This guide takes you to bustling bazaars, historical walks, and the Lakshmi Vilas Palace. If you have one extra day in the city, take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Champaner. A 10-day Gujarat trip starts from Vadodara. My train arrived on time from Bengaluru (Bangalore). Vadodara is the third-largest city in Gujarat. Its former name was Baroda. Vadodara was an Indian state ruled by the Gaekwad Dynasty for 200 years. Hired an autorickshaw to take me to Arudh Mahal Homestay. The homestay is a walking distance of the bazaars and the Lakshmi Vilas Palace.
3-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Half-Day in Vadodara
Day 2 Vadodara Historical Walks
Day 3 Day Trip to Champaner
Best Time to Visit
October to March are the best times to visit.
March to May is the hot month as the temperature could rise to 23 to 36 degrees Celsius.
June to September is monsoon.
Where to Stay?
Arudh Mahal Homestay
is owned by Mr. Shital Vijaybhai Pawar’s family. The white-washed mansion is behind a busy street and within walking distance of the old quarter. (+91 99980 34545)
Madhav Bagh – Royal Heritage Stay, finished with Indian and modern design provides a cozy and boutique experience.
Laxmi Vilas Palace
How to Get There?
Flights Only Air India from Delhi and Indigo fly to Vadodara from Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
Daily bus runs between Ahmedabad to Bhuj and Vadodara. An overnight bus is the best option to catch up on some sleep and arrive in the early morning. Sahjanand Travels and Patel Travels are recommended by Gujarat Tourism. If you travel on a budget, the state transport buses are an alternative to this.
Trains leave daily, and weekly travel between Ahmedabad and Vadodara. The Bhuj Ac SF Express is the fastest train to pass by Vadodara in the early morning at 4:50 am and reaches Bhuj at 13:15.
IRCTC is the Indian Railway Corporation. Register an account and book under the Foreigner Quota.
Make your booking at Cleartrip.com or 12go.Asia
Day 1 Half-Day in Vadodara
Places of Interest
Nava Bazar
Raopura Tower
Shree Kathiyawadi Khadki for Kathiawadi thali
Boutique Shops
Baroda Print
Sejal Handicrafts
Mandvi Gate
Presumably, you arrive at noon, and you can spend your half-day wandering Nava Bazar. I explored the bustling Nava Bazar and Raopura Tower, which are on the same street, about one kilometer away.
Nava Bazaar is just a small part of the commercial hub that revolves around the Shiva Statue lake and stretches to Mandvi Gate. Kanherao Market is at the opposite end of the lake. You can explore these two landmarks on Day 2.
End your day at Raopura Tower, then walk to Shree Kathiyawadi Khadki for Kathiawadi thali. Kathiawadi is a cuisine of the Kathis. Southern Gujarat area uses main cooking ingredients potatoes, eggplants, and jaggery etc., not much of leafy vegetables.
Day 2 Historical Walks
To beat the crowds and hot sun, be the first one to arrive at the Lakshmi Vilas Palace at 10:30 AM. Built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890 in the Indo-Saracenic revival style, the lavish palace begins the tour at the lawn and offers a good view of the palace. Take the audio guide!
Lunch at Mandap for a Gujarati Thali. If you crave South Indian thosai/dosa, visit Milkton’s South Corner.
Vadodara Old City Walks
The old city is marked by four entrance gates in each direction as part of the extinct fort “Kila-e-Daulatabad”: Lehripura Gate, Geni Gate, Champaner Gate (North), and Pani Gate (East). Lehripura Gate is considered the most embellished gate, with elaborated balconies.
Tip: Book an Ola (India’s Uber) or an Auto rickshaw to any of the gates to begin your old city tour.
I began my tour from Mandvi Gate, which is not a gate, but rather a pavilion. On my visit, the gate served the purpose of a prayer hall. Statue of gods on the pooja mandir, “prayer cupboard,” devotees circled, waiting for their turn to pray. Mandvi Market is a place for traditional leather footwear, those found in Bandra, Mumbai, at a much lower price.
It is said that the Jama Masjid used to host Asia’s biggest Quran, written by the saint Mohammed Ghauz in the 18th century, but it has been transferred to Darul Uloom Seminary. The Masjid is tucked in the row of shops in an alley that could easily be missed, yet the decorative Islamic carving on the entrance gate might make you look back twice.
Heritage Walks: Open vadodarabyfoot.com on your phone, follow the recommended routes. It comes with English audio :).
