Posted 10 March 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

15 reasons why Ahmedabad should be on your travel bucket list

Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujarat and has a long history since its founding in 1411. With a population of over eight million, the city ranks in the top five most populous cities of India. The area has had a rich history but in the modern era, the freedom movement in India also has roots in Ahmedabad with Mahatma Gandhi residing in the city for a few years.

Ahmedabad has always been an important centre in the state, but it has fast become a major centre for the textile industry in India. Although business keeps pulling in long-term migrants from around the state and country, the city also sees many visitors due to its incredible historical and cultural spots. The city is split by the River Sabarmati; there are nine bridges that connect both sides of the city.

Ahmedabad is popular for its historical sites, the local Gujarati cuisines and street food as well as a variety of natural wonders both in and near the city. As a tourist destination, the city offers a lot of excitement to keep visitors entertained and interested. With several museums, shopping options, and the picturesque Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad has a spectrum of places to see. Let’s take a closer look:

Ahmedabad’s history

The area near present-day Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, but the city itself was founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah. He was the son of Muzaffar Shah I, who defected from the Delhi Sultanate in the early 1400s to form his own dynasty. Since then, the city experienced a boom as a hub for textiles, and later rulers fortified the city with walls and bastions.

Through the next centuries, the city experienced growth and several takeovers, from the Mughals in the 17th century, followed by the Maratha Empire and British, before India gained independence. From the Dandi March that began in the city, the ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived and later became focal points for nationalist movements, to being an important location for the freedom movement, Ahmedabad has played an important role in the freedom of India.

When India was granted independence and partitioned, many people were relocated to Ahmedabad from Pakistan. Since the new capital of Gujarat moved to the nearby planned city of Gandhinagar, the city went through a decline. However, Ahmedabad is rebounding as both a centre for business and an excellent tourist spot.

Top historical sites in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has many places with historical importance as well as architectural wonders that reflect the rich history of the city. Here are some places you should not miss on your next trip here:

Adalaj Step Well: Built half a century after the city’s foundation was laid, this public bath exemplifies Indo-Islamic architecture. Featuring three main entrances, it goes down five storeys. The entire place is covered in elaborate flower patterns reflecting Hindu and Jain symbols.
Ahmed Shah Mosque: Built by the founder of the city, this is one of the oldest mosques in the city, and has intricate black and white marbled interiors. The circular ceiling is beautifully carved with stone pillars all around.
Sarkhej Roza: This was built around the time the city was founded and is a mosque-tomb complex. The site is interesting due to the absence of arches, something that is typical for these structures.
Teen Darwaza: A popular landmark till today, these great arched gateways were the entrance to the historical Bhadra Fort. They are known for their immense size and the decorative buttresses between the three arches.

Lakes in Ahmedabad

Although Udaipur is known as the city of lakes, Ahmedabad has its fair share of lakes in and around the city.

Kankaria Lake: This artificial circular lake was built in the mid-1400s and has had several modern improvements, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. On the lake, there are high-speed rides and even hot air ballooning. There is a week-long festival held at the end of December that has cultural, artistic, and social events. There is a zoo, children's park, toy train, several amusement rides, and a small island in the middle of the lake, making this a must-visit place in Ahmedabad.
Vastrapur Lake: Located more centrally, and smaller than Kankaria Lake, Vastrapur is a pleasant lush area with a walkway and greenery surrounding the small water body. Although the lake itself is quite small, there are pleasant boat rides available and plenty of shopping options around it.
Chandola Lake: Chandola Lake is one of the largest water bodies within city limits, it is also an artificial construction built in Mughal times. This lake is a top spot for bird watching in Ahmedabad with species like painted storks, cormorants, and spoonbills frequenting it.
Thol Lake: Thol Lake and Sanctuary is 30 km north of Ahmedabad and attracts both migratory birds and avid bird watchers. Over 150 bird species call this place home; the rich ecological paradise is a natural gem near the city.

