Flanking the shores of Western India, Gujarat proudly stands as one of the largest and most exotic states of the country. In addition to being a trade and business powerhouse, Tourism has always been a major and vital aspect of the state. And why not, since the place has some really wonderful tourist locations that exude a great charm with their diverse and colorful facets.
However, there are few places in the state which although not regularly included in the common travel itineraries, are nevertheless equally incredible and amazing. Which are these locations? In this blog, we have listed 8 best places to visit in Gujarat which a traveler must visit to find some unique and fascinating gems of the state, which are otherwise hidden from the eyes of most the travelers.
Reading about them and visiting to reveal their unique wonders, these places are surely going to find a lasting place in your heart and memory.
List of 8 Best Places to Visit in Gujarat:
1. Ahmedabad
A colossal city of many charms, Ahmedabad is often called the “textile city of the country” as well as the “Manchester of the East”. Being the former capital city, Ahmedabad is pervaded with some wonderful attractions. From religious sites to historic monuments and amusement parks too many exotic lakes, the city has many draws for all kinds of travelers.
Elegantly mixing the elements of both tradition and modernity, there are many buildings that exquisitely exhibit the diverse components of the city’s many cultural influences.
Ahmedabad is India’s sixth-largest city and an important administrative center of the state. But it also some great allures. Sabarmati Ashram and Akshardham Temple are, almost, a must-visit. On the other hand, the Kankaria Lake, Adlaj Step wall and Hathee Singh Jain Temple are also great delights. Streaming with tremendous energy, Ahmedabad is a great place to experience and understand.
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2. Gopnath Beach
Located at a distance of 70 kilometers from Bhavnagar, Gopnath Beach lies on the Gulf of Khambat and is a great destination away from the chaos and bustle of the city. The beach is one of the most beautiful spots in Gujarat, being pervaded with rich biodiversity, natural beauty, limestone cliffs and other mesmerizing.
A popular highlight is the famous Gopinath temple, which has a 700-year-old shrine, often visited by travelers to this destination. Besides, there is also a palace which is fairly popular for its mesmerizing architecture and wonderful history. There is little doubt that Gopinath is a wonderful place if one is contemplating to spend some relaxing time amidst nature.
3. Gandhinagar
One of the many well planned and dynamic cities of the country, Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat with some really admirable locations and destinations. One of the most popular attractions is the famous Akshardham Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. The structure is built of the pink sandstone and the architecture is both fine and elegant. The main idol of Lord Swaminarayan is about 7 feet high and is studded in gold leaf.
Gandhinagar is located on the west bank of Sabarmati River and is located approximately 464 kilometers away from Mumbai. The park has wonderful gardens, ample greenery and plenty of recreational areas that travelers can visit and enjoy. Some other areas of interest in the city include the Hanuman Temple, Sarita Udyad and Pathapur Village which must be visited for its amazing attractions.
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4. Vadodara
Often perceived as the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara is better known for its age-old traditions in arts, music, and culture, etc. There are remarkable parks, monuments, museums, buildings, religious sites as well as historical locations. Nazarbaug Palace, a structure established in 1721 is an icon dedicated to the Gaekwad Dynasty in Vadodara. On exhibit in this palace are a number of precious cloth and jewelry that belongs to the royal family.
Moreover, the famous Laxmi Vilas Palace is an epitome of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture with many attractions. Those who have a flair for history will find Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and Vadodara museum, agreeable to their interests while children and adults will find S-Cube water park, great fun, and adventure spot. Vadodara can be counted to be amazing places to explore in Gujarat and visitors to this wonderful state can visit here for some great memories.
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5. Surat
A historic port city, Surat has stood the test of time to be a major hub for fabric shoppers from within the country and around the world. Besides the place is also famous as a diamond cutting center. Some other attractions, like the Surat Castle, is a major draw.
Sardar Patel Museum is an interesting place to explore the heritage, arts and cultural crafts of the country. On the other hand, Chintamani Jain Temple is celebrated not only for its religious significance but many incredible paintings of the Solanki King Kumarapala and Acharya Hemchandra.
Other attractions like the Mughal Sarai, Dutch Gardens and several beach resorts are exquisite. However, a distinct aspect of Surat is its various cuisines which cannot be missed. Rather than offbeat, Surat can readily be called one of the popular destinations in Gujarat.
6. Saputara
Full of exquisite natural beauty and verdant sights, The Saputrara is a refreshing hill destination in Gujarat. A famous attraction here is the botanical garden which is usually not missed by travelers to this place. Gira Falls, the incredible 75m falls, with its amazing white water body and refreshing surroundings is another great draw.
The place is mostly popular as a charming offbeat location from Gujarat. The cool and foggy weather and wonderful sights all around combine to make an exotic ambiance. The area covered by the town is small enough to be covered entirely by foot. Saputara literally means “abode of serpents”.
Besides, there are some great attractions like boating and ropeway while the wonderful Vansda National Park and Purna Wildlife Sanctuary are also nearby. Located on the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Saputara is an exotic all the year-round destination.
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7. Patan
An olden town located between Aravalli Range and Gulf of Khambat in Northern Gujarat, Patan is often called the educational hub of the state. However, there are plenty of places which are a visitor’s delight.
Primary amongst this is Rani Ka Vav, a spectacular step-wall structure constructed by Queen Udaymati in the honor of her husband, King Bhimdev. Patan was founded long back in 745 AD by Chavda Rulers. For long it remained the capital of the province before being destroyed in the 13th century.
The city is dispersed all over with wonderful temples, lakes and other beautiful step-wells which offer plenty to admire for travelers, especially those with an interest in history. The city caters well to the needs of a traveler. There are many enough accommodation options across a wide range. It’s a great place to visit and enjoy sightseeing and experience a still newer dimension of Gujarat. The best time to visit Patan is from October to March.
8. Champaner
Situated 47 kilometers from Vadodara, Champaner is another historic treat for travelers. The city was founded by Vanraj Chavda who was one of the most important kings of the Chavda dynasty in the 8th century. It also remained the capital of the Gujarat province for some time. A stunning attraction here is the famous Champaner-Pavagadh archeological park, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
An excellent location, the park comprise of 11 different types of buildings which comprise diverse structures like mosques, temples, terraces, walls, wells and more. Important amongst these such as the “Jama Masjid”, “Jami Masjid” Kalika Mata Temple are sites to admire and cherish. Here are there, the town has many more structures which make the place worth visiting.
It is nevertheless an excellent historical and culturally rich top destination to visit in Gujarat.
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Rann Utsav GujaratMayank Chawla
Born in New Delhi, India, Mayank grew up admiring, perceiving and then embracing the vastly complex, colorful and paradoxical nature of the Indian Society, which further led him to accommodate and appreciate the tremendous diversity of world. This admiration brought him to travel writing to share his thoughts and personal experiences with readers and travel enthusiasts at large to make them enjoy the wonderful beauty of the world as he sees it.
well written blog with nice images, keep doing such blogging.
Awesome information about Gujarat India
Nice Post to explore Gujarat..Thanks for this
Thank you for your post. This was really an appreciating one. You done a good job. Keep on blogging like this unique information with us.
Thanks Haritha!:) Do stay in tune for more posts!