The 14 best castles in and around Kutch

Visited this beautiful Vijay Vilas Palace during our school trip, and it was an amazing experience overall 🏰✨ The palace is a masterpiece of royal architecture — tall domes, artistic carvings, and intricate balconies that truly showcase the grandeur of Kutch’s royal heritage 👑🌴 The best part was climbing up to the top balcony, from where you get a stunning view of the Mandvi Beach and the vast Arabian Sea 🌊 — it’s absolutely picture-perfect 📸. Inside, we explored the royal rooms and saw antique furniture, photographs, and old artifacts — it really felt like stepping back into history 🕰️📜 The palace is well maintained, and the staff were polite and guided us properly throughout our visit. There’s also a small garden area and places to sit around, which made it a relaxing stop during the trip 🌿🙂. A few scenes of famous Bollywood movies were shot here too — which made it even more exciting for us students to see those real locations 🎬🎞️ --- Tip: 🎟️ Entry ticket is required (nominal). 👟 Wear comfortable footwear — a bit of walking & stairs. 🚌 Good parking space available for school / group buses. 📸 Great spot for group photos — don’t miss the terrace view! A perfect blend of history, architecture, and scenic beauty — a must-visit when in Mandvi or Kutch 🌅🏰✨

Vijay Vilas Palace is a stunning blend of royal heritage and architectural beauty. Surrounded by lush gardens and scenic views, it offers a glimpse into the grandeur of a bygone era. The intricate carvings and majestic structure make it a perfect spot for history lovers and photographers. A must-visit destination in Kutch.

Vijay Vilas Palace in Mandvi is a truly royal experience — stunning architecture, peaceful surroundings, and a view that feels like a dream. The palace’s beauty is timeless, and it’s extra special knowing scenes from the iconic film *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam* were shot here. A must-visit spot in Gujarat for heritage and Bollywood lovers alike

Entry ticket 70 adult and 30 kids 6-11 years Buggy 50/- which is useless better Walk hardly 100 meters, they ask 20₹ even to click pic with buggy Poorly maintained palace all dusty and full of bird poop. Only good for taking pictures. Watch ita pictures on youtube or google instead. 50₹ for digital photo print with palace

Vijay Vilas Palace is pure royal elegance tucked away in Bhuj. The intricate design, calm atmosphere, and golden light make it a dream location for photographers and history lovers alike. A perfect blend of heritage and serenity this place truly left me inspired.

One of the main attraction of kutch is Vijay Villas palace. A beautiful experience visiting this palace..The royal family of Kutch lived here many years before, now it is a tourist attraction. A must visit place.

A Royal Retreat into History! Vijay Vilas Palace in Mandvi is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Kutch. The palace's stunning Rajput-style architecture, intricate stone carvings, and beautiful red sandstone structure make it a photographer’s paradise. The lush green gardens and sea breeze add to the charm. The rooftop offers a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea and surrounding forests—perfect for sunset lovers. The palace is well-maintained, and the entry fee is reasonable. A few Bollywood movies were also shot here, which adds to its fame. Overall, a peaceful and regal experience that takes you back in time. Highly recommended for history lovers and nature enthusiasts!

Prag Mahal is one of the most majestic places I’ve seen in Bhuj. The Durbar Hall with its royal chandeliers and detailed carvings is absolutely breathtaking. The clock tower climb gives a mesmerizing view of the entire city. Though some areas show the impact of time and earthquakes, the palace still carries an unmatched charm. Walking through its corridors truly feels like reliving the era of Kutch royalty. A must-visit for anyone exploring Bhuj!