Must-see places in Ahmedabad

Apart from the previously mentioned spots, there are a few things you cannot afford to skip when you’re in Ahmedabad.

Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram: Mahatma Gandhi ashram in the city, this is where many of the freedom movement activities and philosophies originated. Here, Gandhi wrote many documents and letters. Today, there is a prayer area, guesthouse and cottage industry training centre as well as a display of Mahatma Gandhi’s artefacts. The ashram is located on the banks of River Sabarmati.
Auto World Vintage Car Museum: What started as a private collection of vintage cars has turned into a car lover's dream museum. Featuring a seamless chronological display of cars throughout history, this museum is a wonder to behold.
Gujarat Science City: With easy, lively demonstrations, activities, and eye-catching explanations from science, this is a great spot for children to be intrigued all day long. With an electrodome, a hall dedicated to space, a 3D theatre, and the Auda Garden, this is a perfect place to spend the day with family.

Foods to try in Ahmedabad

There are many sweet and savoury experiences awaiting the foodie, from authentic Gujarati dishes to food trucks and Mughlai cuisine, Ahmedabad has it all.

Gujarati Thali: The Gujarati thali is available at many restaurants having farsans, vegetables, pulses, dahi or raita (curd with additions to it), and various flatbread. There is a lot of food in each thali, be sure you’re ready to tackle it before trying it out. Chutney, salads, sweets, and more complete the plate, giving you a quick yet nearly complete experience of Gujarati food.
Dhokla: Made from besan (gram flour), this fluffy, airy dish is unique to Gujarati cuisine. Dhokla comes in a variety of styles and types, like the Sada Khaman, Tam Tam Chakri, etc.
Thepla: Thepla is a type of flatbread with a blend of flours (whole wheat, gram) and several additions to it like fenugreek and other spices. It is perfect for snacking and may also be used similar to other Indian flatbreads (roti, chapati), during meals.
Mughlai food: While a lot of Ahmedabadi cuisine is vegetarian, there is still the influence of the Mughals to be found in certain corners of the city. From kebabs to Chicken Barrah, there are many Mughlai restaurants around the city with the classic warm, spicy, and rich taste that leaves you wanting more.

Travel Tips

Use auto-rickshaws to get around the city. Most of the drivers speak Hindi and Gujarati and the fares are affordable.
Try out several street marketplaces like Manek Chowk and Law Garden; here you’ll find everything from food stalls to handcrafted goods.
Take a trip to New Cloth Market; there you’ll see the reason why Ahmedabad is popular for its textile industry. You can go to buy readymade garments or even find good deals on wholesale clothes.
Be sure to set aside a day to visit Gandhinagar, the state capital, which is located just north of Ahmedabad.
Most monuments have an entry fee, so keep cash ready.

How to reach Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is a major city and one of the most populated in the country. It is well connected to all other major cities by air, with Ahmedabad Airport just 15 km from the central city area. IndiGo flies to the city from most major cities. The city is well-connected by road to many cities like Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Mumbai, Shirdi, and Pune. The nearest railway station is Ahmedabad Railway Station (Kalupur Station) and trains from most major cities arrive here. Within the city, buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws are available.

Climate in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures occasionally climbing over 40°C between March and June. Halfway through June the monsoons arrive, this brings some respite from the heat and lasts till the middle of September. The winter months last between November and February, with pleasant and cool weather. Occasional torrential rains sometimes lead to flooding of the rivers.

Best time to visit Ahmedabad

Because the weather is quite pleasant in the winter, and there aren’t any rains to interrupt outdoor sightseeing, the best time to visit the city is between November and February. With less heat, you will be able to see everything that the city can offer.

Conclusion

Ahmedabad is a city steeped in rich culture, history, and blended with modernity and rapid development. From epic Navratri celebrations (a nine-day festival) to quiet, peaceful nature getaways nearby, the city is unique in its identity. Although many people come to the city for business and employment, many stay for the wealth of food, natural wonder, and cultural heritage.