When people think of Gujarat, they often imagine delicious dhokla, jalebi-fafda, and the busy streets of Ahmedabad. But Gujarat is much more than its famous food. It is a state full of culture, history, and natural beauty that will surprise you at every step. From the holy temples of Dwarka and Somnath to the magical white desert of the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat has endless experiences waiting for you.
There is something for everyone here. Wildlife lovers can see the rare Asiatic lions at Gir National Park, history lovers can explore ancient forts and UNESCO sites like Champaner-Pavagadh, and beach lovers can relax at Mandvi or Diu beach. And of course, every trip feels complete only after enjoying the famous Gujarati dishes like soft theplas and tasty dhoklas.
In this guide, we’ll share the 20 best things to do in Gujarat that will make your trip simple to plan and unforgettable to experience.
20 Things to Do in Gujarat
Travelling to Gujarat becomes truly special when you experience these must-try activities. Here are 20 handpicked recommendations from our team to make your trip unforgettable.
1. Walk by the Sabarmati River
Taking an evening walk alongside the great Sabarmati River can be one of the very first things to do in Gujarat. You can get an amazing view of Ahmedabad city also known as the science city from the bank of the Sabarmati. Taking a walk around this river along with your loved ones in the evening or early morning, you can make your trip super memorable. The weather is not very humid at this time.
Location: Ahmedabad
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: Anytime, but evenings are best
Duration: 1–2 hours
Entry Fee: Free
2. Explore the History of the Dandi
We all must have studied about the Dandi March. If you love history and Gandhiji, then Dandi is the right place for you. One of the best things to do in Gujarat is to tour Dandi. You can both learn and have fun here. Take a walk on the smooth sandy floor and watch the blue sky and clear water during the evenings.
Learn about the history of our freedom fighters to make your Dandi trip even more memorable.
Location: Navsari District
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Timings: Morning to evening
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: Free
3. Try Hiking and Temple Visits in Girnar
Gujarat is not only a hub of rich cultural heritage but also the abode of Mother Nature. There is the fascinating Gir forest on one side and the mesmerising salt desert of the Rann of Kutch on the other. You decide which one you want to explore first!
If you’re interested in hiking and trekking, there are plenty of top things to do in Gujarat in Girnar. You can also visit this place as a pilgrim. The Girnar hills are full of a wide variety of plants and flowers. Thus, you can take lots of photos here.
Location: Junagadh
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Duration: Half a day to full day
Entry Fee: Free
4. Bird-Watching and Photography at Vadla
Vadla is home to a large number of migratory birds. If you’re a wildlife photography enthusiast or keen on it, taking pictures of them in Vadla can be one of the first Gujarat things to do. Here, not many people visit. So, taking photos would be more fun.
Vadla is recommended because most bird sanctuaries in Gujarat are already crowded with visitors. But when it comes to Dandi and Vadla, one can indulge in timeless birdwatching for hours without getting disturbed.
Location: Near Ahmedabad
Best Time to Visit: December to February
Timings: Morning to evening
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: Free
5. Learn Chocolate-Making at Anand
Are you a passionate chocolatier? Then, learning chocolate-making at Anand could be the top things to do Gujarat on your bucket list! Known as the “Milk Capital of India”, Anand is a unique chocolate hub for all dessert and baking lovers.
While learning about chocolate making in Anand, one can also visit the Swamy Narayan Mandir in Gujarat. The architecture is admirable as it shows the skills and craftsmanship of the artisans who built it.
Location: Anand
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Timings: Varies by workshop
Duration: 2–4 hours
Entry Fee: Depends on workshop (approx. INR 500–1500)
6. Visit the “White Desert” at Bhuj
This could be one of the best things to do in Gujarat if you value isolation. You can take a walk on the white sand and see beautiful camels. The desert stretches unstoppably from the Indus River to the Gulf of Kutch and is a treat to the eyes. Another thing you can do here is take part in cultural performances and folk festivals. Also, there are many other famous places to visit in Bhuj.
Location: Bhuj, Kutch District
Best Time to Visit: November to February (Rann Utsav season)
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Duration: Half day to full day
Entry Fee: INR 100–150 per person (varies during festivals)
7. Engage in Water Sports at Beyt
Do you think Gujarat is actually lacking water activities? Then, you need to rethink. When you go to Dwarka, don’t forget to visit Beyt Island. You can engage in water sports and also see the coral reefs. Additionally, enjoy the view of the white sand beach as one of the top things to do in Gujarat.
Location: Near Dwarka
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Duration: Half day
Entry Fee: Free (activities cost extra, approx. INR 300–1000)
8. Buy Bandhej Sarees from the Law Garden
Leaving Gujarat without shopping here would be a mistake. Walk into the Law Garden, mostly during the evenings, to shop for colourful and a wide range of sarees. Give these to your friends or relatives, and even try them yourself. You’d look super beautiful in them, we swear! These are also very affordable. Shopping in the Law Garden could be one of the most underrated Gujarat things to do.
Location: Ahmedabad
Best Time to Visit: Evenings
Timings: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: Free
9. Visit the Somnath Beach
Somnath Beach is a fantastic place to visit in Somnath, Gujarat. It combines a lot of religious significance with a beautiful, relaxing beach - a long stretch of grey sand, palm trees, and a long promenade right alongside the Arabian Sea with a view of the Somnath Temple. Visitors can enjoy the sunset, horse/camel rides along the beach, and local snacks, but swimming here isn't recommended because the waves can be quite rough.
