Ahmedabad is the seventh largest metropolitan in India and is located in the centre of Gujarat, which makes it an ideal base to explore nearby attractions. Places to visit in Ahmedabad are plenty, and travelling here will keep you occupied for a couple of weeks. Some of the places to visit in Ahmedabad are Akshardham Temple, princely Vadodara, UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Rani ni Vav, Champaner-Pavagadh, and Old Ahmedabad itself.
Ahmedabad became India's first World Heritage City. The 5.5km walled city, 600 pols (old narrow lanes), Bhadra Fort, Jama Masjid, Adalaj Stepwell, Sabarmati Ashram, and Jhoolta Minar are some of the heritage highlights of the city. It is also a mecca for food lovers. You can indulge in traditional Gujarati cuisines from around the state or try Gujju takes on the western fare.
Popular Tourist Places Near Ahmedabad (100km)
Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, was the first planned city in Gujarat. It is neatly divided into sectors making it easy to navigate. Planned tree plantations throughout the city give it a cooler feel than Ahmedabad. Akshardham Temple and Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park are two of the highlights.
Best things to do: Visit Akshardham and Dinosaur and Fossil Park.
Where to stay: Cambay Sapphire, OPAL Club & Resorts
How to reach: Take a bus or private taxi to Gandhinagar.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 27 Km
Read More: Gandhinagar Tourism Guide
Nalsarovar is one of the best wetland sanctuaries in India. It is home to more than 250 species of birds. Birds from Europe and far reaches of Asia migrate to this lake in winters. The lake which serves as the main attraction has boating facilities. Boats can be hired everyday from sunrise to sunset and a sail along the lake is the perfect way to soak in the surroundings.
Best things to do: Take a boat ride in the lake. Spot the wide variety of birds. Enjoy a sunset from the shores of the lake.
Where to stay: There are no decent accommodation options around the sanctuary. It is best to visit on a day trip from Ahmedabad.
How to reach: You can take a bus to Nalsarovar village or hire a private taxi from Ahmedabad.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 64 Km
Read More: Nalsarovar Tourism Guide
Vadodara was one of the last princely states to merge into the British Raj. Which is why this city boasts a glory unmatched by its sister cities. Opulent palaces, historical monuments, museums and beautiful gardens are the city’s pride. While here, don't miss out on local delicacies like bhakharwadi and sev-usal.
Best things to do: Visit Laxmi Vilas Palace, Baroda Museum, Kirti Stambh and Sayaji Baug
Where to stay: Best Western, Shagun Residency
How to reach: Frequent buses and trains run between Ahmedabad and Vadodara. You can also hire private taxis to get here.
Distance from Ahmadabad: 111 Km
Read More: Vadodara Tourism Guide
Incredible Places Around Ahmedabad (200km)
This ancient fortified town dating back to 745 AD is steeped in history. There are numerous attractions like forts, lakes, step wells and places of worship to keep you on your toes.
Best things to do: Visit Rani ki Vav, Patan old city and Jain temples
Where to stay: The Grand Reveta, Apple Residency
How to reach: There are three trains connecting Patan to Ahmedabad. GSRTC buses also ply the route. However, the fastest way to cover the distance is in a private taxi.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 125 km
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Champaner is one of the most stunning places to visit in Ahmedabad. Nestled in the Pavagadh hills, Champener-Pavagadh archaeological park has palaces, tombs, mosques, temples and step-wells dating back as far as the 8th century. If you are the one who is into monuments and structures, Champaner – Pavagadh is the place for you.
Must Read: Street shopping in Ahmedabad
Best things to do: Visit the mosques of Champaner, Sikander Shah’s Tomb, Helical step-well, Brick Tomb, Pavagadh Fort, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
Where to stay: Hotel Sarvottam, Champaner Heritage Resort
How to reach: There are no direct trains or buses between Ahmedabad and Champaner. You can take a train or bus from Ahmedabad to Vadodara and then hire a taxi or rickshaw to Champaner.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 146 km
Read More: Champaner Travel Guide
Built by Brahmins, Ambaji Temple attracts people from all religions. Open seven days of the week, it has been welcoming its crowd of devotees for ages now. Over a million people visit this temple every year. Entirely built of white marbles alongside gold cones, the temple has only one entrance. It is believed that Goddess Amba has prohibited her disciples from constructing other doorways. One can experience havans and reading of the Vedic texts called ‘Viso Yantra’.
