A Local’s Guide to Places to visit in Vadodara

Oh the endless and amazing places to visit in Vadodara! Vadodara is the cultural capital of Gujarat, because of its rich architecture, cultural roots and delicious food. This big little city is my hometown and I am super excited to take you on Vadodara places to visit. 

Although there are amazing things to do in Ahmedabad where I currently live, my hometown Vadodara is no less of a treasure trove. 

Vadodara is called the ‘Sanskarinagari’ or the cultural capital of Gujarat thanks to its cosmopolitan nature, equal fervour to celebrate all festivals and flavourful street food.

It is very close to the Statue of Unity and has architectural marvels such as stepwells, palaces and places close to nature.

So let’s dive into the list of visiting places in Vadodara, with this perfect Vadodara travel guide.

History of Vadodara

The city got its name due to the copious amounts of Banyan trees called ‘Vad’ in the local language which was present in the yesteryears. The city settled itself on the banks of the river Vishwamitri which is houses the most crocodiles in Vadodara.

The city was ruled by Gupta, Rashtrakuta, and Solanki dynasties and was held by the Sultans of Delhi and Gujarat, and then the Mughals, before finally being claimed by the Marathas of the Gaekwad dynasty in the 1720s.

The Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III (1875-1939), firmly established his dynasty and transformed Vadodara into an educational, industrial, and commercial hub with thriving art and architecture.

Thanks to this, Vadodara is a cosmopolitan city and houses people of different faiths and religions from different states of India.

Places to visit in Vadodara (Baroda)

Here is what makes Vadodara stand out amongst the other cities of Gujarat.

Lakshmi Vilas Palace Vadodara

The residence of the erstwhile ruler of Baroda – Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Lakshmi Vilas Palace speaks grandeur, affluence and is the perfect showcase of luxury. This is one of the famous places in Vadodara that is must visit.

Built-in Indo-Gothic style of architecture, the palace is spread over 700 acres and is known to be four times larger than London’s Buckingham Palace. The palace has over 170 rooms and still serves as the residence of the Gaekwad family.

The palace is a sight to behold with its multicoloured marble, mosaic tiles, water fountains, chandeliers and paintings. There are artworks that are embedded with semi-precious stones and gold and walls with stained glass which is a classic example of opulence from that era. All of this overlooking a huge golf course. The Durbar Hall is the most exquisite place in the entire palace which often hosts music concerts and cultural events. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside the palace.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum in the same premises is the museum showcasing Gaekwad family’s art and artefacts collection. 

Entry fees: INR 200 which includes an audio guide in many Indian and International languages

Lakshmi Vilas Palace Vadodara  timings: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (closed every Monday)

Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery

The biggest attraction for me while visiting the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery was the skeleton of a Blue Whale across a huge hall. As a kid, I used to get amused, excited and just in awe of the size of the museum. I would simply zoom past the collection of art, sculpture, ethnography and ethnology in the museum just to see this skeleton. And it was totally worth it!

Apart from the blue whale skeleton, the museum is also popular for an Egyptian mummy.

The building itself is a heritage building which is inspired by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. There are also exhibits on natural history and earth sciences.

The picture gallery contains a wide range of collections of textiles, paintings and miniatures. The museum library houses about 23,000 books on various subjects, most of which are rare. No wonder it is one of the best places to visit in Baroda.

Entry fees: INR 10 

Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery timings: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm

Kirti Mandir

Every local knows Kirti Mandir as the place where the annual Rangoli exhibition takes place around Diwali. Kirti Mandir is an extremely popular landmark as well as an exhibition space with lovely gardens. 

Kirti Mandir as the name suggests is actually a temple. The area houses a cluster of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and also houses the cenotaphs of the royal family.

The temple’s interiors are made of marble and decorated with intricately carved murals. One of the important murals within the premises are the five wall paintings showing various phases of the battle of Mahabharata, and some episodes from Indian mythology. 

Entry fees: Free

Kirti Mandir timings: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Khanderao Market

I remember early morning trips to the old city for buying vegetables in bulk.

Khanderao Market is the most vibrant vegetable market which comes to life at the crack of dawn. Vegetables, fruits, fresh flowers, puja materials and just about everything is available here in small shops. 

