From dusty streets that suddenly open into painted temples to deserts that look empty but somehow feel full, Gujarat isn’t the kind of place you figure out in a day or two. It comes in layers, folk music you hear from a distance, the taste of mango pickle with your thepla, hand-embroidered cloth folded carefully in a shop that looks like it’s been there forever. There’s a little bit of surprise everywhere. This list isn’t about rushing. It’s more like a guide to take with you as you stop, eat, explore, and get slightly lost on purpose.
Must See
Some of Gujarat’s most striking destinations aren’t always the loudest ones, but they leave an impression that lasts far beyond the visit.
- Ahmedabad’s Old City & Manek Chowk – Early mornings here mean maska bun and chai, but after dark, the whole chowk becomes a street food carnival. You’ll find pav bhaji, ghughra, kulfi, and even pizza khakhra being made in front of you.
- Rann of Kutch (Dhordo) – After sunset in the salt desert, people head straight to the tent kitchens. Most serve homemade-style Kutchi meals: bajra rotis, bajra na vada, and locho cooked fresh.
- Modhera Sun Temple – You’ll go for the temple, but don’t skip the little stalls nearby selling fresh Gujarati snacks, think lilva kachori, khaman, and sweet mohanthal.
- Gir National Park – It’s not just about lions. If you head out early, stop for a Kathiawadi breakfast en route; bajra rotla with garlic chutney and sev tameta will hit different after a jungle drive.
- The Statue of Unity - This iconic monument towers above the Narmada, but it’s the surrounding river views and gentle trails that really allow you to settle into the landscape.
- Saputara Hills – This hill station might be known for its fog, but the food stalls near the lake serve steaming hot corn bhutta, tribal-style bhakri, and local honey you can buy by the bottle.
Must Eat
The food here is a bit sneaky. You think it’s simple at first but there’s always something unexpected, like sweetness in something that looks spicy.
- Undhiyu – A traditional winter dish, undhiyu is made using seasonal vegetables cooked slowly with spices in earthen pots, and is often served during family gatherings or weddings when people take their time with lunch.
- Thepla – They are usually rolled with methi (fenugreek) and soft even after a long day, are often made in large batches and carried along on road trips or overnight trains.
- Dal Dhokli – This is a one-pot dish where wheat flour dumplings simmer in spiced lentils, is both filling and familiar, often served with a side of jaggery and ghee.
- Fafda & Jalebi – On festival mornings, especially Sundays, locals gather early for fafda and jalebi, a pairing of crisp chickpea flour snacks with sticky spirals of syrup-drenched sweetness.
- Sev Tameta nu Shaak – This might seem like a humble tomato curry at first glance, but once you try it with bajra rotla and a drizzle of ghee, the balance of tangy and crisp becomes oddly addictive.
- Dabeli – Like vada pav’s more chaotic cousin. It’s sweet, spicy, crunchy, and soft, all at once, and always messy to eat.
- Khichdi-Kadhi – If you’ve eaten too much the day before, this is what your stomach will thank you for.
Must Experience
Some things here aren’t about sightseeing. It’s the atmosphere. The way people gather, sing, dance, or just sit around and talk.
- Navratri Garba Nights – Come for the garba, stay for the food stalls right outside. After dancing, everyone heads straight for papdi no lot, dal vada, cheese naan, and masala lemonades.
- Rann Utsav in Dhordo – Once you’ve walked through the crafts stalls and folk music zones, get yourself a Kutchi dinner plate — bajra rotla with garlic chutney and a helping of besan curry.
- Uttarayan Kite Festival in Ahmedabad – Rooftops become kitchens. Families cook Undhiyu and puris, while neighbours exchange sweet treats like sukhdi and laddoos mid-air (yes, really).
- Bhavai or Dayro Performances – These are local folk shows, part comedy, part storytelling, with music thrown in. Sometimes hard to follow, always fun.
- Craft Tours in Kutch – You’ll meet people who’ve been doing bandhani or ajrakh or pottery for decades. They’ll show you how it’s done, if you’re curious.
- Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad – Between the temples and pols, you’ll pass tiny snack shops selling jalebi-fafda, maska bun, and goli soda. You’ll want to stop every few minutes.
- Cafe hopping in Vadodara: Students and locals near MS University campus in Vadodara often head to cafés like Curator’s Coffee, Signature Brew, or The Brewery Vadodara (bonus points for being pet friendly!), where conversations happen over cold brews and overloaded sandwiches.
Must Do
Some things you just have to tick off when in Gujarat:
- Go on a safari in Gir National Park
- Take a Spice & Pickle Tour in Jetpur or Gondal
- Take a ropeway ride to Palitana or Pavagadh hills
- Shop for textiles in Law Garden night market
- Join a Cooking Demo in a Kathiawadi Home
- Cruise the Narmada river near the Statue of Unity
Must Buy
Gujarat is a goldmine for hand-made and flavour-packed souvenirs:
- Bandhani and Patola fabrics
- Hand-embroidered Kutchi work and mirror crafts
- Traditional silver jewellery from tribal markets
- Khakhra Packs in local flavours (Methi, Jeera, Pizza).
- Handmade Pickles (Chhundo, Athanu, Gol Keri)
- Ajrakh block-printed textiles
- Terracotta and brass artefacts
Best Time to Visit
- October to February – Perfect weather for long food walks and festive eating. Navratri, Diwali, and the kite festival all fall in this window.
- July to September – Monsoons bring seasonal ingredients like ponk, and rural food traditions become more visible.
Number of Days Needed
- Recommended Stay: 10–12 Days
You’ll cover most highlights, eat a proper thali, maybe take a detour to a village, and still have time to sit with a cup of chai and not be in a rush.
Travel & Food Tips
- Street food is safe if it’s hot and fresh. Locals will point you to the right cart.
- Gujarati food can be unexpectedly sweet, even in dals and sabzis. Don’t be surprised.
- Lunch is the biggest meal of the day in most families. Dinner tends to be lighter.
- Carry small steel boxes or reusable containers if you plan to snack on the move, farsan is sold everywhere and travels well.
- If you can remember even just “Kem cho?” and “Majama”, most people will appreciate the effort.
Bonus: Top Cities in Gujarat for Food Lovers
- Ahmedabad is the state’s food and culture capital, known for its thalis, midnight street food, and contemporary cafés like Mocha, Brewgarten, and Natarani Café.
- Surat is the undisputed king of snacks, offering farsan, locho, and seasonal treats like ponk that locals wait all year to eat.
- Vadodara blends student-friendly cafés in Fatehgunj with street food gems, making it a favourite for younger travellers and food explorers. Do not miss Wok & Roll in Fatehgunj and Mahakali Sev Usal.
- Rajkot offers a strong breakfast game, with morning poha, jalebi, and endless tea stalls that serve piping hot chai with extra masala.
- Bhuj brings you closer to Kutchi-style meals, with simpler home cooking that features bajra rotla, kadhi, and jaggery-based desserts served with warmth.
Conclusion
Gujarat is a place that lingers; the food sits with you long after you’ve eaten, the people leave a softness in your memory, and even the dry desert winds feel strangely grounding. This bucket list isn’t exhaustive, and maybe it shouldn’t be. Because some of the best moments, a street snack you didn’t expect to love, or a late-night conversation in a sleepy village, won’t ever make it into guidebooks. And that’s exactly why they stay with you.