Vadodara, formerly known as Baroda, is one of Gujarat's cultural centers, home to one of the largest private residences in the world and a legacy of royal patronage of the arts.
Top Attractions
- Laxmi Vilas Palace: Built in 1890 for the Gaekwad royal family, this is one of the largest private residences in the world — four times the size of Buckingham Palace — blending Indo-Saracenic architecture with lavish interiors, partly open to visitors.
- Sayaji Baug: A large public garden housing a zoo, planetarium, and the Baroda Museum, a popular family destination in the city.
- Maharaja Sayajirao University: One of India's prominent universities, with a notable Fine Arts faculty and attractive campus architecture.
- EME Temple: A distinctive modern temple built from aluminum, a striking architectural contrast to Vadodara's more traditional monuments.
Best Time to Visit
October to March for comfortable sightseeing weather.
How to Reach
Vadodara has its own airport and is a major railway junction between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
