The invention provides a process for the extraction of indoles which comprises the steps of firstly extracting indoles from an indoles containing mixture with formamide or a formamide-containing solution and subsequently contacting the extract with at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons to recover indoles with the organic solvent. This process is applicable to an industrial scale extraction of indoles, because the extraction solvent system has a high extraction selectivity of indoles, is required in a small amount with almost no losses through the extraction and recovery steps and can be used repeatedly.