15 Best Tourist Places to Visit near Rajkot (2023)

Somnath is a temple town situated in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. Also known as Prabhas Patan, it is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in India, and among the prominent places to visit in Gujarat. It is about 197 km from Rajkot, and 408 km from Ahmedabad.

The town of Somnath is famous for the Somnath Temple, among the must include places in Somnath packages. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one among the twelve prominent Jyotirlinga shrines and also one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Gujarat. Somnath Beach, Gita Mandir, Bhalka Tirtha, Rudreshwara Temple, Triveni Sangam Temple, Suraj Mandir, Parshuram Temple, Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Junagadh Gate, Somnath Museum, Panch Pandav Gufa are some other tourist places in Somnath.

Somnath Mahadev Fair which is held on Kartik Purnima and Maha Shivaratri are the two major festivals celebrated in Somnath with great pomp and fervor. The temple town witnesses a huge number of tourists from various parts of the country during these festivals.

Distance from Rajkot: 197 Kms

Ahmedabad is the largest city and also the former capital of Gujarat. Situated on the banks of the River Sabarmati, it is one of the popular places of places to visit in Gujarat. It is about 29 km from Gandhinagar, and 534 km from Mumbai.

Ahmedabad is India's first UNESCO World Heritage City and is also regarded as one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Also known as Amdavad, the city of Ahmedabad is the commercial hub and also the living symbol of the rich cultural heritage of Gujarat state. Splendid monuments, wonderful museums, and gorgeous lakes are the prime attractions of Ahmedabad holiday packages.

Popularly called the Land of Gandhi, Ahmedabad is closely associated with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the father of the nation. Sabarmati Ashram, Kankarai Lake, Jama Masjid, Akshardham Temple, Adalaj Stepwell, Huthee Singh Jain Temple, ISKCON Temple, Vintage Car Museum, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Swaminarayan Mandir, and Sardar Patel National Memorial are some of the well-known tourist places in Ahmedabad.

Distance from Rajkot: 219 Kms

Dwarka is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites near Rajkot, and among the best places to visit in Gujarat. It is about 224 km from Rajkot, and 442 km from Ahmedabad.

Located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, Dwarka is popularly known as the 'home of Lord Krishna' and is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat. Also, Dwarka is one of the foremost Char Dhams for Hindus and among the seven most ancient religious cities (sapta puris) in India. For this reason, the town attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year as part of Dwarka packages.

The present-day Dwarka is a prominent pilgrimage site that boasts of several shrines. Among the temples, the 2000-year-old Dwarkadhish temple is the most notable one. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Gomti Ghat, Rukmani Devi Temple, Beyt Dwarka, Gopi Talav, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Swaminarayan Temple, Dwarka Beach, Shivrajpur Beach, and Okhamadhi Beach are some of the important tourist places in Dwarka.

If you specifically want to participate in the grand festivities of the Janmashtami festival, visiting the town during August and September will be eventful.

Distance from Rajkot: 226 Kms

With the Thar Desert on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other side, Rann of Kutch is a spellbinding marvel of sand and salt. About 80 km from Bhuj, and 413 km from Ahmedabad, it is one of the top places to visit in India, and among the must include places in Gujarat packages.

It lies between the Gulf of Kutch and the Indus River in Pakistan and comprises flatlands of salty clay located about 15 meters above sea level. A large part of the Kutch, commonly known as the Great Rann of Kutch, submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during the winter season. Spread over an area of 7500 sq. km, the Great Rann of Kutch, formed of salt marshes, is considered one of the largest salt deserts in the world and among the most popular tourist places in Kutch.

Besides, one can also visit Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar & Sanctuary, Kalo Dungar, Siyot Caves, Chhari Dandh Bird Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, etc. as part of Kutch tour packages. It can be visited along with Bhuj tour packages.

Distance from Rajkot: 300 Kms

Gir National Park, also known as Sasan Gir, is one of the renowned national parks in India, and among the best places of among the best places to visit in Gujarat. It is situated about 156 km from Rajkot, and 372 km from Ahmedabad.

Established as a sanctuary in 1965, Gir National Park is the most popular national parks in Gujarat as it is the royal kingdom of Asiatic lions and essentially the only place besides Africa on earth where these majestic beasts roam freely. Besides Asiatic lions, one can see Asiatic lion, Indian leopard, jungle cat, striped hyena, Golden jackal, Indian and Ruddy mongoose, honey badger, chital, nilgai, sambar, four-horned antelope, chinkara, and wild boar here as part of Gir tour packages.

The entrance gate to the park is located at Sasan Gir village beside Sinh Sadan. Jungle Safari is one of the best things to do in Gir National Park. Besides, there is also a Gir Interpretation Zone, also known as Devalia Safari Park at Devalia, and was established to reduce the excess of tourists at the Gir National Park.

The park remains open every year from mid-October to mid-June and closed during the monsoon season from July to September. While Devalia Safari Park is open throughout the year.

