Gujarat - a vibrant state of India - most visited places

#gujarat #india #state #tourism #touristplaces
​
Gujarat – one of the most developed and cosmopolitan states of India also catches the attention of tourists for many reasons. You don’t need a particular season or time to visit this beautiful state. Every time you visit Gujarat, you are sure going to unveil the hidden places, the colorful surroundings, the local culture and traditions, and much more. This is the essence of Gujarat, and this is the reason why this state attracts tourism throughout the world.
The vibrant and colorful Gujarat state is known for its rich heritage, diverse culture, remarkable history, exotic wildlife, and unique food habits. From being a business hub for many people to a popular tourist destination – Gujarat offers everything for everyone. There are many places to see and visit in this beautiful state and you are surely going to go back with beautiful memories and a belly full of lip-smacking food.
Gujarat tourism speaks for itself. Listed below are some of the most popular tourist destinations that you must explore on your visit to Gujarat:

Ahmedabad 

Nearest Airport - Ahmedabad
935 Kms from New Delhi

Ahmedabad is the biggest metropolis of the Gujarat state. It is also considered as an educational hub, industrial hotspot, as well as a city that entertains a beautiful past. Ahmedabad rests beautifully on the banks of the Sabarmati River. It is known for its colourful culture, delicious food, and some of the most amazing tourist spots that you can explore endlessly.
 
The historic city of Ahmedabad has been declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city offers an easy commute. You can reach here by different mediums – roadways, railways, or airways. Its connectivity from the cities like Mumbai, Udaipur, and Indore makes it an accessible destination for road trips.
 
Ahmedabad has many temples to explore – Swaminarayan Temple is one of them. While touring the city, don’t miss visiting Sabarmati Ashram that carries strong historical importance. This place also happens to be a shopping hub for many shopaholics and buying colourful textiles such as bandhani heirloom, tie-and-dye, and other local artifacts is a must. 

Vadodara

Nearest Airport - Vadodara (Flights from Delhi)
111 Kms from Ahmedabad

Another cosmopolitan city of Gujarat state that is equally known for its culture and tourism is Vadodara. This place is home to some beautiful displays of architecture, and if you have a taste for the same, you are going to love this city. Vadodara entertains a royal history as it happens to be the native place of Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III, hence, this place holds a strong historical background.
 
The Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most lavish places that you will run into while exploring Vadodara. The beautiful architecture of this place is one-of-a-kind. Call yourself lucky if you are visiting Vadodara during Navratri as this place hosts the biggest Dandiya fest, gathering people throughout the world. Vadodara is also known for its serene gardens, museums, and art galleries. Other places to not miss while exploring Vadodara are EME Temple, Iskon Temple, Baroda Museum, and Gandhinagar Gruh Town Hall.
 
Like Ahmedabad, Vadodara too offers great connectivity. You can take Shatabdi or Rajdhani Express to reach the city by train via Delhi and Mumbai. Many bus services, too, connect Vadodara to the major cities of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

Surat

Nearest Airport - Surat
263 Kms from Ahmedabad

Surat is addressed as the ‘diamond city of India’. The city is a global diamond cutting center and is also considered a hub for textiles. Also referred to as the ‘city of flyovers’ Surat attracts tourists around the country for a majority of reasons. The colonial history and exotic wildlife of Surat are must explore. There are many temples and religious spots where you can mark your presence for much-needed solace and prosperity.
 
The most attractive tourist spots in Surat include Chintamani Jain Temple, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Museum, Sankat Mochan Temple, and the Godoliya area where you can relish upon lip-smacking street food. This city rests on the banks of river Tapti and provides a serene ambiance to all the peace-lovers. Don’t forget to visit the Vansda National Park to spot diverse wildlife.

Gandhinagar

Nearest Airport - Ahmedabad
27 Kms from Ahmedabad

Gandhinagar is the capital city of the state and is situated at a distance of 23 kilometers from Ahmedabad. Hence, you can extend your vacation of Ahmedabad by driving down to this city and exploring Gujarat culture at the best. The place offers a colorful and rich heritage. There are beautiful temples to explore such as Brahmani Temple, Hanumanji Temple, and Akshardham Temple.
 
This place offers a beautiful and serene environment to all the visitors. The Gandhi Ashram is where you can find peace and serenity and know about the struggles and national movement created by the father of the nation. The city also has a widespread handicraft as well as wood-carving industry. Thus, you can take home many souvenirs while shopping from the local markets.
 
You can enjoy activities such as birdwatching as well as boating at the Nal Sarovar Wetland Sanctuary and Thol Bird Sanctuary. Relish upon the local Gujarati cuisines such as dhokla, khandawa, fafda, and others – you are surely going to love it all.

