Surat, having its name associated with Saurashtra (the good land), is a port city in Gujarat. The second most populated city in the state, Surat is a global diamond cutting centre and a commercial hub of textiles. Known as ‘the city of flyovers’, it attracts tourists who are interested in the colonial history of the region and the exotic wildlife.
Packed on the south bank of a sharp bend in the Tapi River (Tapti), Surat is located 306 km south of the state capital, Gandhinagar. Once known for silk-weaving, it emerged as a major textile and diamond hub of India, with the shops in the New Textile Market area often crowded with buyers and shoppers. Prominent tourist attractions in Surat are the Surat Castle, Science Centre Complex and the Diamond Gallery among others.
Having the reputation of being light-hearted, easy-going, and fun-loving, with a passion for food, Surat is an absolutely great place for a family vacation.
Places to Visit
The Dutch Garden
Located in the Nanpura neighborhood in Surat, The Dutch Garden is a major attraction in town which is an oasis of greenery amidst the chaos and cacophony of the city. Flocked by hundreds of tourists on an everyday basis, the garden has been designed in a European style and boasts of well manicured gardens, vibrant flower beds, sparkling fountains and vast sprawling grassy carpeted lawns. Besides offering the much needed respite and relief to relax and rejuvenate amidst bounteous natural beauty, the garden is also flanked by River Tapi on one side which adds to the overall ambiance of the place.
The garden is also the resting place of some Dutch and English explorers and wanderers who visited and settled in Gujarat. Among the several imposing structures, the most notable one is that of Baron Adrian Van Reed with a huge mausoleum. He is known for building the first Dutch port for trading in Surat. These cemeteries also add to the beauty of the place and make it one of the top tourist attractions of the place.
Dumas Beach
Dumas beach is an urban beach located along the Arabian Sea, at a distance of 21 km southwest of the Surat city. This black sand beach has been widely popular due to the reports of disappearances and paranormal activities here. It is also known as one of the most haunted places in India.
Away from the city, Dumas Beach is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Surat. The characteristic feature of the beach that sets it apart is that the sand is unlike most of the beaches you’ll find in India. Due to high iron concentration, the sand takes an almost eerie black colour, which is a probable reason why there are some haunted stories about Dumas Beach. Many people claim to have heard stories of hauntings, but locals beg to differ, labelling it as a narrow understanding of the city and its culture. Dumas Beach is found deserted a lot of times and is perfect for a quiet walk along the coast.
Hajira Village
Located at the edge of the Arabian Sea, Hajira is a picturesque town located in the state of Gujarat. This destination is famous for its idyllic beach and is also a transhipment port, owing to its shallow water depths. Along with being a popular recreational destination, Hajira is also famous for its health tourism due to the presence of numerous hot water springs here.
The magnificent beauty of Hajira beach lies close to the main city centre and is a favourite haunt of local and foreign tourists alike. The golden sands of the beach overlooking the azure waters of the Arabian Sea make up for a mesmerising sight, whose beauty is elevated during the hours of dawn and dusk.
You can find a wide variety of beautiful seashells strewn all over the beach, which are in sharp contrast to the soft yellow of the beach sand. The gentle swaying of the casuarina trees along the perimeter of the beach and the overall serene aura of this destination make it the perfect place for a relaxing family holiday.
Sardar Patel Museum
The Sardar Patel Museum was established in the city of Surat in the year 1890 and has since then has been highly recommended by the people, maintaining a popular position among the Surat tourist attractions.
The museum is a multi purpose museum that remains open on all days of the week barring Mondays.
Ambika Niketan Temple
Ambika Niketan Temple, situated on the banks of River Tapti, was built in the year 1969. The temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess, who is in the form of Goddess Ashtabhuja Ambika. Ambika Niketan Temple is one of the popular pilgrim spots of Surat.
Dandi Beach
Well known for its historical significance, Dandi in Surat is a beautiful beach destination. The scenic beauty combined with its rich history make it a favourite among all tourists visiting this place. The serene and pristine beauty of Dandi is only second to its long and illustrious history. The sand in this beach is as far as the eyes can see and stands at a beautiful contrast against the sapphire sky. You can sit back and relax in the lap of nature, or explore the landscape and give your inner historian some food for thought. The Dandi beach is ideal for a quiet weekend getaway, and is a must-visit when in Surat!
Surat Castle
One of the most popular heritage monuments of Surat, the Surat Castle dates back to the 16th century and was the most important defence measure adopted against the Portuguese. Also called the ¥Old Fort’, this opulent monument sits on the banks of the Tapi River and is an example of exemplarily sturdy architecture.
Sarthana Nature Park
Sprawling over a vast 81 acres, the Sarthana Nature Park is home to some of the most exquisite creatures of the wild. The Tapi River graces the park with its presence and brings all the verdure come to life. The zoo here is home to big cats like lions and leopards and many adorable species of deer.
Swaminarayan Temple
Swaminarayan temple is one of the popular religious spot in Surat. Swaminarayan temple belongs to the Swaminarayan Sect of Vaishnavism, wherein Swaminarayan or Sahajanand Swami is believed to be the incarnation of Narayana of Nara-Narayana.
Must Try Food in Surat
1. Locho & Sev Khamani at Jaani Locha House
2. Cocoa at A 1
3. Fast Food at Gangour
4. Ponk at Ghod Dod Road
5. Lashkari Bhajia Centre at Dumas
6. North Indian Food at Avadh Family Restaurant
7. Multi Cuisine Restaurant Spice Villa
8. Italian Cuisine at Black Pepper
9. Barbeque at Barbeque Nation
10. Gujarati Thali at Sasumaa
How To Get Here
By Air
The Surat Airport is a domestic airport and is situated at around 12 km from the city centre. This airport caters to flights from major cities in India. Surat has direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and a few more cities.
By Road
It is extremely easy to reach Surat by road. The city is connected to the National Highway 8 through a 16 km connector highway. One can hire a cab at the rate of around Rs.10-20 per Km. There is an active bus service plying from cities within the state as well as from the neighbouring state at a rate of about Rs 2-5 per km.
By Train
Surat station is very nicely connected to a lot of parts of the country via rail. Surat falls on Delhi-Mumbai route, Jaipur-Mumbai route and also on Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, making it very accessible from western and northern parts of India. A double decker train connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad also passes through Surat. Surat is also connected to eastern and southern parts of country including Bihar, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.