As the warm sea breeze softly gushes into the city, the sleepy town of Bhavnagar slowly comes to life. The low rumble of its industrial units, the buzzing markets, the narrow streets, and the quaint neighborhoods – all point towards a charming blend of the old and the new. This blend of old and new is what gives the town its character. Formerly the capital of Sihor, a princely state, today Bhavnagar is among Gujarat’s top trading centers. Boasting a natural harbor, it is among the foremost cotton exporters in the Saurashtra region. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, also spent a brief period of his life studying in the region. Its colorful culture, momentous past, and its current prosperity, all blend to shape this beautiful city.
There is much to explore and enjoy in Bhavnagar. The city has a number of spots that make for perfect sightseeing locations. The Takteshwar Temple, located on a hilltop is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions and is equally renowned as a place of worship. The temple area offers an excellent view of the city spread below. Visit the city during the festival of Mahashivratri to enjoy it amidst the festive celebrations. The Gandhi Smriti museum and the Gaurishankar Lake are also worth visiting.
You can visit the local markets to shop for the colorful, ethnic Gujarati handicrafts that are found here. Skillfully carved wooden handicrafts can also be bought here and make for great souvenirs. One of the topmost centers in India for cutting and polishing diamonds, Bhavnagar is also a great place for jewelry shopping. Those wishing to explore nature, should step out of the city and take a trip to the Blackbuck National Park.
The best way for tourists to get around in Bhavnagar is by hiring a private car or taxi. A number of car rentals are available here and you can rent a car with or without a driver. If you are travelling on a tight budget however, it would be wise to use public transport options like buses. Buses are available to get to most destinations within the city and they are very affordable. The VITCOS buses provide a more comfortable alternative.
You can reach Bhavnagar through train.Bhavnagar Trmusis one of the most popular train stations in Bhavnagar.On an average about 6 trains pass through Bhavnagar on a daily basis.Botad to Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad to Bhavnagar, Vadodara to Bhavnagarare some of the most popular routes to Bhavnagar with 4, 4, 4 trains weekly respectively.
By road Bhavnagar is surrounded by Karanj, Khambhat, Bharuch which are 43.22 km, 50.85 km, 55.91 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.
Bhavnagar has a total of 12 hotels.There are 12 hotels in Bhavnagar with the popular ones being Gen X Bhavnagar 1589, Top3 Lords Resort, Vijay Vilas Palace - A Heritage Hotel, Hotel Sun N Shine, Hotel White Rose, Narayani Heritage etc.