There are some best places to visit in Somnath, like you can visit the beautiful beach and the famous Somnath temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. Along with these, you can take a wonderful camel ride and enjoy a stunning view of the sunset. This could be a perfect of the best places to visit in Gujarat. Engage in photography or just sit with your spouse, hand in hand! Perfectly, the most romantic and one of the top things to do in Gujarat.
Location: Somnath, Gir Somnath District
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: Morning to evening
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: Free
10. Shop for Handicrafted Items at Gandhinagar
Gujarat is popular for its creativity. You must shop for its handcrafted items when you take a trip to this state. For example, you can try the wooden sculptures, carvings, or fabrics here. For those interested in ornament collection, walking down the village in Gandhinagar could be a good decision. They can try many Gujarat things to do, especially shopping.
Location: Gandhinagar
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: Free
11. Watch the Salt Marshes at the Great Rann of Kutch
Are you fascinated with the white deserts? Then, this one will fascinate you even more. The salt marshland situated at the Great Rann of Kutch is the most beautiful place to explore the diversity of the white desert. Located in the Thar Desert, the entire region gives way to the beauty of the sunset, and one can do stargazing. Truly, there you will explore various other things to do in Kutch that will make your trip unforgettable.
Location: Kutch District
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Duration: Half day to full day
Entry Fee: INR 100–150 per person
12. Check Out the Asiatic Lions at the Gir National Park
Apart from the Asiatic Lions, there is a lot more to explore at the Gir National Park. Here, certain endangered species are preserved. The first move was started by the Nawab of Junagadh, where these lions were about to become extinct due to excessive hunting.
Location: Junagadh District
Best Time to Visit: December to March
Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Duration: 3–4 hours
Entry Fee: INR 100–300 (safari charges extra)
13. Gaze at the Magnificent Akshardham Temple
Located in the Kalupur Area of Ahmedabad, the Akshardham Shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Founded in the year 1822, this shrine was established by the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. The multi-coloured carvings add to the beauty of the temple. Probably, visiting this shrine is one of the best things to do in Gujarat. This temple is considered one of the finest architecture of the 19th century.
Location: Ahmedabad
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: Free
14. Watch the Sunset at the Kankaria Lake
Earlier known as Hauz-e-Qutub, this is the 2nd largest lake in Ahmedabad. Getting a beautiful view from this site, especially the hide and seek of the sun, is one of the top things to do in Gujarat.
The lake was founded around the 15th century, and renovated around 2008. This lake offers much more than just the surrounding beautiful view. There is a zoo, a balloon safari, toy trains, and amusement parks surrounding this site.
Location: Ahmedabad
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: INR 10–20
15. Explore the Ancient Remains at Lothal
Historians say that it is a popular Indus Valley site and was built 4500 years ago. It was dug out in 1954, and the remains still tell a story. Though it is not as attractive as it was before, history enthusiasts can still learn a lot about it by visiting these historical places in Gujarat. In short, for them, it is one of the best things to do in Gujarat.
Location: Near Ahmedabad
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: INR 5–20
16. Enjoy the Cable Car Ride at Saputara
Ever watched the ropeway cable car ride on TV? Yes, you can experience this one in reality, too! To enjoy a sweeping view standing at a height of 30 feet, you must ride a cable car once. These cars are also suited and safe for the differently-abled and even for the senior citizens. The ride starts from Sunset Point to the Governor’s Hill. Hence, this is one of the most important Gujarat things to do.
Location: Saputara, Dang District
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Entry Fee: INR 60–100 per person
17. Watch the Flamingos at Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated at a distance of 100 km from Bhuj, this beautiful refuge is spread across an area of 7505.22 sq km. This place is considered to be one of the largest seasonal salt marsh areas, which has a depth of 0.5 to 1.5 m. This haven is home to many flamingo bird species, other birds, and even animals like the Indian Porcupine, prickly-tailed Lizard, wild ass, and Indian cormorant. Probably one of the greatest things to do Gujarat.
Location: Kutch District
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Duration: 3–4 hours
Entry Fee: INR 100
18. Explore Ancient Baolis at Junagadh
The ancient baoris are located inside the Uperkot fort, which is not excavated but actually carved out like a sculpture. An interesting fact to know about this place is that the entire site is shaped out of a single stone. This is a 9-layered baoli which was built around the 1400s by two slave girls. The other one was carved out during the 1060s. One of the main characteristics of this baori is that it has an underground spiral stairway.
Location: Junagadh (Uperkot Fort)
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Duration: 1–2 hours
Entry Fee: INR 25–50
19. Visit the Artist Village at Saputara
Close to Nasik Road and situated at a distance of a few kilometres from the Saputara Lake, this is a mesmerising village which is known as a display ground for antiquities. There are artefacts made from bamboo, clothes, and much more. This place also hosts workshops to show your creativity and create something good. Isn’t it one of the best things to do Gujarat?
Location: Saputara, Dang District
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: INR 20–30
20. Engage in Trekking at the Bhujia Hill
This hill station in Gujarat is a natural formation that also has a lot of religious and historical significance, and it offers some pretty amazing views of the town. This place also has relations to the victory of Bhujanga against Bheria Kumar. To provide more glimmer to this hill, the Bhujia fort on top also adds aesthetics. Thus, excellent for adventurous people in Gujarat.
Location: Bhuj, Kutch District
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: Morning to evening
Duration: 2–3 hours
Entry Fee: Free
Conclusion
To summarise, in this blog we talked about the 20 best things to do in Gujarat. There are plenty more; you just need to plan your itinerary and visit the state yourself. You can try a solo trip or even visit Gujarat with your loved ones. Engage in binge eating or adventure sports, and surely tell us how your trip went.
