Vadodara, which is well-known for its regal kingdoms, illustrious customs, and glorious past, is not only a great weekend escape but also a famous city that exudes architectural magnificence.
Join one of the popular sightseeing tours while Vadodara comes alive during the Navratri celebrations, and make sure to stop by these must-visit spots if you want to get a true sense of Gujarati culture.
Best places to visit in Vadodara
There are a few locations in Vadodara’s picturesque surroundings that you simply must visit. Here is a selection of the top ones that we think you’ll love. Continue reading to discover the top Vadodara attractions for a fascinating historical tour in Gujarat.
- Makarpura Palace
- Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
- Sayaji Gardens
- EME Temple
- Vadodara Museum And Picture Gallery
- Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
- Surya Narayan Temple
- Sursagar Lake
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Laxmi Vilas Palace
- Nyaya Mandir
- Kirti Mandir
- Narmada Canal
- S Cube Water Park
- Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Makarpura Palace
One of the best places to visit in Vadodara in the summer is Makarpura Palace.
The Gaekwads intended to use this palace as their vacation home when it was first built in 1870. It was refurbished years after it was erected, giving it an Italian flair. However, the Indian Air Force now manages it as a training facility.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
One of the top attractions in Vadodara is this amazing archaeological park, which is located in the centre of Champaner City and amidst the Pavagadh Hills.
This park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains magnificent architectural marvels in Islamic and Hindu styles. It is claimed that the hill of Pavagadh is a portion of the Himalayas that Hanuman initially transported to Lanka.
Sayaji Gardens
This 45-hectare garden bears the name of the legendary Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The park, which has 98 different types of trees, two museums, a zoo, a planetarium, a flower clock, and a toy train for kids, is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Vadodara.
EME Temple
The pride of Vadodara’s tourist attractions is the EME Temple, which has strikingly modern architecture.
The temple here is devoted to Lord Dakshinamurthy, a representation of Shiva who serves as the highest teacher.
This temple’s aluminium structure is surrounded by a garden that has a substantial collection of 106 old statues from the sixth to the sixteenth centuries.
Vadodara Museum And Picture Gallery
The Museum and Picture Gallery is a must-visit among Vadodara’s many attractions. The Gaekwads constructed the museum in 1894 AD, and it now has a sizable collection of items from archaeology, geology, natural history, and Maharaja Sayajirao III’s personal collections.
This is the place to go for anyone who appreciates architecture.
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
The Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known location for visitors searching for one-day picnic areas close to Vadodara.
Numerous natural species, including wild bears, antelopes, sloth bears, and boars, can be found in the reserve.
Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most exciting locations close to Vadodara since the forest department frequently arranges hiking, camping, and safari tours there.
Surya Narayan Temple
The well-known Surya Narayan Temple, which is devoted to the Sun God, is renowned for both its ability to heal its followers’ illnesses and for bestowing its divine grace upon them.
This temple, which is regarded as one of the top locations to visit in Vadodara, offers guests supper and lodging options because it draws enormous crowds all year long.
Sursagar Lake
The Sursagar Lake, located in the centre of Vadodara, is one of the most well-liked summertime tourist destinations nearby since it provides the ideal relief from the heat.
One might take pleasure in boating on beautiful nights and in leisurely evenings with their loved ones. This lake, which was created in the 18th century and is built on stone banks, is always filled with water.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
One of the top attractions in Vadodara is Aurobindo Ashram, which is situated at Dandia Bazar.
The Ashram has 23 rooms, a library, a study area, and a store, making it an excellent place for meditation and spiritual healing. Here you can also find Sri Aurobindo artefacts and all the rare publications published by or about him.
Laxmi Vilas Palace
The Gaekwads, Vadodara’s royal family, reside in Laxmi Vilas Palace, which spans a territory of over 700 acres.
This palace, one of India’s most impressive buildings, is a popular tourist destination in Vadodara.
The museum is home to an incredible collection of Raja Ravi Verma paintings along with other artefacts gathered from all around the world.
Nyaya Mandir
The District Court for the city of Vadodara in the state of Gujarat is housed in the Nyaya Mandir, also known as the Temple of Justice, which was built in 1896.
The Indo-Saracenic architecture of this structure was created by Madras architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm. One of the top tourist destinations in Vadodara, the structure features elements of the Gothic, Renaissance, and Mughal architectural traditions.
Kirti Mandir
The Kirti mandir, which lies in Vadodara adjacent to the Vishwamitri bridge, was built in honour of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III’s ancestors and to mark the diamond jubilee of his reign.
This well-known Gujarati location, which has balconies, domes, and terraces, is frequented by tourists who want to see the incredible architectural feat on exhibit. This is a well-known attraction in Vadodara.
Narmada Canal
This is one of the best sites for couples to visit in Vadodara to see the magnificent Gujarati sunrise!
This canal, which showcases the state’s technological accomplishments, provides several amenities like food kiosks, restrooms, storage, and lockers, among others.
You can absolutely go to this location to take a special selfie with your loved ones or simply take a relaxing stroll around the area!
If you’re looking for somewhere to go in Vadodara at night, there aren’t many options.
S Cube Water Park
This well-known water park in Gujarat offers a variety of entertaining rides on board so that you can arrange an exciting outing there with your family.
One of the best things to do in Vadodara is to visit this entertaining water park. Along with the 16 activities in the park, visitors may savour the mouthwatering treats at the Food Island nearby.
To combine business and play, this location also includes a conference room, workshops, and other amenities. This location is a favourite among tourists of all ages for weekend vacations in Vadodara.
Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Shastri Maharaj founded the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha organisation in 1907. The temple has a strong following among Hindu believers and exudes a spiritual and religious atmosphere.
The Mandir, one of the top tourist attractions in Vadodara, attracts devotees from all across the nation and is well renowned for its festivals and evening prayers.
