Vadodara (Gujarati: વડોદરા Vaḍodarā), also known as Baroda, is a city in Central Gujarat, India. It is named for the vaḍ (વડ, meaning "banyan") trees that flourish in the area. It is known as the cultural capital of Gujarat.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Vadodara lies on the bank of Vishwamitri River, 141 km from Gandhinagar, the state capital. The eastern part is the old city, while the western part beyond the Railway Station is the modern part of the city. Vadodara came into prominence during the period of the Maratha confederacy, when a general of the Marathas, Pilaji Gaekwad, conquered the city from the Mughals. He and his descendants ruled the region, initially under the vassalage of the Maratha Peshwas, becoming increasingly independent as the Peshwas weakened as a power. After the defeat of the Peshwas, the Gaekwads continued to rule the kingdom as one of the autonomous princely states under the British.
Local transport consists mainly of city buses and three-wheelers called auto-rickshaws which are very cheap and easily available. All the drivers refuse to use meters. You can also get an autorickshaw using the Uber or Jugnoo apps, or you can use the prices from these apps to negotiate a better one. The VITCOS City Buses take you to all parts of the city, and the VITCOS Bus Stand is right opposite to the Railway Station. The buses are very comfortable and cheap. They cost ₹1 per 1.2 km.
1 Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Dak Bunglaw (Sayaji Baug Garden), ☏ +91 265 279 3801. 10:30AM - 5PM. The museum displays Indian musical instruments, Mughal miniatures, sculptures, textiles and objects from Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Egypt. The museum's artifacts were collected by Maharaja Sayajirao, devoted to travel. The Picture Gallery displays paintings by British artists, also from Sayajirao's private collection. 2 The EME temple. Vadodara is quite serene. It was built by the Military and one can enjoy a pleasant hour in its premises. 3 Fateh Singh Museum, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Navapura (housed within the Maharaja's palace), ☏ +91 85111 79951.
There are quite a few sights worth taking a look at such as the Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the old zoo. If you're headed here plan a trip that lasts not more than three days because then you'll run out of things to do. And because of the fact that it is cosmopolitan, infrastructurally decent and well connected by rail, road and air, this is a good place to have as your 'hub' and make day trips to other places. Cinepolis, 2nd Floor Inorbit Mall, ☏ +91 97278 98051. Good 3D effect. 1 The Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club. Baroda’s premier club and Gujarat’s oldest private golf club 2 Inox Multiplex, Race Course Road, Gopal Baug, Ellora Park, ☏ +91 265 305 6888. By far the best movie theater in town.
There are plenty of eateries in and around the city and getting good food is not a problem. 1 Dairy Den, Dairy Den Circle, opposite SBI Bank, (Sayajigunj area, near the railway station), ☏ +91 90990 20959. 8AM–11PM. This is Baroda's first ice cream parlor that serves soft cones. You can enjoy a variety of flavors over here. 2 Frigtemp, Nt 1, Enstern Society, Fatehgunj, ☏ +91 265 278 9108. Recommended for Frankies, at (Fatheganj, Karelibaug & Old Padra Road). 3 The Goodies Cafeteria, Gol Bungalow, Sayajigunj, ☏ +91 265 656 1620. 11AM–10:30PM.
Vadodara is a nice place to be but lacks a nightlife altogether because of a blanket ban on alcohol throughout Gujarat. Foreign nationals can procure alcohol after getting a permit, but this procedure is not without its headaches. You will need your passport plus a photocopy of your passport data page and your visa. You must ask your hotel to stamp this photocopy and write a simple statement to say that "xxx is residing at this hotel, room xxx. The fee for the permit is ₹100.
Vadodara is generally a safe city, and is heavily secured by the local cops (who may be in yellow-ochre, black, white or informal dress but in yellow-ochre socks). In the relatively unlikely event that you have any trouble, you can call 108 (emergency number).
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Vadodara typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 26 rainy days.
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