There is a large variety of tourist attractions in Gujarat. The Gujarat state is deeply rooted in its history and culture, which is reflected in all its cities and villages. We have coved some major tourist places near Junagadh city. Right from hills to beaches, Junagadh has something for every tourist. Locals can explore temples, historical monuments, hills, beaches, and many other popular attractions near the Junagadh area.
Best Tourist Places Near Junagadh City:
Junagadh is a very ancient and pilgrimage city. Below listed are some of the top Junagadh tourist places.
1. Uparkot:
A popular fort, Uparkot is one of the most popular historical spots in Junagadh. This Uparkot fort has tall walls with moats that were once considered to be the habitat of crocodiles to protect the fort. The fort has many attractions inside it which are huge crowd pullers.
- Attractions – The fort caves and steps, Navghan Kuwo (well)
- Uparkot Fort Timings – 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Uparkot Fort Entry Fee – Indian Adults – Rs 100, Indian Child (Below 12 years) – Rs 50, Junagadh Adults – Rs 50, Junagadh Child (Below 12 years) – Rs 25
- Distance from Junagadh – 77 km
- Best Time to Visit – November and February
Read Also: Best Famous Historical Places In India
2. Girnar Hill:
This is one of the top attractions near Junagadh and is visited by many tourists across the year. Girnar hill can be traced back thousands of years and it is also considered to be a holy place. It is visited by both Hindus and Jains and is a revered attraction among tourists. The hills are situated in the midst of Gir forests and have many activities to offer.
- Attractions and Activities – Prehistoric remains of the fort, trekking points, and religious spots
- Distance from Junagadh – 6 km
- Best Time to Visit – Aug to March
3. Navghan Kuvo:
These are two steep wells located inside the Uparkot Fort. The wells are completely carved in rocks and are visited by many tourists who visit the fort. Legend has it that the wells were carved through a single tone on the order of the king to trace water.
- Attractions – Adi-Kadi Vav
- Timings – 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Distance from Junagadh – 5 km
- Best Time to Visit – September to March
4. Gir National Park:
A highlight of the region, the Gir forests are a major habitat of the Asiatic lion. The experience of visiting the Gir forest national park will be a unique one and you can experience many more animal species here. The Nawab of Junagadh had initiated the conservation of lions here and since then the forests have seen a steady increase in the number of lions.
- Attractions – Asiatic lion, Leopard, Chinkara, Hyena, Sambar Deer
- Timings – 6:00 am to 11:00 am, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- Safari Ticket Prices – Check Official Website Gir Lion Gujarat
- Distance from Junagadh – 106 km
- Best Time to Visit – October to March
Read Also: Best 23 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Gujarat
5. Edicts of Ashoka:
An edict is a decree passed by the official authority. The edict passed by King Ashoka was to leave the path of violence. He had renounced his throne to adopt Buddhism. Ashoka’s rock edicts inscribe the traits of Buddhism and this place is visited by many spiritual people.
- Attractions – Major rock edicts, Dhauli, Ashokan Edicts
- Distance from Junagadh – 4 km from city Junction
- Best Time to Visit – October to March
6. Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach:
Mandvi beach is situated on coastline of Gujarat state. This beach is one of the best attraction among other places of Gujarat. In addition, it also famous for its culture and tourist like to visit to see such beautiful places.
- Attractions – Water Sports, Sunsets, Relaxation, and Camel Rides
- Distance from Junagadh – 147 km from city Junction
- Best Time to Visit – October to March
7. Buddhist Caves:
These caves are where the headquarters for the Buddhist monks were. Many caves belong to the third century AD. Many of the caves were created under King Ashoka. They were placed to reside for the monks of the region.
- Attractions – Khapra Kodiya Caves
- Timings – 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Entry Fee – Rs. 20/- for Indians and Rs. 250/- for Foreigners
- Distance from Junagadh – 2 km from the center of the city
- Best Time to Visit– October to March
8. Sarkeshwar Beach:
The best place near Junagadh if you wish to relax is the Sarkeshwar beach. It is a soothing beach lined with seashells. The beach is calm and crowd-free and gives a beautiful view of the Arabian Sea. The beach is rocky and the sand here is full of pebbles, gravels, and cobblestone dust.
