Surat is one of the developing cities in India. It has a lot of tourist potential but there are not many tourists visiting the city.
In this article, you will find information on some of the best tourist places in Surat which have been rated as top spots by travelers and locals alike. Though not all famous Indian sites can be found in Surat, it’s still worth checking out what this city has to offer – from temples to museums and more.
1. Amba Mata Temple
Amba mata temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Surat. Every year millions of visitors come to the temple to pray and offer their puja to Amba Mata(the deity). This beautiful white marble temple was built in 1611 by Fulin Shantidas, a Gujarati businessman. The main deity of this temple is Maa Amba, who is considered as the queen of the entire universe. The design of the deity’s idol reminds you of Greek statues, which is why it attracts many tourists to this place.
2. Akshardham Temple
Akshardham temple is a popular place for tourists, especially for North Indians. The temple was built by Akshardham Group and many other people contributed to the project.
Both the temple and its mansion are very beautiful. The temple has a lot of artistic work because it is one of the biggest temples in Asia. There are displays from several countries too that include statues, murals and sculptures that include several themes from Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
3. War Memorial Museum – Nirmal Lifestyle apartment
The museum was established by an architect in 1983 as a tribute to those who died during World War II. It is opened to the public after around four months of renovation. It covers about 700 sq m area and it contains about 10,000 items of documentation as well as stamps and coins.
This museum is located in Surat near SardarBaug, an old residential area now transformed into a modern-day commercial hub. The museum houses one large gallery which displays exhibits on the history of Surat and the lives of sailors, marines and armymen who have served in Surat during World War II.
4. Malabar Hills Nature Park – Shivam Infra
The nature park was founded by the Nirmal Group of Companies (a hotel group) in 2004. It is spread over an area of 235 acres, mostly covered with green forests and water bodies. There are around 13 zones in the park — each zone portrays a different environment and has its own flora and fauna. The park has place for camping, children’s play area, adventure trails and boating. The best part is that the nature park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – 365 days of the year!
5. National Institute of Design-Nid
This institute was formed in 1961 after inspiration from Le Corbusier who said “The designer must think”. This school is a well known design institute, which also has its own museum. The museum exhibits paintings and sculptures from most renowned Indian artists.
The campus of Nid is spread over an area of around 30 acres in the middle of the city. It has a contemporary style with a modern layout, which makes it worth visiting for students as well as tourists.
6. Lakhota Museum
This museum was opened in 1981 by the Surat Municipal Corporation to preserve the history of Surat and to promote tourism. It occupies an area of around 4000 square feet and it contains more than 5000 articles including sculptures, coins, coins, paintings and other artifacts that depict various periods in the history of Surat and India.
7. Kapadvanj
Kapadvanj is a small town in Gujarat, near the banks of the River Malai Vir. It is located about 70 km from Ahmedabad and 180 km from Surat. It is mostly famous for its colorful festivals that include religious rituals and fairs.
8. Mt. Girnar Hill
Mt. Girnar is a hilly area which has many peaks and offers excellent views of the surrounding areas. Each peak has its own significance and name, like Chandreshwar (moon), Vaidyanath (god of healing), Anashgir (unbreakable), Kuber (deity) etc. The hill takes its name from the great sage-king, who used to meditate on this spot and hence it is also known as Chandreshwar.
This hill offers an excellent view of the town of Surat. The highest point reaches 1799 meter above sea level, making it an ideal place for trekking, hiking and climbing enthusiasts.
9. Hussainsagar Lake
Hussainsagar lake is located in Surat city, Gujarat. It is a huge water body that covers about 20 acres of land and 40 acres of water surface area. At night, it is beautifully illuminated and tourists often visit the place for boating. The garden near the lake provides a lot of greenery to enjoy nature and fresh air.
10. Pandava Caves
Pandava Caves are located on the southern banks of River Tapi in Surat district. It is believed that this cave was used by famous Pandavas – characters of Mahabharata epic – to hide from Lord Krishna so that they could escape death.
These caves have been carved out of solid rock, which makes them unique and attractive as tourist places in Surat. There are five natural caves that are now modified into man-made caves to attract more visitors.
