Things to do in Gujarat

Located on the country's western coast, Gujarat is one of the most vibrant coastal states of India, rich in crafts, history, natural beauty, ancient temples, virgin beaches, and historic capitals replete with beautiful architectural marvels, wildlife sanctuaries and hill resorts. Besides its rich destinations, this industrially advanced state is also known for its fascinating handicrafts, textiles, mouthwatering cuisine, lively fairs, festivals, and the colourful lifestyle.

Ahmedabad, the capital city, is probably the first place you visit in the state, for a look at some of the best places to visit in Gujarat. It is a city steeped in rich culture and heritage, and you will feel and see it all around you. Notable points of interest here are, the Akshardham Temple Complex, Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake.

The only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lions, Gir National Park is where you can watch them upfront and close! Apart for the king of the beasts, Gir is also home to a variety of other wild animals, such as hyenas, fish owls, black bucks and more. One of the most sacred of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Temple is not just a religious site. This temple is an architectural marvel and lies overlooking the Arabian Sea.

Rann of Kutch is probably the most beautiful thing you will ever lay eyes on. Nestled comfortably between the endless Thar Desert and the mighty Arabian Sea, Rann of Kutch is a mesmerizing wonder of sand and salt. On full moon nights, the desert shines as bright as a diamond and brings a surreal sense of calm with it. You cannot miss the Rann on your Gujarat holidays. Sprawled beautifully on a densely forested plateau, Saputara is Gujarat’s only hill station, with a gigantic lake surrounded by resorts.

Vadodara is a cultural hub and is a historically rich city. A visit to Vadodara tops the things to do in Gujarat, as it is renowned for beautiful architectural marvels like the Laxmi Vilas Palace, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and Moti Baug Palace.

Dwarka is considered to be the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna, and the Dwarkadish temple there commemorates him. The beach running alongside the temple is a serene one, with the shallow waters allowing a glimpse of sea turtles, sea urchins, octopuses, and starfish.

Lothal and Dholavira are one of the most important and well-preserved Harappan sites. A museum there displays the beautiful artefacts of the bygone era.

Bhuj is renowned for being home to ancient monuments, like the Cenotaphs Complex, that houses tombs of the royal family, Prag Mahal and Aina Mahal Palace. The Kutch Museum is also worth a visit, as well as Hamirsar Lake.

Shopping is one shouldn't miss in Gujarat, which is known for great handicrafts, textiles, ethnic wear and accessories. All the cities have traditional markets where you can shop for these things. Gujarat is also known for its cuisine, the most famous being the ‘Gujarati thali’.