The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad.The city contains some very fine museums, the Calico Museum of Textiles being considered among the world’s finest. Ahmedabad’s walled city is a living testimony to its heritage of crafts as women walk by in dazzling embroidered garments and flashing ethnic silver jewellery. Traditional Ahmedabad combines mosques of inspired workmanship, wooden Jain temples, unique stone stepwells and houses with ornately carved wooden balconies and window screens. Modern Ahmedabad, just across the River Sabarmati spanned by four bridges, is a showpiece of contemporary architecture with designs by Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and the best known Indian architects. Ahmedabad is a convenient base for a number of excursions, Modhera being the best known. 106 km away, this is one of the very few sun temples in the country. Palitana, 215 km away, is a hilltop place of pilgrimage for Jains. 863 temples of all sizes crowd the hilll which has to be approached on foot. Stone and marble spires with their rich detail of carving make for Palitana’s very special appeal. Portuguese rule in India included the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu, the last two lying within the state of Gujarat.

Gujarat’s loveliest beach – and the state is well endowed with them – is Ahmedpur Mandvi whose chief attraction is the ethnic beach resort. Cottages modelled on rural Gujarati architecture look out onto a secluded beach, one of the state’s chief centres for water sports.

AHMEDABAD

Ahmedabad blends harmoniously an ancient heritage with a vibrant presence. The city's prosperous and eventful past and present is embodied in its rich kaleidoscope of history, art and culture, rich architecture and imposing monuments.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Ahmed Shah's Mosque, Balvatika 4 kms, Teen Darwaza and Bhadra Fort, Daria Khan's Ghummat 3 km, Siddi Sayyad's Mosque, Gita Mandir 3 km, Swami Narayan Temple 2 km, Hathisinh Mandir 2 km, Jhulta Minar 3 km, Jumma Masjid .5 km, Kankaria Lake 4 km, Rani Sipri's Mosque and Tomb 2 km, Rani Roopmati Mosque .5 km, Rauza of Shah Alam 3 km, Sabarmati Ashram 6 km, Siddhi Sayyad Mosque .5 km, Dada Hari Vav 4 km

Museums & Art Galleries (Closed days are within the bracket)
Calico Museum of Textiles, Calico Mills,(Wed. and bank holidays)
Shreyas Folk Art Museum (Mondays & school vacations)
Gandhi Smarak Sanghrahalaya, Gandhi Ashram Sabarmati(Mondays)
L.D. Institute of Indology, Navarangpura (Mondays)
National Institution of Design
Tribal Research & trg. Museum, Ashram Rd (Sun. & bank holidays)
N.C. Mehta Art Gallery, Sanskar Kendra, Paldi (Mondays)
Kite Museum, Sanskar Kendra(Mondays)
Veechar Utensil Mumseum, Vasna Tolnaka(Sundays)
Natural History Museum, Kankaria.

EXCURSIONS
Adalaj Vav 19 km, Lothal 80 km, Patan 113 km, Nal Sarovar 71 km, Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram 6 km, Gandhi Nagar 25 km, Modhera (Sun Temple) 106 km.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season : Throughout the year.

RAJKOT

Rajkot, the former Capital of the princely state of Saurashtra was founded by the Rajput Chief Kunwar Vibhuji in the 16th century, Rajkot is famous for its Bandhani Sarees, mirror-work, patch work, bead work and silk embroidery.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Aji Dam 8 km, Mahatma Gandhi's Home (Kaba Gandhino Delo), Lal Pari Lake & Renderda 4.8 kms, Sardar Smriti Bhavan, Watson Museums & Jubliee Gardens

Jadeshwar (60 kms), Virpur (64 kms), Bhid Bhanjan (60 kms), Manas Mandir (14 kms), Gondal (38 kms), Wankaner (50 kms).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season : October to March.

JAMNAGAR

Jamnagar is known for its tie-&-dye work on fabrics, silken & gold embroidery.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season : Throughout the year.

DWARKA

Situated on the Gujarat Coast. Dwarka is one of the holiest centres of pilgrimage for Hindus.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Dwarkadish Temple, Bhadkeshwar Temple, Rukmani Temple, Sunset Point, Shri Jagatguru Shankaracharya Math, Ved Havan, Light House, Shardapith Math Museum

Bet Dwarka (2 kms from Okha. Ferry Service from Okha Port), Vasai 12 kms, Pindhara 72 kms, Harshad Mata Temple 58 kms, Nageshwar 16 kms, Shri Vallabhacharya 's Baithak, Okha 32 kms

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season : November to March.

PORBANDAR

Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, is a picturesque little seaside resort on the west coast of Gujarat

PLACES OF INTEREST
Arya Kanya Gurukul, Bharat Mandir, Kirti Mandir, Sudama Mandir, Planetarium.

Harshad Mata Temple 38.6 kms, Madhapur Temple 64.3 km, Mul-Dwarka 28.8 kms.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season : November to March.

SOMNATH, VERAVAL

Somnath also known as Prabhas Patan has religious and historical significance. The Somnath Temple has one of the 12 Jyotirlingas or Shiva shrines and is one of the most important pilgrim centres for Hindus

PLACES OF INTEREST
Somnath Temple, Triveni Ghat, Ahilyabai Temple, Junagadh Gate, Bhalka Tirth, Dehotsarga, Manipur Masjid, Museum

Chorwad 26 kms, Sasan Gir 43 kms

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season : November to March.

SASAN GIR

Gir Forest is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat. The forest also harbours a variety of smaller animals and birds. Other predators are the panther and the hyena. The Indian Deer, Sambar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here, alongwith the bear and the long tailed langur

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season :The Sanctuary is open to visitors from Mid-October to Mid-June, While during monsoon months the Sanctuary remains closed.Permission to visit the sanctuary is given by Forest Department, Sasangir on arrival.

JUNAGADH

Stippled with hills, Junagadh derives its name from an 'old fort'.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Best Season : October to April