24 hours in Ahmedabad: A Colourful Getaway

Deepanshi
11/10/2022
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Ahmedabad, a miniature metropolis in the Indian state of Gujarat, offers visitors a pleasant combination of old and new. Explore the city in 24 hours with Minibreaks!


Ahmedabad is the largest city in Gujarat and one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The original city of Ahmedabad was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah I, who established a township here in 1411 CE. At that time, it was known as Karnavati due to its proximity to two rivers (the Sabarmati and Ranna). The town grew quickly under his reign, but after his death only two years later it fell into disarray with many citizens leaving for other regions like Dholka or Khambhat. 


In Ahmedabad, the ancient and new elements coexist in a harmonious way. Sky-high buildings, opulent cafés, and business parks are the dominant visual elements of the metropolis. Ahmedabad, which is located along the Sabarmati River's ever-enchanting shoreline, has a captivating urban environment. Explore the city to locate the most beautiful historical landmarks and the top museums. Ahmedabad has, above all, been essential to India's Freedom Movement. Diverse thalis, fine textile items, and friendly hospitality sum up Ahmedabad's vibrant way of life wonderfully. Ultimately, spend Ahmedabad for 24 hours and learn about the varied culture.


Some of the best places to visit in Ahmedabad for exploring the city in 24 hours are-

1. Sabarmati Riverfront 
The Sabarmati riverfront is a popular tourist destination. The fort looks beautiful on the banks of the Sabarmati River, which flows through Ahmedabad.

The fort has several attractions for tourists to enjoy such as an old lighthouse with a small museum inside it, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi made from marble, and many other monuments like the Sardar Smarak Park that were built in memory of those who died during independence struggle for India. The place also offers various restaurants where you can grab some delicious food along with great views of the riverfront area. 

? Entry Fee: None
? Timings: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
 

2. Dada Haveli Wav
If you're looking for a leisurely lake experience, head to Dada Haveli Wav. It's a man-made lake in Ahmedabad, about 3.2 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide—so it's big enough to give you some breathing room without feeling too crowded. The city is dotted with lakeside parks and gardens (like Kankaria Lake), but this one is particularly popular among locals because it has both rowing competitions and boat rentals on offer. If you'd rather just kick back on shore, there are plenty of spaces here where you can relax with family or friends while taking in views of the surrounding cityscape from afar.

? Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
? Entry Fee: None
 

3. Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Lake is an artificial lake situated in the center of Ahmedabad. The lake was built during the rule of Sultan Ahmed Shah (ruled 1411-1443), and named after him as "Ahmed Sagar". It covers an area of 68 hectares and has a depth ranging from 3 meters to 8 meters, with its deepest point located near its northern end.

The Kankaria Lake is a popular tourist attraction within the city, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year. Many locals come here for boating in paddle boats or motor boats, while others use it as a picnic spot. During religious festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi or Navratri celebrations take place here (especially at night). In addition, many local residents come here simply to enjoy this tranquil space away from their busy lives!

? Timings : Tuesday - Sunday: 4:00 AM - 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
? Entry Fee : Adult: INR 25; Child: INR 10; Senior Citizens: Free Entry; Educational Trip: INR 1; Free entry for joggers from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM

 
4. Calico Textile Museum
The Calico Museum of Textiles is another place you can go to learn about textiles. Located in the Sarabhai Foundation, it has exhibits from all over India and you can see how they have evolved over time. You'll also be able to see their work on their looms, which makes it seem like they were doing it yesterday instead of 400 years ago! It's a great place to learn about the history of textiles in India because there are so many different kinds displayed here: saris, kurtas (men's shirts), shawls, and much more!

? Timings: 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM; Closed on Wednesdays and Public Holidays
? Entry Fee: None

 
5. Kamala Nehru Zoo
The next stop is Kamala Nehru Zoo, which is also known as the Ahmedabad Zoo. This zoo is located in the heart of Ahmedabad city and it's a must-visit on your first day in the city. It was established in 1957 by Shri Harisingh Gohil, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The zoo covers an area of about 20 acres with more than 200 species of animals including mammals like lions, tigers, panthers (leopards), hyenas, and monkeys; birds like peacocks and parrots; reptiles such as crocodiles and snakes; amphibians such as frogs, etc., together with some invertebrates like butterflies, etc., housed in different enclosures according to their type/habitat requirements. The zoo also has an aquarium with over 300 species of aquatic creatures including fish from various parts of India. 

? Timings: March to October - 9:00 AM to 6:15 PM; November to February - 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
? Entry Fee: Children (3 to 12 years) - INR 10; Adults (from 12 years) - INR 20; Educational Purpose - INR 5 (per head)

 

6. Ahmedabad's Jama Masjid
If you are looking for a mosque in Ahmedabad, then Jama Masjid is the perfect place to visit. This well-known mosque is situated atop Bava Kothi hill and has beautiful architecture that looks like an ancient castle. The mosque was built by Ahmed Shah I in 1423 AD. It is said that the king built this magnificent structure when he was unable to find any suitable place of worship due to his blindness. This historic building is also known as Adalaj Vav or Adalaj Stepwell because it was built near an old stepwell which can still be seen today.

Jama Masjid's interior contains many intricate carvings which depict stories from Islamic mythology through their motifs and patterns on the walls and ceilings - some dating back to the 15th century! You will see beautiful stained glass windows here too, depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata epics along with other religious figures such as Buddha and Jesus Christ along with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself! If you love history then visiting this historical site would be quite interesting for you. 

? Timings : 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
? Entry Fee: Free
 

7. Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaza
The fort was built by Ahmed Shah I in 1411 on a rocky hill overlooking the Sabarmati River. It was named after his wife, Bibi Bhadra. During British rule, it served as a prison and housed many freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel while they have jailed under the Salt Satyagraha (Salt March) movement in 1930. A serene place surrounded by lush greenery, it is now one of the best picnic spots within city limits for locals as well as tourists who visit during weekends or holidays to enjoy nature’s beauty with family or friends.

The Teen Darwaza entrance gate is one of three arches present on each side of this structure that are intricately carved with traditional floral motifs; its shape resembles an Islamic arch but has no dome above it like those found elsewhere in India due to its Hindu influence from earlier centuries when Muslims ruled over Gujarat region prior to British colonization.

? Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
? Entry Fee: None