Established by Sultan Ahmed Shah, the city of Ahmedabad is the commercial hub of Gujarat with the right mix of historic charm and modern lifestyle. Also called Amdavad, it is the first city in India to get UNESCO’s title of World Heritage City. The plethora of sites to visit in Ahmedabad have a spellbinding blend of art, architecture, culture, heritage and history.
Ahmedabad is also a paradise for shopaholics and food lovers. From the crowded bazaars of the old walled city to the malls in modern Ahmedabad, the city has something for everyone.
Set in the banks of perennial Sabarmati River, the city is full of religious sites, historical complexes and lovely lakes. It is also the textile hub and a centre for educational tourism. And it can be perplexing to sort out which places to visit in Ahmedabad and line out the itinerary for a vacation. That’s where Ahmedabad local sightseeing packages are helpful.
In the customised Ahmedabad sightseeing packages, you can tour the city with the best optimisation of the available time. You can visit the places without missing any fun and without any fear of spoiling the vacation.
Following are some of the gems you will see in the Ahmedabad local sightseeing package:
1. Sabarmati Ashram
Situated on the banks of Sabarmati River, Sabarmati Ashram is the place where Mahatma Gandhi did some of his remarkable works. The place has witnessed the planning and execution of many freedom movements, and it’s a major landmark of Ahmedabad.
Today, Sabarmati Ashram is like a museum, divided into various sections. And each of them highlights a part of Gandhiji’s life. There are paintings, photos and letters documenting various events. The ashram complex has a library and Mahatma Gandhi’s cottage too, featuring some of his personal belongings and the iconic spinning wheel.
2. Sabarmati Riverfront
Sabarmati Riverfront is a stunning combination of promenades, parks and a place for water activities. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ahmedabad where one can do boating, go for cycling or sit for hours savouring the cityscape. It is over 10 km long and provides a spectacular view of the river along with the daily life of Ahmedabad.
The area has plenty of street food corners around, and the riverfront is illuminated with lights in the evening.
3. Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Lake complex is one of the top tourist spots in Ahmedabad. Nagina Wadi is one of the most beautiful features of this lake. It is a garden constructed in the middle which you can reach through the beautiful walkway lined by trees. Kankaria Lake is also popular for boating and water activities in Ahmedabad.
The toy train ride, balloon ride, archery and various other playful adventures are available near the lake. Kankaria Lake also hosts a carnival in the last week of December.
4. Swaminarayan temple
Swaminarayan Mandir is a highly revered temple dedicated to Lord Nar Narayan. The place is known for its architectural grandeur too. Built with Burmese teak, the temple has been splashed with bright colours all over its interior and exterior. The architectural style is a mix of Gujarati, Marathi, Rajasthani and British elegance and provides you with a glimpse into the lifestyle of Gujarat.
Apart from Narayan Dev, you can seek blessings from Radhakrishna Dev, Dharma Dev, Bhakti Mata and Harikrishna here.
5. Sidi Sayyed Mosque
It is a mosque in the old city of Ahmedabad known for its architectural beauty. The entire structure has been constructed with yellow sandstone and have carved windows with detailed stone latticework. These artistic carvings are so delicate that the place is locally popular as Sidi Sayyed ni Jali.
The building is proof of how skilful the artisans were during those times. The window with tree foliage and its branches forming a mesh-like structure is among the most spectacular designs.
6. Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is another prominent religious place included in Ahmedabad local sightseeing packages. It was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed Shah, the founder of the city.
It follows the Indo-Islamic style of architecture and yellow sandstone has been used for its construction. The mosque has 260 intricately carved pillars, and the meshwork in the prayer hall is an architectural marvel in itself. The courtyard has a small pond in the centre for the devotees, to wash themselves before offering prayers.
7. ISKCON Temple
ISKCON Temple is one of the top tourist spots in Ahmedabad promoting spirituality and inner peace. Spread over 4 acres, the complex has patches of beautiful gardens, fountains and lawns all around. The architecture of the gorgeous temple building is a combination of Gujarati Sompura and Rajasthani Khamira style. The marbled floors, designer columns and detailed art on the walls and ceilings are a sight to behold.
The temple is dedicated to Radha-Krishna, but also has the idols of Rama-Sita, Nitai-Gauri, Hanuman and others.
8. Hutheesing Jain Temple
Hutheesing Jain Temple is another sacred spot you can check out with Ahmedabad local sightseeing packages. The temple is built with white marble and is dedicated to Lord Dharmnath – the 15th Jain Tirthankara. Other than the beautiful temple, there are 52 eloquently designed shrines in the courtyard.
The complex also has a 78-feet high magnificent Manastambha, built in 2003.
9. Calico Museum of Textiles
Calico Museum is one of the oldest textile museums in the country. It has an exclusive collection of historic textiles and fabrics. Artefacts, handicrafts and paintings brought from different parts of the country are also put on display in the museum.
It is divided into two sections. One section exhibits royal fabrics, while the other one has crafts related to rituals and religious purposes.
10. Manek Chowk
Manek Chowk in Old Ahmedabad is close to many historical places like Bhadra Fort, Teen Darwaza and Rani-no-Hajiro. It is also known for the second biggest market in India. In the morning, it’s a place for fresh vegetables, while in the evening, it becomes a hub for jewellery and precious gems.
However, as night falls, Manek Chowk starts buzzing with food lovers. The market is known for its pav bhaji, kulfi and other local cuisines like Jamun Shots.
How to Reach Ahmedabad?
Being the commercial hub of Gujarat and one of the most developed cities of India, Ahmedabad enjoys seamless connectivity with different corners of the world.
By Road – Several National Highways pass through Ahmedabad, connecting it to nearby towns like Gandhinagar, Surat, Udaipur and others. Also, you can find regular buses from as far as Delhi and Mumbai.
By Rail – Ahmedabad is one of the zonal railway headquarters and is connected to all parts of India. Daily superfast trains are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and other major cities.
By Air – The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport connects Ahmedabad to destinations around the world. Apart from the metropolitan cities, there are flights from various other places like Chandigarh, Guwahati and Kochi. Ahmedabad also has connectivity with international locations such as Dubai, Singapore and the UK.
