Vadodara

The private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III,  Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the grandest places to visit in Vadodara. Known to be the largest private residence in the world, the Palace is four times the size of the Buckingham Palace and spreads across an area of nearly 500 acres. The Palace premises houses the Moti Bagh Palace, a Banquet Hall, and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, which contains an extraordinary collection of paintings done by Raja Ravi Verma along with many other artefacts. In the 1930's, Maharaja Pratapsinha established a golf course within the premises for the entertainment of his European guests, and the same was made open to the public in the year 1960. The architecture of the Palace was designed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival style. The Darbar Hall in the Palace has a Venetian mosaic floor and Belgian-style stained glass window. Outside the hall is an Italian style fountain courtyard. The Palace also houses several different sculptures of bronze and terracotta, making Laxmi Vilas a wonder to marvel at. Location: J N Marg, Moti Baug, Vadodara, Gujarat 390001Timings: 09.30AM-05.00PM on all days of the week.Entry fee: For palace: Rs. 200 per person.Best time to visit: October to December is the ideal time to visit the Laxmi Vilas Palace. The pleasant weather during this time makes it the best time to enjoy the palace outdoors.

Also known as Kamati Baug, Sayaji Baug or the Sayaji Garden is one of the biggest public gardens in all of India. Sprawling across a massive area of 100 acres, the garden houses nearly 98 different species of trees along with a number of flora. The Park also houses the largest floral clock in India, making it one of the most unique places to visit in Vadodara.The mammoth garden premises also houses a number of other attractions within itself, such as the Sardar Patel Planetarium, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, and the Zoo. It  is also home to the Sayaji Toy Train, an attraction designed specifically for children and offering a tour of the entire park.Location: Vinoba Bhave Rd, Near Kala Ghoda, Dak Bunglaw, Sayajiganj, Vadodara, Gujarat 390005Timing: 05.00AM-11.00PM on all days of the week. The Toy Train services and zoo remains closed on Thursdays.Price: There is no entry fee required for the park itself. However, the entry fee for its individual attractions are as follows: Planetarium Prices: Adults- INR 7Children- INR 5Toy Train: Adults- INR 40Children- INR 20Zoo Admission Prices: Adults- INR 10Children- INR 5Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Sayaji Gardens would be during the cooler months between October and March, when the weather remains cool and pleasant, allowing one to enjoy the open outdoors.

Located in the heart of Vadodara's Sayaji Baug, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery is a two-storeyed house of wonders. The Museum and Gallery was constructed by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad for the education of his subjects and contained artefacts handpicked by the Emperor himself. The architecture of the twin structure is a beautiful blend of Maratha and European designs. The Museum and Gallery includes works detailing the history of the country from the prehistoric ages to modern times. Several European and Islamic works are also housed here. The vast collection of the Museum represents the disciplines of Osteology, Geology, Anthropology, Palaeontology, Geography, Geology and many others. At the same time, the gallery contains artworks from the Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and British schools among others. The fantastic collection housed within the Museum makes it one of the most fascinating places to visit in Vadodara.Location: University Rd, Dak Bunglaw, Sayajiganj, Vadodara, Gujarat 390018Timings: 10.30AM-05.30PM on all days of the weekEntry fee: Entry is free for children below the age of 12 years. Entry tickets are priced at Rs. 5 per person for everybody else.Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Museum and Gallery is between the months of October to March.

Adorned with landscaped gardens, the Ajwa Nimeta Garden is a perfect spot to spend a leisurely weekend. Sprawling across a massive span of 130 acres, the Garden is fashioned after the Vrindavan Gardens. Apart from many flowering trees and manicured lawns, the Garden contains several playgrounds for children and is a perfect tourist place in Vadodara to enjoy a scenic picnic. The major attraction at the Ajwa Nimeta Dam Garden, however, is the musical fountains that conduct light and sound shows every evening from Fridays through Monday. Location: Ajwa Nimeta Road, Vadodara, IndiaTimings: 08.00AM-09.00PM on all days of the week.Entry fee: Rs. 20 per person for adults and children above the age of 12.                                 Rs. 15 per person for children below the age of 12.Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Ajwa Nimeta Dam Garden would be during the winter months between November to February. During this time, the temperature remains suitable to enjoy the outdoor activities.

