Top 7 Tourist Places in Gujarat to Visit

Gujarat is rich in natural beauty, with rolling terrain and unspoilt ocean views. As India’s westernmost state, its wonderful location is home to a variety of sacred sites and incredible attractions. There is far more the city to be explored, but to start off here are 7 interest tourist places in Gujarat to check out.

Top 7 Tourist Places in Gujarat

Rani Ki Vav

One that surely has earned its place on this list is Gujarat’s own UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rani ki Vav, meaning the ‘Queen’s Stepwell’, is located by the Saraswati river in Patan. The stepwell is a subterranean water storage system. The Rani ki Vav was built in the 11^th century when this method was at the heights of its sophistication, and dedicated as a memorial to a king. The design is a stunning inverted temple with seven levels.

It features beautifully intricate carved panels, with over 1,500 sculptures. The site illustrates genius in technical water saving methods but also in artistic prowess. It is amongst the best preserved examples of this method in the world.

Laxmi Vilas Palace

This palace was completed in 1890 and was the largest dwelling at that time. The former royal residence is vast and luxurious in design. It boasted the most modern amenities of its era. It is not hard to see why it is one of the top tourist places in Gujarat, visited frequently by travellers for years.

The palace sits on beautiful grounds that sprawl across 700 acres. What is now the museum building was originally the Maharajah’s children’s school room. The children would go to school on a miniature railway that circled around a mango orchard on its journey. The palace also originally featured a small zoo, although today, all that remains of it is the crocodile pond.

Musical and other cultural events are held in the Darbar Hall. This hall has ornate mosaics on its walls and floors, along with grand stained windows that give unrivalled views of the fountains in the courtyard outside. Many of the decorations are European and the gardens were styled by experts from Kew Gardens. The palace is a study in luxury and opulence and it is no surprise that this masterpiece of architecture has proved a popular tourist choice.

Dwarakadheesh Temple of Lord Krishna

 The 2000-year-old Dwarakadheesh Temple of Lord Krishna has five stories on seventy pillars, all crafted from pristine limestone. The temple is said to have been originally built by Krishna’s own grandson on the site of Krishna’s home. The building was expanded in the 15^th century and attracts floods of admirers from across the world. It is a sacred site to Hindus and is awe inspiring to visitors of every religion.

Shatrunjaya

These hill temples by the city of Palitana are the site of a pilgrimage between the months of October and November. This involves climbing the three and a half kilometres of steps carved into the hillside. The climb takes several hours and an early start, and requires protective headwear from the heat and plenty of water. It is a popular place to visit in Gujarat for its religious significance.

The top of the hills play host to numerous temples. As it is a religious site, visitors should be aware that you cannot take leather goods or food onto the site and it is recommended that you dress modestly. The view at the top is worth the climb, delivering an out of the ordinary experience that is off the usual beaten tourist path. Please note though, the site is closed during monsoon season.

Gir National park

Gir National Park is one of the top tourist places in Gujarat we recommend as it offers a rare chance to experience wildlife. This national park is home to the last remaining Asiatic lions in the wild, which total as little as over 500 lions. Other park residents include leopards, jackals, antelopes and crocodiles, as well as numerous species of colourful birds.

The best time to see the lions is in the hot months of March to May and the first tour of the morning, when they will probably bet at the waterhole. They are likely to be sleeping the rest of the time. It is also advised that visitors avoid weekends and local holidays, as the crowds and entrance fees will be higher.

Great Rann of Kutch

The Great Rann of Kutch is a seasonal large salt marsh in the Kutch desert. It is one of the hottest parts of India, and should be visited between the months of October and May. The vast salt plains are best witnessed by the light of a full moon, when the blue rays bring the vast plains to a stunning glow. It is a magical experience and a remarkable sight that is sure to linger in your memory.

Kankaria Lake

The polygonal Kankaria Lake was built in 1451 by a Sultan. It is a mile in circumference and features an artificial lake with a summer palace located on it. It is not merely a historic site: it has attractions for everyone of all ages. Museums and boat clubs will capture the attention of older tourists, while the miniature track is just one of many onsite attractions that will keep younger visitors entertained.

There is also a zoo and balloon ride safaris that are hugely popular. On the evenings, you can feast your eyes on the water and laser light shows that have become one of the landmark attractions of the area.