Places to visit in Gujarat

Salt desert, lions and stepwells.

Capital GandhinagarPlaces in this guide 11

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Places to see

Rann of Kutch

Kachchh

Endless white salt desert; the Rann Utsav festival runs in winter.

Best time: Nov–Feb

Gir National Park

Junagadh

The last home of the Asiatic lion.

Best time: Dec–May

Statue of Unity

Narmada

The world’s tallest statue, of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, with a viewing gallery.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Somnath Temple

Gir Somnath

First of the twelve Jyotirlingas, on the Arabian Sea shore.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Rani ki Vav

Patan

Intricately carved eleventh-century stepwell, a UNESCO site.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Dwarka

Devbhumi Dwarka

Coastal pilgrimage town of the Dwarkadhish temple.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Modhera Sun Temple

Mehsana

Solanki-era sun temple with a stepped tank of 108 shrines.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Saputara

Dangs

Gujarat's hill station in the Sahyadris, lush in the monsoon.

Best time: Jul–Mar

Polo Forest

Sabarkantha

Old temples hidden in dense forest near the Harnav river.

Best time: Jul–Feb

Little Rann Wild Ass Sanctuary

Kachchh

Salt flats home to the Indian wild ass and flamingos.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Sabarmati Ashram

Ahmedabad

Gandhi's riverside home and the starting point of the Dandi March.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Food to try in Gujarat

Dhokla, Thepla, Khandvi, Undhiyu.

Crafts and products

Patola saree, Bandhani.

Festivals

Uttarayan – International Kite Festival, Ahmedabad: Usually 14–15 Jan. The whole city takes to the rooftops to fly kites on Makar Sankranti.
Navratri Garba, Vadodara & Ahmedabad: Sep–Oct (9 nights). Nights of garba and dandiya with thousands of dancers.
Rann Utsav, Dhordo, Kutch: Nov–Feb. Tent city on the white salt desert, best on full-moon nights.

Timings, permits and prices change. Check official sources before you travel.