Welcome to Ahmedabad, a vibrant metropolis brimming with rich history and modern charm. As you delve into this guide, prepare to uncover an array of things to do in Ahmedabad. From the majestic Sabarmati Ashram to the kaleidoscopic hues of the Kankaria Lake, every corner offers a unique blend of culture and excitement. Embark on this journey through the city’s bustling bazaars, tranquil temples, and savory street food that define the heart of Gujarat. If this guide inspires you to explore this historic city, we recommend that you rent a chauffeur driven cab to drive around comfortably from one spot to another.
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Things to do in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad tourism is not just about the famous tourist attractions but the activities you do. If you’re visiting Ahmedabad and want to see everything the city has to offer, book a car rental in Ahmedabad with an experienced local driver who can take you to all the hidden jewels, including buzzing tech parks and lovely parks and gardens.
Things to do in Ahmedabad during the summer
| Activity | Description | Location |
| Visit the Sabarmati Ashram | The Sabarmati Ashram is a historic ashram in Ahmedabad that was home to Mahatma Gandhi. It is a popular tourist attraction and a great place to learn about Gandhi’s life and philosophy. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM |
Ashram Rd, Ahmedabad |
| Visit the Jama Masjid | The Jama Masjid is a beautiful mosque in Ahmedabad that is known for its elaborate architecture and intricate carvings. It is a popular tourist attraction and a great place to take pictures. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM |
Gandhi Road, Ahmedabad |
| Explore the Kaligam Fort | Kaligam Fort Ahmedabad is located on the Northern edge of the city. Due to its not-so-popular location, this historical heritage remains hidden from the attention of tourists. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 24×7 |
Kali |
Things to do in Ahmedabad during winter
| Activity | Description | Location |
| Explore the Calico Museum of Textiles | The Calico Museum of Textiles is a lesser known museum that is home to a collection of traditional Indian textiles and fabrics. It is a great place to learn about the city’s rich textile heritage and see beautiful fabrics and textiles from all over India. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 10.30 AM to 12.30 PM on all days except Wednesdays – 9 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Mondays) |
Shahibag, Ahmedabad |
| Go shopping at the Law Garden Night Market | The Law Garden Night Market is a popular shopping destination that is open in the evenings and is known for its wide range of goods, including clothing, jewellery, and handicrafts. It is a great place to find unique and affordable items. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 5 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 10 PM |
Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad |
| Take a walk through the Gandhi Nagar Gruh | The Gandhi Nagar Gruh is a cultural center in Ahmedabad that is home to a museum and an auditorium. It is a great place to learn about the city’s culture and history and see performances by local artists. Entry Fee: Rs.15 – 30 Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM |
Jubilee Baug, Vadodara |
| Visit the Adalaj Stepwell | The Adalaj Stepwell is a beautiful stepwell located just outside of Ahmedabad. It is a popular tourist attraction and a great place to take pictures and learn about the city’s history and culture. Entry Fee: Rs. 20 for Indians and Rs 300 for Foreigners Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM |
Adalaj |
Things to do with family
| Activity | Description | Location |
| Explore the Hathisingh Jain Temple | The Hathisingh Jain Temple is a beautiful temple in Ahmedabad that is known for its elaborate architecture and intricate carvings. It is a popular tourist attraction and a great place to take pictures. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 7 AM to 8 PM |
Madhupura, Ahmedabad |
| Explore the Ahmedabad Science City | The Ahmedabad Science City is a science museum in Ahmedabad that is home to several interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. It is a great place to learn about science and have fun with your family. Entry Fee: Rs. 20 for Children and Rs 50 for Adults Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM |
Thaltej, Ahmedabad |
| Learn more at the Astronomy & Space Science Gallery | It is a popular tourist attraction in Ahmedabad that offers a variety of shows and exhibits about the universe and space. It is a great place to learn about astronomy and have fun with your friends. Entry Fee: Free |
Thaltej, Ahmedabad |
| Spend the day at Splash The Fun World | It is a popular amusement park in Ahmedabad that is home to several rides and attractions. It is a great place to have fun with your kids and enjoy the thrill of the rides. Entry Fee: Rs. 899 – 1199 Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM |
Village Telav-Kolet Road, Ahmedabad, |
Things to do with friends
| Activity | Description | Location |
| Relax at the Kankaria Lake | Kankaria Lake is a popular recreation spot in Ahmedabad that had an abundance of nature and is an ideal place to catch up with your friends. Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for children and Rs. 25 for Adults Timings: 4 AM to 8 AM and 9 AM to 10 PM (Closed on Mondays) |
Maninagar, Ahmedabad |
