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This detailed guide gives you everything you need to know to visit the incredible stepwells in Ahmedabad, India.
India is known for its iconic stepwells. These incredible structures were used as a source of fresh water for thousands of years, and became important community and religious structures.
There are thousands of stepwells across India but the best of them can be found in and around the city of Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat.
However, visiting the stepwells in Ahmedabad can be difficult. The city is off the typical tourist route and information on the stepwells is hard to come by.
Thankfully, I spent a whole week in and around Ahmedabad exploring all its top historical places, including the stepwells.
And now I’ve created this detailed guide where I’ve given you everything you need to know to visit the stunning stepwells in Ahmedabad
THE BEST AHMEDABAD STEPWELL TOURS
⭐️ Best Overall: Private Temples and Religion Tour with Stepwell
⭐️ Best Walking Tour (cheapest): Ahmedabad Heritage Walking Tour
⭐️ Best Patan and Modhera Sun Temple Day Trip: Sun Temple of Modhera & Queen’s Stepwell Day Trip
Table of Contents
About the Stepwells in Ahmedabad
The inhabitants of India’s north-west region have battled with the dry & arid climate all throughout their history. Rivers like the Sabarmati, that flows through Ahmedabad, have historically been seasonal, drying up for half the year.
The local’s answer to water sustainability was to access the groundwater. To build wells. Or vavs, in the local language. While wells may have been used all across the world, no one built them quite like India.
In the arid climate of north-west India, these stepwells were not only an essential source of freshwater, but also served as a much needed escape from the heat, leading them to become thriving community hubs.
Because of this important role they played in daily life, the locals built the stepwells with stunning architecture and attention to detail.
That’s why today they’ve become so iconic.
The earliest stepwells in the Indian subcontinent are up to 5000 years old, but most of the ones you can visit today were built from around the 7th century CE onwards.
There are thousands of stepwells across India, and many more in Pakistan. They vary in size in grandeur, with some being simple holes in the ground with a couple of stepwells, while others are up to 100ft deep with the most mesmerising architecture.
To see some of the best stepwells in India, you need not go far from Ahmedabad. In this guide I’ve provided you with all the details you need to visit the best stepwells in and around the city.
Best time to visit Ahmedabad
India’s north-west region is the hottest part of the country, so choosing the right time of year to visit can make all the difference.
There are generally considered to be 3 seasons in Gujarat:
- November to February – the ‘winter’ months, when the weather is pleasant and the daytime temperature sits comfortably around 20 to 30 degrees.
- March to June – the region’s extremely hot summer, when daytime temperatures consistently stay above 40 degrees.
- July to October – the monsoon season, when daytime temperatures are slightly cooler but random spouts of rainfall are more common.
Overall the best time to visit Ahmedabad is between November to February.
How to get to Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is located in the Indian state of Gujarat, in the country’s north-west region, and is a little off the typical tourist route.
Many travellers visit the neighbouring state of Rajasthan, or travel the ‘Golden Triangle’ (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra), but rarely does Ahmedabad ever get included in those plans.
However there are ways to fit this city neatly into your India travel itinerary.
Personally I visited Ahmedabad on the way from Mumbai to Rajasthan. Spending a few days in Ahmedabad along the way was a great way to break up the long journey.
Alternatively, Ahmedabad makes for a great addition to a Rajasthan travel itinerary, being only 1 overnight train/bus ride from Udaipur.
There are 3 main ways of reaching Ahmedabad:
Train
India has an extensive train network and it includes Ahmedabad.
Depending on where you’re coming from, a train might be the most convenient way of reaching the city, with Ahmedabad being connected to other nearby tourist hotspots like Mumbai and Udaipur.
The journey from other nearby places like this is at least 8 hours. Thankfully, you can book an overnight sleeper ticket. That way you can combine your accommodation with your transport and wake up in Ahmedabad.
