12 Famous Places To Visit in Surat

Surat is a popular business hub, famous for its diamond and textile industries. If you are in the city for business or other reasons, there’s plenty to do for leisure and fun.

Located close to cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai, many jet set to Surat on the weekend to enjoy a break from the crowd.

From beaches to tourist attractions and museums, Surat has some great places to see. We’ve travelled to the city to bring you the best tourist places in Surat.

Places to visit in Surat: Landmarks

1. Surat Castle (Old Fort)

A historic fort, Surat Castle was built in the 18^th century to safeguard the city from the Portuguese. Today, the fort stands tall on the bank of the Tapi River. Visit the fort if you love history and old architecture. While you are at the castle, enrol yourself for the video presentation, it takes you back in time and shows you the might of Gujarat’s Sultanate.

• • Location: Near Tapi River

• Timing: 10 am to 6 pm

2. Mughal Sarai

The Mughal Sarai in Surat is an important landmark and an iconic structure. It was previously used as a tourist inn. Today, the building houses offices of the Surat Municipality.

Visit this iconic structure to bask in the glory of its stunning architecture. Gaze at rich Islamic art on the arches of the Mughal Sarai. Once you are done sightseeing, enjoy delicious local Gujarati cuisine at restaurants and cafes nearby.

• • Location: Surat City Centre

• Timing: 24 hours

3. Dutch Garden

The Dutch Garden is also called the Dutch Cemetery. The garden was built in honour of Dutch and British officials who settled in Surat for work. The garden has beautiful tombs and gorgeous landscapes.

Iconic things to see inside the Dutch garden are the tomb of  Baron Adrian Van Reede, the director of the Dutch company and the mausoleums of the Dutch cemeteries.

• • Location: Nanpura

• Timing: 8 am to 12 am; 3 pm to 11 pm

4. Tomb of Khudawand Khan

The Tomb of Khudawand Khan is located near the Chakla Bazaar. The tomb was built on the honour of Khudawand Khan, a former Governor of Surat. The tomb is beautiful and is made using Islamic caricature and architecture. There is a plaque with information about the life of Khudawand Khan near the tomb.

After exploring the tomb, you can do some shopping at the Chakla Bazaar.

• • Location: Chakla Bazaar Road

• Timing: Sunrise to Sunset

Places to visit in Surat: Gardens & Parks

1. Sneh Rashmi Botanical Garden

The Sneh Rashmi Botanical Garden in Surat is a popular hangout spot for locals. The parks is great place to visit to get away from the noise of city life. Surrounded by gorgeous trees, the garden is home to wide walking tracks, a pond and many exotic plants.

There is plenty to do at the park, children can enjoy the mini train rides, and couples can spend quality time with each other, enjoying nature. Fitness enthusiasts can jog or take long walks on the pathways at the Sneh Rashmi Botanical Garden.

• • Location: Ugat Bhesan Road

• Timing: 10 am to 10 pm

2. Sarthana National Park

The Sarthana National Park was created in 1984. The park is home to different species of animals and exotic plants. It is a great place to learn about wildlife. The park is also a great place to enjoy picnics and nature trails.

At the park, there is also a butterfly park (believed to India’s largest) where you can see rare and exotic species of butterflies.

• • Location: Anand Nagar

• Timing: 10 am to 5 pm

Places to visit in Surat: Temples

1. Ambika Niketan Temple

The Ambika Niketan Temple is located near the Tapi River. The shrine is an important pilgrimage site for the people of Surat. The temple was built in 1969 and it is dedicated to Goddess Ambika. Inside the temple complex, there are two small shrines, one is dedicated to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita and the other to Laxminarayan.

The best time to visit the temple is during the festival of Goddess Ambika, the temple is beautifully decorated with flowers and the atmosphere inside the temple is heavenly.

• • Location: Anand Nagar

• Timing: 10 am to 5 pm

2. ISKON Temple

A haven of peace and quiet, the ISKON Temple is a nice place to visit when you are in Surat. The best time to visit is on the weekend, devotees come with a deep devotion to pray to Lord Krishna.

There is a small room in the ISKON complex where Yoga and meditation are conducted.

• • Location Rander Road

• Timing: 7 am to 8 pm

3. Chintamani Jain Temple

The Chintamani Jain Temple is one of the oldest Jain temples in Surat. It was built in 1699 AD, during the reign of Aurangzeb. The temple is beautifully constructed using Indian architecture.

On the walls of the temple walls, you can spot intricate carvings and a few paintings. The paintings depict Acharya Hemachandra and other Solanki kings.

• • Location Morarji Nagar

• Timing: 6 am to 6 pm

4. Swaminarayan Temple

The Swaminarayan Temple was built in honour of Sahajanand Swami, an incarnation of Narayana. The temple complex has three shrines dedicated to different Hindu Gods. The temple was built with a modern facade. On the walls of the temple, there are intricate carvings and scriptures from historic moments from the Vaishnava sect.  

• • Location: Swaminarayan Mandir Road

• Timing: 7 am to 8 pm

Places to visit in Surat: Cultural

1. Sardar Patel Museum

The Sardar Patel Museum is a popular tourist attraction in Surat. At the museum, you can find old artefacts, maps and exhibits about Surat’s rich and glorious past. There is a small exhibition room that has maps of travellers and there is a planetarium at the museum too.

For the best experience, sit for the audio-visual show that shows the creation of the universe.

• • Location: Gandhi-Sardar Smruti Chowk

• Timing: 9 am to 5 pm

2. Rang Upvan

Rang Upvan is Surat’s biggest outdoor amphitheatre. It is famous for hosting Gujarati plays and some of the best local theatre personalities have performed here. Apart from plays, Rang Upvan hosts music concerts and even has yoga sessions. A must visit for anyone looking to explore Surat’s rich culture.

• • Location: Nanpura

• Timing: 9 am to 7 pm

You might have guessed by now that Surat does have some fabulous places to see. The city has temples and historic monuments to explore. You can also visit a few nature parks and gardens.

So, the next time you are in Surat for work and are looking to spend time exploring the city, we suggest that you pick places from this list.  Besides being popular, these places have a close connection to Surat’s rich cultural heritage.