Ahmedabad, the old capital of Gujarat state of India, was once the most important center of trade and commerce in western India. It has a rich history.
It all started when King Karandev – 1, the Solanki Ruler of the 11th century, established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati River, which the Sultanate of Delhi then conquered at the end of the 13th century to 1818.
Later on, the British East India Company took over the city as a part of the conquest of India. History has stacked on top of itself in key locations all over Ahmedabad.
Best Things to Do in Ahmedabad
Find out exactly where to retrace the steps of the famous and infamous throughout the City of Ahmedabad, which had once earned the nickname – The Manchester of India – for its booming textile industry.
Find out the best places to see in old Ahmedabad, the interesting things to do in Ahmedabad City, where the famous poets lived, how Gandhi lived, where to eat the traditional and street food of Gujarat, from modern Science City to the soothing riverfront and much more.
We’ll share all of these and more in this guide.
Sabarmati Ashram
Traveling to Ahmedabad and not visiting Sabarmati Ashram, the karmabhoomi (The Land Where One Works) of Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi, would be a sin! He stayed, worked, met, and planned all his activities during the freedom struggle of India in this ashram from the year 1917 until 1930.
It has two broad sections. The houses where he, his wife, and his close aides lived; are the house museums maintained almost the same way they were used once. You can walk through them, the Hriday Kunj, Vinoba-Mira Kutir, Magan Niwas, and more, get the feel or almost imagine the vibes of nonviolent struggles for freedom.
The second is the Gandhi Memorial Museum, also called the Gandhi Smarak Sanghralay. It has a huge collection of Gandhi’s writings, paintings, pictures, books, and many more arranged and displayed in three galleries (Painting Gallery, Gandhi in Ahmedabad Gallery, and My Life is My Message Gallery) and houses Ashram’s library.
Tour time: Two hours
Tickets and Timings: No tickets are required. Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Science City Ahmedabad
If you are traveling with family and kids, Science City is one of the best places to visit in Ahmedabad.
It has several captivating attractions and immersive, thrilling experiences for kids. The entertaining and informative 3D shows in IMAX 3D theatre, an exciting range of simulator rides, a life science park, an energy park, musical fountains, and an amphitheater is sure to keep them busy.
Tour time: At least 4 to 5 hours is required for visiting all the galleries in the Science City of Ahmedabad.
Tickets and timings: General entry Fee (Including Hall of Science & Hall of Space, Energy Education Park, Life Science Park, and Planet Earth) has ticket charges of 50 INR for all above 3 years of age. Other galleries have different ticket charges and timings. The Science City is closed on all Mondays.
Adalaj ni Vav, a Step Well
The Adalaj stepwell is a popular tourist attraction of Ahmedabad with rich architecture but with a sad history. Construction was started by Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty.
After he passed away, the construction was completed by Mahmud Begada in 1411 on the condition that King Veer Singh’s widow, Queen Rudabai, would marry him. Just before the marriage was to take place, the Queen committed suicide by jumping into the same stepwell.
The architecture is stunning, with a marvelous Solanki style built with golden yellow sandstone. It has a unique octagonal plan with three entrances and is five stories deep. The six centuries-old intricately sculpted pillars look mesmerizing even today.
Adalaj stepwell is located 14.2 km from Ahmedabad airport and 18 km from Ahmadabad’s Kalupur Railway Station.
Tour time: less than an hour
Tickets and timings: 25 INR (Indians and SAARC citizens) and 300 INR ($4) for foreigners. The step well is open to all from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Kite Museum Ahmedabad
One of the unique things to do in Ahmedabad is visiting the Kite Museum. It is a part of the cultural center (Sanskar Kendra) of Ahmedabad. The building that houses the museum, designed by the reputed architect Le Carbusier in 1954, is a unique sight.
The Kite museum got its first wings when Bhanu Shah, a local, donated his kite collection to AMC (Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation). There are more than 100 varieties of kites on display, one of them almost 16 ft. long.
Tour time: less than an hour
Tickets and Timings: It is a free sight. Open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Mondays are closed.
