Ahmedabad/Central Zone

Ahmedabad Central Zone is the core of the metropolitan city of Ahmedabad. It consists of the areas of Girdharnagar, Madhupura, Dudheshvar, Shahpur, Dariapur, Kalupur, Raikhad, Jamalpur, Khadia, etc. These old walled city of Ahmedbad was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.

Understand

City walls of Ahmedabad 1866

Old Ahmedabad, the world heritage listed walled city of Ahmedabad was founded by Ahmed Shah I of Gujarat Sultanate in 1411. It remained the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate and later important political and commercial centre of Gujarat. Today, despite having become extremely crowded and dilapidated, it still serves as the symbolic heart of metropolitan Ahmedabad.

The entrances to the walled city, called Darwaja's, have a unique names and history. Pretty much the area surrounding these gates have adopted the name of the gate as the name of the locality. Each of the gate has beautiful carvings, calligraphy and some of them even balconies.

Get in

You can reach this zone from almost anywhere in the city by bus. 1 AMTS Central Bus Terminus is located at Lal Darwaja.

See

• 1 Jama Masjid, Gandhi Road, Danapidth, Khadia. (mosque). It is amongst the most popular tourist sights in the city. Built of yellow sandstone this mosque stands on 260 pillars which support 15 domes at varying elevations. The mosque was built by Ahmad Shah in 1423. It is easily accessible as it stands in the centre of the old city. This imposing structure reflects the Muslim architecture of that period.  
• 2 Bhadra Fort. To add special charm to the varied sights of the city there is the Bhadra Fort, which once housed royal palaces and well-laid gardens. It boasts the temple of Bhadrakali during the Maratha rule. The fort was built in 1411.  

• Bhadra Tower. On the gates of Bhadra Fort 

• 3 Jhulta Minara (Shaking Minarets, Sidi Bashir Mosque) (Located near Ahmedabad Railway Station (Kalupur) near Sarangpur Bridge.). Quite an unusual structure, Jhulta Minara or swaying minarets are a part of the mosque of Siddi Bashir and can be moved back and forth by applying a little force at the topmost arch. One of the minarets was partly demolished by an Englishman in his endeavors to unravel the mystery of the swaying minarets. The mosque was built by master craftsmen and the crucial mechanism that leads to the vibration is still a mystery. The other interesting fact here is that these minars stand the test of the rumbling trains that pass not very far away from them.  

Siddi Saiyed Jali Mosque

• 4 Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Mirzapur Cross Lane, Gheekanta, Lal Darwaja. Sidi Sayed Mosque is unique for its exquisite screens, which are praised for their amazing Jhali screen, framed, in the ten semi-circular windows. The screen carved out of one rock is just exceptional. A visit to this superb and outstanding example of delicate carving is an absolute must. Free.  
• 5 Teen Darwaja (Three Gates) (south of Shahpur near Lal Darwaja). It is composed of 3 arched entrances was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as a royal entrance to Maidan Shahi. Mughal emperor Jehangir and his wife Nur Jahan used to watch the Tazia procession of Mahuram from over these gates.  

Sabarmati Riverfront (Evening)

• 6 Sabarmati Riverfront (Central Zone and West Zone). Across the city on both the banks of the Sabarmati River, is a refreshing place in the mornings; a very relaxing atmosphere in the evening. A must-visit place. It can be accessed by a narrow road on the right, a few metres ahead from the point where Subhash Bridge ends on the Shahibaug side. Also a road to the left, just a little ahead of Income Tax on Ashram Rd (from RTO side), leads to the Riverfront on the opposite bank to that of the Subhash Bridge one.   Visit 7 Atal Bridge.   and 8 Ellis Bridge. Century-old bridge preserved as monument. (updated Dec 2016)
• 9 Dada Harir ni Vav, Asarva. A stepwell.  
• 10 Hutheesing Jain Temple, Shahibaugh Road, Madhupura. An impressive white structure, the Jain temple built of white marble and elaborately carved is dedicated to Dharmanath: the 15th Jina or Jain Apostle. Similar to all Jain temples, this temple to is rich in intricate carvings displaying, among other things, musicians.  
• 11 Ahmed Shah's Mosque. The oldest mosque of Ahmedabad, built in 1414.  
• 12 Rani no Hajiro (Tombs of Queens of Ahmed Shah), Manek Chowk.  
• 13 Ahmad Shah's Tomb (Badshah no Hajiro), Manek Chowk.  
• Brick Minars at railway station platform. 
• 14 Rani Sipri's Mosque & Tomb.  
• 15 Achyut Bibi's Mosque and Tomb.  
• 16 Dariya Khan's Tomb.  
• 17 Sardar Khan's Roza (Nawab Sardar Khan's Mosque and Gate).  
• 18 Manek Burj, At the east end of Ellis Bridge. Foundation bastion of the city. Associated with folklore of Baba Maneknath. (updated Dec 2016)
• 19 Magen Abraham Synagogue. Only Jewish synagogue in Gujarat. It was built in 1934. (updated Apr 2023)

• 20 Lokmanya Tilak Garden (Victoria Garden), End of Ellis Bridge. 6AM-12:30PM, 2PM-10:30PM. Historical garden established in 1905 houses some monuments. Green relief in concrete jungle. Free. (updated Aug 2024)

