Junagadh Tourism And Travel Guide

Junagadh is yet another primary tourist destination in Gujarat. The state government of Gujarat has taken the promotion of tourism in the state to the next level and as a result, many places in the state have emerged as the finest tourist destinations. Junagadh is one of them and has grown as one of the crucial visitors’ spots. It is well known for its history, amazing architecture, religious places, and sublime beaches to entertain its visitors. Here is a quick travel guide to help you know more about tourism in Junagadh.

Junagadh is well connected by rail, road, and airways. However, the city doesn’t have a dedicated airport so you will have to get down at the nearest airport. Traveling by trains is the easiest option and airways are the fastest mode of transport. 

By Rail:

Indian Railways are the best and convenient way to reach Junagadh. There are direct trains available from some important cities like Mumbai and Pune. The travel time from Mumbai and Pune is about 14-15 hours. There are connecting trains available from Ahmedabad and Vadodara to help you reach the city.

By Road:

Recurring buses governed and managed by Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation are available between Junagadh and cities like Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, Dwarka, Somnath, and Sasan. All highways and connecting roads leading to Junagadh are smooth and well-maintained.

By Air:

Airways are the fastest way to reach Junagadh. The city, however, doesn't have its dedicated airport. Therefore, you will have to get down at Rajkot Airport which is at a distance of 100 km approx. You can hire a cab from the airport and it will drop you to the city in 2 hours.

Getting Around:

To get around in Junagadh, you can use local buses and auto-rickshaws for quick hops. A private cab can cost you around INR 1K for sightseeing within the city and on the outskirts.

The climate of Junagadh is tropical in nature. The summer season is the most difficult period of the year for obvious reasons, whereas, winters are just amazing. Junagadh receives decent rainfall and the temperature starts to drop by the end of October. 

Summer (March - June):

Summer in Junagadh starts from March and stretches till June. It is extremely hot and humid in June with a temperature that ranges between 28 °C and 38 °C. So avoid visiting at this time.

Monsoon (July - October):

Junagadh receives decent rainfall from the south-west monsoon that starts in July and lasts till late September. The climate is still humid but the temperature reduces by the end of October. The temperature ranges between 25 °C and 31 °C during this time.

Winter (November - February):

Winter offers the most favorable conditions for visitors. Winter in Junagadh is mild and cold starting from November and spans till February and early March. Temperatures during this season range somewhere between 10 °C and 25 °C.

Offer Respect at Famous Temples:

Junagadh has many temples for people who are looking forward to spending some peaceful time. The temple of Gorakhnath, the Amba Mata temple, Bhavnath Mahadev temple, and Mallinath temple are some famous and most visited temples in Junagadh.

A Historical Walk Down the Fort:

The Uperkot is one of the most popular historical monuments in Junagadh. If you are in Junagadh, a visit to Uperkot fort should be in the list of the top things to do. Built initially in 319 BC, by Chandragupt Mourya in an area that spreads over 2.7 lakh square meters, this gigantic fort is 66 feet tall and 3080 meters long in length. It will simply blow your mind away.

Visit the Junagadh Zoo and Museum:

It is located at the foothills of Girnar. Visitors show up in huge numbers to sight flamingos and the big cats: lions, leopards, and tigers. Set up by the Nawab of Junagadh to keep a check on poaching of Asiatic lions, it is the oldest zoo of its kind in the whole of Gujarat. There’s also a museum within the zoo premises with a rich collection of various objects, which is an evidence of the city's cultural abundance from its history.

Explore Mahabat Maqbara:

The masterpiece, Mahabat Maqbara showcases the architectural phenomenon of Nawabs of the 18th century. The affluence of silver at the portals overflowed with exquisite carvings and the spiraling staircase that encircles the four minarets draw the attention of thousands of tourists. The onion-shaped dome adds a cherry on top of the cake which consequently enhances the beauty of the yellow mausoleum.

Commemorate the Beauty of Darbar Hall Museum:

The Darbar Hall Museum is the crown of the town of Junagadh. Amongst the two museums in Junagadh, the Darbar hall is more popular. It has a rich collection of varied items and memorabilia. The grandeur of the hall will speak for itself, about the glory of Nawab’s era and his royal style of living.

Junagadh is famous for a discrete type of food popularly known as Kathiyawadi. Any city of Gujarat will offer the traditional Gujarati dishes such as Khichdi combined with Chaas and pickle. Khaman, Kandvi, Muthia, Kachodi, Dhokla, Fafda Jalebi, and Handwa are some popular side dishes (Farsan). Some famous rice dishes include Pulao, Khichu, Sabudana Khichdi, Biranj, and Doodhpak. In vegetables, you can enjoy Bateta nu Shaak, Bateta Ringan nu Shaak, Bateta sukhi bhaji, Bateta Kanda nu Shaak, Bharela Karela, Bhindanu Shaak, Cholaa nu Shaak. There are hundreds of restaurants in the city which serve all these delicious items. So order any famous Gujarati dish, and you will not be disappointed with the taste, especially when you are hungry.