12 famous places to visit in Surat

More like a fort by the river, Surat Castle is a very old structure built in the 18th century. It was erected to safeguard the city from the invasion of the Portuguese. Perched atop the banks of River Tapi, the fort has quite an old-school aura to it. You can tell that it is an old structure based on the way the walls are dingy and look old. A video presentation explaining the relevance of the fort and its importance to Surat can be acquired during your tour of the fort. It will also give you a glimpse of the Gujarat Sultanate.

One of Surat's most important tourist attractions is the Mughal Sarai. The iconic structure was once used as a tourist inn. However, in the recent times, the building has been reserved for the officials of the Surat Municipality. What makes the structure so special is the impeccable architecture which stands tall in the middle of the city. You can witness the best of Mughal Sarai and its rich Islamic architecture as you add it to your list of places to visit in Surat. You will definitely not be disappointed with what the gorgeous structure has to offer.

The Dutch are known to create puzzling yet alluring gardens. Influenced by their vision of gardens, the Dutch Garden has also been constructed with special attention given towards detailing. The garden has been built in honour of all the Dutch and British officials who settled down in Surat for work. The landscape of the garden is exquisite as the bushes and shrubs have been trimmed to perfection, there are quaint fountains and tombs too, present in the garden's vicinity. The garden also has the tomb of Baron Adrian Van Reede, an important Dutch personality.

The Tomb of Khudawand Khan has been built in honour of Khudawand Khan, the former governor of Surat. The tomb is located close to Chakla Bazaar and is a noticeable brown structure. With scintillating Islamic caricatures and fabulous architecture, the tomb is beautiful and worth a visit. In fact, within the tomb premise, a plaque reading the information pertaining to Khudawand Khan and his life has also been installed. Following a visit to tomb, you can indulge in some fun shopping time at Chakla Bazaar too as they are in proximity.

A popular hangout spot which also qualifies as a picnic spot, the Sneh Rashmi Botanical Garden is quite amazing. It cuts you off from all the city bustle and noise to lead you to a place of tranquillity in Surat. Not to mention how you would be surrounded by some lovely trees with the garden boasting a wide walking track, a pond and a plethora of exotic plants. Right from being the ideal place for kids to play to adults using the jogging tracks to get their fitness meter on point, the park is practically perfect for many individuals.

Built in 1984, the fabulous Sarthana National Park has since been home to varied species of animals as well as exotic plants. The place is easily one of the best in Surat for wildlife enthusiasts. You get to learn about all the exotic beings that have found their residence at the park. Not to mention how it is also a perfect location to relish nature trails and explore more of the park. You can pack a nice picnic basket for yourself and have a good time at the park. A special butterfly park which is believed to be India's largest, is blessed with some rare and beautiful species of butterflies.

Located right by the banks of Tapi River, the Ambika Niketan Temple is an important pilgrimage site for Surat. Built in 1969, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Ambika and sees a huge number of devotees visit the temple premise every year. In the temple complex, you will find two small shrines that is dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita as well as Laxminarayan too. During the festival of Goddess Ambika, the temple sees a new fervent air of heavenly atmosphere as the locals celebrate their devotion towards the goddess.

A visit to ISCKON Temple goes without saying when you're in Surat. The red structures of the temple has been attracting pilgrims and tourists since forever. To get yourself a good dose of peace and quiet, the temple is certainly one of the worthy inclusions that you should visit in Surat. The temple bustles with hymns and prayers of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. You will witness devotees chant mantras, sing songs, dance about the temple veranda and basically immerse themselves in devotion towards the lords. The vibe of the place is quite positive too.

The famous Chintamani Jain Temple is known to be one of the oldest Jain temples that has been built in Surat. The temple was constructed back in 1699 AD, precisely during the time Mughal Aurangzeb was in power. You can find the alluring Jain architecture on the temple with its beige walls and white stairs. Further, the temple walls also have intricate carvings and paintings that add quite a touch of beauty to its compound. The temple is certainly exquisite and worthy of addition when you plan out your Surat travel itinerary.

Built in honour of the famous saint Sahajanand Swami, also recognised as an incarnation of Lord Narayana, the Swaminarayan Temple is easily recognised for its beige exterior and architecture. There are three shrines present in the temple premise that is dedicated to three Hindu gods. Further, to add some modern touch to the temple complex, the facade has been constructed with a new age touch. There are exquisite carvings and scriptures that can be found on the temple walls with historical references from the Vaishnava sect.

A trip to Surat is quite incomplete without a visit to the Sardar Patel Museum. The popular tourist attraction of Surat is intriguing as it does encompass some of the old artefacts and exhibits that perfectly sum up Surat's rich cultural history. Apart from interesting exhibits, the museum also has some maps of travellers. In fact, an entire room in the museum is dedicated to exhibit the maps. Along with this, the museum is also famous for having a planetarium within its premise. Overall, its an experience worth exploring. Rang Upvan

Known to be one of the biggest amphitheatres present in Surat, the exquisite outdoor stage is famous for all the Gujarati plays that it hosts. There are many local theatre artists who have taken to Rang Upvan's stage to perform some of their acts. In fact, many music concerts and even yoga sessions are held in the amphitheatre. It plays a pivotal role as a cultural heritage in Surat.

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