Surat Travel is a unique way of exploring the rich architectural heritage of the place. Located beside the Tapi River, along the Mumbai- Ahmadabad highway, Surat is easily accessible by well maintained roads, railway network and air.
An important commercial hub of Gujarat, Surat is well connected by an extensive network of roads to Ahmadabad, Mumbai and Vadodara. A number of express and passenger trains travel from Surat to Mumbai and Ahmadabad. Travel to Surat is made easy by the domestic airlines that cater to the air transport in the city. Jet Airways, Indian Airlines, Spicejet, Sahara and Air Deccan are some of the domestic airlines that fly regular flights to the cities of Delhi and Mumbai.
Surat became popular in the 17th and the 18th century as a port city, the remnants of which can be seen in the various tourist destinations of the place. The tourist attractions of Surat still retain the old charm of the trading city. The magnificent forts and gardens contain the historic overtone of the colonial regime. Some of the important tourist spots of Surat are listed below:
- Old Fort: This fort was built in Surat in the 14th century by Muhammad Tughlak
River Side Castle: This castle was built in 1546 by the Sultan of Gujarat and is located on the banks of River Tapi. The castle now houses various corporate offices
- Dutch Gardens: This is the cemetery of the officers who had settled in the region. The Dutch, Armenian and English cemeteries are situated near the Kataragama Gate
- Rangupavan: This is an open air theater with a total capacity of 4000 people
- The Sardar Patel Museum: The museum was established in 1898 and was formerly known as Winchester Museum. Renamed as Sardar Patel Museum after India’s independence, the museum is a repository of a wide collection of artifacts
- Textile Market: The local textile market is famous for the fine fabrics in silk and brocade. The market is an exciting getaway for the shopping enthusiasts
- Dumas: This is one of the most popular and reputed sea side health resort
Accommodation in Surat is provided by the budget and luxury hotels of the city. Lords Park Inn and Holiday Inn Surat are the two luxury hotels in Surat. Hotel Ashish International and Hotel Sheetal Plaza are the reputed budget hotels in Surat. The ideal time to visit Surat is between the months of September and March.
