Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

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Overview

Ahmedabad (also called Amdavad, Ahmadabad or Ahemdavad), Gujarat's major city, will bowl you over. Its incredible architecture ranges from centuries-old mosques and mausoleums to cutting-edge contemporary design — and then there's the old quarter, where the narrow streets hide excitement around every twisting corner. Throw in some excellent museums, fine restaurants and a bustling street-food scene and you end up with a city that rightly deserves its place as India's first Unesco Urban World Heritage Site.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Jama Masjid, Mosque, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

    Jama Masjid

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    Built by Ahmed Shah in 1423, the massive Jama Masjid ranks as one of India’s most beautiful mosques. Demolished Hindu and Jain temples provided the…

  • Calico Museum of Textiles

    Calico Museum of Textiles

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    This museum contains one of the world’s finest collections of antique and modern Indian textiles, all handmade and up to 500 years old. There are some…

  • Sabarmati Ashram

    Sabarmati Ashram

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    In peaceful, shady grounds on the Sabarmati River’s west bank, this ashram was Gandhi’s headquarters from 1917 to 1930 during the long struggle for Indian…

  • Sarkhej Roza

    Sarkhej Roza

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    This mosque, tomb and palace complex is dedicated to the memory of Ahmed Shah I’s spiritual adviser, Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh. The elegant, dilapidated…

  • Adalaj Vav Step-Well

    Adalaj Vav Step-Well

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    The Adalaj Vav, 19km north of Ahmedabad, is among the finest of the Gujarati step-wells. Built by Queen Rudabai in 1498, it has three entrances, leading…

  • Hutheesingh Temple

    Hutheesingh Temple

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    Outside Delhi Gate, this Jain temple is one of 300 derasars in Ahmedabad. Even if you've already seen some, this one will make your jaw drop in wonder at…

  • Siddi Sayid’s Mosque

    Siddi Sayid’s Mosque

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    One of Ahmedabad’s most stunning buildings, this mosque is famed for its exquisite jali windows, spiderweb fine, two of them depicting the intricate…

  • Youths enjoy a ride in floating spheres as tourists throng Kankaria Lake in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2012. Heatwave conditions persist over much of India as the country's expected moonsoon, crucial to farmers and growth in Asia's third-largest economy, has missed its normal arrival date but forecasters said they were confident the rains would arrive soon. Normally the rains begin sweeping across the subcontinent from June 1 to late September and in recent years they have started early. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY (Photo credit should read SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/GettyImages)

    Kankaria Lake

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    Created in 1451, this large artificial lake is a nice respite from the hectic streets (though it gets crowded at weekends and in the evening). Attractions…

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