Surat Castle
Sixteenth-century riverside fort on the Tapi in the old city, built against Portuguese raids, with a municipal museum inside.
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About Surat
Surat is one of Gujarat's largest cities and is best known as India's diamond city (most of the world's diamonds are cut and polished here) and for textiles (about 60% of India's polyester cloth). It sits on the banks of the Tapi River about 21 km north-east of the Arabian Sea coast. The old city centres on Chowk Bazaar and the 1546 Surat Castle; the Dutch and English trading posts left burial grounds and a garden along the river. Visitors come for the black-sand beaches at Dumas and Suvali, street food such as locho, khaman and tomato bhajiya, the Science Centre, Sarthana Nature Park and day trips to Dandi (Gandhi's Salt March memorial) and Tithal. Surat airport (STV) is about 12 km south-west of the centre, Surat railway station (ST) is a major Western Railway stop, and a metro is under construction. Gujarat is a prohibition state.
- Capital
- New Delhi is the national capital of India; Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat
- Largest city
- Surat
- Population
- About 6.9 million (2021 estimate for Surat Municipal Corporation, per Wikipedia; the 2011 census figures differ by source)
- Languages
- Gujarati (the main local language, spoken by about 54% in 2011), Hindi (about 22%) and Marathi, Urdu and Odia are also widely spoken; English is understood in hotels and by younger people
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR, ₹)
- Time zone
- Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30), no daylight saving
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Best places to visit in Surat
The 12 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Dutch Garden
Compact public garden in Nanpura near the Tapi, popular for evening walks and named for the city's Dutch trading past.
Gopi Talav
Merchant-built lake of about 1510 in Gopipura, renovated by the municipality in the 2010s with a promenade, amphitheatre and fountain plaza.
Sarthana Nature Park (Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Zoological Garden)
Roughly 81-acre municipal zoo and nature park on the Tapi, established in 1984 as the first zoo in South Gujarat, with a butterfly park.
Surat Science Centre
Municipal science complex on City Light Road with galleries, planetarium, a diamond gallery and the relocated Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum.
Mughal Sarai (Muglisara)
Caravanserai raised in 1644 under Shah Jahan for Mecca-bound pilgrims, later a jail and, since 1867, municipal offices, topped by a British clock tower.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Surat Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Surat, 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 Surat
- Days 1-2Surat city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Surat
- Days 1-3Surat comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Surat, departure
Where to stay in Surat
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget INR 2,100 (~$22)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range INR 5,300 (~$55)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury INR 9,100+ (~$95+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Surat Marriott Hotel
Five-star riverside hotel on Dumas Road near Parle Point in Athwa, with a spa and fitness centre.
Check rates on Booking.comCourtyard by Marriott Surat
4-star hotel in the Hazira Road / Ichchhapor area of Surat, at Earthspace.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Garden Inn Surat City Centre
5-star hotel in the Railway Station / Ring Road area of Surat, at City Survey No. 7/39.
Check rates on Booking.comLords Plaza, Surat
3-star hotel in the Railway Station / Ring Road area of Surat, listed with free internet, parking.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Surat
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Jay Jalaram Khaman House
Khaman house on Palanpur Road serving the Surati breakfast set of khaman, locho and sev khamani. Locho is a soft, spiced chickpea-flour slab served with sev, chutney and oil.
Barbeque Nation (Parle Point)
Branch of the national chain at Parle Point flyover in Athwa. A table-top grill buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus, useful for groups that mix diets.
Table 101 (Surat Marriott Hotel)
All-day dining restaurant of Surat Marriott Hotel serving breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets with live kitchens. An air-conditioned option with a wide vegetarian spread.
Vintage Asia (Surat Marriott Hotel)
Pan-Asian restaurant at Surat Marriott Hotel, described by the hotel as the first of its kind in Surat and built around teppanyaki counters. Dinner only.
