Ahmedabad is a perfect mix of century old architecture marvels and unique modern day buildings. With vast options in food and accommodation, Ahmedabad stands out as one of the major cities of India. Ahmedabad is also called Amdavad by locals. From a visit to a beautiful lake in the center of the city to spending a day in older suburbs, visiting ancient architecture to the world famous Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad offers a wide variety of options to make your visit memorable. The city also has heritage hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals for your accommodation needs. Let’s check out the best things to do in Ahmedabad, India.
1. Take a tour of the Auto World Vintage Car Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This vintage car museum is a must-visit for the ones who love wheels. It offers an interesting collection of vintage cars and bikes. You can spot a vintage Bentley, Rolls Royce, Cadillac, and Austin that will teleport you back in time. The museum is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for its antique collection. Don’t miss spotting the first Maybach ever made that stands tall on the museum premises. If you are in the city, you must try visiting this iconic museum that has a lot of history to offer.
Auto World Vintage Car Museum
Address: Dastan Estate, Service Rd, Nikol, Kathwada, Gujarat 382430
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)
2. Enjoy a garden tour at the Calico Museum of Textiles
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Calico Museum of Textiles on Wednesday, August 24, 2022
This textile museum is the brainchild of art historian and philosopher Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy. He made a suggestion to Gautam Sarabhai, the honorable Chairman of the Calico Mills of Ahmedabad that a textile museum and an institute be founded here. It was founded in 1949 and inaugurated by the country’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Open on all days of the week except Mondays, it offers a day tour of the museum that features sacred bronze statuettes from South India, Jain manuscripts, sculptures, objects, miniature paintings, and other works of art.
Guided tours in the garden are also conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This botanical garden has a rich variety of indigenous trees and houses more than 800 plant species. Some exotic plants are also featured here that have come from faraway lands. An abundance of wildlife can also be witnessed here. Photography is prohibited inside the premises.
Calico Museum of Textiles
Address: Opp. Underbridge, Jain Colony, Shahibag, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380004
Website: Calico Museum of Textiles
Opening hours: Tue: 10:30am - 12:30pm; Wed: 9am - 5pm; Thu - Sun: 10:30am - 12:30pm (closed on Mon)
3. Watch a 3D film in Science City Ahmedabad
This museum was created with the intention of popularizing science in the youth and the ultimate goal of education-based economic growth through the realms of science. The campus features a beautiful nature park that has a butterfly garden, a color garden, a chess and yoga space, an open gym, and a children’s playground with an interesting maze.
You can spend a few hours in the aquatic gallery amidst sharks and African penguins. Kids will love the interactive robotics gallery and the heightened experience of watching a film on Mount Everest in the 3D theater. Lastly, there’s a thrill ride to be experienced in a 30-seater capsule that provides the taste of journeying into space in an aerobatic aircraft.
Science City Ahmedabad
Address: Science City Ahmedabad
Website: Science City Ahmedabad
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 7pm (closed on Mon)
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4. Visit Kankaria Lake
Located in the Maninagar area, Kankaria Lake is one of the best things to explore in Ahmedabad. The lake was known as Hauz E Qutub in ancient times. A developed lakefront around Kankaria offers tons of attractions for all age groups. A water park, rides, a zoo, balloon rides, food stalls, a toy train, and many other entertainment facilities are offered here. Also in the last week of December, a unique music and art festival known as Kankaria Carnival is held here.
In the middle of Kankaria Lake is Nagina Wadi, which is a garden-themed entertainment zone. It was built in ancient times for entertainment purposes for the king. A concrete, tree-lined walkway runs from the lakefront to Nagina Wadi. There are musical fountains and laser shows during the night. Kankaria is a perfect place to spend your weekend trip in Ahmedabad.
Kankaria Lake
Address: Maninagar, Ahmedabad
Website: Kankaria Lake
Tip from Trip101 local expert
There are tons of activities that you can explore during your time at Kankaria Lake, so make sure to set aside at least five hours to properly explore the area. Don't forget to savour delicious Gujarati food and check out exciting activities such as Mirror Maze and Horror House while here.
If you're an animal enthusiast, do stop by Kamla Nehru Zoological Park to explore wild animals such as tigers and snakes such as pythons.
5. Spend an evening at Sabarmati Riverfront
Sabarmati Riverfront is the most recent development and one of the new projects of restoration in Ahmedabad. Sabarmati Riverfront is built on two level. On both sides of the River Sabarmati, there are areas for only pedestrians and cyclists whereas the high level two area is for various events, activities, public parks and shopping centers. Spending an evening at the riverfront is one of the must-do things in Ahmedabad.
You will get a beautiful scenic view of the city while you are at Sabarmati Riverfront in the evening. The Sabarmati River divides the city into two parts. There are options for boating and ziplining at the riverfront. There are also parks, gardens and an open-air market known as Gujari Bazaar located nearby. In recent times, many Indian films have been shot at Sabarmati Riverfront.
Sabarmati Riverfront
Address: Sabarmati River, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad
Website: Sabarmati Riverfront
6. Dinner at revolving Neelkanth Patang restaurant
This is the most special attraction of Ahmedbad. Neelkanth Patang is a revolving restaurant located near Nehru Bridge at Ashram Road. It is a tower restaurant and offers Continental, Chinese and Indian food.