Museums

• 21 Calico Museum of Textiles, Sarabhai Foundation, Opposite Shahibagh Underbridge, ☏ +91 79 22868172, fax: +91 79 22865759. Th-Tu 10:30AM-12:30PM, 2:30-5:30PM (no entry after 11AM in morning). Entry restricted to 30 visitors – 15 visitors on the basis of first-come-first-served and 15 by group booking. Has a magnificent collection of rare textiles dating back to the 17th century. There is also an excellent reference library on textiles. It's in the Sarabhai Foundation, in Shahibagh the Calico Museum of Textiles, widely regarded as one of the finest textile museums in the world was constructed in 1949. It has a fines collection of textiles, clothes, furniture, temple artefacts and crafts. Also has a collection of marble, sandstone and bronze icons. 
• 22 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial, Balvantrai Mehta Road, Shahibagh (accessible by 'Circuit House' AMTS bus stop, it's on the Airport Road), toll-free: +91 1800 233 7951. M-Sa 9AM-6PM. It is a memorial and museum dedicated to the National Activist and first Home Minister of independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Museum is opposite the Circuit House in the Moti Shahi Mahal Complex in Shahibaug.  

Mosques

• 23 Jama Masjid (Jama Mosque), Jama Masjid, Manek Chowk, Gandhi Road, Khadia. It is amongst the most popular tourist sights in the city. Built of yellow sandstone this mosque stands on 260 pillars which support 15 domes at varying elevations. The mosque was built by Ahmad Shah in 1423. It is easily accessible as it stands in the centre of the old city. This imposing structure reflects the Muslim architecture of that period.  
• 24 Jhulta Minara (Shaking Minarets) (Central Zone, near the central railway station in Kalupur area). Quite an unusual structure, Jhulta Minara or swaying minarets are a part of the mosque of Siddi Bashir and can be moved back and forth by applying a little force at the topmost arch. One of the minarets was partly demolished by an Englishman in his endeavours to unravel the mystery of the swaying minarets. The mosque was built by master craftsmen and the crucial mechanism that leads to the vibration is still a mystery.  
• 25 Muhafiz Khan's Mosque.  
• 26 Rani Rupamati's Mosque.  
• 27 Shahpur or Kazi Mohmad Chisti's Masjid.  
• 28 Haibat Khan's Mosque.  
• 29 Qutub Shah's Mosque (Qutbuddin Mosque).  
• 30 Dastur Khan's Mosque.  

Do

Jama Masjid

• Heritage Walk (Starts at Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple, Off Relief Road). Starts at 8AM. 2km long walk across the old city to know about culture, architecture and monuments. ₹30 for Indian. $10 for foreigners. (updated Dec 2016)

Buy

• Gujari Bazar. Located near Ellis Bridge and newly developed space of riverfront. The market is paradise for lovers of antique pieces ranging from old coins, records, furniture to old computers. Once a Sunday market for resale of low cost goods it now round the year market. (updated Dec 2016)

Eat

• 1 Manek Chowk (From relief road, enter Ratan Pol to reach). 9PM-1AM. Surrounded by historical structures. It is a vegetable market in the morning, a bullion market in the afternoon and the popular street food market at night. Enjoy steaming Masala Dosa and Pau Bhaji. Try a Chocolate Sandwich or Pineapple Sandwich and Kulfi of Asharfi or Prem Mewad as a dessert. (updated Dec 2016)
• Chandravilas Hotel, Near Farnandese Bridge (It is a few steps below the road). On Gandhi Road, this restaurant is well known for its delicious and iconic Fafda-Jalebi. In January, people flock here to buy Undhiyu. (updated Dec 2016)
• Radhe Khaman, Fatasha Pol, Gandhi Road. Gujarati snack, Khaman and its crushed form Sev-Khamani with Chatni draws people here. Anytime you go, you have to wait in line for few minutes. But its worth it. ₹20/plate. (updated Dec 2016)
• Raipur Bhajia House (in Raipur Gate, opposite Lamba Pada, Raipur Darwaja). Famous for Bhajias (much better taste & quality than the Astodia Bhajia)
• Hotel ZK (1, Relief Rd, Old City, Gheekanta, Bhadra). Seafood restaurant. One of the best and oldest non-veg restaurant in the city.

Drink

• Lucky Tea Stall, Nr. Lal Darwaja. Drink refreshing Masala tea with Maska Bun. Enjoy a painting by renowned artist M. F. Hussain who gave it to owner as a gift of friendship. The stall is located amid graves. (updated Nov 2016)

Sleep

• 1 House of MG, Bhadra Road, Opp. Sidi Saiyad Jali, Lal Darwaja, ☏ +91 79 2550 6946. The heritage hotel built in a restored, Baroque-inspired 1924 home. It is linked by courtyards and archways. Breakfast and parking are free. There is an open-air cafe, and a restaurant on a bi-level terrace, an authentic Gujarati food resaurant. A lotus-themed health club has an indoor pool with dining space. (updated Dec 2016)
• 2 The Cama, A Sabarmati Riverfront Hotel, Mahaveer Marg, Old City, Khanpur. 2 dining options, an outdoor pool and a liquor store. From ₹3200. (updated Sep 2023)
• Hotel Royal Highness is in the heart of business and shopping areas at Lal Darwaja. This hotel charges a premium mid-range hotel tariff, with around 50 rooms and 8 conference rooms.