Ahmedabad, The largest city in Gujarat, Ahmedabad is probably the first place you visit in the state, for a look at some of the best tourist places in Gujarat. It is a city steeped in culture and with a rich heritage, making it a must visit for people from all over the world. Notable attractions include the Akshardham Temple Complex, Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake. The International Kite Festival is a must see, if you arrive during this amazing one day fest. The sky swells up with kites, from gigantic to minuscule, from simple to the most complex and bizarre ones, and from the bland ones to the rainbow colored ones. Also, Ahmedabad is probably the best place to enjoy a delicious Gujarati meal, full of all the Khakhra, Dhokla, fried chillies, and Fafda that you can find. Make is a short trip if you don’t have much time, and take a look at the best places to visit in 4 days in Gujarat.

Gir National Park, Junagadh: One of the largest domains of the ferocious Asiatic animals, Gir National Park is a sparkling diamond in the jewels of Gujarat. Along with lions, this dry deciduous forest is home to more than 300 avian species like great horned own, crested serpent eagle and other members of the cat family like leopards. Going by the records of the forest department, there are 29 species of reptiles, 33 species of mammals, 93 species of invertebrates, 96 trees, and 448 flowering plants. Also, the national park is notable for its silk cotton trees; whose bright orange flowers add dashes of color to this dusty brown landscape. Best time to go for jeep safari at Gir National Park is between March and May.

Somnath Temple: The next one on the list of famous places in Gujarat is a famous temple. One of the most sacred of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Temple is not just a religious site. Lying as it is on the shores of the rough Arabian Sea, the temple is also a thing of wonder. It has been destroyed and rebuilt countless times, once by Lord Soma in gold, once by Ravana in silver, once by Krishna in wood and once by King Bhimdev in stone. It is the stone edifice that stands tall now, and attracts millions of devotees to come over and seek the Lord’s blessings.

Rann Of Kutch: Rann of Kutch is probably the most beautiful thing you will ever lay eyes on. Nestled comfortably between the endless Thar Desert and the mighty Arabian Sea, Rann of Kutch is a mesmerizing wonder of sand and salt. On full moon nights, the desert shines bright as a diamond, and brings a surreal sense of calm with it. Cultural programs are held on full moon nights, tents are pitched and the wondrous land is yours for the night. Truly one of the most mesmerizingly beautiful places to see in Gujarat. During winters, Rann of Kutch is home to the flamingoes, here all the way from Siberia! The white desert turns a delicate shade of pink, and brings with it the chance to enjoy proximity to these elusive birds and many others. But Rann Mahotsav is the best time to visit Gujarat, with Rann of Kutch coming alive with music, cultural shows, dances, food, camel safari and artisans flaunting their ware. During the monsoon season, it is entirely submerged in water and visitors might return home dejected.

Saputara: The only “hill-station” in Gujarat, Sapatura comes as a breath of fresh air in the otherwise hot and humid clime of the state. Sprawled beautifully on a densely forested plateau, Saputara is a hot new tourist destination, with a gigantic lake surrounded by resorts. It doesn’t get very cold there, but monsoons can be the best time to visit when the mist rises out of the lake and covers the nearby area. Attractions in Saputara include a boat club, an artisan village, a tribal museum, cable car and a couple of others. One of the perfect places to visit in Gujarat if you are looking to relax for a little while on an otherwise hectic trip.

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Dwarka: Dwarka is one of the famed and highly revered “Char Dham” Hindu pilgrimages. It is considered to be the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna, and also the very first capital of the state of Gujarat. Perched on the mouth of River Gomti on the Arabian Sea, Dwarka is a holy pilgrimage for Hindus from all over the world. The beach running alongside the temple is a serene one, with the shallow waters being a great place to catch a glimpse of sea turtles, sea urchins, octopuses, and starfish. Try to schedule a visit during the Krishna Janamashtami festival, which witness the temple decked with garlands of flowers and fairy lights.