Khanderao Market
If you are tired, take an auto-rickshaw to the market. The market was completed in 1906, and the ground floor is for vegetable and fruit markets located in the courtyard. Walk to the courtyard for a glance at the building structure.
Famous Vadodara Snacks
Walk down to Canara Coffee House for a cup of thick milk tea. If you are in the Khanderao Market area, walk 650 meters to Shri Guruprasad Restaurant for Jamun ice cream (seasonal) and stuffing dosa. Visit Jay Mahakali Sev Usal for some signature snacks, sevsal.
More Days in Vadodara?
Tambekar Wada is a three-story building in a wada style (North Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra) built around the 19th century. The Wada preserves some of the colorful story panels painted in various styles.
Jews were hired as soldiers by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III since 1850. A historical graveyard is known as Yehudi Kabristan in Nizampura. The cemetery, unfortunately, has had its historical value neglected.
Day 3 Day Trip to Champaner
Places of Interest
Hike to the Mahakali Mata Mandir, follow the donkey caravan
Jami Masjid
Nagina Masjid
Sahar Ki Masjid
Citadel walls
Setting Vadodara as a travel base allows taking a day trip outside of the city. I checked out of my homestay and left my backpack there.
The major attractions are near the bus stop. Ruins are scattered around the area. Take an autorickshaw if you did not come with a car.
How to Get to Champaner and Around?
Champaner Archaeological Park can be explored on foot or by public transportation. I took a public bus from Vadodara’s Central Bus Station. I took the bus that leaves around 7:30 am and arrived at 9 am. It’s better to arrive early to beat the heat, and it’s a long day to be here.
In Champaner, I used a shared auto-rickshaw service to hop around the sites. Only one main road, so it is convenient to hop on and off the rickshaw. I finished the tour at 3:30 pm and returned to Vadodara at 5 pm to catch the bus to Bhuj.
Car: It would be a hassle-free trip to Champaner if you hire a car or drive your own.
Bus: If you are a budget traveler, public transportation is the best option. The bus leaves every half an hour from Vadodara Central Bus Station to Champaner. The ST (State Transport) Bus to Pavagadh takes about 1.5 hours. Many pilgrims come to the Mahakalika Mata Temple. Booking is not required.
The best way to get around in Champaner is to walk to the major sites and the only village. Otherwise, an auto-rickshaw is the only option available for sharing or hire to Halol.
Where to Eat?
Halol, the major town, is about 7 kilometers from the archaeological park. Small eateries and tea shops are around the bus stop and in the village. It’s recommended to bring your water and snacks.
What to See in Champaner?
Mahakali Mata Mandir
At 9:30 am, I was halfway up to the temple along with a small crowd. The temple hosts the goddess Kalika. It is about 5 kilometers from the bus stop at Pavagadh. Hop on shared transportation with the pilgrims who go to the Pavagadh Fort’s Entry point.
Climb up or take the ropeway.
On the way up the hill, donkey caravans are coming on your way to deliver goods to temple stalls. Vendors sell prayer goods and mangos. Red-finger-prints on every step till the last.
The ropeway is another option accessible from the entry point, which takes you to the hilltop station, where all the prayer goods vendors at. The temple is built on the highest point of the mountain. A long queue climbs slowly to the temple. A panoramic view of the old kingdom looks down on the plains. Upon your return to the Pavangdh bus stop, enjoy a cup of chai at the food stall and some snacks.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
A historical city founded in the 8th century by Vanraj Chavda, one of the kings of the Chavda Dynasty. There are 114 monuments in the area. If you come in a car, you might be able to visit some of them, such as Ek Minar Ki Masjid is tucked in the bush behind the road.
Opposite the main bus stop is the entrance to the park. Get a ticket from the park ticket office to begin your tour. Ruins of citadel walls and a large arched entrance welcome you to the heritage site. Villagers fly through on motorcycles, watch out! This takes you to the private mosque of the royal family, Saher-Ki-Masjid.
You will find the direction signboard pointing to Jami Masjid. The extravagant relief mixed with Hindu and Islamic design, and the great domes are most worthwhile to spend time walking around the mosque. Against the landscape of the area, the green garden is well-maintained with lush green grass and pink flowers. You could pick a nice spot to rest and stare at the monument.
This small village has three streets. See the cow begging for food standing outside the villagers’ homes. There are several basic guesthouses in this village and in the main town. If you prefer to stay back and explore the area.
Where to Go After Vadodara?
If you have more time to explore the cities near Vadodara, add Khambhat to your next destination.
Khambhat was once a flourishing trade city. It was mentioned in Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta’s travelogues between the late 13th and 14th centuries respectively.
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