Shyam Kathiawadi Dhaba
Kathiawadi-style Gujarati dhaba near VIP Circle in Adajan. Dishes in this style are sev tamatar, smoky aubergine olo, millet rotla and kadhi-khichdi.
Sumul's MasterChef
Multi-cuisine restaurant and banquet on Sumul Dairy Road near Varachha. The same road has a Sumul ice cream and bake counter, Sumu Scoop and Bake.
Book a food tour in Surat We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Surat
Surat is a compact commercial city on the Tapi River with an international airport, a major Western Railway station, a BRTS and city bus network and app cabs. Surat Metro is still under construction, and a Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station is being built. Distances: Mumbai about 297 km, Ahmedabad about 234 km, Vadodara about 154 km.
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 1,250 (~$13) for a budget hotel | INR 3,500 (~$36) for a 3-4 star city hotel | INR 5,100+ (~$53+) for a five-star hotel |
| Food (per day) | INR 600 (~$6.25) for three inexpensive meals | INR 1,000 (~$10.42) for restaurant meals | INR 2,000 (~$20.83) for hotel dining |
| Transportation | INR 150 (~$1.56) on Sitilink buses and shared autos | INR 500 (~$5.21) in app cabs | INR 1,500 (~$15.63) for a hired car and driver |
| Activities | INR 100 (~$1.04) for the Science Centre or beach snacks | INR 300 (~$3.13) for entries and rides | INR 500 (~$5.21) for entries and day trips |
| Daily total | INR 2,100 (~$22) | INR 5,300 (~$55) | INR 9,100+ (~$95+) |
Best time to visit Surat
Weather through the year in Surat
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Surat has a tropical savanna climate with a single monsoon. November to February is the best window: dry, sunny and comfortable. March to May is very hot; June to September is wet with flood risk.
Mean highs stay between 30°C and 37°C all year; July is the wettest month at about 466 mm. Heavy Ukai dam releases flooded parts of the city in 2006, 2023 and twice in 2025.
Essential travel tips
- Install Ola, Uber, Rapido, Google Maps and the Surat Sitilink app before arrival.
- Apply for the e-Tourist visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in well before travel; use only the official portal.
- Carry small notes (INR 10, 20, 50) for autos and buses.
- Visit November to February for the best weather; avoid the monsoon months for beaches.
- Gujarat is a prohibition state; hotels can arrange tourist liquor permits with a passport and visa.
Safety information
Use app cabs (Ola, Uber, Rapido) after dark; the trip is tracked and the fare is fixed.
Visit Dumas Beach in daylight only; the beach is isolated at night and has a haunted reputation.
Do not swim at Dumas; strong currents are reported, and none of the Surat-area beaches has documented lifeguards.
Avoid riverside areas and low-lying streets in the monsoon (June to September) when the Ukai dam releases water into the Tapi.
Do not hail autos right outside the railway station; walk a block or use an app.
Carry only the cash you need and keep a passport copy on the phone; leave the original in the hotel safe.
Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat without a permit; do not carry or drink alcohol without one.
Keep the emergency number 112 saved; it connects to police, fire and ambulance across India.
Drink only sealed bottled water and eat at busy, freshly-cooking stalls.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Surat?
Most visitors need an Indian visa. The e-Tourist visa is applied for online at indianvisaonline.gov.in in 30-day, one-year and five-year options; confirm fees and eligibility on the official portal.
What is the airport code for Surat?
STV (Morarji Desai Surat International Airport, ICAO VASU), about 12 km south-west of the city centre.
Is the Surat Metro open?
No. As of October 2026 it is under construction; a Dream City-Althan stretch is reported as likely to open around Diwali or the end of November 2026, with full Sarthana-Dream City service expected around December 2027.
Is it safe to swim at Dumas Beach?
Swimming is not recommended because of strong currents. Visit in daylight; ghost stories about the beach are unverified folklore.
When is the best time to visit Surat?
November to February, when it is dry and highs are 30-34°C. April-May is very hot and June-September is the monsoon.