The entrance building itself is architecturally striking as it was gifted by the king to the people of the city on the silver jubilee of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

It consists of two domed shaped structures that resemble a Hindu temple with a clock tower in its centre. Part of the building also houses the office of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation. 

Entry fees: Free

Khanderao market timings: 05:00 am – 08:00 pm

Aurobindo Ashram Vadodara

While writing about Vadodara places to visit, I had to mention Aurobindo Ashram.

Vadodara houses the Aurobindo Ashram which is a community centre founded by the Indian freedom fighter, philosopher and yoga guru Aurobindo Ghose. The centre is perfect for meditation and yoga just like its counterpart in Pondicherry. This ashram served as the residence of Aurobindo Ghose during his stay in Baroda (1894 – 1906). Aurobindo Ashram Vadodara has a library, study room and sales emporium. 

Entry fees: Free

Opening hours: 6am – 8pm

Sursagar Lake

Spending some time at Sursagar Lake is one of the best visiting places in Vadodara.

Sursagar has been one of the important landmarks of Vadodara since the beginning of time. It has been the centre of Ganesh Visarjan every year and it was at that time of the year when devotees came out in large numbers to pay their respects and bid adieu to the Elephant headed god in different sizes, shapes and colours and asking him to come early next year.

Sursagar has probably witnessed how the labyrinthine pols (lanes) gave way to roads, ancient bazaars paved the way to shopping malls and old-styled bungalows made space for apartments, over the years in Vadodara.

Formerly known as Chandan Talav, Sursagar was a small pond in the princely state of Baroda. The lake was rebuilt in the 18th century with stone banks and masonry which is when it was renamed Sursagar.

Sursagar is still one of the iconic structures which define Vadodara especially because of the installation of the 120-foot tall statue of Lord Shiva in the middle of this lake. Ganesh Visarjan is no longer permitted but there is a walkway around the lake and boating facility where one can spend time. The lake is lit on weekend evenings and the idol is lit on special festivals. 

If boating and walking make you hungry there are ample street food stalls around the lake periphery to indulge in some guilt-free snacking!

Entry fees: Free

Timings: Always Open

Sayaji Baug / Kamati Baug Vadodara

Being a Banyan city, not only are there a lot of trees but maintained gardens across the city. Sayaji Baug, locally known as Kamati Baug, is one of the top sights in Vadodara and one of the most popular places to visit in Vadodara. 

Spread over 100 acres, Kamati Baug is one of the biggest gardens in Western India. The garden houses, Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, Amphitheatre, an aquarium, zoo, health museum, planetarium, a toy train and a flowerbed clock.

There are supposedly 96 species of trees in the perfectly manicured garden. The garden also has a kid’s area with swings and other toys. 

Entry fees: Free (for the garden), 

INR 40 for adults and INR 20 for kids (for toy train)

INR 10 for adults and INR 5 for kids (for zoo)

Vadodara Planetarium

The Sardar Patel Planetarium is one of the unmissable places in Vadodara to visit. 

Nestled in Vadodara’s Sayaji Baug, the planetarium has a 200-seat capacity, which displays awe-striking videos of space. It has state-of-the-art sound systems and a curved projection screen that hosts shows in English, Gujarati & Hindi focusing on astronomical history. 

Entry fees: INR 10

Timings: 4.00 pm in Gujarati, 5.00 pm in English and 6.00 pm in Hindi

EME temple

While there are many beautiful temples in Vadodara city, this particular temple has been a favourite among the locals.

Also known as Dakshinamurti temple, EME stands for Electrical and Mechanical Corps and is situated in the Army Cantonment campus. It is not a typical temple structure which is why it is so popular. 

The temple is unique because of its geodesic design and is made from aluminium sheets.

The temple incorporates holy symbols from five major religions practised in India in its structure thus signifying secularism in the army. The Kalash on the top symbolises Hinduism, the Dome signifies Islam, the Tower represents Christianity, the Golden-structure above the tower expresses Buddhism and the Entrance stands for Jainism. 

The area around the temple has lovely manicured gardens and pathways with ancient statues. 