| Stroll through the Narmada Canal Garden | The Narmada Canal Garden is a popular recreation spot in Ahmedabad that is home to several gardens, a children’s park, and several food stalls. It is a great place to relax and have fun with your friends. | Chandkheda, Ahmedabad |
| Learn about fossils at the Indroda Nature Park | The Indroda Nature Park is a large nature reserve in Ahmedabad that is home to a variety of plants and animals. It is a great place to go for a hike and explore the outdoors with your friends. Entry Fee: Rs. 15-30 Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM |
Gandhinagar |
| Hang out at the Ahmedabad One Mall | It is a popular shopping and entertainment destination in Ahmedabad that is home to many stores, restaurants, and a movie theatre. It is a great place to shop and have fun. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 10 AM to 9.30 PM |
Vastrapur, Ahmedabad |
Things to do for couples
| Activity | Description | Location |
| Walk through the Sardar Patel National Memorial | It is a museum in Ahmedabad that is dedicated to the life and legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is a great place to learn about the city’s history and culture and enjoy a romantic walk with your partner. Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Children and Rs. 20 for Adults Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM |
Shahibag, Ahmedabad |
| Go on a picnic at Primal Garden | It is a public park with superb green surroundings. Full of natural beauty, this place appears no less than heaven in the evening and during nighttime. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 11 AM to 7 PM |
Ambawadi, Ahmedabad |
| Enjoy a date at Tiger Bay | It is known for its outdoor seating atmosphere and romantic ambience. What makes it greater is that it is a little secluded from the main traffic of the city and provides an environment that makes you feel closer to nature as well as your loved one. Price: Rs. 250 – 600 Timings: 11 AM to 1 PM |
Thaltej, Ahmedabad |
Offbeat things to do
| Activity | Description | Location |
| Revisit history at the Ambapur Ni Vav | Ambapur ni Vav is 15th century, 5 storied step-wells known for its architectural marvel. Located close to the village Ambapur, this stepwell is a popular tourist spot located on the outskirts. Entry Fee: Free Timings: 24×7 |
Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
| Visit the Vechaar Utensils Museum | Vechaar is the only museum in the world that displays a huge collection of old and precious utensils from several ethnicities. The museum reflects the unmatched genius of humankind during the lack of modern facilities. Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Children, Rs. 30 for Adults, and Rs. 100. Timings: 3 PM to 10.30 PM |
Vishala, Ahmedabad |
Best places to visit in Ahmedabad
With a host of historical monuments, museums, and artistic structures, there are endless sightseeing options. Here are some of the best and most popular tourist places to visit–
1. Sabarmati Ashram
- How to Reach – The popular tourist spot is located at 6.6KM from the city railway station. You can book a cab or take the local auto or bus to reach.
- Timings– 9AM- 9PM
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– 1-2 hours
2. Adalaj Stepwell
- How to Reach – The ancient stepwell is located at 22KM from the city railway station. You can take a local bus, auto or book a cab to reach.
- Timings– 9AM- 5PM
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– 2-3 Hours
3. Kankaria Lake
- How to Reach – The lake area is only 3KM from the city centre. The best way to reach is to take a bus, auto, or book a cab to reach.
- Timings – 4 AM -8 AM, 9 AM-10 PM (Tuesday to Sunday), Closed on Monday.
- Entry Fee–
- Adult: INR 25
- Child: INR 10
- Children below 3 years, Senior Citizens: Free
- Educational Trip: INR 1
- Time Required- 1 hour
4. Calico Museum of Textiles
- How to Reach – The museum is located at 4.6KM from Ahmedabad railway station. You can book a cab or rent a car to reach, or take the local auto.
- Timings– 10.30AM- 1PM. Closed on Wednesday and public holidays.
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– 2-3Hours
5. Hutheesing Jain Temple
- How to Reach – The Jain temple is located at 3.3KM from the city centre and the best way to reach is to get a cab or the local transport.
- Timings– 8AM- 1PM, 2PM-5PM, Aarti timings- 8PM daily
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– 1-2 Hours
6. Bhadra Fort
- How to Reach – The fort sits at 2.5KM from the city railway station. You can book a private car or rent a cab or take the local auto to travel.
- Timings– 9AM- 5PM
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– 1 hour
7. Jhulta Minar
- How to Reach – This 500-year-old structure sits right across the city railway station. You can walk from the station or nearby places. To travel from other parts, take an auto or book a cab.
- Timings– 5.30AM- 9PM
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– 1-2hours
8. Vastrapur Lake
- How to Reach – The lake is situated 9.6KM away from the city centre. You have to take an auto or book a taxi to reach the lake area.
- Timings– 8AM- 10PM
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– Less than 1 hour
Places to visit nearby
You can also visit other places nearby which you can cover in a one-day trip. There are also a few hill stations nearby you can explore.
1. Lothal
- How to Reach – The archaeological site is located 85KM from Ahmedabad. The best way to reach is to book a cab for the day to travel and return.
