Best Photo Spots in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad gives photographers six centuries of carved stone and wood in one city. The old walled city has sultanate-era mosques, marble Jain temples and pols lined with carved wooden houses, while the Sabarmati Riverfront and the Atal Bridge light up the modern city after dark.
Whether you enjoy architecture, street scenes, festivals or night photography, these are some of the best photo spots in Ahmedabad.
Medium crowdEntry Free
Adalaj Stepwell
- Best timeLate morning, when the sun is high enough to send light down the shaft and onto the carvings; early morning if you want the steps quiet.
- ColorsWhiteYellowRed
Low crowdEntry Free
Hutheesing Jain Temple
- Best timeMorning, when soft light falls on the white marble and the courtyard is still quiet.
- ColorsWhitePastelSoft pink
High crowdEntry ₹25
Kankaria Lake
- Best timeSunset, when the sky colours the water; stay into the evening for the lakefront lights.
- ColorsCheerful brightsYellowTurquoise
Medium crowdEntry Free
Sabarmati Ashram
- Best timeMorning, soon after opening, when the grounds are quiet and the light on the river is soft.
- ColorsWhiteKhadi tonesEarthy beige
High crowdEntry Riverfront free; Atal Bridge ₹30
Sabarmati Riverfront & Atal Bridge
- Best timeBlue hour, just after sunset, when the bridge lights come on and the sky still has colour.
- ColorsBold solidsCobaltWhite
Medium crowdEntry Free
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
- Best timeLate afternoon, when the low sun lights up the carved stone of the tree-of-life jali.
- ColorsSolid brightsEmeraldMaroon
Why Ahmedabad Is Great for Photography
Few Indian cities pack so much carving into such a small area. The stone jali of the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, the pillared levels of the Adalaj Stepwell and the white marble of the Hutheesing Jain Temple reward close-up detail shots, while the pols of the old city are full of carved balconies, wooden doorways and bird feeders.
The newer city makes a good contrast. The Sabarmati Riverfront, the kite-inspired Atal Bridge and Kankaria Lake are at their best at sunset and after dark, when the lights come on and the heat eases.
Photography Tips for Ahmedabad
- Start early: The old city lanes are quiet and the light is soft before about 9 am, which is when the morning heritage walk goes through the pols.
- Avoid the midday sun: Stone and marble look flat and washed out in harsh light, especially from April to June, so shoot early and late.
- Ask before photographing people: The pols are people's homes, so ask before you photograph residents, open doorways or anyone at prayer.
- Check the rules at places of worship: Cameras are usually not allowed inside the shrines of the Hutheesing Jain Temple, and mosques close to visitors at prayer times.
- Keep steady at Adalaj: The lower levels of the stepwell are dim, so use your phone's night mode or brace against a pillar, as tripods may need permission.
- Stay for blue hour: The Atal Bridge and Kankaria Lake look their best just after sunset, when the sky still has colour and the lights are on.
- Carry water: You will walk more than you expect, and the heat builds quickly for most of the year.
Best Time for Photography in Ahmedabad
November to February brings clear, dry days and gentler light, so you can shoot for longer each day. Mid-January brings Uttarayan, when the sky over the old city fills with kites, and the nine nights of Navratri, usually in September or October, are the time for colourful garba photos. The monsoon (July to September) brings dramatic skies and green gardens, but also heavy showers and sticky humidity.
Photography rules at temples and mosques can change, so check at the entrance before you take out your camera.
Questions
Ahmedabad — FAQ
What are the best photo spots in Ahmedabad?
Some of the best photo spots in Ahmedabad are the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, the Adalaj Stepwell, the Hutheesing Jain Temple, the Sabarmati Riverfront with the Atal Bridge, and Kankaria Lake. Together they cover carved stone, white marble, water and the city lights at night.
What is the best time of day for photography in Ahmedabad?
Early morning is best for the old city, the temples and the stepwell, when the light is soft and the streets are quiet. Late afternoon suits the Sidi Saiyyed jali, and blue hour, just after sunset, is best for the Atal Bridge and Kankaria Lake.
Can I take photos in the old city pols?
Yes, you can walk through the lanes and photograph the gates and carved houses, but remember that they are people's homes. Ask before photographing residents or stepping into a courtyard, and join the morning heritage walk if you want a guide to show you the best pols.
Where can I photograph kites during Uttarayan?
The best views are from the rooftops of the old city on 14 and 15 January, when people fly kites from terraces all over Ahmedabad. If you cannot get onto a rooftop, the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, usually held around the same time, is the easiest place to photograph kites up close.
Where can I take night photos in Ahmedabad?
The Atal Bridge and the Sabarmati Riverfront are the best places, with the bridge's lit roof reflected in the river. Kankaria Lake is also good after dark, when the lakefront lights are on, but expect crowds on weekend evenings.