Ahmedabad Heritage Walk
Ahmedabad is famous in India for being the first city to get the prestigious heritage city tag. This beautiful old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take the Ahmedabad Heritage Walk for sure if you are to visit Ahmedabad just for one day. There are 20 places in the Ahmedabad Heritage walk map that every guide will show you during the walking tour.
The walk starts at Swaminarayan temple, Kalupur, then through the lanes dotted with iconic attractions of Ahmedabad, its Ols, and Pols (residential and commercial clusters that belong to specific communities or people).
En route, you get to see the seated statue of the famous Guajarati poet Dalpatram. The house he lived in no longer exists. Kavi Dalpatram, through his works, promoted Gujarati as a language, for which he is revered very highly even today.
This heritage walk, also called Mandir se Masjid tak, meaning From Temple to Mosque, takes you through various places to visit in Ahmedabad, including the famous Jama Masjid, ending the trail at Siddi Sayyed Mosque.
Tour time: Anywhere between two to three hours.
Take a walk along Sabarmati Riverfront
The recently developed two-level, continuous promenade at the water’s edge along each bank of Sabarmati River, nearly 11.5 km in length, is located in the heart of the city. After the tour of Ahmedabad City, tourists find this place soothing and a great way to chill.
Pedestrians and cyclists can access the river bank from the lower-level promenade. The upper level promenade has various public features at the city level. A walk here is my favorite way to spend a Sunday in Ahmedabad.
What to Eat in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad has some amazing dishes that will tempt you to visit Ahmedabad repeatedly.
Try the famous Gujarati food items like Dhokla, Thepla, Dalvada, Dabeli, Khakhra, Fafda, Farsan, and more. The best part is these food items sell hot as street foods.
You’re sure to find food stalls selling these Gujarati snacks anywhere in Ahmedabad.
Where to eat in Ahmedabad
Besides street food, there are some good restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Guajarati food.
They are served in huge dishes with small bowls of accompaniments to rice, and flatbreads arranged neatly in a circular manner around the main dish. This is a typical Gujarati Thali, largely vegetarian, but it is a balanced diet, a healthy blend of nutrients and lip-smacking flavors. Here are some places to visit in Ahmedabad for food.
Gordhan Thal – Both décor and service are excellent. You get unlimited authentic Gujarati Thali. Crowded during meal times, it would be wise to reserve your seats if you plan to visit.
Gopi Dining Hall – You get a variety of thalis here, including another local cuisine, the Kathiawadi Thali. The rates are affordable, and the dishes are healthy and wholesome.
What to Buy in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is a shoppers’ paradise. Some famous things to buy in Ahmedabad are Bandhani (tie and die), Silk Patola sarees, Ajrakhs, salwar suits, traditional Gujarati wear, mirror work and embroidered Chaniya cholis, metal, wooden and marble handicrafts, and all kinds of jewelry.
Shopping in Ahmedabad
Here are the popular markets where the locals and tourists to the city crowd to shop not just for utility items but also for festive occasions and gifting purposes.
Lal Darwaza Market – For wholesale rates and cheap shopping in Ahmedabad, visit the lively and buzzing market near the iconic Lal Darwaza.
Sindhi Market – For traditional sarees and also new trendy dresses, visit this market located at Revdi Bazar, Kalupur.
Kapasi Handicrafts Emporium – For all handicraft items of Ahmedabad, visit this huge showroom. It has an impressive collection of quality products. You get paintings, statues, mini temples, brass, and marble-made showpieces. It is located near Jitendra Chambers, New R.B. I. Lane Income Tax, Ashram Road.
Want to explore more of the region? Here are weekend getaways from Ahmedabad!
FAQs for Things to Do in Ahmedabad
What is the best time to visit Ahmedabad?
The best time to visit Ahmedabad is between November and February. Winters aren’t extreme, but summers are extreme and unbearable.
How to travel within Ahmedabad city?
The city has plenty of public transport. You can hire cabs, Ola/Uber, on a distance basis or day basis. There are tuk-tuks, too, which can drop you off right at the destinations.
About the Author
Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, and Deccan Herald.