Neelkanth Patang restaurant is the best place to have your lunch or dinner. Whether you want to view the Ahmedabad city during the afternoon with views of traffic and beautiful yellow sun across the Sabarmati River or you want to spend a quiet and remarkable evening viewing the city covered with lights, it’s a special ambiance. You will have to reserve your table two days in advance, so make sure to do that while you are in the city.
Patang Hotel
Address: Neelkanth Patang Hotel, Near Nehru Bridge, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad
Website: Patang Hotel
7. A day in old suburbs of Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad city is divided into two parts by Sabarmati River. The East consists of the old Ahmedabad city with ancient architecture, mosques, and temples. Whereas the West is the new Ahmedabad with modern art and architecture. If you visit Ahmedabad, spending a day at the old suburbs is a must-do activity!
The famous gates such as Lal Darwaja, Teen Darwaja, Bhadra Gate, Raipur Gate, and Delhi Drawaja are all spectacular sets of gates in the older suburbs. The roadside street shopping in the Bhadra Area and Raipur is an experience to cherish forever. The traffic, people, voices and the entire vista at this place is truly remarkable. Visiting the Bhadra Fort or Siddhi Sayed Jali speaks of an epoch of ancient Ahmedabad. Eating local Ahmedabad dishes at a special night food stall area called Manekchowk will surely satisfy your food needs!
Tour the Old Suburbs
Address: Old Suburbs, Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad
Website:
8. Shopping at famous C.G Road
When it comes to shopping Ahmedabad will definitely not let you down. If you were able to find cheap and unique things from the street vendors in older suburbs but want to shop at some of the international retail shops then C.G Road is the place for you. Starting at Mahalakshmi crossroads and ending at Sardar Patel Stadium, C.G Road is a perfect destination for shopping and eating local dishes.
There are various malls and retail shops to buy electronics, Gujarati ethnic dresses, modern party wear, rooftop restaurants, and hotels. Municipal Market on C.G Road offers a wide variety of food options throughout the day.
Shopping at C.G Road
Address: C.G Road, Near Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad
Website: C.G Road
9. Have a lovely stroll in Gandhi Ashram
This is the place where Mahatma Gandhi lived for 12 years with his wife. Today it is the most visited landmark in the whole of the country and is certainly one of the topmost things to see in Ahmedabad. It has a vivid collection of Gandhi’s photographs and paintings. There are also exhibitions of his quotations, letters, and other relics of Gandhi.
This place receives around 750,000 visitors per year. The priceless ‘charkha’ which was used by Gandhi to spin khadi and his personal writing table is an exclusive part of the Ashram. Prior reservation with the Ashram will also offer you a 90-minute guided tour! This is a definite ashram to visit to imbibe the vibes of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi Ashram Visit
Address: Gandhi Ashram, Sabarmati, Ahmedabad
Website:
10. Offer prayers in the Swaminarayan Temple in Shahibaug
If you are still wondering about what to see in Ahmedabad, worry no more. Swaminarayan Temple by BAPS in Shahibaug is the true marvel of the unique religious landmark of the city and a must-visit. Lord Swaminarayan used to visit Ahmedabad during ancient times and he built a temple in the Shahibaug area of Ahmedabad. The temple was upgraded and renovated with the guidance of H.H. Pujya Pramukh Swami.
With the idols of Lord Swaminarayan and Lord Hanuman and Ganeshji, this temple will surely give you a positive vibration. There are certain codes and conducts to be followed while visiting the temple. Make sure to check those out before planning your visit.
Swaminarayan Temple
Address: Swaminarayan Temple, Shahibaug Area, Ahmedabad
Website: BAPS Swaminarayan Temple
11. Witness the architectural marvel at Adalaj Stepwell (from USD 114.0)
Adalaj Stepwell is a famous landmark located in the Adalaj area of Ahmedabad. Adalaj Stepwell, also known as Adalaj ni Vav, is a distinct architectural marvel of ancient India. The intricate carvings speak of the detailing in the stepwell’s structure. Adalaj Stepwell is five stories deep and is octagonal at the top and has a large number of carved pillars.
Tip from Content Creator
A fine example of architectural finesse, Adalaj Stepwell was built in the memory of Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty of Gujarat by his wife Queen Rudabai. The rulers definitely deserve an accolade for of thinking a way for the conservation of water in a water-scarce land.
Private Tour: Full-Day Stepwells Tour from Ahmedabad
Duration: 10 hours
Ahmedabad offers everything!
Apart from these things to do there are tons of other options - for food lovers, Vishala is a must-try ethnic restaurant. It even provides must-try street foods! The famous Gujarat University building and Asia’s top management institute, IIM-Ahmedabad campus, offers world class business management education, and is also a unique place to see. As we have seen, Ahmedabad offers many options for visitors of all kinds! It stands as a unique and remarkable city.
Tip from Trip101 local expert
Don't forget to check out the many beautiful bakeries and cafés this lively city has to offer. Some of my top recommendations have to be Little French House and Brewgarten in Navrangpura where you can enjoy cosy evenings with your friends. From refreshing home-brewed coffee to fresh pizzas, these eateries can serve to be the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring the city.
If you're travelling with your significant other, don't forget to stop by The Project Cafe for a romantic meal amidst a lovely ambience.
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