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Vadodara

Vadodara

city · Gujarat

Universally known as the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara (historically Baroda) is a grand city shaped by the royal history of the Gaekwad dynasty.

State
Gujarat
Type
City
Best season
Winter
Things to do
3+

Universally known as the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara (historically Baroda) is a grand city shaped by the royal history of the Gaekwad dynasty. It features opulent palaces, rich art academies, and vast public gardens, with an eloquent mix of old-world royalty and modern industrial enterprise.

When to go

October to March brings mild weather conditions good for inspecting historical architecture and grand estates.

Why visit

To tour one of India's largest privately held royal palace estates, explore rare European and Indian art galleries, and visit the nearby UNESCO park of Champaner-Pavagadh.

Cultural notes

Vadodara hosts India's most traditional and classical Navratri Garba night events, known for their deep artistic heritage and massive community gatherings.

How to reach

By Air: Vadodara Airport (BDQ) provides daily domestic flights. By Train: Vadodara Junction is one of the busiest, best-integrated railway centers in Western India. By Road: Located directly on the National Highway 48 highway route.

3 days in Vadodara

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Laxmi Vilas PalaceDay 1

Day 1

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Commissioned in 1878 by Sayajirao Gaekwad III and finished in 1890 to designs by the British architects Charles Mant and Robert Chisholm, named for Sayajirao's first wife Lakshmibai. The grounds run to more than five hundred acres, which makes it the largest private residence in the world, and it is still the home of the Gaekwad family. The style is Indo-Saracenic: Indo-Islamic massing with Renaissance detail. It cost six million rupees, and had indoor lifts and its own telephone exchange when it opened. Part of it is open to visitors; the rest is a house.

Day 1

Sayaji Baug & Baroda Museum

Sayaji Baug & Baroda Museum

Day 1

Sursagar Lake statue at dusk

Sursagar Lake statue at dusk

Day 2

Day 2

Jami Masjid of Champaner

Jami Masjid of Champaner

Day 2

Pavagadh ropeway & Mahakali temple

Pavagadh ropeway & Mahakali temple

Day 2

Stepwells & city gates

Stepwells & city gates

Day 3

Day 3

EME (Dakshinamurty) Temple

EME (Dakshinamurty) Temple

Day 3

Mandvi Gate & Khanderao Market

Mandvi Gate & Khanderao Market

Day 3

Fine Arts faculty campus & cafés

Fine Arts faculty campus & cafés

Vadodara guide & itineraries

Vadodara is perfect for

heritagefamilycouples

Shopping

Look for beautiful ethnic silver jewelry, local Baroda-style paintings, handloomed textiles, and legendary local savory snacks like Bhakarwadi from old markets.

Frequently asked questions

Is Laxmi Vilas Palace fully open to the general public?
Certain inner royal wings remain private residences, but the grand durbar hall, armory room, and extensive palace grounds are fully accessible via paid audio-guided tours.

Popular attractions

The places in Vadodara most people come for.

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Attraction2 hrsmorning

Sayaji Baug (Kamati Baug)

Sayaji Baug (Kamati Baug)

Viewpoint1.5 hrsevening

See all attractions

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