There are many reasons to visit the princely state of Gujarat, a coastal state in the western part of India. It is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion, seen in all its glory at Gir National Park. As you enter the state, the roar of the Asiatic Lion echoes in your ears, while the sight of the lively Blackbuck offers a delightful experience for visitors.. With a historic background of thousands years, it is dotted with temples, mosques and many other historical monuments that transport you back in time and shed light on its glorious heritage. One can also witnesses various eras of history there, whether at the excavations at Lothal and Dholavira or at Sabarmati Ashram from where Mahatma Gandhi planned several freedom national movements. Gujarat is home to several natural wonders, including the Rann of Kutch, the world’s largest salt desert.
From temples to parks, Gujarat offers a wide variety of places to explore during your holidays. In fact, Gujarat, the sixth largest state in the country, boasts a surprisingly large number of tourist destinations to explore. Some of the favourite places to visit in Gujarat are–
Rann of Kutch – Not to be missed Gujarat Destination
The Rann of Kutch is one of India’s most beautiful former princely states, preserving its majestic natural beauty from ancient times. Nestled between the vast Thar Desert and the powerful Arabian Sea, this enchanting land is a mesmerizing wonder of sand and salt. On a full moon night, the desert shines like a diamond, offering a surreal sense of calm. Various cultural programs are held on full moon night, tents are pitched and this wondrous land is yours for the full moon night. This is one of the most mesmerizingly beautiful places to visit in Gujarat.
During the winter season, the Rann of Kutch becomes home to flamingos that migrate all the way from Siberia! The white desert turns a delicate shade of pink and brings with it the chance to enjoy proximity to these elusive birds and many more others things. Rann Mahotsav is the best time to visit Gujarat, with Rann of Kutch coming alive with musical shows, cultural events, dance shows, delicious food, safari and artisans flaunting their ware.
- Places to Stay: Mahefeel e Rann Resort, Rann Village Resort, Kutir Craft Village Resort, Dharani Village Resort and Rann Utsav – Tent City
- Places to Visit: Great Rann of Kutch, Kalo Dungar, Kandla Port and Dholavira
- How to Reach: The nearest railway station or airport to Rann of Kutch is located in Bhuj from where one can board a taxi so as to reach Rann of Kutch
- Things to Do: One can attend Rann Mahotsav and can watch cultural performances
- Famous For: Scenic beauty and lively ambiance
Gir – Popular For Its Fauna
Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary are the last remaining home for the Asiatic Lions. Situated in Talala Gir, Gujarat, the sanctuary is part of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests eco-region. Gir National Park is closed from 16th June to 15th October every year and the best time for wildlife spotting in this National Park is in the month of April and May. This Gir national park is also the home to variety of many other rare wild animals such as hyenas, fish owls, black bucks and many more other wild animals. Gir National Park is spread across nearly 1412 sq km of land. This is the only national park in India that has community living inside its perimeters and that too in complete harmony and happiness with each other.
- Places to Stay: Gateway Hotel Gir, Gir Vihar Resort and Amidhara Stay
- Places to Visit: Devalia Safari Park and Gir Jungle Trail Park
- How to Reach: In order to reach Gir National Park one need to go to the airport in Keshod or by taking a train till Junagadh or Veraval. After this, you can take a taxi so as to reach your destination
- Things to Do: Safari and Bird Watching
- Famous For: Gir National Park and its flora and fauna
Somnath Temple – Pay a visit with your family to this religious place
Somnath, meaning “Lord of the Moon,” is a prominent pilgrimage destination and home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The town draws much of its identity from Hindu mythology, religion, and the legends that surround it, creating a place where the essence of spirituality and ancient stories permeate both tourism and daily life.
Situated on the rugged shores of the Arabian Sea, Somnath is not only known for its spiritual atmosphere, enhanced by numerous temples, but also for its beautiful beaches, museums, and other popular attractions. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times—first by Lord Soma in gold, then by Ravana in silver, followed by Krishna in wood, and finally by King Bhimdev in stone. Today, this stone structure stands tall, drawing millions of devotees from around the world to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.
