The amazing state of Gujarat located in the western coast of India is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the India. The state is reputed for its wealthy cultural heritage, historical significance, handicrafts and countless tourist attractions. Apart from being one of the most developed regions in India, Gujarat is also a major tourist center of the nation. A land of romance, charisma, mysticism, vibrant colours and infinite natural beauty Gujarat never fails to charm its many visitors.
Below is a list of the important tourist places / destinations in Gujarat
Best Beaches in Gujarat
Gujarat has one of the longest coastlines in the country. Sprinkled with enthralling beach resorts, shore temples and blue lagoons Gujarat is home to some of the finest stretches of beaches in the country. An ultimate combination of nature history and religious monuments Gujarat forms one of the most important tourist destinations in the Indian subcontinent.
Religious Places in Gujarat Gujarat is the seat of a lot of religious sites belonging to both Hinduism and Islam.
Some such religious places in Gujarat are:
- Somnath Temple
- Dwarkadhish Temple
- Kalika Temple (Pavaghadh Temple)
- Bahucharaji Temple
- Ambaji Temple
- Takhteshwar Temple
- Akshardham Temple
- Palitana Temples
- Jama Masjid
- Raj Babri Mosque
- Rani Rupmati Mosque
- Narayan Temple
- Sidi Saiyad’s Mosque
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Gujarat
- Gir Forest National Park
- Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
- Blackbuck National Park
- Wild Ass Sanctuary
- Marine National Park
- Vansda National Park
- Kutch Bustard Sanctuary
- Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Ahmedabad
Having vast historical significance due to its association with Mahatma Gandhi. Ahmedabad is Heritage City and one of the most important cities in Gujarat & India. Thronged by visitors from different parts of the country this famous tourist destination in Gujarat is popular for its unique architecture which is a vibrant culmination of Hindu and Islamic styles.
Some of the popular attractions to visit in Ahmedabad are:
- Sabarmati Ashram / Mahatma Gandhi’s Home
- Kankaria Lake
- Bhadra Fort
- Lal Darwaja
- Science City
- Calico Museum of Textiles
- Adalaj Step-well
- Hathee Singh Jain Temple
- Iskon Temple
- Shaking Minarets
Gandhinagar
Situated at a distance of about 25 km north of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat offers numerous tourist sites like the Akshardham and Shamlaji.
Some of the popular places to visit in Gandhinagar are:
- Children’s Park
- Sarita Udyan
- Deer Park
- Akshardham Temple
- Botanical garden and the shopping bazaars
Jamnagar
Located at a distance of 302 km from Ahmedabad, Jamnagar is another jewel in the crown of Gujarat. Offering some of the finest specimens of architecture in the form of forts, palaces and religious structures Jamnagar never ceases to allure its visitors.
Some of the tourist hotspots in Jamnagar include:
- Kotha Bastion
- Willington Crescent
- Lakhota Fort
- Solarium
- Jamsaheb’s Palace
- Bohra Hajira
- Lakhota Museum
- Ranmal Lake
- Adinath Mandir
- Bala Hanuman Temple
- Bhid Bhanjan Temple
- Shantinath Mandir
- Bet Dwarka Beach Rozi
Vadodara (Baroda)
Known as the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara is speaks volumes about the culture and tradition of Gujarat. Reputed for its magnificent gardens, wonderful fine arts and folk dances Vadodara ranks tops the chart as far as tourist attractions in Gujarat are concerned.
Some popular tourist places in Vadodara (Baroda) are:
- Baroda Museum and Art Gallery
- Laxmi Vilas Palace
- Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- Baps Swaminarayan Mandir
- EME Temple Vadodara
- Sayaji Bagh Vadodara
- Khanderao Market
Pavagadh
A wonderful getaway Pavagadh is a small hill station known for its enthralling landscapes and serenity. Bestowed with the title of a world Heritage site Pavagadh is counted among the most visited tourist destinations in Gujarat.
Some popular tourist places in Pavagadh are:
- Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Nestled in the foothills of the Pavagadh hills in Gujarat, Champaner is the oldest rock formation in India. Home to a number of historical temples most of which are built in true Nagar style; Champaner serves as an archeologists delight. The other must visit in this town is the Jama Masjid which is an epitome of Indo Islamic style of architecture.
- Pavagadh Hill
- Kalika Mata Temple
- Pavagadh Temple
- Machi Haveli
- Sadanshah Pir Dargah
Porbandar
Mainly frequented by pilgrims throughout the year Porbandar is home to some of the finest sacred shrines that date back to ancient India. Offering a combination of rusticity along with modernity this city in Gujarat is counted as one of the best tourist destinations.