- Timings– 10AM- 5PM
- Entry Fee– None
- Time Required– 1 day
2. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
- How to Reach – The bird sanctuary is located at 62KM from Ahmedabad. The best option is to book a day cab to travel and return.
- Timings– 6AM- 5.30PM
- Entry Fee– Monday – Friday: INR 40, Saturday – Sunday: INR 50
- Camera: INR 200
- Time Required– 1 day
3. Modhera
- How to Reach – The ancient village is located at 98KM from Ahmedabad city. The only way you can cover this place in a day is by booking a cab or renting a car from Ahmedabad.
- Timings– 24 Hours
- Entry Fee– None
- Time Required– 1-2 days
4. Rani Ki Vav/Queen’s Stepwell
- How to Reach – The ancient site sits at 127KM from Ahmedabad city. You can book a local taxi and make your travel experience an unforgettable one!.
- Timings– 8AM- 6PM
- Entry Fee- INR 5
- Time Required– 1-2 Hours
Places to eat in Ahmedabad
To sample the local flavours, check out these best-rated restaurants and popular cafes:
- Yanki Sizzler
- Manmohan Kharek Center
- Rajwadu
- Mocha
- Earthen Oven
- 650 The Global Kitchen
- Gordhan Thal
- Tomato’s
How to Plan a Trip to Ahmedabad
How to reach Ahmedabad
By Train
The city has many railway stations but the busiest and the main one is Ahmedabad Junction. Ahmedabad railway station is well-connected to other major cities and towns in Gujarat, as well as other parts of India. There are regular trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, etc. to Ahmedabad.
By Road
Ahmedabad is well-connected to the rest of Gujarat by SH8 and NH64. There are regular state-run and private buses from Vadodara, Surat, Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar, Mumbai, Pune, and other nearby towns and cities. The best way to reach Ahmedabad from any of these places is to book a cab or rent a private car and travel by road.
[Also Read: Surat to Ahmedabad by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information]
By Flight
The city is served by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which is Hansol, 9 km north of central Ahmedabad. There are regular flights available from all major cities in India to Ahmedabad. From the airport, you can book an Ahmedabad airport taxi to reach your hotel or go sightseeing.
Best time to visit Ahmedabad
Being landlocked and around the Kutch region, the city experiences an arid climate. So, the weather is dry with very little humidity most time of the year. Summers can be extremely harsh with temperatures rising to higher 30s (Celsius), while winters, although very chilly can be pleasant for exploring. The best time to visit the city is between October to March. The monsoon is also a good time, with the rain reducing the heat and creating a much greener surrounding.
About Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is the largest city in Gujarat. It sits on the banks of the Sabarmati River, about 25KM from Gandhinagar, the state capital, and also Ahmedabad’s twin city. A hub of art, culture, cuisine, nature hotspots and historical landmarks, the city of Ahmedabad is a popular destination among all kinds of travellers. The city holds a lot of treasures, offering a lot of fun and exciting adventures for its visitors. Apart from its cultural and historical significance, Ahmedabad has also been known to be the educational and economic hub of the state.
[Also Read: Uttarayan, the Kite Flying Festival in India]
Why is Ahmedabad called the Manchester of the East?
Besides the famous places in Ahmedabad, which the city is usually known for, the city has gained prominence in industrial and economic growth over generations. It emerged as an important centre of the textile industry. Ahmedabad is known to be the second-largest producer of cotton in India and it used to house the country’s second-oldest stock exchange, which was shut down in 2018. This is quite similar to the cotton-textile industry in Manchester, England. During the colonial rule, the similarities between Manchester and Ahmedabad earned the latter its nickname, Manchester of the East, which still holds relevance even today.
Hidden Facts
People mostly know about famous places, but there are many hidden facts about this city that make it more interesting.
- Ahmedabad was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411, and that’s how it got its name. But the geographical area was inhabited since the 11th century and was known as Ashaval. It only became a city under Ahmed Shah.
- There are many other names of Ahmedabad that is mostly used by older generations or locals – Rajnagar, Shrinagar, Amdavad, Ahimdavad, Ahamdavad, Ahamadpur, Akmipur and Ahmednagar.
- The distinguishing logo of the State Bank of India – the country’s largest bank was inspired by the shape of the Kankaria Lake, one of the two lakes.
Places to stay in Ahmedabad
Being the largest city in the state, there’s no shortage of the best hotels and resorts. Depending on your travel goals and duration, you can look for hotels near the airport or near other sightseeing options. Some of the best hotels here are located along the Sabarmati River.
- Divan’s Bungalow
- WelcomHeritage Mani Mansion
- Mangaldas ni Haveli
- Bloomsuites
- Hotel El Dorado
- Hotel Elysian Residency
- Binori A Boutique Hotel
- The Hillock
Experience the beauty of Gujarat’s pre-eminent city by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.
Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Swati Deol
