Gujarat Travel Guide

 

Here are 100 prominent tourist spots in Gujarat, organized by their respective districts (zillas), showcasing the state's incredible diversity, from ancient archaeological sites and majestic temples to vast deserts and vibrant cultural hubs.

Ahmedabad Zilla

1. Sabarmati Ashram (Gandhi Ashram): The historic residence of Mahatma Gandhi, a serene place on the banks of the Sabarmati River.

2. Adalaj Stepwell (Adalaj ni Vav): A magnificent five-story stepwell, renowned for its intricate Indo-Islamic architecture.

3. Jama Masjid: A stunning 15th-century mosque built by Sultan Ahmed Shah, known for its grand scale and beautiful carvings.

4. Sidi Saiyyed Mosque: Famous for its exquisitely carved stone latticework windows (jalis), especially the 'Tree of Life' jali.

5. Hutheesing Jain Temple: An elegant temple dedicated to the 15th Jain Tirthankara, Dharmanath, built of pure white marble.

6. Kankaria Lake: A large artificial lake with an island garden, offering numerous attractions like a zoo, toy train, and hot-air balloon rides.

7. Auto World Vintage Car Museum: A fascinating collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, and utility vehicles.

8. Sabarmati Riverfront: A beautifully developed waterfront promenade, perfect for walking, cycling, and recreation.

9. Calico Museum of Textiles: One of the world's finest museums showcasing Indian textiles and fabrics. (Note: Requires prior appointment).

10. Lothal: An important archaeological site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.

11. Bhadra Fort & Teen Darwaza: A historic fort and its grand triple-arched gateway in the heart of the old city.

Kutch Zilla

12. Great Rann of Kutch (White Desert): A vast salt marsh that transforms into a surreal white desert, famous for the Rann Utsav festival.

13. Kalo Dungar (Black Hill): The highest point in Kutch, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the White Rann.

14. Dholavira: A major archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization, showcasing advanced urban planning and water conservation systems.

15. Mandvi Beach: A pristine and serene beach with windmills, a historic shipbuilding yard, and the magnificent Vijay Vilas Palace nearby.

16. Vijay Vilas Palace, Mandvi: A stunning royal palace set in a large estate on the seashore, a fine example of Rajput architecture.

17. Aina Mahal, Bhuj: An 18th-century palace famous for its spectacular Hall of Mirrors.

18. Prag Mahal, Bhuj: A magnificent palace in the Italian Gothic style, with a tall clock tower offering views of Bhuj city.

19. Kutch Museum, Bhuj: The oldest museum in Gujarat, housing a collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, artifacts, and tribal art.

20. Narayan Sarovar: One of the five holy lakes of Hinduism, a significant pilgrimage site.

21. Koteshwar Temple: An ancient Shiva temple located at a point where the Kori Creek meets the Arabian Sea.

22. Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary: Located in the Little Rann of Kutch, it's the last home of the Indian Wild Ass (Ghudkhar).

Jamnagar Zilla

23. Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir), Dwarka: A major Hindu pilgrimage site (Char Dham), a grand temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.

24. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: One of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.

25. Bet Dwarka Island: An island believed to be the original residence of Lord Krishna, accessible by ferry.

26. Rukmini Devi Temple: A beautiful temple dedicated to Krishna's queen, Rukmini, known for its intricate carvings.

27. Lakhota Lake & Lakhota Palace, Jamnagar: A serene lake in the heart of the city with a palace on an island that now houses a museum.

28. Khijadia Bird Sanctuary: A unique wetland sanctuary that is a haven for a vast number of resident and migratory birds.

29. Marine National Park, Pirotan Island: India's first marine national park, offering opportunities to see coral reefs and diverse marine life during low tide.

30. Bala Hanuman Temple, Jamnagar: Famous for the continuous, non-stop chanting of the 'Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram' mantra since 1964, which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Junagadh Zilla

31. Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary: The sole home of the Asiatic Lion, a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

32. Girnar Hills: A major pilgrimage site for Jains and Hindus, with a cluster of temples on its five peaks, accessible by climbing nearly 10,000 steps or by ropeway.

33. Uparkot Fort: An ancient fort with several historical structures, including Buddhist caves, stepwells like Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo.

34. Mahabat Maqbara: An exquisite mausoleum of a Nawab of Junagadh, showcasing a stunning blend of Indo-Islamic and Gothic architecture.

35. Ashokan Rock Edicts: Ancient inscriptions by Emperor Ashoka carved on a large boulder, dating back to 250 BCE.

36. Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden: One of the oldest zoos in India, known for its successful breeding program for Asiatic lions.

Somnath (Gir Somnath) Zilla

37. Somnath Temple: The first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, a magnificent temple on the western coast, known as the "Eternal Shrine."

38. Triveni Sangam: The holy confluence of three rivers – Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati – where pilgrims take a holy dip.

39. Bhalka Tirth: The sacred spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have been mistakenly struck by an arrow, leading to his departure from the mortal world.

40. Prabhas Patan Museum: A museum with artifacts and ruins from the previous Somnath temples.

Porbandar Zilla

41. Kirti Mandir, Porbandar: The memorial temple built in honor of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi, at his birthplace.

42. Sudama Mandir: A beautiful temple dedicated to Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna.

43. Porbandar Bird Sanctuary: A small but significant sanctuary that provides a nesting site for various bird species.

Vadodara Zilla

44. Laxmi Vilas Palace: The magnificent residence of the Gaekwad royal family, reputed to be four times the size of Buckingham Palace.

45. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with a concentration of largely unexcavated historical and archaeological treasures.

46. Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh Hill: A revered Hindu pilgrimage site (Shakti Peeth) located atop Pavagadh Hill, accessible by ropeway.