Distance from Rajkot: 155 Kms

Located on the banks of Vishwamitri River, Vadodara is a beautiful city in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Situated at a distance of 109 km from Ahmedabad, it is one of the popular places to visit in gujarat, and can be visited along with Ahmedabad tour packages.

Formerly called Baroda, Vadodara is the third-largest city in Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. The architectural brilliance of the city is the major highlight of Vadodara holiday packages. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Baroda Museum, Kirti Mandir, and Sayajirao Gaekwad hospital are some of the notable architectural monuments in Vadodara. Besides, Sayaji Baug, Sursagar Lake, Nyay Mandir, EME Temple, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, etc. are some of the prominent tourist places in Vadodara.

Often called the Cultural Capital of Gujarat, the city of Baroda comes alive during the Navratri celebrations. No city in India celebrates the festival of Navratri with as much zeal and energy as Vadodara does.

Distance from Rajkot: 289 Kms

Located in the foothills of Mount Girnar, Junagadh is the seventh-largest city in Gujarat, and among the best tourist places in Gujarat. It is about 91 km from Somnath, 103 km from Rajkot, and 319 km from Ahmedabad.

The literal meaning of the term 'Junagadh' is an 'old fort' which derives from Uparkot, an ancient fort built in the 4th century CE on a plateau in the middle of the town, and is the major attraction of Junagadh holiday packages. Besides, Mahabat Maqbara, Durbar Hall Museum, Mount Girnar, Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Ashoka's Rock Edicts, and Buddhist Caves are some of the best Junagadh tourist places.

Influenced by four major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam, the city is home to many festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. The major festival celebrated in Junagadh is Bhavnath Fair held on Mahashivratri and is celebrated with much fanfare all over the city. Besides, Parikrama in October / November and Navratri are the other festivals celebrated in Junagadh with great enthusiasm.

Distance from Rajkot: 100 Kms

Patan is an ancient fortified city located on the banks of Saraswati River in Gujarat, India. It is one of the popular heritage destinations in India. Situated about 129 km from Ahmedabad, it can be visited along with Ahmedabad tour packages.

The city is shielded by the fort walls and gates, which prevents the ancestral aura and old-world charm from escaping. From medieval forts to an ancient Kali temple built in the Solanki dynasty, Patan has many attractions that lure tourists as part of Patan packages. Rani ki Vav or the Queen's stepwell has the unique most architectural attributes and is the must-visit place in Patan. Sahasralinga Sarovar, Panchasara Parshwanath Jain Derasar, Khan Sarovar, Shankeshwar Jain Thirth, etc. are the other popular tourist places in Patan.

Besides, Patan is also famous for Patola sarees, one of the finest hand-made textiles in the world. It has its origin in a very intricate and difficult technique of tie-dyeing and knot dyeing known as 'Bandhani'. It has gorgeous colors, designs, and durability and is one of a kind. Costs start from Rs. 20,000 which may go up to Rs. 20,00,000 depending on work done and thread used. Only two families are making Patola Sarees nowadays.

Distance from Rajkot: 263 Kms

Mandvi is a little town on the coast of the Arabian Sea in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Situated at the estuary where the river Rukmavati meets the Gulf of Kutch, it is one of the popular places to visit near Rajkot, especially for beach lovers. It is located about 64 km from Bhuj, 281 km from Rajkot, and 386 km from Ahmedabad.

Famous for its ship-building and cottage industries, the port town of Mandvi was founded in 1580 AD by Rao Khengarji, the first Jadeja ruler of Kutch. Being a seaside town, Mandvi has been blessed with a vast expanse of clean beaches that are the prime attractions of Mandvi packages.

Vijay Vilas Palace, Shyamji Krishna Varma Memorial, 72 Jainalaya, and Mazar-e-Noorani are the other famous tourist places in Mandvi. Mandvi is also a well-known center for the production of country crafts.

Distance from Rajkot: 282 Kms

Often called the Jaisalmer of Gujarat, Bhuj is one of the places to visit in Gujarat, and can be visited along with Kutch tour packages. It is situated about 78 km from Kutch, 232 km from Rajkot, and 334 km from Ahmedabad.

Located in the western part of India, Bhuj is the most important city in the Kutch region of Gujarat and also the capital of the former princely state of Kutch. Bhuj is a treat to the eyes of visitors as it offers everything from white desert to beautiful temples and from wildlife sanctuaries to the cultural landscape as part of Bhuj packages.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Bhujia Hill Fort, Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal Palace, Hiralakshmi Memorial Craft Park, Kutch Fossil Park, Tapkeshwari Temple, and Rudramata Dam are some of the top tourist places in Bhuj. It also has the oldest museum in the state of Gujarat. Apart from the tourist places, Bhuj is also very famous for its traditional handicrafts and embroidery.

Distance from Rajkot: 231 Kms