Tourist Places To Visit In Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

Ahmedabad is the 5^th largest and the 6^th most populated city in India. It is a mixture of old world as well as the new world cosmopolitan city and boasts of a wide variety of tourist, residential and recreational spots. Though it is not the political capital of Gujarat, it is very much the cultural and the commercial capital of the State. Ahmedabad has a lot to offer, from great architectural marvels to traditional flavor, all packed in a warm and friendly environment. Here is our list of top tourist places to visit in Ahmedabad, be it Manek Chowk or Jhulta Minar, Sabarmati Ashram or the riverfront. Read on for more.

Sabarmati Ashram or Gandhi Ashram is located near Vadaj and is popular as the headquarters of the great freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi set up the ashram in 1915 and it was from here that he began his famous Salt March, the Dandi March. The Ashram still carries on the work that Gandhi had begun and promotes handicrafts and the message of peace and non violence. The ashram remains open from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm all year round.

This is the most predominant Muslim architecture in the city and is known for its beautiful style and elegant structure. The most remarkable part of the Mosque is its intricate screens. The most popular one being the Jhali screen which is present in the ten semi-circular windows.

This temple is one of the most beautiful and intricately carved pieces of religious monuments in state and the country. It has a remarkable feature of not containing even a single steel rod in its construction. It is carved in pink sandstone and has halls which often feature light and sound shows, enriching and promoting education and culture. The temple remains open from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm.

This is an artificially constructed lake, circular in shape and was built in the 15^th Century by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. It also contains an island garden in the centre. The amazing Musical Fountain shows organized here are a treat. It is surrounded by beautiful parks and also contains an aquarium, a zoo, a boat club and a natural history museum. The lake timings are 5.00 am to 7.00 pm.

Jama Masjid is one of the largest and the most magnificent mosques built in the 15^th Century. It is situated opposite Mahatma Gandhi road in Ahmedabad. It is beautifully carved and has exotic architectural style. Be sure to follow the religious norms while visiting the mosque.

The remarkable Jain temple is made of white marble and has been an important part for many generations of families. It is primarily a double storied building and has great carvings all over. It also has a dome shaped structure which ornaments the porch.

The Sidi Bashir Mosque in Ahmedabad has a unique construction and is also referred to as Jhulta Minar or Shaking Minarets. There are two minarets next to each other and each of them is 3 stories tall. On shaking one of the minarets, the vibrations can be felt in the other one after a few seconds. There is no visible connection between the two and the reason for this phenomenon is not yet known.

Ahmedabad also boasts of one of the premier Business institutes in the country, the Indian Institute of Management. IIM is a legacy in itself, and a great place to check out for yourself. The nostalgic feeling you get in its classrooms and courtyards and corridors is second to none. This is also where the 2014 Alia Bhatt movie 2 States was shot, so good luck enjoying some movie backdrops too!

Sabarmati River Front is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Ahmedabad. The waterfront is paved with a long stretch where people come to stroll or just sit with their loved ones. The Sabarmati river flows majestically as joggers, walkers and children enjoy the breeze. The promenade is not the only recreational place, the tourism of Ahmedabad has developed plazas and parks too. Evenings here are alive with locals as well as tourists milling about. You must visit this riverfront at least once, if not almost every singe day!

Ahmedabad’s ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple is a shrine of Shri Krishna and his beloved Radhika. With an opulent temple campus of 4 acres and sprawling property with dining halls, main sanctum, satsang place etc, this temple can host more than four thousand people at once. The architecture is a mix of Rajasthani and Gujarati Sompura. As is the case with most ISKCON temples, this one is also made of white marble. While touring, you will also come across a hostel, an elaborate library and meditation rooms. Visit here during Jamnashtami for the most fun.

A tranquil peaceful location in the hustle and bustle of Ahmedabad, Dada Harir Stepwell is an exemplary example of intricate craftsmanship. Here the pillars and walls are inscribed in shloks and couplets in Sanskrit and Farsi respectively. Birds flock around, jumping from one step to another as visitors enjoy the cool and quiet of the water. At certain times of daytime, you can also see the sun’s rays penetrate right into the water.

Bhadra Fort is an ancient fort on the hem of River Sabarmati. Sultan Ahmad Shah I, the founder of the city built it in the year 1411 CE. Later, during the Raj, British took over and ruled over this fort. It became their prison and garrison. Today you can visit it and tour around the interiors. The fort boasts of a Bhadra Kali Temple, palace, teen darwaza and Nagina baag. Many parts of the fort are also used as government offices nowadays.

Auto World Vintage Car Museum, started in ’27 by Pranlal Bhogilal from his own private collection, is the perfect place for car lovers. When in Ahmedabad, do visit this museum for the brilliant collection of 100+ cars from the time of the yore. From Cadillacs to Austin, Maybach to Jaguar and Rolls Royce, Auto World Vintage has them all on show. What’s more is, because these cars belonged to the rich and famous of the time, they were specially customised; some designed to go for evening drives, others to take to ceremonies or weddings.

A garden and night market in the middle of Ahmedabad city, Law Garden feels like an oasis of peace and greenery. It is open to public at all times, and welcomes recreational activities. Children come to play while adults come to take walks through the day. At night, vendors and local craftsmen set up stalls to sell everything from handicrafts to food. This place is also a great venue for events like concerts and festivals.

How can you be in Gujarat and not talk about kites?

The Kite Museum in Sanskar Kendra is THE place to go it you are even remotely interested in kites. Here you get to see kites of so many varieties — from appliqué work to mirror work to those in the shape of photos of famous personalities. There are block painted ones, hexagonal ones, and one made out of four hundred papers. All for your eyes!

Imagine 3D iMax theatre and planetarium and science halls, imagine amphitheatre and energy park and musical fountains — that is the Science City Complex. You not only get to observe all of these but are also allowed to perform experiments under expert supervision. If you are of the curious type, go ahead and look up how a satellite works, or how a mobile works — they tell you those kind of things here in the most fun way possible. With these kind of activities, not only children but adults too enjoy and learn. The Musical Fountain flowing here is the largest in the continent, displaying more than twenty water lights and styles.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the leading freedom heroes of the Indian struggle. He was the unanimous choice of Indian National Congress to become the first Prime Minister of India. However, later he withdrew his nomination and paved way for Pandit Nehru, accepting the role of India’s formidable Home Minister. He united the various princely states (500+) to make one country. This ‘Iron Man’ of India is honoured in this museum here. The museum showcases traditional artefacts, crafts and paintings as well as the personal belongings of Sardar Patel. A Light and Sound show is also showcased to educate visitors about India, freedom movement and Sardar Patel.

Home to tombs of royals and Sufis, Sarkhej Roza is a complex of ancient buildings and gardens. Ganj Baksh, a Sufi saint lived here earlier. After he passed away, this mausoleum and masjid was built in his honour. The architecture is decidedly Indo-Islamic and has added chambers to build tombs of kings and queens of that time. Also present is a prayer hall, courtyard and colonnades. When you visit, remember that women are not allowed to enter the main hall, while men in only full pants are allowed in. Everywhere else, you can explore without impediment.

What Fashion Street is to Mumbai and Sarojini Nagar is to Delhi, Manek Chowk is to Ahmedabad. You cannot not visit this market in old Ahmedabad while here. Shop your heart out, as the chowk is alive with all kinds of stalls — clothes, accessories, jewellery, shoes, food! You name it and they have it. Not only local and traditional but chic street style is also available here. As for food, you cannot go wrong. There is pav bhaji and dosa as well as Gujarati snacks, sandwiches as well as golas and kulfis! Manek Chowk is a full day location.