Surat, on the Tapi river near the Gulf of Khambhat, was one of the richest ports of Mughal India, where the English, Dutch, Portuguese and French set up trading posts in the 17th century. Today it is one of India's fastest-growing cities, the centre of the diamond cutting and polishing industry and a major hub for synthetic textiles.
The things to do in Surat are less about big monuments and more about the city's life and food. Surtis are famous for loving to eat, and the city is full of food streets and snacks. Heritage sites include Surat Castle and the old European cemeteries, and beaches and historic Dandi are within easy reach.
One or two days is enough. November to February is the best time, when the famous winter snacks are in season.
For how to get there, when to go and where to stay, see our Surat travel guide.
Quick answer: best things to do in Surat
- Eat locho, khaman and Surti snacks
- Try undhiyu and ponk in winter
- Buy Surti ghari on Chandani Padvo
- See Surat Castle
- Visit the Dutch and Armenian cemeteries
- Walk the Tapi riverfront
- Watch sunset at Dumas beach
- See the Sardar Patel Museum
- Visit the Science Centre
- Take a trip to Dandi and Tithal
Planning a beach holiday? Explore our guide to the best beaches in Gujarat.
Food
Eat locho and Surti snacks
Locho, a soft, spicy steamed gram-flour snack topped with butter, sev and chutney, is Surat's signature breakfast. Try khaman, sev khamni, alu puri and rasawala khaman at old stalls in the city's food streets. There is a local saying that one should eat in Surat and die in Kashi.
Food streets around Chowk Bazaar, Bhagal and Athwa are busiest in the evenings.
- Good for
- Food lovers
- Best time
- Morning and evening
Try undhiyu and ponk in winter
In winter, Surat makes undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish cooked slowly with spices, often in earthen pots. Ponk, tender green sorghum roasted and eaten with sev and chutney, is sold at roadside ponk centres from about December to February.
- Best time
- December to February
Buy ghari on Chandani Padvo
Ghari, a rich sweet made with ghee, mawa and dry fruits, is eaten across the city on Chandani Padvo, the day after Sharad Purnima in autumn. Sweet shops sell it all year.
Heritage
See Surat Castle
Surat Castle (the Old Fort), built in the 16th century to defend the city against the Portuguese, has been restored and opened as a heritage site with galleries on Surat's history. It stands near the Tapi.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
Visit the Dutch and Armenian cemeteries
The Dutch and English cemeteries in Katargam have grand tombs of traders from the 17th and 18th centuries, among the oldest European cemeteries in India. The Armenian cemetery reflects the city's once-thriving Armenian merchant community.
Visit the Sardar Patel Museum
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum, one of the oldest museums in Gujarat, has textiles, arms, coins, ceramics and a gallery on Surat's history.
See the diamond city
Much of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in Surat. Large diamond companies are not generally open to casual visits, but the Surat Diamond Bourse and busy Varachha area show the industry's scale.
Riverfront and beaches
Walk the Tapi riverfront
The riverfront promenades and gardens along the Tapi are busy in the evening, with food stalls and views of the bridges lit up at night.
- Best time
- Evening
Watch sunset at Dumas beach
Dumas beach, about 20 km away, has black sand and a lively food stretch with bhajias and corn. It is known in local lore for ghost stories. Swimming is not recommended because of currents.
- Best time
- Sunset
- Good to know
- Not suited to swimming
Visit Suvali and Ubharat beaches
Suvali and Ubharat beaches are quieter alternatives, with casuarina groves and fewer crowds.
Visit the Science Centre
The Science Centre in Citylight has a planetarium, science galleries and a museum, popular with families.
- Good for
- Families
Day trips
Visit Dandi
Dandi, about 45 km south, is where Gandhi ended the Salt March in 1930 by picking up a handful of salt. The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial has sculptures of the marchers, a solar-powered salt pan and a museum.
The memorial's walkway, lined with statues of the marchers, ends at a canopy over Gandhi's figure, and the beach where he picked up salt is a short walk away. It is especially meaningful on 6 April, the anniversary.
- Time needed
- Half a day
Relax at Tithal beach
Tithal, near Valsad, is a black-sand beach with a Swaminarayan temple and a Sai Baba temple, popular with families.
Go up to Saputara
Saputara, Gujarat's hill station, is about four hours away in the Sahyadri foothills.
By season
November to February
Pleasant weather and the season for undhiyu and ponk.
March to June
Hot and humid; evenings on the riverfront are pleasant.
July to October
Heavy monsoon rain, followed by Navratri and Chandani Padvo in autumn.
Things to do in Surat by type of traveller
Food lovers: A breakfast locho crawl, winter ponk and undhiyu, and evening food streets.
Families: The Science Centre, Surat Castle and Dumas beach.
History lovers: The castle, the European cemeteries and a trip to Dandi.
What to do in Surat with one day
Start with locho for breakfast, then visit Surat Castle and the Dutch cemetery. After lunch, see the Sardar Patel Museum and the Science Centre, and end at Dumas beach for sunset and snacks.
Practical tips for Surat
- Surat has an airport and a major railway station on the Mumbai–Delhi line.
- Gujarat is a dry state; alcohol requires a permit.
- Traffic can be heavy; use app cabs.
- Winter is the best season for food.
Plan the rest of your Surat trip
Surat things to do: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Surat?
Eat locho, undhiyu, ponk and ghari, see Surat Castle and the European cemeteries, walk the Tapi riverfront, visit Dumas beach, the Sardar Patel Museum and the Science Centre, and take trips to Dandi and Saputara.
What is Surat famous for?
Diamond cutting and polishing, textiles and its food.
How many days are enough for Surat?
One to two days.
What is the best time to visit Surat?
November to February.
Things to do near Surat
- Things to do in Saputara: Gujarat's hill station
- Things to do in Vadodara: palaces and Champaner
- Things to do in Daman: Portuguese forts and beaches
More things to do in Gujarat
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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