As said by our prime minister Narendra Modi “Gujarat, with its all-inclusive, sustainable and rapid growth, is emerging as a globally preferred place to live in and do business.” Gujarat located on the western coast of India is the fifth largest Indian state with a population of more than 60 million. There are several great places to visit in Gujarat, all of which have their own charm and history. The vibrant state is famous for its culture, heritage, food, wildlife sanctuaries, and scenic view. Gujarat was said to be the main area of the Indus valley civilization which is over 4000 years old. Gandhinagar is the capital of the state and Gujarati is the main language in the state. October to March is the best time to travel to Gujarat. Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat. Gujarat is also famous for sweets, dishes, and several Rajasthani items like jalebi, fafda, dhokla, thepla, khandvi, and many more. There are also many places to visit in Gujarat. Thousands of tourists visit Gujarat daily for enjoying the weekend or the holiday. So, let’s find out Several travel places to visit in Gujarat.

Places to visit in Gujarat

1. Rann of Kutch

The Rann of Kutch is a salty marsh desert located in the desert of Gujarat which separates the boundaries of India and Pakistan. This is the largest salty desert in the whole world. The desert is situated to the north of the tropic of cancer and is located between the gulf of Kutch and the Indus River in southern Pakistan. Bhuj is the nearest airport and the distance from Bhuj to Rann is 102 km. The great rann of Kutch is also home to many wildlife sanctuaries like Indian wild ass sanctuary, Kutch desert wildlife sanctuary, etc many factors make this place a must-visit spot in the list of places to visit in Gujarat. The best time to visit Rann of Kutch is from October to march. It is not advisable to visit in April and May as the temperature rises. Travelers must keep an id proof with themselves as at the entry point id proof is checked by the army officials. A three-month-long festival known as “The Rann Utsav” is organized every year from December to February by the government of Gujarat. Moreover, the stalls at this festival are the main source of income for the locals. Tourists from all around the world come to see the great run of kutch and this grand festival. Different cultural events are held every day during the festival and tourists can also do shopping. It is advisable that the visitors should not miss the moonrise and sunset as you will witness a marvelous view of changing shades of sand. Just make sure to keep this place at the top of places to visit in Gujarat.

Timing- Open 24 Hours

2. Ahmedabad

If you visit Gujarat and have not visited Ahmedabad then your trip to places to visit in Gujarat is incomplete because in this city there are several attractive places like lakes and historical places in which you can see the oldest designs and architecture. There are also several lakes that show the beauty of Ahmedabad. There are also many dishes famous in Ahmedabad like Fafda jalebi and I think you must have them. Here you will also find bright vibrant clothes like Chaniya-choli which were worn at the dandiya festival during Navratri. As, this is one of the big festivals in Ahmedabad, and thousands of tourists come and enjoy the Garba. The best time to visit is from October to January.

Places To Visit in Ahmedabad – Sabarmati Ashram, Bhadra Fort, Adalaj Stepwell, Akshardham Temple, Kankaria Lake, and Many More.

3. Dwarkadhish Temple

Dwarka, the kingdom of Lord Krishna takes us to medieval times. It is believed that when Lord Krishna left Mathura, he built his own kingdom Dwarka. Lord Krishna is known as dwarkadhish which means “king of Dwarka”. People believed that he is ruling today and worshiped him like a king. Dwarkadhish temple is from one of the famous “Char Dham Yatras”. Dwarkadhish temple is located on the banks of river gomti which further joins the Arabian sea. Truly one of the best places to visit in Gujarat. It is believed that the original city of Dwarka is submerged under the Arabian sea. Only some part of the city is left and structures of the city can also be found under the sea. Dwarkadhish temple is also known as Jagat mandir or Trilok sunder temple and is famous among devotees for its architecture and history. Temple has two gates: entry from swarg dwar and exit from moksha dwar. Devotees have to climb 56 steps to enter the temple. Temple is 2200 years old and constructed by the great-grandson of Lord Krishna vajranabha. Dhwaja is hosted on the top of the temple which is 84 feet high and changes every day in different colors. Each color resembles a specific spiritual quality. Dwarka is one of the important pilgrimages for Hindus and the temple attracts thousands of devotees every year. Temple is well connected through bus, train, and airport.

Timings: 6.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Mangla aarti: 6.30 a.m.
Mangla darshan: 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m.
Shringar Aarti: 10.30 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.
Sandhya Aarti: 7.30 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.
Shayan Aarti: 8.30 to 8.35 p.m.