- Attractions – Waterside activities
- Distance from Junagadh – 157 km
- Best Time to Visit– October to March
9. Sakkarbaug Zoo:
This Zoological Garden is among the popular places in Junagadh and is a top spot among kids. The highlight of the zoo is the purely bred Asiatic lions. It also has a natural history museum and a veterinary hospital.
- Attractions – Asiatic Lions, Antelope, Wild Boar, Blue Bull, Birds
- Timings – 9:00 am to 12:15 pm, and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Distance from Junagadh – 3 km from city center
- Best Time to Visit – All round the year
10. Jain Temples:
This group of fascinating temples in the Girnar region have similar architecture. These temples have quadrangle courtyards and its pillars are engraved with the carvings of Jain Tirthankars. Many monks visit here to attain moksha.
- Attractions – Neminath temple
- Distance from Junagadh – 7 km from city center
- Best Time to Visit– October to March
11. Madhavpur Beach:
One of the most serene and peaceful places to see near Junagadh is Madhavpur Beach. It is extremely peaceful and is worth a family vacation. The beach is lined by coconut trees and pleasant vegetation. It has calm waters that make it worth a visit with the family.
- Attractions – The turtles on the beach
- Distance from Junagadh – 84 km
- Best Time to Visit – October to March
12. Tulsi Shyam Temple:
These are the natural springs near Junagadh that are popular among tourists. The holy water of the Tulsi Shyam Springs is known to have minerals like sulphur. There is a group of three streams with varied temperatures and these possess curative properties.
- Distance from Junagadh – 116 km
- Timings – 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Best Time to Visit – November to March
13. Somnath:
One of the most popular religious sites, Somnath temple is popular as it houses a Jyotirlinga revered by the Hindus. Another attraction of the city is Somnath Beach which has violent waves but provides a great experience of being close to nature. The Saurashtra cuisine is another highlight in Somnath.
- Attractions – Mahadev Temple, Somnath Beach, Sun Temple, Bhalka Tirtha, Buddhist Sana Caves, Mai Puri Masjid, Veraval
- Timings – 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Distance from Junagadh – 94 km
- Best Time to Visit – October to February
Read Also: 12 Jyotirlingas of India – Names, Locations & Travel Guide
14. Dwarka:
This is an ancient city located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula. It is also called Dev-bhoomi as it was part of the ancient kingdom of Krishna. The city has a lot of religious significance and it attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. Dwarka has a beachside and seashores are an added tourist attraction. The city was revealed through excavations and it was completely underwater once.
- Attractions – Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Seashore, beach side
- Timings – 7:00 am to 12:30 pm, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Distance from Junagadh – 206 km
- Best Time to Visit – August to February
15. Datar Hill:
This is a holy site opposite the Girnar Hills. It is a popular pilgrimage in Gujarat. Datar Hills are among the five principal peaks of Mount Girnar. It is also called Guru Dattatray and also has the shrine of Jamiyal Shah Dataar. The Wellington Dam, built over the Kalwa River is another attraction here. It is extremely scenic during monsoons.
- Attractions – Dattatray Temple, Tomb and shrine of Jamiyal Shah Dataar, Koyala Vajir Temple, and Digambar Jain Bhagwan Neminath Temple
- Distance from Junagadh – 8 km from city center
- Best Time to Visit – October to March
16. Diu:
One of the most beautiful islands that is located in the Veraval Port, Diu is one of the best attractions of the Kathiyawar region. Diu is one of the popular tourist places and has many natural beaches, museums, and many other attractions. Places to visit in Diu are perfect places for recreation and sightseeing.
