Ahmedabad Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad blends a historic old city with modern riverside spaces and a rich food culture.

• Old city heritage walk — Explore the pols, traditional neighbourhoods of carved wooden houses, temples and hidden courtyards.
• Sabarmati Ashram — Mahatma Gandhi's former home by the river, now a peaceful museum.
• Sidi Saiyyed Mosque — Famous for its intricate stone lattice window depicting an intertwined tree.
• Jama Masjid — A grand 15th-century mosque with a forest of carved pillars.
• Adalaj Stepwell — An ornate multi-storey stepwell just outside the city.
• Sabarmati Riverfront — Promenades and parks along the river, popular in the evenings.
• Manek Chowk — A square that turns into a lively street food market at night.

Best time to visit Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has a hot semi-arid climate. The most comfortable time to visit is from November to February, when days are warm and sunny and evenings are cool, perfect for heritage walks and exploring markets.

March to June is very hot, and the monsoon from about July to September brings humidity and rain. The city is famous for two festivals: Navratri, nine nights of garba dancing in the autumn, and Uttarayan in mid-January, when the skies fill with kites.

Getting from the airport

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport lies about 9 kilometres north-east of the city centre, and the drive usually takes around 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and your destination.

Prepaid and app-based taxis are the most convenient options, and auto-rickshaws are widely available for shorter journeys. City bus services also connect the airport with parts of the city. Many hotels offer airport transfers, which can be convenient for late arrivals.

Where to stay

Ahmedabad is divided by the Sabarmati river, with the old city on the east bank and newer districts to the west.

• Old city — Restored heritage homes and guesthouses, ideal for culture lovers.
• Ashram Road and the riverfront — Central, with hotels close to the Sabarmati Ashram and the promenade.
• Navrangpura and CG Road — Shopping streets, cafés and restaurants in a lively area.
• SG Highway — Modern business hotels and malls in the west of the city.

Travel tips

• Local rules: Gujarat has long-standing restrictions on alcohol, so it is not generally available in restaurants.
• Money: Cards and mobile payments are common; carry cash for rickshaws, street food and markets.
• Etiquette: Dress modestly and remove shoes at temples, mosques and Gandhi's ashram.
• Food: Ahmedabad is known for vegetarian Gujarati cuisine; try a thali and snacks such as dhokla.
• Health: Stay hydrated in the heat, drink bottled water and use sun protection.