4. Somnath Temple

The next one on the list of famous places to visit in Gujarat is the famous ‘Somnath temple. This temple is famous among tourists as it is the first of the twelve jyotirlingas of lord shiva. Located near the Veraval on the western coast of Gujarat, the temple is designed in the Chalukyas style and inaugurated by dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951. The temple was named after the moon(soma) who worships lord shiva. It is believed that the temple was constructed by the moon in pure gold, then by Ravana in silver, by lord Krishna in sandalwood, and by Bhima deva in stone. Veraval is well connected with roadways and railways. There is a four-day festival organized every Kartik Purnima in November-December. Maha Shivratri is also celebrated as a festival at the temple. There is a breathtaking view of the temple from the Arabian sea.

Timings:
Darshan: every day from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Aarti: every day at 7.00 a.m., 12 noon, and 7.00 p.m.
Sound and light show: every day from 8.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

5. Junagadh

There are also several attractive places in Junagadh that were visited by tourists. If you visit Junagadh then you can explore forts, temples, museums, garden,s and many more. Junagadh is famous for its historical purpose and has some interesting stories related to it. Junagadh is located near the renowned Gir National Park, this city is among the perfect places to visit in Gujarat, the fort is the most attractive part of Junagadh by its architecture and old history. This city is among the perfect places to visit in Gujarat.

Places To Visit in Junagadh – Uparkot Fort, Girnar Jain Temple, Darbar Hall Museum, Mahabat Maqbara, Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, and Many More.

6. Saputara

If you want to spend some relaxing time after a busy schedule, so this place is a must-visit. Saputra(the abode of snakes) is a hill station in Gujarat and is the most famous destination among all the places to visit in Gujarat because it is famous for its beautiful waterfalls, greenery, and scenic views. Located in the Dang district of Gujarat, this hill station is above 1000m sea level. it is believed that Lord Rama spent 11 years of his axile at this place. The sunrise point, sunset point, Gira waterfalls, purna sanctuary, vansda national park, saputara museum, and saputara lake are major attractions of saputara to be enjoyed with your loved ones. Local food and handicraft goods also attract tourists. The best time to visit this beautiful hill station is during the monsoon season as the mountains are covered with greenery. Cultural activities are organized for 1 month during the monsoon festival of saputara which is held from August to September.

Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
Places To Visit In Saputara – Hatgadh Fort, Artist Village, Vansda National Park, Sunrise and Sunset Point, Saputara Lake, Saputara Museum.

7. Laxmi Vilas Palace

It is presently the residence of the Vadodara royal family constructed by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. This palace consists of a zoo, golf course, and Maharaj Fatehgarh museum. In addition to this, it is four to five times bigger than Buckingham Palace. The Laxmi Vilas Palace is created in Indo-Saracenic style and has elements of Mughal, Hindu, and gothic. The palace is built in such a way that it resembles a church, temple, gurdwara, and mosque. The palace is spread over an area of 700 acres. Weddings, social gatherings, meetings, and conferences are also organized at this beautiful palace. Maharaja lives on the first floor and the ground floor is for tourists to visit. There is beautiful glasswork in the palace which attracts tourists from all around the world. It will take about 3 hours to visit the whole palace. Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara is one of the best places to visit in Gujarat.

Timings: 9.30 AM To 5.00 PM (Closed on Monday and Public Holidays)
Entry fee: Museum Entrance: INR 60 Per Person
Entrance Fee For Palace: INR 170  Per Person 

8. Gir National Park

Want to see animals, then there is no place better than gir national park and your list of places to visit in Gujarat is definitely incomplete. Here you can spot lions roaming free. Gir national park is also known by the name of “Sasan Gir and it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 18th September 1965. This wildlife sanctuary covers an area of approximately 1421 square kilometers. There are a total of 523 lions, 300 leopards, and 200 species of birds and reptiles. The national park is famous among tourists as this is the place where they can witness Asiatic lions. Located near tala gir of Gujarat, The sanctuary is open for tourists from 16th October to 15th June every year. The best time to visit the park is from December to February. The nearest town to the national park is Veraval. Gir National Park is the best place to come face to face with wild animals which is truly amazing. Truly one of the best places to visit in Gujarat,

Timings: There is a 3-hour trip starting at 6.30 a.m., 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
Entry fee:
Monday to Friday: INR 800 for Indians and INR 5600 for foreigners.
Saturday and Sunday: INR 1000 for Indians and INR 7000 for foreigners
Tourists also have to pay extra for travel guides, jeep entrance, and DSLR cameras.