Junagadh

Nearest Airport - Keshod
316 Kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot

Another destination that you must add to your list while vacationing in the Gujarat state is Junagadh. This place was the capital of the Junagadh Princely State. This means you are going to explore some of the most beautiful and enchanting monuments while touring the city. The nearby tourist spot Girnar Hills gives you an amazing sight of nature as well as wildlife. This spot is home to the world-popular Gir National Park. Don’t get surprised when you spot many lions here.
 
Another sought-after destination to explore nearby Junagadh is the Sakkabaug Zoo and Wildlife Museum. Both these places serve a treat to all the wildlife enthusiasts. The fort at Uperkot is a beautiful tourist magnet that describes the rich architecture of Junagadh. Apart from visiting the wildlife attractions and other tourist spots, taking a stroll at the local markets of the city and buying the beautiful handicrafts of Junagadh is a must. The nearest airport to Junagadh is Rajkot (106.3 kilometers away). You can also take regular bus services to reach the city from places like Rajkot, Surat, and Ahmedabad.

Rajkot

Nearest Airport - Rajkot
215 Kms from Ahmedabad

Rajkot is a commercial Gujarat city. Hence, you will not spot many sightseeing options, but many commercial hubs to explore and shop from. The city is famous for its traditional snacks and sweets. Being a sweet tooth, you can gorge on a variety of preparations and relish them till your heart’s content. Also, try the staple ‘farsan’ and you will want more servings.
 
Rajkot is located halfway between Porbandar and Ahmedabad and is an ideal option for a one-day trip. This place is also very famous for its distinct Gujarati culture, silverwork, handicraft, and colorful Navratri celebrations. The famous tourist spots in the city include Jubilee Garden, Watson Museum, Lang Library, and Kaba Gandhi No Delo.

Kutch

Nearest Airport - Bhuj
376 Kms from Ahmedabad

Kutch: Gujarat tourism is incomplete without the mention of magnificent Kutch. This island resembles the shape of a tortoise and is a surreal place to get lost, away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life. This place becomes the liveliest during the winter season when the Rann Festival is organized. You can taste culture at its best when you visit Kutch between December and February. This is the time when you can take part in many adventurous activities including hot-air ballooning, camping, and watching colorful cultural programs.
 
Kutch is considered one of the largest Indian districts and it lies on the India-Pakistan border. It is famous for its beautiful embroidery work and crafts. The Flamingo Sanctuary and Wild Ass Sanctuary give you a dose of wildlife excursion. The nearby destination Bhuj can also be added to your itinerary along with the beautiful Mandvi beaches. Do not forget to visit the ancient town of Dholavira where you can dig deep into Gujarat history. Arrive at the Bhuj Airport and take a cab to reach Kutch as it is the most favorable option of commute.

Jamnagar

Nearest Airport - Jamnagar
304 Kms from Ahmedabad

If you want to know Gujarat history in the most proper way, plan a visit to Jamnagar. Every Gujarati mentions the importance of this city by pride. Jamnagar is referred as the ‘Jewel of Kathiawar’ also. The features such as beautiful lakes, ancient monuments, and structures, as well as the stunning coastline, make it popular among the tourists throughout the world.
 
The heir of Lord Krishna, Shri Ram Javal established the city of Jamnagar on the banks of the River Ragmatti and Nagmatti. Thus, this place holds religious importance among the people. The people who visit Jamnagar for its religious importance also cover the nearby-located Dwarka that is home to many religious spots and temples. They further seek blessings at the places such as Swaminarayan Temple, Aradhana Dham, Harsiddhi Temple, Bhidbhanjan Temple, Bale Hanuman Temple, and many other religious spots. Extend your trip to Jamnagar by taking an excursion to Marina National Park located nearby. Here you can spot the beautiful wildlife. Jamnagar is an accessible city. You can take an air journey from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Vadodara. You can also do a road trip to Jamnagar from Rajkot, Bhuj, Baroda, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai.

North Gujarat

Nearest Airport - Ahmedabad
0 to 200 Kms from Ahmedabad

The northern region of Gujarat is flanked by many places of cultural and religious importance. Gujarat is already touted as a famous pilgrimage and the pilgrims around the country visit here to seek blessings from their favorite Gods and Goddesses. The places such as Ambaji, Patan, Mehsana, Shamlaji, etc. happen to be of religious importance, especially for the Jain community.
 
Apart from this, north-eastern Gujarat is also surrounded by the mighty Aravalli Range and beautiful forests and undulating hills where you can seek peace and solace. North Gujarat is also popular for its Nawabi Heritage.

The colorful markets, rich culture and heritage, enchanting monuments, beautifully-constructed temples, and mouth-relishing delicacies are the features of this mesmerizing state. Gujarat is a perfect destination for a family vacation. Plan a visit to beautiful Gujarat and explore all its tourism spots. Each place has a story to tell.