The main railway station in Ahmedabad, where you’ll likely get on and off, is Ahmedabad Junction, which is located in the city centre. From here it’s likely only a short tuk tuk ride to your accommodation.
The best place to buy train tickets to Ahmedabad is on 12Go Asia.
Bus
Where a train isn’t an option, you can always get a bus.
While the journey might be a little more bumpy, buses are just as cheap and convenient as trains. And just like trains, you also have the option of booking an overnight sleeper ticket to save time.
When you book a bus ticket on 12Go Asia, you’ll be given a pick up location somewhere central where you’ll find your bus and be on your way to Ahmedabad.
Fly
Of course, you can always just fly directly to Ahmedabad.
This is definitely the most convenient option if you’ve got the room in your budget, or if you’re coming directly from somewhere far away, like Delhi, Kolkata or Bangalore.
You’ll fly into Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, which is located on the northern outskirts of the country and only about a 20min drive from the city centre.
Visiting the stepwells with a guided tour
The best stepwells in Ahmedabad are scattered all over the city, or require a day trip into regional Gujarat.
This can be a lot of effort for a foreigner in a country like India, where few locals speak English, and public transport is unreliable. That’s why the best way to visit the stepwells is on a guided tour.
There are multiple guided tours to choose from. They make visiting the stepwells in Ahmedabad much easier by covering all the transport and logistics involved.
There aren’t any guided tours currently that take you only to the stepwells in this guide, but there are multiple that take you to the top attractions in and around Ahmedabad, which generally include popular stepwells like Adalaj and Rani Ki.
If you’re planning to visit Ahmedabad and want to see the stepwells, click on link below to see stepwell tour prices and availabilities.
Best Stepwells in Ahmedabad
There are countless stepwells in and around Ahmedabad, but many of them are in disrepair and not worth a visit.
Below you’ll find the absolute 4 best stepwells. The first 2 are in the city of Ahmedabad, and are the most easily accessible.
The following 2 are in the region near Ahmedabad, and make for a great day trip from the city.
Adalaj Stepwell
Located on the northern outskirts of the city lies Adalaj Vav, which is without a doubt the most popular & ‘touristy’ stepwell in Ahmedabad.
This stepwell is made up of a stepped corridor leading 5 stories underground towards the cistern. The walls and pillars of the stepwell have remarkably intricate carvings, made up of a mix of Islamic, Hindu and Jain influences.
While the vav may be beautiful to look at, perhaps the most interesting thing about it is the story behind its construction.
According to historical records, some of which come directly from the inscriptions on the wall of the structure, the well was commissioned in 1498 by the local king at the time.
Unfortunately for him, he didn’t live to complete the project as he was soon killed in battle by the Sultan of Gujarat.
The victorious Sultan then wanted to marry the wife of the deceased king, but she refused to marry him unless he agreed to finish the stepwell in her late husband’s memory. And so he did. Only for her to later fall into the well to her death.
Apparently Sultan was so distraught that he ordered the death of the stonemasons who built the stepwell, so no replica could ever be made.
Today, perhaps because of that story, Adalaj Stepwell is the most restricted, with several metal fences around the structure to prevent people falling in. While these safety measures are for the best, it makes Adalaj among the least photogenic of the stepwells in Ahmedabad.
The best Ahmedabad stepwell tour that includes Adalaj Stepwell:
Getting There
Adalaj Vav is located about 16km North of the city centre, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.
The simplest way to get there is just to book an uber – it’ll likely cost you around 5USD.
Opening Hours
6am to 6pm
Entrance Fees
25 INR for Indians
300 INR for foreigners
Dada Harir Stepwell
The Dada Harir stepwell is somewhat of a hidden gem. Despite being situated right in the heart of Ahmedabad, making it one of the easiest stepwells to reach, it’s far less ‘touristy’ than Adalaj.