9. Gandhinagar

Want to visit the cleanest city in Asia? Then explore Gandhinagar among the famous places to visit in Gujarat. The capital city of Gujarat is located on the west bank of the Sabarmati river. The international kite festival also takes place every year. The city is famous for its children’s park, Sarita udyan, Swaminarayan temple, indroda dinosaur, capital complex, etc. Devotees who visit Gandhinagar must visit the Hanumanji Temple, Brahmani temple, and Akshardham temple. The name of the city is derived from the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The Gandhi ashram in the city is also famous as various national movements took place here. Gandhinagar is also famous for its delicious food like fafda, and jalebi which reflect Gujarat’s heritage. Akshardham is the favorite tourist spot in Gandhinagar because of its extremely beautiful architecture. You can’t miss the joy of the city during the Navratri festival. The city is also famous among children as they can explore indroda dinosaurs and fossil parks. 

Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee

10. Amba Ji

It is a famous religious spot for Hindu pilgrims. Located on top of Aravali Hills on the Rajasthan Gujarat border, the goddess is known as asaur ni Ambe maa. There is no idol of the goddess inside the temple, instead, there is a holi yantra which is to believe in the aspect of the goddess. Devotees are asked to cover their eyes with a white cloth before they are allowed to worship the yantra. It is believed that the heart of the goddess Sati has fallen at this place. At the distance from the temple, there is a holy kund known as Mansarovar in which devotees take a dip. This temple is made up of white marble with gold coins and has silver-plated doors that give it a mesmerizing view. Garba and other folk dances are also done during the Navratri time. On every full moon, a day fair is organized outside the temple and lakh devotees come to offer their worship. The original seat of ambaji is at a distance of 3km from the temple. This is another famous pilgrimage site among the tourist places to visit in Gujarat.

Timings: open every day from 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., and 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

11. Marine National Park

Want to spend some quality time in the lap of nature and enjoy natural beauty then this is one of the must-visit places to visit in Gujarat among all. It is the first marine national conservatory constructed in 1982. Located on the southern coast of the Gulf of kachchh in Jamnagar district, national parks consist of 42 islands. There are 7 species of mangroves inside the marine conservatory maintaining the balance between the salt and freshwater system and protecting the coast from erosion. the park is rich in flora and fauna. The best time to explore the national park is from October to February. The park is well connected with all means of transport. The nearest airport is Jamnagar airport. It is the best place for those who love aquatic animals and love to explore the beach. Fees will be 25% extra on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays.

Timings: Entry is available between two high tides.
Entry fee:
Indian: INR 40 per person
Foreigner: USD 10  per person
Camera charges(Indian): INR 200
Camera charges(foreigner):USD 20
Guide charges: INR 300

12. Zanzari Waterfalls

Are you a nature admirer?  If yes, then you should visit this place and add it right now to your list! This place is 3 hour’s drive from Ahmedabad. Located on a river track in dream, this place is considered as a beautiful picnic spot near Ahmedabad. This place has many small waterfalls which makes this place good to visit along with other places to visit in Gujarat. The main waterfall is 25 feet high. It is the perfect destination for photographers and travel enthusiasts. There is a lord shiva temple known as Rameshwar temple near the temple. The waterfall is far away from the parking area and tourists have to take a camel ride or do trekking to explore waterfalls. September to February is considered the best time to visit the place. Tourists are advised not to take a dip in the waterfall as it is too deep and dangerous and wear sports shoes so that place could be enjoyed comfortably.

Timings: open every day between 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Entry fee:  no entry fee

13. Lakhota Fort

Constructed in the mid-19th century by Jan Ranmal II, the king of Nava Nagar. The palace is an example of traditional Gujarati architecture rich with royal interiors. Lakhota Fort is one of those places to visit in Gujarat that is truly a sight to behold.Located in the middle of the lake, the palace is famous among tourists and people from different states come to explore the palace. There is also a small museum inside the palace consisting of paintings, and pottery items. The palace is also rich with local and migratory birds. Tourists can also do boating and birdwatching at the palace. There is a Bala Hanuman temple in which chants of ram dhun “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai ram” have been sung continuously at the temple since 1964. This temple is also named in the Guinness book of records for chanting ‘Shri ram,Jai Ram, Jai Jai ram’ since august 1,1964. Tourists take a walk along the path and enjoy the scenic view of the lake, palace, and birds. 

Timings: open every day between 10.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Entry fee:  no entry fee

If you want to explore more about forts, palaces and culture then check out places to visit in Rajasthan