Rajkot is not your textbook tourist destination. It has marvels lurking in every nook and corner of the city waiting to be explored by curious travellers.

• Kaba Gandhi No Delo: This place is of historical importance since Mahatma Gandhi resided here during the early years. Christened after the name of Mahatma Gandhi's father Karamchand Gandhi, this site has been transformed into a museum to preserve the traces of the great leader. 
• Swaminarayan Temple: The BAPS organisation operates one of the most sacred shrines in Rajkot, Swaminarayan Temple. It is a site of spiritual value, humanitarian service and religious significance. 
• Rotary Midtown Doll's Museum: This museum is fascinating and adorned with traditional dolls collected worldwide. The dolls represent human civilisation - their cultures, races and values. They are exhibited in thematic patterns and give the feel of a miniature world tour. 
• Watson Museum and Library: Constructed in Jubilee Gardens, this museum is also used as a library and presents an impressive collection of archaeological coins and artefacts. The life-size statue of Queen Victoria seated on the throne enthrals tourists. 
• Ishwariya Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is nestled amidst the hilly terrain beside a small pond. Tourists with a spiritual bend of mind can pay a visit to this peaceful place.
• Aji Dam: Aji Dam and its adjacent garden is the best tourist site in Rajkot. Well-maintained by the Municipal Corporation, the dam restores the ecological balance of the industrial city.

Best tourist spots in Rajkot

Kaba Gandhi No Delo is probably the most visited place in Rajkot. This place is of historical importance since Mahatma Gandhi resided here during the early years of his life. Christened after the name of Mahatma Gandhi's father Karamchand Gandhi, this site has been transformed into a museum to preserve the traces of the great leader. 

Keeping aside the platter of sightseeing options, Rajkot is also regarded for its culinary delights. For a tryst with Gujarat's authentic flavours, one must head to the city and savour the local delicacies like khichdi kadhi and bhakri-shak.

• Flavours: It is an extremely affordable restaurant that you can visit if you crave some lip-smacking Punjabi dishes. The hygienic ambience and attentive staff will elevate the taste of the delicious meals. 
• Ambrosia: The high-end restaurant has reconceptualised age-old Gujarati food and beverages, and has given them a contemporary twist. The buffet spread and the Italian specialities are especially noteworthy. 
• Senso: This rustic café remains open round the clock to serve customers. The refreshing array of beverages accompanied by delicious bakes make this place a must-visit for vacationers.
• Hotel Nyari Palace: It isanother in-house restaurant that offers both indoor and landscaped garden seating options. The delicate interiors contribute to the unforgettable culinary experience. 
• Adingo: It is undoubtedly the most pocket-friendly eatery to calm your hunger pangs. The Gujarati Thalis and Kathiyavadi dishes will leave your taste buds tingling. 

Once in Rajkot, there will be no shortage of shopping options. The city has opened its arms to a substantial assortment of gleaming shopping malls and local markets. The street shacks explode with a riot of colours from bangles, bandhani, beadwork and embroidered fabrics.

High-end/luxury shopping/shopping malls in Rajkot

• The Crystal Mall: Placed towards the western side of Rajkot city, the five-level building has approximately 52 stores arranged on C-shaped floors. From luxury brands, multiplex to a colourful food court, Crystal Mall offers it all. 

• Grand Central Mall: Established on Nana Mauva Road, the mall provides around 160000 sq. ft. of retail space. 

Street Shopping in Rajkot

• Bangdi Bazaar: One of the country's best bangle markets, the narrow lanes of Bangdi Bazaar also showcase dupattas with embroidery and beadworks. The Soni community people who excel as gold and silversmiths have also established their stores there. 
• Gujari Bazaar: From delicate handloom to dainty artefacts, one can shop to the heart's content at Gujari Bazaar. Mostly famous for tie-and-dye Bandhani sarees, the street market provides ample opportunity to bargain for best deals. 

Most Rajkot hotels are conveniently located and installed with the latest technological equipment, thereby attracting business travellers. There are also plenty of budget hotels positioned across the city. Listed below are some of the famous accommodations that one can check out while in Rajkot.