Some of the popular tourist attractions in Porbandar are:
- Kirti Mandir
- Arya Kanya
- Gurukul
- Sudama Mandir
- Bharat Mandir
- The Planetarium
Anand
Anand city of Gujarat is popularly known as the ‘Milk Capital of India’. Anand city is well known for the renowned ‘Amul’ dairy and its ‘milk revolution’. ‘The National Dairy Development Board of India and Anand Agricultural University are located in the city of Anand in Gujarat.
Some of the popular tourist attractions in Anand are:
- Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple
- Amul Dairy Museum
- Swaminarayan Mandir
- Flo Art Gallery
- The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Veer Vithalbhai Patel Memorial
Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar is a major trading port for the cotton materials produced in Gujarat. The port was established in 1743. The Bhavnagar lock gate can maintain ships afloat in the port of the city at low tide. It is not a place that can be considered as a tourist attraction.
Some popular places in Bhavnagar are:
- The Takhteshwar Temple
- Gandhi Smriti Museum or Gandhi Memorial
- Gangajalia
- Town Hall
- Gaurishankar Lake
- Samaldas College
- The Barton Library
- The Water Lock Gate
Junagadh
Junagadh in Gujarat is located at the base of the picturesque Girnar Hill. It is the point of departure for the tourists to the Gir Forest. Girnar Hill has got a number of temples. Junagadh is quite a fascinating town with a number of old buildings. However, very few tourists come to this place. The major reason behind this is the lack of publicity. People are perhaps not aware of the serenity and the aesthetic beauty of Junagadh.
Some popular attractions in Junagadh are:
- Bhavnath Temple
- Datar Hill
- Girnar Mountain Junagadh
- Sakkar Baug Zoo
- Durbar Hall Museum
- Emperor Ashoka`s Rock Edicts
- Intala the remains of Harappan Age
- Akshar Mandir
Mandvi
Gujarat offers you one of the finest beaches of India known as the Ahmedpur-Mandvi beach. The beach brings you adventurous water sports to be ever remembered. It is located at a distance of 298 km away from Ahmedabad. The crystal clear water of the sea is the perfect place for swimming.
Some tourist places in Mandvi are:
- Vijay Vilas Palace
- Mandvi beach
- Shyamji Krishna Verma Smarak
- Rukmavati Bridge
- Kasi Vishvanath Beach
- Topansar Lake
Patan
The history of Patan reached its epitome during the reign of the Solankis, the golden era of Gujarat. At that time, the city used to be a great place of learning as well as a prosperous center for trading. According to the Jain text, ‘Kumarpala Rasa’, Patan also famous for “Patoda”. Patan in Gujarat was a prosperous fortified town.
Some of the tourist places in Patan are:
- Old Fort near Kalka
- Rani-ki-Vav and Trikam Barot-ni-Vav (Step wells)
- Sahstraling Sarovar
- Anand Sarovar
- Kalka Mandir
- Mahalaxmi Mandir
- Hingaraj Mandir
Rajkot
Rajkot in Gujarat owns the glory of being once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra. Formerly it was a British government headquarters as well. Rajkot in Gujarat is the place where Mahatma Gandhi had spent the early years of his life. Here you can visit the Gandhi family home, the Kaba Gandhi no Delo. The house now holds a permanent exhibition of Gandhiji’s belongings.
Some of the popular tourist places in Rajkot are:
- The Watson Museum
- Kaba Gandhi No Delo
- The Rajkumar College
- Mohandas Gandhi Vidyalaya
- Rashtriya Shala
- Aji Dam
Sasan Gir
Sasan Gir is a world famous lion sanctuary situated at the base of the Saurashtra peninsula in the western state of Gujarat. To the north and west are the Gir hills. The forest is a tropical dry deciduous type, having teak as the chief species. The Sasan Gir lion sanctuary project was started in 1972. Before and after independence, situations in Gir deteriorated speedily to the detriment of the Maldharis as well as the lions. So the government started to ponder over the matter.
Surat
Surat in Gujarat lies on the banks of the River Tapti. Earlier it used to be one of the chief ports of western India. There are evidences that this port served as a gateway to the then state of Gujarat. Parsis came and settled at Surat in Gujarat in the 12th century. In 1573, Surat came under the rule of Emperor Akbar. He could identify the immense potentiality of the region as a port. It was then that the city became a major Mughal trading port.
Some of the popular tourist places in Surat are:
- The Chintamani Jain Temple
- Dutch Garden
- The Sardar Patel Museum
- Jawaharlal Nehru Garden