Entry fees: Free

Timings: 06:30 am – 8:30 pm

Sevasi Vav

Located on the outskirts of the city, towards Sindhrot lies an offbeat gem – Sevasi Vav. Other than the Navlakhi Vav in Lakshmi Vilas Palace, I did not know that step wells existed in Vadodara!

It was a rare and amazing find on one of my recent trip to Vadodara and I instantly knew this had to be added to the list of places to visit in Vadodara.

Not in the best of condition, Sevasi vav is a seven-storey stepwell with a residing deity which is why it is clean. Constructed in a combination of brick masonry it has been standing strong for 500 years. Visitors can get a glimpse of carvings on the walls and pillars such as motifs, floral prints, bells, and animals.

Read in detail here: Sevasi Vav, Vadodara

Entry fees: Free

Timings: Always open

Places to visit in Vadodara old city

While walls of the city have disappeared, the gates which defined its boundary still remain intact and house bustling bazaars.

Mandvi gate, Gendi gate, Laheripura gate, and Pani gate reflect a blend of Islamic and Maratha architecture.

Raopura clock tower

Also known as the Maharani Chimnabai tower, the Indo-Saracenic structure was built in 1896 in memory of Maharani Chimnabai, the first wife of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The clock was brought by the Maharaja from London and installed in a five-storey building with a clock facing all four directions on the 4th floor. The clock still works and chimes every hour. Raopura tower is lit up in the evenings.

Note: Entry inside the tower is not allowed.

Entry fees: Free

Timings: Always Open

Kirti Stambh

Kirti Stambh, translated as the Pillar of Triumph is a well-known landmark of Vadodara. It was built in the year 1935 to mark the 60 years of rule of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. It is now situated on a traffic island located on an arterial road linking Lakshmi Vilas Palace gate to the city. The tower has a monolithic stone column having a seated lion facing towards the palace gate.

Entry fees: Free

Timings: Always Open

Tambekar Wada

Tambekar Wada is a typical Maratha style 3-storeyed building which was the former residence of Diwan of Baroda State – Vithal Khanderao Tambekar. The interior of the house is full of vibrant paintings, frescos and murals which decorate the walls, doors, and ceiling.

Read in detail about Frescos of Tambekar Wada

Entry fees: Free

Timings: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm

Festivals in Vadodara

Talking about things to do in Vadodara and not mentioning festivals is impossible!

Due to the cosmopolitan nature of the city, there are people residing from all states of India and all festivals are celebrated in equal fervour. Be it Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Chhath Puja, Durga Puja, Onam or Uttarayan. However, Vadodara is extremely popular for Navratri. Navratri in Vadodara is different from all the other cities where it is celebrated in its traditional form. United Way of Baroda and Maa Arkee organizes Navratri wherein over 100,000 participants dance to the same steps on the traditional song beats in traditional attires.

Shopping in Vadodara

Like every city in Gujarat, Vadodara is no less when it comes to shopping varieties. Shopping in Vadodara is amazing as it comfortably settled between the polyester manufacturing town of Surat and Cotton manufacturing town of Ahmedabad. Locals enjoy shopping in the following two bazaars which sell everything from a safety pin to furniture. 

Nava Bazaar

Nava Bazar is the one-stop-shop for all your Navratri needs! The shops come to life as soon as Ganesh Visarjan is over with a variety of festival merchandise. Chaniya Choli, Oxidized jewellery with fancy footwear is something not to be missed for shopping. While this bazaar is popular during Navratri, it is open all around the year and sells other Indian outfits.

Mangal Bazaar

The different alleys of Mangal Bazaar lead you to different kinds of markets. There are bylanes selling utensils, bags, outfits, toys, decorative lights and just about everything one can imagine. This is a one-stop for your household and utility needs. 

Baroda Prints

Baroda prints is a famous store in Vadodara which started almost 60 years ago and is now a brand in itself. The store sells fabrics and readymade garments with traditional block prints and it is one of the most preferred shopping destinations in Baroda.

Places to visit near Vadodara

While there are many places to visit in Vadodara city, there are many places around the city which are perfect 1-day picnic spots near Vadodara. Some of them are

Sindhrot

Sindhrot was a weekend getaway for most citizens. It offered a great drive amidst the forest to reach a bridge – Sindhrot bridge, build over the Mahi River. Having corn overlooking the sunset was a favourite time pass.