• Regenta Central: Considered to be one of the city's finest luxury hotels, Regenta Central is designed to attend business executives and laid back vacationers alike. Its suitable placement neat Everest Park at Kalawad Road makes the site easily accessible from any prime location. It accommodates 60 tastefully furnished rooms, including Pent Houses. The hotel also has dedicated boarding facilities for physically challenged and smoking clientele.

• Marasa Sarovar Portico: The holistic design of the hotel housing 69 opulent rooms and suites ensures that visitors can relax in the utmost comfort. Situated at Rajkot Airport's proximity, Marasa Sarovar Portico hosts hundreds of business conferences, educational seminars and workshops all year round. The excellent conferencing and banqueting facilities make it a foremost choice for any event.

• The Imperial Palace: The grandeur and elegance of the hotel gives travellers the ultimate value-for-money experience. The stylish rooms well-appointed with every single amenity and professional staff cater to the needs of each guest.

• Bizz The Hotel: This pioneer hotel reflects Rajkot's rich heritage in a harmonious blend with contemporary sophistication. Offering round the clock butler service on executive suites fitted with exquisite interiors, Bizz is the ideal place for a luxurious stay. Perched in the city centre, it is easily reachable from business districts and corporate offices. The vast banquet spaces serve as ideal venues for large events.

• The Fern Residency: This hotel is a flawless combination of upscale and homeliness. Housing the enormous atrium in the city, the premises flaunt in-house restaurants, spa facilities and technologically advanced conference services. The picturesque Garden Café is ideal for unwinding over a cup of tea under the warm sun. The iconic Fern Residency is also strategically located between Rajkot Airport and railway station.

• Seasons Hotels: The sensational hotel is unrivalled in meticulous appointments and impeccable service. The ultramodern architecture resonates in the stylish suites and awe-inspiring rooms. It is a popular site to hold weddings and other family parties.

• Hotel Chouki Dhani: Nestled away from the bustling city life, this resort carries Gujarat's traditional essence within its heart. Constructed as a landscaped village, it is furnished with every modern amenity so that guests can indulge in a hassle-free vacation.

Nightlife/party places in Rajkot

Rajkot is not a place with nightclubs or places for partygoers. However, the city's nightlife is lively with the most sites operating till late hours of the night. Ring Road is a popular place where one can find various food stalls open till the night. Visitors from outside Gujarat can enjoy drinks at hotels and restaurants. 

• Sky Lounge: Sky Lounge is a lovely open-air place in Rajkot at Marasa Sarovar Portico. Visitors from outside Gujarat can enjoy drinks there, in a very ambient atmosphere. 

Rajkot is amongst the lesser-explored vacation destinations of India. A town steeped in history, it is synonymous with museums, memorabilia and the great Mahatma. Among the spectrum of endless activities that can cram your itinerary, here are a few more reasons for you to visit this city.

• A trendy handloom saree, Patola requires intricate design and weaving techniques. One can attend the exciting workshops at Mayur Patola Art and Sarvodaya Society to understand better how Patola sarees are woven from scratch.
• Rajkot is commercially viable with flourishing industries like diesel engines and gold jewellery.
• It can serve as a base town for visiting the Jalaram Bapa Temple at Virpur.
• It is the home of the magnificent Khirasara Palace.
• It is an exporting centre for textile and silver.
• Its slow-paced and low-key lifestyle is a welcome change from the other buzzing metropolitans.

The flourishing city is a melting pot of cultures, religions and diversity. Hindus, Zoroastrians, Parsis and Muslims reside in absolute harmony influencing each other. Festivals of each community are celebrated with excessive exuberance and merriment.

The International Kite Festival

This festival is popularly known as Uttarayan in India and occurs in the middle of January. Tourists hailing from all corners of the globe visit Rajkot to observe this colourful and rather competitive fiesta.

Navaratri Festival

It is the most prominently celebrated festival of Gujarat. Its religious implication is associated with the victory of 'Shakti' over evil power. The citizens get decked up in embellished outfits and perform Garba to perform a sequence dance. It lasts for nine days and invokes untainted glee in the atmosphere.

Modhera Dance Festival

This festival is also celebrated in January at Modhera Sun Temple. The indigenous dance performed by localities eludes rich Gujarati tradition.

Janmashtami Festival

The entire state awaits this festival with bated breath. A five-day boisterous mela or fair is set up to honour the birth of Lord Krishna.