The esteemed Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum occupies a prominent position within the premises of the Laxmi Vilas Palace. The Museum was initially constructed as a school for the children of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Now, the splendid structure houses valuable artwork done by esteemed artists such as Raja Ravi Verma, Raphael, Titian and Murillo. The Museum also contains a number of personal belongings of the Gaekwad family. A rare attraction found in the Museum is the vast collection of marbles from multiple countries such as China, Japan, and Europe. Many bronze and marble sculptures also adorn the halls. The international collection of prized possession housed within the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum makes it one of the most popular tourist places in Vadodara.Location: Laxmi Vilas Palace Estate, Next Motibaug Cricket Ground, Vadodara 390001Timings: The Museum remains closed on Mondays. It remains open between 10.30AM and 05.30PM on all other days of the week.Entry Fee: Rs. 150 per person for non-Indians.Rs. 60 per person for Indians.Rs. 40 per person for children.Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Museum and Gallery would be between the months of October and March.

Formerly known as the Chandan Talav, the Sur Sagar Lake derives its name from that of its maker, Sureshwar Desai Sitting in the middle of the city of Vadodara, this 18th-century lake remains full of water throughout the year. The biggest attraction of the lake is the 120 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva that stands in the centre of the lake. On Maha Shivratri, the enormous statue is lit up. The lake itself becomes the heart of a grand celebration, making the lake one of the most prominent places to visit in Vadodara during this festival. The lake is also a popular boating spot in Vadodara, and many boating and yachting tournaments are held here.Location: Mandvi, Vadodara, Gujarat 390001Timings: Open 24 hours on all days of the week.Entry fee: No entry fee required.Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Sur Sagar Lake would be during the winter months between October to March, when the temperature remains relatively low, making it easier to enjoy the water activities.

Built as a cenotaph for the Gaekwads, Kirti Mandir or the Temple of Fame was constructed by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in the year 1936. Boasting of architectural splendour, the building features a number of beautifully structured balconies, terraces and tombs. A brilliantly carved shikhara, climbing to 35 feet in height, forms the centrepiece of the attraction. The shikhara consists of carvings of the sun, moon and earth along with a map of undivided India. The interior hallways boasts of a wide selection of exquisite paintings and murals, including works of renowned artists such as Nandalal Bose. The central hall within Kirti Mandir is now used for conducting prayers and musical concerts. Location: Kothi Rd, Dak Bunglaw, Sayajiganj, Vadodara, Gujarat 390001Timing: 10.00AM- 06.00PM on all days of the week.Entry fee: No entry fee required.Best time to visit: The best time to visit Kirti Mandir would be between the months of October and March, when the weather remains cool and pleasant.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is located in the Atladara region of Vadodara. Being one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Gujarat, the temple is one of the most sought after places to visit in Vadodara.  The BAPS Mandir is the centre of several spiritual and cultural activities, and its teachings focus on the ethics of the Hindu faith, keeping in mind the idea of Indian culture and family unity. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is known for its architectural splendour. The elaborate carvings on the temple walls showcase many religious figures, including Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna, with the main idols worshipped here being that of Swaminarayan and Gunaititanad Swami. The temple celebrates most of the Hindu festivals, attracting tourists throughout the year.Location: Shastri Yagnapurushdas Marg, Atladara Vadodara 390 012 Gujarat IndiaTiming: 07.30 AM- 08.30PM on all days of the week.Entry fee: No entry fee required.Best time to visit: The best time therefore to visit Shree Swaminarayan temple is during the winter months of October to March. The summer months between March to June should be avoided due to extreme temperatures.