47. Sayaji Baug (Kamati Baug): A large garden in the heart of the city, housing a zoo, a museum, a planetarium, and a toy train.

48. Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum: Located within the Laxmi Vilas Palace complex, it displays a rich collection of art collected by the royal family.

49. Sursagar Lake: A picturesque lake in the city center with a towering 120-foot statue of Lord Shiva.

Narmada Zilla

50. Statue of Unity: The world's tallest statue, a monumental tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, offering breathtaking views from its viewing gallery.

51. Sardar Sarovar Dam: One of the world's largest dams, a marvel of engineering on the Narmada River.

52. Zarwani Waterfalls: A beautiful cascading waterfall located inside the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.

53. Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary: A dense forest sanctuary home to diverse flora and fauna, including sloth bears and leopards.

54. Ninai Waterfalls: Another stunning waterfall in the Narmada district.

Gandhinagar Zilla

55. Akshardham Temple: A magnificent temple complex dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, known for its stunning architecture, exhibitions, and gardens.

56. Dandi Kutir (Mahatma Mandir): A museum dedicated to the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, built in the shape of a salt mound.

57. Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park: Often called India's Jurassic Park, it is one of the world's largest dinosaur egg hatcheries.

58. Sarita Udyan: A popular picnic spot and garden on the banks of the Sabarmati River.

Surat Zilla

59. Dumas Beach: A popular urban beach known for its black sand and folklore.

60. Dutch Garden: A well-maintained European-style garden with ancient Dutch tombs.

61. Sardar Patel Museum: A museum dedicated to the history and art of Surat.

62. Gopi Talav: A historic artificial lake recently redeveloped as a recreational spot.

Bhavnagar Zilla

63. Palitana Temples: A major Jain pilgrimage site with over 900 temples exquisitely carved in marble, located on the Shatrunjaya Hills.

64. Takhteshwar Temple: A white marble temple on a small hill, offering panoramic views of Bhavnagar city.

65. Velavadar Blackbuck National Park: A unique grassland ecosystem famous for its large population of blackbucks.

66. Gopinath Mahadev Temple: A seaside temple where the poet-saint Narsinh Mehta is said to have had a divine experience.

67. Alang Ship Breaking Yard: The world's largest ship breaking yard (access may be restricted).

Mehsana Zilla

68. Sun Temple, Modhera: An architectural marvel dedicated to the Sun God, with intricate carvings, a grand stepwell (Ram Kund), and a magnificent assembly hall.

69. Rani ki Vav (The Queen's Stepwell), Patan: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this intricately constructed stepwell is designed as an inverted temple.

70. Patan Patola Heritage Museum: Showcases the art of the world-famous double ikat Patola sarees.

Panchmahal Zilla

71. Jami Masjid, Champaner: A magnificent 15th-century mosque within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, known for its grand architecture.

72. Pavagadh Hill: A sacred hill with ancient temples, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Anand Zilla

73. Amul Dairy Museum and Chocolate Factory: A tour showcasing the history of the Amul cooperative movement and the chocolate-making process.

74. Swaminarayan Mandir, Anand: A beautiful and large temple complex.

Valsad Zilla

75. Tithal Beach: A popular beach with black sand, known for its serene environment and the Swaminarayan temple.

76. Wilson Hills: A densely forested hill station offering picturesque views.

Navsari Zilla

77. Dandi Beach: The historic beach where Mahatma Gandhi concluded his Salt March (Dandi March) in 1930.

78. National Salt Satyagraha Memorial, Dandi: A magnificent memorial complex commemorating the Dandi March.

Remaining Zillas (Selected Spots)

79. Polo Forest, Sabarkantha: An ancient forest with historical ruins, a river, and rich biodiversity, perfect for trekking.

80. Idar Fort (Idariyo Gadh), Sabarkantha: An ancient fort perched on a high hill.

81. Shamlaji Temple, Aravalli: A major Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to a form of Lord Vishnu.

82. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchmahal: A lush forest sanctuary.

83. Hathni Mata Waterfalls, Panchmahal: A beautiful waterfall that is a popular picnic spot.

84. Sapteshwar Mahadev Temple, Sabarkantha: A riverside temple in a scenic location.

85. Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary, Mehsana: A serene lake that attracts a variety of migratory birds.

86. Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Banaskantha: A protected forest on the Aravalli hills, home to the endangered sloth bear.

87. Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha: A major Hindu pilgrimage site (Shakti Peeth) dedicated to the goddess Amba.

88. Gabbar Hill, Banaskantha: The original seat of the goddess Ambaji, offering panoramic views.

89. Dattatreya Temple, Girnar, Junagadh: A sacred shrine on the highest peak of Girnar.

90. Gopnath Beach, Bhavnagar: A scenic and tranquil beach.

91. Khambhalida Caves, Rajkot: A group of three Buddhist caves dating back to the 4th century AD.

92. Wankaner Palace, Morbi: A grand royal palace, part of which is a heritage hotel.

93. Swaminarayan Temple, Gadhada, Botad: A major pilgrimage site for the Swaminarayan sect.

94. Jand Hanuman Temple, Botad: A famous Hanuman temple in a serene setting.

95. Girmal Waterfall, Dang: The highest waterfall in Gujarat, located deep within the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary.

96. Saputara, Dang: The only hill station in Gujarat, located in the Sahyadri range.

97. Don Hill Station, Dang: An emerging hill station offering stunning natural beauty.

98. Vansda National Park, Navsari: A dense, protected forest area.

99. Gira Waterfalls, Dang: A beautiful seasonal waterfall near Saputara.

100. Shabari Dham, Dang: A mythological site associated with Lord Rama and his devotee, Shabari.