Best things to do: Besides the Ambaji Temple, you can also visit Balaram Ambaji wildlife sanctuary, Kumbhariya Jain temples, Kailash Tekari, Mangalya Van and Shri Koteshwar Mahadev temple
Where to stay: Hotel Mayur Palace, Hotel Sunrise Palace
How to reach: Numerous private and GSRTC buses run between Ahmedabad and Ambaji.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 174 km
Read More: Ambaji Tourism Guide
Known mainly for the beautiful Hingolgadh Sanctuary, it is marked by lush greenery, forests and hills. The government declared this place a protected site in the year 1980 and it is now looked after and managed by the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research which is also known as GEER.
Best things to do: Spot chinkara, bluebull, wolf, jackal, foxes, Indian porcupine, Indian hare, hyena, and flying foxes.
Where to stay: Orchard Palace
How to reach: The nearest railway station with connections to Ahmedabad is Gondal (32 kms). Taxis can be hired from Gondal to get to the sanctuary.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 182 km
Wankaner an erstwhile princely state is well known for its architecture, clay products and ceramics. Ranjit Vilas Palace is one of the best places to visit in Ahmedabad to see Gothic architecture. The palace is famous for its Gothic arches and columns, oriental marble balconies and Franco-Italian window panes. It also boasts of a good range of automobiles.
Best things to do: Visit Nagabava Temple, Shahbava Dargah, and Macchu Dam.
Where to stay: Royal Oasis, Hotel Radhe Palace
How to reach: Over 40 trains run between Ahmedabad and Wakaner. You can also take a private or GSRTC bus to Rajkot and then a connecting bus to Wakaner.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 146 km
Lothal is an ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilization and was excavated starting from the year 1955 to 1960 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It is famous for some amazing ruins of this civilization that stand sturdy, even today. A must visit if you're a history enthusiast!
Best things to do: Arrange for a Lothal guided tour, check out the archaelogical museum at Lothal that contains artefacts from the Indus Valley civilization: jewellery, weights and measures and seals.
Where to stay: Kingsvilla
How to reach: This excavation site is well connected by roads and railways. Board the train going to Bhavnagar and get dropped at Bhurkhi station. You can find a rickshaw from there to Lothal.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 78.2km
The Thol bird sanctuary is a shallow fresh water reservoir that is surrounded by thick marshes and lush forests. This man-made wetland is relatively a lesser known bird sanctuary but has abundant bird species (nearly 100) inhabiting it. It was officially declared a sanctuary in the year 1988. A must visit for all the bird watchers out there!
Best things to do: An ideal place for bird enthusiasts; you will see an abundance of ducks and herons, also check out sarus cranes here and other migratory birds like flamingos. If you're lucky you could also spot the nilgai; take a walk around the freshwater lake; go on a guided tour.
Where to stay: Hotel Bhavani Palace
How to reach: The closest railway station is in Ahmedabad. But the most convenient way to get to the bird sanctuary is by road. Take a private taxi from Ahmedabad to get there.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 30.4km
If you're a nature lover and wish to getaway for a weekend, you must visit Polo Forest. This lush green forest offers a lot in terms of recreation and also boasts of a historic monument right in the middle of it. There is a nice water body and several tiny steams by where you can relax, and maybe have a picnic with your family in the surrounding areas. Food options may be limited to Indian snacks, Maggi and tea.
Best things to do: You can trek, have a picnic, camping options are available to, go on a nature walk, bird watch.
Where to stay: Polo Forest Nature Campsite, Adam's Nature Retreat
How to reach: If you are travelling from Ahmedabad, the most convenient way is to take a private cab as the roads are well maintained. The route should take you via Gandhinagar Himmatnagar and Idar after which you take the Vijaynagar Road for Polo Forest.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 158.5km
This is the second largest lake in the region and was formerly known as Hauj-e-Qutb. If you want to have a fun and relaxing time, head to this beautiful lake. It is surrounded by children's park called Bal Vatika, lush green parks and also located nearby is a natural history museum, a butterfly park, an aquarium and even a zoo! For people who love water, you can even go boating. There is a boat house club for people interested in sailing in the water. This calm and serene place is perfect for just about anyone, from any age group!
Best things to do: Go boating or speed boating, Take your kids to Bal Vatika which houses a plethora of fun activities, check out Nagina Wadi, a tiny island in the middle of the lake, you can go rides like the vertical swing, paintball, sky fly and aqua kart, give mini golf a shot, go for a segway safari and nature lovers can go on a tree walk.
Where to stay: Prithvi Hotels, Hotel Maharaja
How to reach: The most convenient way to reach Kankaria lake is by road. Take the Swami Vivekananda Road to reach the lake. You will get many private cab options in Ahmedabad.
Distance from Ahmedabad: 15km
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