally agree about places to eat. We found a few restaurants but new ones pop up all the time. Thanks for your advice, I’m sure other travellers could use it :) Sophie x
@Sophie Pearce,
I don’t think this can be accurate that the blog is updated Jan 2024. The information about dining is pit of date also hotels.
The step wells and lake are clogged with rubbish. The streets are very sadly neglected and filthy. We enjoyed wandering but no travellers we met will brave the monkeys at the fort or at Kipling’s palace due to vicious monkeys. They are not cute or cheeky!!
There is a newish modern cafe The Burg with coffee. That’s it! Otherwise hotels may offer non guests to eat there. These things aren’t easy. Still a fascinating glimpse of rural village and the poverty that goes with it…
Hi Jenny (again). Bundi is a beautiful city and yes there is often rubbish around but that’s the same with all of India. I think it’s a matter of perspective. Where most people see just trash and dirt others can see beyond that and the beauty of monuments and small village life around them. There are many cities in europe that also have a rubbish issue i.e. Paris – but you don’t see people moaning about it because it’s Paris. Poverty is widespread across India with many living in slums but your version of what poverty looks like coming from a first world country can look very different to someone from India. Life is different there and people may not be as wealthy as people from the west but that doesn’t mean you should frown upon their life or assume they are impoverished and unhappy with their circumstances based on your privileged background. Plus, you can always support their livelihoods by going to these hotels and buying things from them. I admit, my article may be a little out of date in terms of restaurants but attractions remain the same. It’s a stunning part of India and it should be appreciated. Sophie x