And this isn’t because this stepwell is worse in any way. In fact, Dada Harir is virtually identical to Adalaj, being essentially the same size, layout and architectural style. But unlike Adalaj, Dada Harir stepwell doesn’t have any protective fencing, making it the much more photogenic of the two.
Similar to Adalaj, Dada Harir was built in the late 15th century and, like most stepwells, its history is detailed on the inscriptions on the walls. According to this, the stepwell was commissioned by Dhai Harir, a household lady of the Sultan and an important member of his court.
Not only this, but within the same complex you’ll also find the Dhai Harir Sultani Mosque, and the tomb where Dhai Harir was buried, so it’s really 3 historical sites in 1.
As mentioned, Dada Harir has no protective fencing (as of my visit in 2023). So yes it does make it more photogenic, but also more dangerous.
If you want to reach the upper balinese of the stepwell, where you can snap some amazing photos, avoid shimmering along the narrow edges like many locals do. Instead go back to the surface level, walk to the top of the cistern where you’ll find a spiral staircase that will safely take you down to the upper balconies.
If you can only visit one stepwell in Ahmedabad, make sure it’s Dada Harir.
The best Ahmedabad stepwell tour that includes Dada Harir Stepwell:
Getting There
Dada Harir Vav is located within the city itself. The simplest option is to avoid the city chaos and just book a taxi/rickshaw or an uber.
Otherwise, if you’re catching a train, it’s a 20min walk from Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station.
Opening Hours
8am to 6pm
Entrance Fees
Free
Rani Ki Stepwell
Rani Ki Vav is located in the regional town of Patan, about 100km from Ahmedabad.
Despite its isolation, a day trip to Rani Ki stepwell is well worth the effort, because it’s one of the biggest and most spectacular of all India’s stepwells. It’s often featured at the top of lists of the best stepwells in India.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site traces its origins back to the 11th century CE, supposedly taking over 20 years to build.
Somewhere along the way Rani Ki stepwell was buried in silt after continual flooding from the nearby Saraswati River, leaving only a few pillars sticking out of the ground. It wasn’t until the 1980s that it was properly dug up and restored.
These days it’s well maintained and was even deemed the Cleanest Iconic Place in India in 2016 – which carries meaning considering the usual amounts of garbage covering historical sites in India.
Thanks to this effort, you get to experience the stepwell in its full glory – and it truly is something to behold. Rani Ki is a must visit historical site.
The best Ahmedabad stepwell tour that includes Rani Ki Stepwell:
Getting There
Patan is a 2.5hr drive from Ahmedabad.
The best way to reach Rani Ki Stepwell is on a guided tour from Ahmedabad, which is often combined with Adalaj Stepwell and the Modhera Sun Temple.
Opening Hours
8am to 6pm
Entrance Fees
35 INR for Indians
550 INR for foreigners
Modhera Sun Temple
Another of the most spectacular stepwells in India can be found in the small town of Modhera.
Located within 100km of Ahmedabad, and on the way to Rani Ki stepwell, Modhera is home to the Sun Temple, which also has one of the best stepwells in India.
As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya. Given that Modhera is located in what is essentially a desert, I’d say they chose the perfect location to worship such a deity when the temple was built back in 1025 CE.
The stepwell at the Modhera Sun Temple offers something a little different than the others on this list, with a more open-air design. But the carvings around the structure are no less impressive.
What attracts people to this historical site isn’t just the stepwell, but also the sun temple itself. Not only is every inch of the temple’s surface covered in intricate rock carvings, but the structure is also said to have been designed so that when the sun rises during the equinox it shines directly into the inner sanctum.
The best Ahmedabad stepwell tour that includes the Modhera Sun Temple
Getting There
Modhera is a 2hr drive from Ahmedabad.
Given its location, the Modhera Sun Temple is best combined on a daytrip with the Rani Ki vav. Thankfully, there are tours that will take you to both, which you can find here.
Opening Hours
8am to 6pm
Entrance Fees
30 INR for Indians
500 INR for foreigners
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