- Attractions – Ghogla Beach, St Paul’s Cathedral, Fortress of Panikotha, Diu Museum, Bird Sanctuary
- Distance from Junagadh – 174 km
- Best Time to Visit– August to February
17. Mahabat Maqbara:
Mahabat Maqbara is one of the famous places in Junagadh. It is a beautiful monument that was built in 1678 by the ruler of Aurangabad, Abdulrahman Adil Shah. The tomb is adorned with intricate carvings and paintings and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India. Visitors can also explore the surrounding gardens, which feature a variety of plant life. Whether you are interested to know about ancient history or looking for a peaceful place to relax, Mahabat Maqbara is definitely worth a visit.
- Attractions: A wonderful blend of Indo-Islamic architecture coupled with the Gothic art form in Mahabat Maqbara is truly pleasing to the eyes. You can also visit Tomb of Bahar-ud-din Bhar, Jami Masjid and Vazir’s Maqbara nearby.
- Timings: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Distance from Junagadh: 1.5 km
- Best time to visit: November to February
18. Swami Narayan Mandir:
Swami Narayan Mandir is a Hindu temple, built in 1822. The temple is made of sandstone and marble, and its architecture is based on the traditional Indian style. The temple is also surrounded by a garden with fountains, and it has a museum that displays paintings and sculptures.
Visitors to Swami Narayan Mandir can learn about the history of the temple, see the beautiful architecture, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
- Attraction: Visitors can enjoy the morning and evening aarti in the mandir. There is also a sound and light laser show, narrating mythological stories, that can be enjoyed by tourists of all ages.
- Timings: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Distance from Junagadh: 2 km
- Best time to visit: October to March
19. Darbar Hall Museum:
Darbar Hall Museum is a great place to learn about the history of Gujarat. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts that date back to the Mughal period. Visitors can also see how the Gujarati culture has evolved over the years. The museum is open every day from 9 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 5:15 pm. Admission is free for all visitors.
- Attraction: The museum includes an amazing collection of 19th-century paintings, weapons, textiles, costumes, and other artifacts.
- Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Wednesday closed)
- Entry Fee: Rs 5 per person
- Distance from Junagadh: 1 km
- Best time to visit: October to February
20. Damodar Kund:
If you’re looking for a breathtaking place to visit near Junagadh, Damodar Kund is definitely worth checking out. Situated at the foothills of Girnar Hill, this beautiful lake is surrounded by soaring mountains and lush greenery. It’s also a popular spot for pilgrims, as it’s said to be the place where Lord Shiva drank the poison that was churned up from the ocean. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to relax or simply want to take in the stunning scenery, Damodar Kund is definitely worth a visit.
- Attraction: The temples on the lakeside are worth paying a visit. There are two reservoirs nearby the lake where you can take a dip. You can enjoy trekking while being here and enjoy the majestic view of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other high mountains. You can also attend a fair, organized on Amavasya day of Bhadarva month nearby the lake.
- Distance from Junagadh: 5 km
- Best time to visit: March to October
Plan a Short Trip:
Take a screenshot or bookmark this page because you will surely need this page on your vacation to Junagadh. From adventure to culture and religion to food; Junagadh has everything to offer to vacation with family and friends; memories of which would be eternal.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Junagadh:
Some of the best places near Junagadh are Uparkot Fort, Girnar Hill, Gir National Park, Somnath Temple, and Mahabat Maqbara.
The best time to visit Junagadh and surrounding tourist spots is between October to March.
Yes, Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Sarkeshwar Beach, and Madhavpur Beach are peaceful and scenic beaches located near Junagadh.
Gir National Park, Madhavpur Beach, Darbar Hall Museum, and Swami Narayan Mandir are great places for a family vacation.
Yes, places like Girnar Hill, Somnath Temple, Jain Temples, and Datar Hill are popular religious spots for pilgrims.
Yes, Uparkot Fort, Mahabat Maqbara, Darbar Hall Museum, and Buddhist Caves are all located within or near the city.
Yes, Girnar Hill and Datar Hill are ideal places for trekking. These hills are surrounded by natural beauty and spiritual sites.