- Places to Stay: Imperial Somnath, Fern Residency Somnath, Bliss Hotel, Lords Inn Somnath and Hotel Somnath Atithigruh
- Places to Visit: Suraj Mandir, Dehotsarg Teerth, Junagadh Gate, Triveni Ghat, Gita Mandir, Bhalka Tirth, Kamnath Mahadev Temple and Somnath Museum
- How to Reach: In order to reach this temple you can take a flight from any of the major cities of Delhi to Diu Airport which is located at a distance of 65 Km away from Somnath Temple or can take a ride in the train till Veraval which is just at a distance of 6 Km away from Somnath Temple.
- Things to Do: Beautiful Suraj Mandir, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Witness Dehotsarg Teerth and Somnath Temple
- Famous For: Religious Sites
Dwarka – For a beauty vacation
Dwarka is one of the famed and highly revered “Char Dham” Hindu pilgrimage located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat. Dwarka is also known as Devbhumi Dwarka. Dwarka boast the only city that is part of both Char Dham (four principal of holy places) and Sapta Puris (seven sacred cities) mentioned in the Hindu religion. This city is also part of the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is also located in this city. For these reasons, it enjoys a remarkable religious significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims all the year round all across the world. The beachside and the seashores are the other added tourist attraction of Dwarka.
- Places to Stay: Chokhi Dhani Resort, Regency Lagoon Resort, Ashirwad Club Resort, Nirali Resort and Emerald Club
- Places to Visit: Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Gomti Ghat and Dunny Point
- How to Reach: Take a flight till Jamnagar Airport which is located at a distance of 45 Km only. You can take a bus or taxi from there so as to reach Dwarka easily.
- Things to Do: Shree Dwarkadhish Temple, Tulabhara – Observe the Ancient Tradition, Gomti River – Ride a camel and Chhakda – Ride a Tuk-Tuk
- Famous For: Religious Place
Also Read: Dwarka to Somnath Distance
Ahmedabad – International Kite Fest
Ahmedabad is a city steeped in culture and with a rich heritage, making it a must-visit city for people from all over the world. Ahmedabad is located on the Sabarmati river bank and is also a former capital of Gujarat state and its delicious food, colourful culture are making this city one of the fastest growing tourist destination place in India. Notable attractions of Ahmedabad city may include Akshardham Temple Complex, Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake. International Kite Festival is a must see sight if you arrive during this amazing one day fest. On this international kite festival, sky swells up with kites all over the sky from gigantic to minuscule, from simple to the most complex and bizarre ones and from the bland ones to the rainbow colored ones. This place is probably one of the best place to enjoy a delicious Gujarati meal, full of all the Khakhra, Dhokla, fried Chillies and Fafda that you can find there.
- Places to Stay: Palm Green Club, Shanku’s World Resort, Madhubhan Resort and Spa, Radhe Upavan Resort and Rann Riders
- Places to Visit: Akshardham Temple Complex, Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake
- How to Reach: One can reach this place by train. There are many trains that ply between the major cities of India and Ahmedabad. So, you can take a train ride from your city to Kalupur Railway Station and then can hire a taxi so as to reach your destination
- Things to Do: Sabarmati Ashram – Feel the Silence, Jhulta Minara – Quite a sight, Law Garden – For the Shopaholics and Victoria Garden – Feel the Vibe
- Famous For: Shopping, Temples and Lively Ambiance
Saputara – The Only Hill Station
Saputara is the only “hill-station” in Gujarat that comes as a breath of fresh air in the otherwise hot and humid clime of the state. Sprawled beautifully on a densely forested plateau, this is one of a hot new tourist destination place in Gujarat, with a gigantic lake surrounded by resorts. It does not get very cold there, but monsoons can be the best time to visit this place when the mist rises out of the lake and covers the nearby area. Boat club, an artisan village, a tribal museum, cable car and a couple of other things are the famous attraction of this place.
Situated at an altitude of 875 meters above sea level, Saputara is an ideal getaway for eco-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventure sports enthusiasts. It is located at a distance of 4 Km from the Maharashtra border and 250 Km from Mumbai in Dang district. Saputara literally means the habitat of snakes as the tribals of this region worship snakes, especially during the festival of Holi. It is a beautiful hilly region enriched with enormous greenery offering magnificent panorama, tribal culture of a different sort and great trekking opportunities for the adventure seekers.