Junagadh: A great place for all history buffs, Junagadh has plenty of monuments waiting to be explored. Located in close proximity to the renowned Gir National Park, this city is amongst the perfect places to visit in Gujarat for 3 days! For a further encounter with the wild, stop by at Wildlife museum and the famous Sakkarbaug Zoo. Don’t forget to visit the Uperkot fort for adding something extra to your trip!

Diu:

How about visiting a small island while you’re in Gujarat? Diu is just the place to be if you wish to traverse through powdery-white sand and charming waves splashing across the shore. One of the advantages of visiting this island is the legal alcohol but don’t forget to check out the amazing architectural work of Portuguese essence in the Diu fort or the exquisite seashells at the Sea Shells Museum.

Mandvi Beach :

Located close to the Arabian Sea, Mandvi Beach offers nothing less than absolute bliss and serenity. But, having some exciting water sports on board, along with camping adventures, this beach is perfect for any type of outing- be it with your family or friends. Watching the sunset from this beach while you walk barefoot on the golden sand, is surely not to be missed!

Porbandar:

Developed as a major trading hub in the recent times, Porbandar is amongst the most beautiful beach towns in Gujarat that is famous as the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. Scenic temples and dams add more to the beauty of the place and what’s more is that there are also many wildlife spots available here to ad to your fun-packed holiday in Gujarat.

Gandhinagar

With a rich cultural heritage to support its serene atmosphere, this city in Gujarat is a must for all kinds of tourists. The fact that this place is amongst the rare planned cities in the country to have the grand Akshardham temple abode, makes it even better for exploration. The Children Park and stepwell are some of the other attractions in this city that you ought to visit!

Girnar:

It has a mix of both – the fine golden-brown sand of Gujarat’s beautiful desert as well as the lush green environs of the Gir Forest. Girnar is more of a set of mountains located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat that offer endless thrill and excitement to adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts. It also has many religious sites that attract pilgrims from time to time. The Neminath Temple and the Meravasi Temple are two of the most important and sacred shrines in this town. It’s a great spot for a weekend getaway where you can enjoy enjoy Gujarat sightseeing from atop scenic hills.

Pirotan Island:

This is essentially a small island located inside the Marine National Park area and spans over an area of just 3 sq. km. This small yet charming islet offers a tranquil and undisturbed rendezvous with nature in its lush environs to everyone who sets foot here and is beguiled by its beauty. It has some fine and rare beaches where you can find corals on the shores itself during low tides. In fact, it is studded all over with coral reefs, mangrove vegetation, plenty of birds, as well as gorgeous low tide beaches that make it on one of the finest places to visit in Gujarat for 2 days. You’ll be thrilled by the variety and abundance of biodiversity of both flora and fauna present here, as well as its vast marine life.

Shatrunjaya Hill Temples, Palitana:

Palitana, a principal pilgrim center for Jains, has accumulated nearly 900 temples and more are being constructed. Climb in excess of 3,000 steps to the top of the hill and you'll find an astonishing Jain temple complex with sensational views. Do note that the hill is considered to be sacred. You cannot wear or carry any leather items and must dress conservatively. Where: Southern Gujarat, 55 kilometers south of Bhavnagar and around 200 kilometers south of Ahmedabad, near the Gulf of Khambhat.

Vadla:

Home to various migratory birds that set flight to reach this place during the winter season, this place is the perfect spot for bird-watching with Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary on board. You can drive up to this bird-paradise from Ahmedabad and it is only at a distance of 80 Kms approx. Witnessing the beautiful birds in their natural habitat is a view worth visiting this place for!

Sun Temple, Modhera:

The peaceful village of Modhera is home to one of the most significant sun temples in India. Built in the 11th century by Solanki dynasty rulers, it's dedicated to Surya the Sun God. The temple is a substantial structure, consisting of a carved stepped tank, assembly hall, and main shrine. It's covered in intricate stone sculptures. The sanctum is positioned in a way that it receives the first rays of the morning sun at the equinox. Where: Northern Gujarat, 2 kilometers west of town towards the Pushpavati River, 25 kilometers from Mehsana and 100 kilometers from Ahmedabad.