Surat is a located in a beautiful spot- it has hill stations as well as amazing beaches in its vicinity. Parts of Western Ghats fall in this area, which are a magnificent and dazzling range of hills. Surat has many weekend getaway spots which also gives you a variety to choose from and decide the destination according to your taste and mood. To choose between holy places, historical places, seasides and also hills, Surat gives a lot of options in a close radius. So here are 10 best weekend getaways from Surat, to help you choose better!
Tithal Beach
- Located in Valsad, Gujarat, India.
- Known for its black sand and scenic beauty.
- A popular spot for picnics and leisure activities.
One of the most attractive spots near Surat, on the coastline of Arabian Sea, is the magnificent picturesque destination of Tithal beach. Not very far from the city, the consuming beauty of the beach is totally worth your precious time. It is one of the most refreshing spots- the scenic beauty of coconut trees by the coast line is beyond words.
Best time to visit: The early mornings and late evening during sunset offer the best views of the place.
Things to do: The best thing to do here is to have a beautiful walk along the coastline while admiring the amazing scenic beauty. The relaxing atmosphere and the pollution free surroundings are the best way to spend your time along with your loved ones, or even solo. The Akshardham temple and the Shirdi Sai Baba temple also lies in the vicinity of the beach. The beach is a perfect destination away from the noisy city life.
Dumas Beach
- Situated near Surat, Gujarat, India.
- Famous for its black sand and mystical stories.
- Believed to be haunted by local legends.
Located at a distance of 18kms from the city, Dumas beach is famous for its tranquillity. The calming effect of the beach attracts a huge number of people from around the city and state. The unique feature of this beach is the sand which is very different from the usual beaches around the country.
Best time to visit: Any time around the year is the best time to visit the beach. (Preferably day time)
Things to do: The gorgeous Dumas beach is famous for the amazing picturesque beauty of the waters. There are hotels and resorts near the beach to spend some leisure time here. The food stalls are amazing. Spend a few hours enjoying the view of the sea and then eat bhajjis and pakodas in the restaurants and food stalls. This is one of the best places to spend some time relaxing and taking a break.
Saputara
- A hill station in the Dang district of Gujarat.
- Offers picturesque landscapes, gardens, and a pleasant climate.
- Known for adventure activities and the artist village.
The magnificent range of the Sahyadri is home to the beautiful hills of Saputara which lies in the Western Ghats. Saputara here means “Abode of Serpents”, the hill is covered in dense forest and hence home to a lot of snakes. The Sarpagandha River bank has small temples where the snake’s images are also worshipped by the Adivasis.
Best time to visit: October – February.
Things to See: The area in and around Saputara has a wide variety of options to make the trip to Saputara a memorable one. The dazzling lush green beauty of the hills, the sunrise and the sunset points, boating in the Saputara Lake, Artist village and Saputara village are some of the amazing attractions of the hills. Not just these, but also the adventurous activities like paragliding can be enjoyed here.
Malshej Ghat
- A mountain pass in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
- Renowned for its lush greenery and waterfalls.
- Ideal for trekking and monsoon tourism.
At a distance of 223kms from the city of Surat, situated on the border of Maharashtra, and being a part of the lovely Western Ghats, Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass. Malshej Ghat is popularly known for the amazing species of birds that are nestled here in the prolific greenery of the hills.
Best time to visit: August – September.
Things to Do: The Malshej Ghat is a perfect destination for the adventure enthusiasts and the wanderers who would like to explore places. Trekking is one of the most favourite activities here, the gushing waterfalls elaborating the natural beauty of the mountains and also the various flora and fauna that thrives here are the most soothing and lovely gifts of Mother Nature. Catch the glimpse of the amazing pink flamingoes which come down between July and September.
Champaner
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gujarat.
- Features well-preserved historical structures.
- Offers insights into India’s medieval Islamic architecture.
Champaner Archeological Park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites which is at distance of 193kms from the city of Surat. It’s an intriguing place, especially for all the history passionate people. The city found by Vanraj Chavda dates back to 8th century which was then ruled by the Chavda dynasty and hence has a vast history associated with it.
Best time to visit: October – February.
