First Time Tourists Guide in Vadodara, India
SIGHTSEEING
Not only the popularity, the uniqueness of Lakshmi Vilas Palace is definitely the kind of place you shouldn’t miss. As one of the most popular attractions in Vadodara city, this massive, 19th century palace was styled on the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture and built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890. It features an art museum, a concert hall, and a zoo. With the best deal of prices, you get to witness the most interesting things about the city’s history. The amazing details of the building will fill your eyes with amazement. Get ready to admire, because every step you make is literally gold.
Lakshmi Vilas Palace
DOWNTOWN
The best way to enjoy life in the downtown of Vadodara city is by visiting one of the most popular attractions called Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery. This old museum and gallery are displaying Asian and Middle Eastern paintings, sculptures, and weaponry. It offers stuffed birds and animal statues, Indian bird species, lion family, corals, marine organisms, huge whale skeleton, and so many more. With all its exciting offerings, you just need to pay 20 rupees.
Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery
SHOPPING
Shopping in Vadodara is one of the most fun activities you can do. Shopping markets are lined with the colorful streets you can’t resist. Streets like Raopura, Mandvi, Teen Darwaza, Lehripura Mandir Bazaar, and Alkapuri Arcade are serving the most exciting goodies and local’s specials such as silver jewelry, furniture, ethnic wear, handicrafts, footwear, paintings, and many more. But if you’re looking for more of mall and modern type of stuffs, Eva The Mall is the best mall for your shopping need. As the most high-rated mall in Vadodara city, this mall is offering all high-quality products at an ideal location. From clothing with best national and international qualities, shoes, beauty products, food and produces, a multiplex, and so many more. With its unique, angular building, this mall is the best place for shopaholics.
Eva The Mall
FOOD & DRINK
Once you’re in Vadodara, you can’t resist the existence of its special cuisines. The city offers a lot of local food and Sev Usal is one of them. Sev Usal is a delicious local food that comes with numerous varieties. It is made of peas, a variety of Indian spices and garnished with sev. It usually served with a side of chopped onions, lemons, and a spicy gravy and pav (bread buns). For the drink, Vadodara has Lassi and Falooda as some of its popular drinks. Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices, and sometimes fruits. And Falooda is made from mixing rose syrup, vermicelli, sweet basil seeds with milk, and often it served with ice cream.
CULTURE
Vadodara is a city that exhibits the best of art, culture, and heritage. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Gujarat. Celebrated for its stunning temples and rich histories, it receives many tourists every year. Vadodara people speaks Gujarati as their official language.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
There are 3 seasons that are best to plan a trip to Vadodara city; winter, summer, and monsoon. Winter happens from October to March. With the month of October, the temperature starts reducing due to cold northerly winds and the weather reminds mild. While summer happens from March to May, monsoon happens from June to September.
HOTEL
One of the best things about Vadodara city is that you get to experience affordable prices of hotels. The Baroda Residency is one of them. This popular hotel is standing beautifully with its bright color and ready to be your partner. With the well-appointed rooms and its modern amenities, this hotel is located right in the city center only 3 km from Sayaji Baug park and 4 km from Lakshmi Vilas Palace. Exciting amenities such as a colorful restaurant with traditional artwork decoration, 2 banquet halls, a terrace, a gym room, and an airport shuttle are at the ready for your visit. And another good priced hotel for you who happens to be a first-time traveler is Regenta Inn Vadodara. As one of the most high-rated hotels in the city, it offers you a different kind of living experience. This 3-star hotel is located alongside shops within the Ved Transcube Mall and it is just a 4-minute walk from Vadodara train station. And the popular Lakshmi Vilas Palace is just 4 km away from the hotel. The bright and straightforward rooms are ready to be your special resting place with all its modern facilities. Other enjoyable amenities including a polished restaurant that offers both buffet and a la carte multi-cuisine menus, a lobby lounge, fitness center, and event amenities like a banquet hall.
The Baroda Residency
Regenta Inn Vadodara
RESTAURANT
There are many popular restaurants in this city and 22nd Parallel is one of them. With its desire to be the friendly south Indian neighborhood, this popular restaurant offers a great selection of authentic local dishes and drinks. Comes with all its uniqueness, this restaurant has been a great place for family gathering and just for enjoying the special south Indian cuisines. And another good recommendation for your culinary trip would be Jassi De Parathe. As one of the most popular restaurants in Vadodara city, it offers the tastiest Punjabi foods. The contagious smile of the staff will definitely add friendliness for your visit. The colorful room decoration with traditional styles will also be the kind of surroundings. India’s most popular cuisine, Aloo Paratha, is absolutely a must try while you’re here.
22nd Parallel
Jassi De Parathe
CAFE
Your cafe life is not complete without visiting this famous cafe named Coffee Culture Vadodara. Awarded as Emerging Cafe Chain of The Year by Franchise India, this cafe is has gained success with its 21 over outlets across India. Since its opening in 2004, it has been grown exceptionally great year by year serving a comfortable space with fresh and superior quality ingredients. Though it’s known for its vast range of food items and beverages, the important of local ingredients is still in mind. And of course, the gorgeous room decoration is hard not to mention. There is no denying that good and comfortable room decoration could affect your decision to visit a place. This Caffein Cafe comes to your presence with the best room setting with cozy atmosphere. Known as the best place for hang out, it offers local menus with its specialties. The amazing room vibe will completely add new experience. While the indoor is set with comfortable lights and decors, the windy outdoor lets you get into your menus intimately with the company of classic floors.
Coffee Culture Vadodara
Caffein Cafe
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
Having a fun night out with friends is a must while traveling to a destination. In Vadodara India, Cloud 3 Disco Lounge is one of the best night clubs for you to visit. It is a great place to create unforgettable memories with the best music and sound system, seducing foods, and obviously a variety of good drinks. This club will definitely let you step into a world of fun and magic with its cool lighting. And if you happen to be a dancer or just loves to dance, THE HI-HATs is a great place to be. It allows you to have the best night with the company of lovely people and stunning lighting. Known as the best place for party, it offers good ambiances, good food if you need to fill up your stomach, and you’ll be accompanied by cool DJs. Dance your heart out and enjoy the night while surrounded by local people.
Cloud 3 Disco Lounge
THE HI-HATs
INTERESTING PLACE
One of the most interesting places you must visit while in Vadodara city is EME Temple. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built in 1966. Best known for its aluminum-covered geodesic dome construction, this temple is a major attraction in India for both tourist and devotees. Another special place you need to visit is Kirti Mandir, Vadodara. This magnificent Mandir is known as the cenotaph of the Gaekwads and has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vadodara city. This charming place is offering classic building styles, murals and busts, site of occasional photo, and art exhibitions.
EME Temple
Kirti Mandir, Vadodara
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
Everything about Tapovan Mandir is absolutely worth your attention. From the classic building, the coloration, the stunning details, to the greenery gardens around it. This Hindu temple is popular for its beauty it serves. The building itself is a unique combination of North and South Indian temples. Every click will be counted. You are urged to get ready because your camera will totally love this kind of place. Sayaji Baug Zoo has to be one of the most popular places in Vadodara city. Also known as Kamati Baug, this place was built by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad of Baroda. It is known as the biggest garden in Western India with the area surrounding more than 100 acres. As iconic as it is, it has one of the biggest floral clocks in India and in the world. The stunning greenery will suit your need of beauties.
Tapovan Mandir
Sayaji Baug Zoo
