Watson Museum
Colonial-era museum in Jubilee Garden with arms, coins, textiles and relics of the Jadeja rulers of Rajkot and the Kathiawar princely states.
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About Rajkot
Rajkot sits on the Aji and Nyari rivers in the Saurashtra peninsula, about 215 km south-west of Ahmedabad. It was founded around 1610 by the Jadeja Rajput Vibhoji Ajoji, served as a princely state and was the capital of Saurashtra State from 1948 to 1956. Gandhi grew up here and studied at Alfred High School, so the Kaba Gandhi No Delo family home and the Mahatma Gandhi Museum are the main heritage stops, alongside the colonial-era Watson Museum in Jubilee Garden. The city eats Kathiyawadi thali, fafda-jalebi and pav bhaji, trades in silver and textiles, and is a springboard for Gondal's Naulakha Palace, Wankaner, Morbi, Junagadh and Gir. Gujarat is a dry state, so there are no bars.
- Capital
- New Delhi is the national capital of India; Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat.
- Largest city
- Ahmedabad is Gujarat's largest city; Rajkot is the fourth-largest, after Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara.
- Population
- About 1.29 million in the 2011 census (city); recent estimates for the urban area are higher.
- Languages
- Gujarati (main local language), Hindi and English are widely understood in hotels and shops
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR, ₹)
- Time zone
- Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30), no daylight saving
Explore Rajkot by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Rajkot
The 16 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Kaba Gandhi No Delo (Gandhi's childhood home)
The modest family house where Mohandas Gandhi lived as a boy, now a small museum with photographs and family belongings.
Mahatma Gandhi Museum (Alfred High School)
Memorial opened in 2018 in the school Gandhi attended, with a multimedia walk through his life and the freedom struggle.
Rotary Dolls Museum
More than 1,600 dolls from over 100 countries, opened in 2001, a favourite indoor stop for children.
Jubilee Garden
Shaded city park that holds the Watson Museum, Lang Library and a small children's ride area, central to the old town.
Lang Library
One of Saurashtra's oldest public libraries, with Gujarati and Kathiawadi literature and old periodicals.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Rajkot Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Rajkot, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Rajkot
- Days 1-2Rajkot city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Rajkot
- Days 1-3Rajkot comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Rajkot, departure
Where to stay in Rajkot
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget INR 1,500-2,500 (USD 16-26) per day
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range INR 4,500-7,500 (USD 47-78) per day
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury INR 11,000-20,000 (USD 115-208) per day
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Fortune Park JPS Grand
5-star stay in the 150 Feet Ring Road area of Rajkot; listed rates are aggregator figures and vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comSayaji Rajkot
5-star stay in the Kalawad Road area of Rajkot; listed rates are aggregator figures and vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comSeasons Hotel Rajkot
4-star stay in the Kalawad Road area of Rajkot; listed rates are aggregator figures and vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Imperial Palace
5-star stay in the Dr Yagnik Road / Jagnath Plot area of Rajkot; listed rates are aggregator figures and vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Rajkot
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Hotel Bhabha Dining Hall
Gujarati thali restaurant in Rajkot at Panchnath Road, near Gandhi Museum, Rajkot 360001.
The Grand Thakar
Kathiyawadi thali restaurant in Rajkot at Near Sardar Patel Stadium, Kalawad Road area, Rajkot.
Adingo Foods
Gujarati thali, Punjabi restaurant in Rajkot at Subhash Road, Limda Chowk, Sadar, Rajkot 360001.
Shree Khodiyar
Gujarati thali, pav bhaji restaurant in Rajkot at Opposite Rajkot Rajkumar College, Gymkhana Road, Rajkot.
Chetna Dining Hall and Restaurant
Gujarati thali restaurant in Rajkot at Neel Khant Complex, Gondal Road, Rajputpara, Rajkot 360001.
Patel Restaurant
Gujarati restaurant in Rajkot at Raiya Road, Vaishali Nagar, Rajkot 360007.
Book a food tour in Rajkot We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Rajkot
Rajkot is a sprawling commercial city; use app cabs and autos, and the Rajkot Bus Port for intercity trips.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in INR (fixed at 1 USD = 96 INR), broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | INR 800-1,500 (USD 8-16) per night | INR 2,500-5,000 (USD 26-52) per night | INR 5,500-18,000 (USD 57-188) per night |
| Food (per day) | INR 300-600 (USD 3-6) per day | INR 800-1,500 (USD 8-16) per day | INR 2,000-4,000 (USD 21-42) per day |
| Transportation | INR 150-400 (USD 2-4) per day | INR 500-1,200 (USD 5-12) per day | INR 2,000-4,000 (USD 21-42) per day |
| Activities | INR 20-100 (USD 0.21-1) per day | INR 100-500 (USD 1-5) per day | INR 500-2,000 (USD 5-21) per day |
| Daily total | INR 1,500-2,500 (USD 16-26) per day | INR 4,500-7,500 (USD 47-78) per day | INR 11,000-20,000 (USD 115-208) per day |
Best time to visit Rajkot
Weather through the year in Rajkot
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Rajkot has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, a monsoon from June to September of about 600 mm, and cool dry winters.
Navratri (September-October) is lively but hotels fill; the monsoon turns the surrounding countryside green.
Essential travel tips
- Install Google Maps, Ola, Uber, Rapido and UPI apps.
- Visit in winter; avoid April-June heat.
- Check museum closing days; they differ by site.
- Book hotels early for Navratri and Diwali.
- Gujarat is dry; do not carry alcohol into the state.
Safety information
Use Ola, Uber or Rapido after dark instead of hailing street autos.
Keep valuables out of sight in crowded Sadar Bazaar and Race Course Road.
Drink only sealed bottled water.
Do not photograph military or police sites.
Dial 112 for any emergency.
Carry a photo ID copy and the hotel address in Gujarati.
Avoid isolated areas near lakes after dark.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Rajkot?
Most visitors need an Indian visa; apply through the official e-Visa portal before travel.
What is Rajkot known for?
Gandhi's boyhood home, the Watson Museum, Kathiyawadi thali, silver and textile trade, and cricket.
How do I reach Rajkot?
Fly to Rajkot International Airport (HSR), take a train to Rajkot Junction, or use GSRTC and private buses from Ahmedabad, about 215 km away.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February, when days are dry and 25-30 degrees Celsius.
Can I drink alcohol in Rajkot?
Gujarat is a dry state; visitors may apply for a temporary permit through authorised channels.