Make the Most of Your Trip to Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is the largest city as well as the former capital of Gujarat, India. It is an important economic and textile centre of India lying in the North-central part of Gujarat. The river Sabarmati divides the city into the Eastern old city and the Western modern one. Many rulers have ruled Ahmedabad but Ahmed Shah I of Delhi Sultanate laid the foundation of the city on 26th February 1411. The place has a hot and dry climate. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

There is so much to see and do when you arrive in this colourful city. Diverse culture, religion and traditions are the highlights of this place. Get the help of experienced travel guides to plan a holiday to this wonderful tourist destination. A leisure trip cannot be complete until you see the many interesting places in this city. Also, do not miss the opportunity to get a glimpse of the heritage and history of Ahmedabad by going on city tours.

Main Attractions of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is a 600-years-old, smart city known as the textile capital and an education centre with a backdrop of a glorious past. Tourists from all over the world visit this place to see examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, the beautiful lakes, interesting museums and other popular places in the city. Some of the top places to visit in this city are:

1. Sabarmati Ashram

The most visited and popular tourist place in Ahmedabad is the Sabarmati Ashram. Built by Mahatma Gandhi after returning from Africa, this ashram is also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram and Satyagraha Ashram. People not only from India but also from abroad visit this peaceful ashram to look back on the life of the Great Mahatma and his work. There is a library, art gallery, and archives that tell everything about Mahatma Gandhi. You can visit Hriday Kunj, Upasana Mandir, Magan Niwas, Udyog Mandir and Nandini here.

2. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

This is the first Sri Swaminarayan temple built on the instruction of the founder himself, Swaminarayan. The temple is worth visiting not just for religious values but also for its architectural beauty. This grand structure with its beautiful and intricate design and carvings draws a lot of attraction from tourists. The highlight of this temple is the tall golden idol of Swaminarayan. There are many other spots to visit in this temple like the Nar Narayan temple, Temple for Women, Akshar Bhavan, etc.

3. Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid or Jumma Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques of Ahmedabad. Sultan Ahmed Shah I built it during his reign in the year 1424. It has the graves of Ahmed Shah and his family here. This masjid not only shares its name but also has the majestic aura of the Jama Masjid in Delhi. The mosque is built of yellow sandstone and has a unique Indo-Islamic style of architecture that is worth seeing.

4. Hutheesing Jain Temple

Built by a Jain Merchant in the year 1850, Hutheesing Jain Temple is dedicated to Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirthankara. This temple is built out of white marble with beautifully carved walls. There are 52 cubicles for different Tirthankaras on the paved courtyard.

5. Iskon Temple

Iskon temple or the Hare Krishna Mandir is a must-visit place when you come to Ahmedabad. The temple showcases a beautiful blend of Gujarat Sompura and Rajasthani Khamira architectural styles. Devotees of Lord Krishna visit this temple every day to pray and seek the blessings of Lord Krishna.

6. Bhadra Fort

One of the main attractions of Ahmedabad is the Bhadra Fort built in 1411 during the Maratha rule. This renovated fort has a sprawling green garden and a Bhadra Kali Temple. You can see the Teen Darwaza, Clock Tower, Nagina Baugh, Royal Square and others when you visit this fort.

7. Museums

There are many unique museums to see in Ahmedabad. One of the most interesting museums that you will not find anywhere else is the Calico Museum of Textile, which is managed by the Sarabhai Foundation. Exclusive collections of different textiles, fabrics, artefacts, antique fabrics, relics, samples of Kashmiri shawls, etc. can be seen here. Vechaar Utensil Museum is another exceptional place that showcases utensils and pots from ancient times from all over the country. Auto World Vintage Car Museum in Kathwada is a popular place that holds an outstanding collection of antique cars, motorcycles, buggies and other vehicles. Another important museum here is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Museum that showcases collections of things that once belonged to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

There are many more interesting places of historical importance like the Adalaj Stepwell, Jhuta Minar, Dada Hari Wav, Rani no Hajiro, etc. Mosques like Sarkhej Roja and Siddhi Syed Mosques showcase beautiful architectural designs.

For Nature lovers

If you love animals, you can visit Kamala Nehru Zoo or go out of the city to the Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary or Nal Sarovar Bird sanctuary. You can relax on the Sabarmati Riverfront or Vastrapur Lake on the western part of the city or Kankaria Lake.

Shopping

There are many places here for shopping where you can find colourful textile and handicraft items. You can visit the street markets of Lal Darwaza or Law Garden night market, Manek Chowk, etc. or go to various shopping malls like R3 mall, Radhe Shopping mall, etc.

Fun activities

Apart from sightseeing, there are many other fun things to do in Ahmedabad that will help you make the most of your trip. There are amazing theme parks with superb rides; enjoy bike rides by renting bikes, experience the thrill of zorbing, satiate your taste buds at multi-cuisine restaurants and don”t forget to try street food. You can also go bird watching and enjoy horse riding experiences.

How to book cheap flights to Ahmedabad

It is possible to find cheap Ahmedabad flights easily online with a little effort. You need to search as per your flight route. For instance, if you need to travel from Mumbai, simply look for Mumbai to Ahmedabad flights on travel sites and search engines. You can compare the prices of flight tickets to find the cheapest one. Reputed travel sites also offer price notifications for price changes of flight tickets. Booking flights in advance can help you get tickets at a low price. You can book flights during the cheapest days/months to fly if you have a flexible schedule. You can take the advantage of promo codes, discounts, and airline sales for a better price on air tickets.