- Places to Stay: Aakar Lords Inn, Patang Residency, Sai Leela, Savshanti Lake Resort and Hotel Hilltop Regency
- Places to Visit: Gira Falls, Vansda National Park, Hatgadh Fort and Artist Village
- How to Reach: To reach Saputara, you need to reach Bilimora Railway Station first which is connected to the major cities of India. From there, you can hire a taxi so as to cover a distance of 50 Km to reach Saputara
- Things to Do: Saputara Lake – Go Boating, Artist Village, Hatgadh Fort and Vansda National Park – Trek
- Famous For: Famous for the forested plateau that sprawled beautifully on a densely forested area
Girnar – Heaven for Adventure Seekers
Girnar is a unique blend of Gujarat’s golden-brown desert sands and the lush greenery of Gir National Forest. Located in the Junagadh district, Girnar is a mountain range offering endless excitement for adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts. The region also features numerous religious sites that attract pilgrims from around the world. Among them, the Neminath Temple and Meravasi Temple are two of the most significant and sacred Hindu shrines in the area. A perfect weekend getaway, Girnar offers stunning views of Gujarat’s landscapes from the scenic hilltops.
- Places to Stay: Bellevue Sarovar Portico, Fern Leo Resort and Club and Click Hotel
- Places to Visit: Mahabat Maqbara Palace and Neminath Temple
- How to Reach: As there is no railway station in Girnar, the best way to reach this place is by taking a train journey to Junagadh which is just 5 Km away from Girnar
- Things to Do: Jungle Safari and Temple Tour
- Famous For: Scenic beauty
Pirotan Island – Go For Bird watching
Pirotan Island is essentially a small island located inside the Marine National Park area and spans over an area of just 3 sq km. This small yet charming islet offers tranquil and undisturbed rendezvous with nature in its lush environs to everyone who sets foot here and is beguiled by its scenic beauty. It has some fine and rare beaches where you can find corals on the shores during low tides. This place is studded all over with coral reefs, mangrove vegetation, plenty of birds, as well as gorgeous low tide beaches that make it one of the finest places to visit in Gujarat for 2 days. You will be thrilled by the variety and abundance of biodiversity of both flora and fauna present here, as well as with its vast marine life.
- Places to Stay: Royal Orchid Hotel and Sarovar Hotel
- Places to Visit: Lakhota Lake, Lakhota Palace and Museum and Bala Hanuman Temple
- How to Reach: You can only reach Pirotan Island via waterways. You need to hire a boat from a nearby port in Bedi which will take you to this island in 2 hours
- Things to Do: Sightseeing, Photography and Water Sports Adventures
- Famous For: Coral Reefs, Mangrove Vegetation and Plenty of birds as well as gorgeous low tide beaches
Vastrapur Lake – A Perfect Picnic Spot
For those who wish to embrace tranquillity and serenity, Vastrapur Lake is one of the famous tourist place in Gujarat that is perfect for this. This lake was named after Nasingh Mehta and is now an extremely popular picnic spot of Gujarat. One can see an extensive number of families enjoying their quality time, playing around and just having the time of their lives. This is also a great picnic spot soaking in the sun and escape from the busy city life. Vastrapur Lake happens to appeal numerous joggers and city walkers who are in search for solace.
- Places to Stay: Hotel Shital Inn, Country by Marriott Ahmedabad, Double Tree by Hilton and Suba Star
- Places to Visit: N/A
- How to Reach: In order to reach this lake one can easily board a bus from Ahmedabad to Palanpur. The total distance to cover is around 143 Km which take around 3 hours
- Things to Do: Boating and Picnic
- Famous For: Refreshing Ambiance
ISKCON Temple – For Krishna Admirers
This is one of the enchanting places to see in Gujarat. ISKCON Temple or International Society for Krishna Consciousness is an organisation that is synonymous with the Hare Krishna Movement. The temple’s architecture showcases a perfect blend of Gujarati Sompura and Rajasthani Khamira styles. It features marble flooring, intricately designed pillars, and a beautifully decorated ceiling. The structure also houses a library, a meditation room, a hostel, and a restaurant. ISKCON temple comes alive with dances and Bhajans of Lord Krishna every evening.
- Places to Stay: N/A
- Places to Visit: N/A
- How to Reach: ISKCON Temple is located at a distance of around 6 km from Ahmedabad. You can only reach ISKCON Temple by bus from there or from other states to reach the temple
- Things to Do: Visit Temple and can attend Aarti
- Famous For: Religious Site