Sindhrot since then has a plethora of activities such – Kayaking, go-karting, nature trail, birdwatching, etc. There are a few hotels and cafes on the banks of Mahi that offer gorgeous views with food.

Pavagadh

Come rains and Vadodara residents run to Pavagadh to catch a glimpse of greenery and waterfalls. In other seasons too, Pavagadh offers a quick getaway for trekkers, nature enthusiasts and religious devotees. Pavagadh, a small hillock in the Panchmahal district is also the first place in Gujarat to install a ropeway. The second ropeway came up in Girnar –Asia’s longest ropeway.

Champaner

A stone’s throw away from Pavagadh is the UNESCO Heritage site of Champaner. This Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a 16th-century Hindu city with fortresses, temples, mosques & palaces. the sculptures engraved on the stones of the walls tell a tale of the bygone era.

Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary

Located 70 km away from Vadodara lies the famed Jambughoda wildlife sanctuary. It is an oasis of forest with wildlife and birds. A perfect weekend treat with nature.

Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue and it is the statue of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Built as a memorial to the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai in the country’s freedom struggle and the stellar role he played in unifying the country into a nation. Read More here: One day trip from Ahmedabad to Statue of Unity

Kabirvad

Kabirvad is located on the banks of river Narmada which meets the Arabian Sea, near Bharuch. It is one of the favourite picnic spots for the families of Vadodara.

Must try food in Vadodara

Vadodara is a treat for foodies, with a range of restaurants and eateries that are as vast and varied as to serve the varied likes of people in the city. Vadodara has something for everyone, be it a vegetarian Gujarati thali, North Indian Chaat, South Indian Idly Sambar, or even oriental dishes. Food is also a big part of things to do in Vadodara at night. One can visit the Ratri Bazaar.

Read a detailed guide about Street food of Vadodara.

How to reach Vadodara

By flight

Vadodara has a domestic airport with connectivity to Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.

By train

Vadodara is a major station on the Western Railway network and is well-connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Indore and states of UP, Bihar, Odisha.

By road

Regular bus services connect Vadodara to all cities within Gujarat as well as to Mumbai, MP and Rajasthan. 

Stay in Vadodara

From humble homestays to luxurious resorts, from hotels to heritage properties, Vadodara has great options for a comfortable and cosy stay. Here are some of the options

Homestay: G Homestay, Hirva Homes

Mid-range hotel: Fern Residency, Hotel Express Towers

Luxury stay: Vivanta Vadodara, WelcomHotel Vadodara

Heritage stay: Madhav Bagh Royal Heritage Stay

Best time to visit Vadodara

Best time to visit Vadodara is between November and February when the weather is pleasant.

FAQs for Places to visit in Vadodara

What is Vadodara known for?

Vadodara is Gujarat’s third largest city and known as the cultural capital of the state. It is situated on the banks of the river Vishwamistri and is known to be an educational hub.

What is the old name for Vadodara?

Vadodara was once called Chandravati, after its ruler Raja Chandan, then Viravati, the abode of the brave, and then Vadpatra because of the abundance of banyan trees on the banks of the Vishwamitri. From Vadpatra it derived its present name Baroda or Vadodara.

Is Vadodara worth visiting?

Yes! Vadodara has many tourist attractions and is close to many important tourist destinations in Gujarat. From palaces and temples to historical destinations and cultural potpourri, Vadodara has it all!

Are Baroda and Vadodara same?

Yes, Vadodara, is also called Baroda.

Sustainable travel tips for places to visit in Vadodara

• Most places have drinking water facilities so carry a reusable water bottle.
• India is a conservative country with hot weather so wear the right clothes. Skirt and pants till knee level are good. Avoid spaghetti and tank tops. Cover your shoulders with a scarf if necessary.
• Choose local food wherever possible.
• Do not litter tourist places. Always use a dustbin.
• Do not harm the palace, forts and temple structures by carving or writing on it
• Do not enter places which are closed. 

Read About More cities from Gujarat

• Camping in Beyt Dwarka
• Bhuj
• Jamnagar
• Mandvi

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