Things to see: One of the famous temples here is the Mata Kalika temple which is led by a long flight of steps. The Fort of Pavagadh and ruined Hindu and Jain temples are located at the top of the Pavagadh Hills. There are many other mosques and temples which date back to a number of centuries and have an amazing and unique architecture. The historical city Champaner is worth a visit.
Silvassa
- The capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- Known for its lush greenery, tribal culture, and wildlife sanctuaries.
- Offers a tranquil escape from city life.
A drive of about 2 and half hours from Surat is the paradise-like destination of Silvassa which is also the Capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The scenic beauty of this places is wildly sought after. The Portuguese heritage of the place makes it famous and an intriguing destination among the history enthusiasts.
Best time to visit: November – March.
Things to see: The bustling city of Silvassa which was basically developed into the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli by the Portuguese has not just a rich history to gain knowledge about but also a lot of Tourist Attractions like the woods of Khanvel and the Lion Safari or Vanganga Lake and Church of Lady Piety. The unique cuisines of the tribal people are worth tasting your tongue with, which you are sure to relish. Silvassa is a lovely place to spend your weekend in peace.
Daman
- Another Union Territory in India, known for its coastal beauty.
- Features Portuguese colonial architecture and forts.
- Popular for water sports and seafood cuisine.
One of the popular destinations especially enjoyed by the youth is the beautiful little city of Daman. The place has a rich culture and history which dates back to 2000 years. The beaches, scenic beauty, simplicity and the greenery of the city make it one of the major attractions in the area.
Best time to visit: October and April.
Things to see: The city being ruled by the Portuguese has forts, churches and buildings following the Portugal architectural style. The untouched beaches of the city are an enticing tourist stop. The city is divided into two by the Daman Ganga. The city is worth a visit to spend the weekend and break free for a while.
Modhera
- Famous for the Sun Temple dedicated to the Hindu sun god.
- Located in Gujarat and known for its architectural beauty.
- Hosts an annual dance festival showcasing Indian classical dance forms.
At a distance of 236 kms from the city of Surat is the famous temple dedicated to the Sun God known as Modhera. The temple is located on the bank of River Pushpavati. Very different from the other general Hindu temples, Modhera has its own unique style and Architecture.
Best time to visit: Visit around January- during the dance festival.
Things to see: The temple has a vast Sabha Mandap and the Surya Kund. The marvelous architecture of the temple is worth admiration and appreciation. The Dance festival organized here in the month of January by the tourism corporation is one of the beautiful and lovely festival that also attracts a lot of tourists.
Shirdi
- A prominent pilgrimage town in Maharashtra.
- Home to the revered saint Sai Baba’s shrine.
- Attracts millions of devotees and tourists annually.
One of the most important religious places is the Temple of Shirdi Sai Baba. The place holds a strong holy significance for all the Sai baba devotees. Apart from the Shirdi Sai temple there are many other temples as well as historical spots that are the tourist attractions in the Shirdi. Each spot in Shirdi has a story associated with it.
Best time to visit: July – February.
Things to do: Shirdi is mainly a pilgrimage site and has a lot of temples, so get ready to visit these historical temples. After the darshan in Shirdi Sai temple, set your path to the Shani Shingnapur temple. If time permits visit the Trimbakeshwar temple and do some handicraft shopping. You can try the cuisine here.
Kevadia Colony
- A planned urban development near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
- Houses the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity.
- Offers a visitor center and various attractions around the statue.
Surrounded by the thick forest and towering hills on all the sides, Kavediya is a town located in the District of Narmada. The town also has a rich history and has been ruled by a number of kings. The town is a reflection of Core Gujarat, it is a perfect place to understand and enjoy the rich culture of Gujarat and also relish the amazing cuisine of Gujarat.
Things to do: There are many amazing and popular tourist spots here which make it one of the favorite weekend getaways. The Nehru Foundation Stone Sthal, Narmada River Dam viewpoint, Adinatheshwara temple dedicated to lord Shiva and another temple submerged in the water are a few tourist attractions. A few more tourist spots are also available in the town.
Had a busy week? Finally done with all the works and want to have a break? The perfect location of Surat will never let you get bored of the places in the vicinity. These are a few places for the weekends, there are many other places near Surat which can be picked up for a perfect break. So what are you waiting for? Start packing!