I visited Prag Mahal today with my wife it'sticket quite high with parking charge we know it's personal property but parkking charge should be in ticket price and ticket was like food bill counter and it was an incredible experience. This stunning 19th-century palace, built in an Italian-Gothic architectural style, stands as a testament to Bhuj’s rich history. The intricate carvings, grand chandeliers, and the towering clock tower offer a glimpse into the opulence of the bygone era. The highlight was the beautiful Durbar Hall, which still exudes royal charm. Prag Mahal was commissioned by Maharaja Pragmalji II in 1865 and designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins, a British architect. The palace is primarily built with sandstone and features impressive European influences, making it unique among Indian palaces. Though it suffered damage during the 2001 earthquake, restoration efforts have preserved its grandeur. From the top of the clock tower, the panoramic view of Bhuj is breathtaking. It’s a must-visit place for history lovers and those who appreciate architectural beauty. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Bhuj! Prag Mahal is one of the most majestic places I’ve seen in Bhuj. The Durbar Hall with its royal chandeliers and detailed carvings is absolutely breathtaking. The clock tower climb gives a mesmerizing view of the entire city. Though some areas show the impact of time and earthquakes, the palace still carries an unmatched charm. Walking through its corridors truly feels like reliving the era of Kutch royalty. A must-visit for anyone exploring Bhuj! Prag Mahal is one of the most majestic places I’ve seen in Bhuj. The Durbar Hall with its royal chandeliers and detailed carvings is absolutely breathtaking. The clock tower climb gives a mesmerizing view of the entire city. Though some areas show the impact of time and earthquakes, the palace still carries an unmatched charm. Walking through its corridors truly feels like reliving the era of Kutch royalty. A must-visit for anyone exploring Bhuj!

Its over charged. The ticket price should be less.. you have to buy again ticket to visit aina mahal seprately. Too much crowd inside. Its an ancient palace to the king of bhuj and its located near the market area. Good to see once. There are lot of stalls where you get kutchi art work and kutch artist bells and other things. Food is not allowed to take inside.

This could have been managed much better. The artifacts not kept with care and love . The staff totally disinterested just sitting around. You start with a low vibe with the ticket counter all the way to the rest of the mahal. A once beautiful palace is even more lack lustre because of the energy around. Someone needs to take notice and do something about this once beautiful historic monument. The pigeons are everywhere.

Parag Mahal in Kutch is a beautiful palace known for its grand architecture and intricate design. Built during the reign of the Maharao of Kutch, it showcases a blend of Gothic, Venetian, and Indian styles. With its tall clock tower, spacious halls, and artistic carvings, Parag Mahal stands as a symbol of Kutch’s royal heritage and cultural richness.

Pragmahal is one of the main attraction among the tourist places in Bhuj.It is really amazing..It's worth visiting..I had a great time here.

Prag Mahal is one of the finest examples of royal architecture in Bhuj. Built in the 19th century, it combines European Gothic style with local craftsmanship. The Durbar Hall is the highlight – with massive chandeliers, ornate arches, and intricate carvings that reflect the grandeur of the Kutch rulers. Walking through the palace gives you a sense of history and culture, with several artifacts and displays adding to the experience. A well-preserved gem and a must-visit spot for history and architecture lovers.

This muesum located in Bhuj is near to harmiswar talao... Walking distance from swaminarayan temple and bhuj bus station. It has many unique things to see. The stones, the religion... Please note the photography is not allowed inside

The one who is interested in Historical things, can visit this place... Good place to visit

"The Kutch Museum is a hidden gem for anyone interested in the rich history and culture of the Kutch region. The collection is impressive—ranging from ancient artifacts, traditional textiles, and tribal crafts to coins, sculptures, and musical instruments. The section on the Kutchi script and local communities was especially fascinating. The building itself is a beautiful piece of colonial-era architecture, adding to the experience. It's a peaceful, informative place and a must-visit for history and culture lovers. Just make sure to check the timings before you go, as they can vary."

One of the few places you can visit during your trip to Bhuj. The ticket price for Indian nationals is a mere 5 rupees with additional discounts for students. But In my opinion the museum does not do justice to the rich heritage of the Kutch region. The museum is rather empty with very few displays. Most of the installations have little to no descriptions which is a major disappointment to people who're genuinely interested in learning about the history of the region.

Fantastic place to learn about the rich and varied history of Rann of Kutch. The entire place is superbly curated and maintained. The staff is warm, kind and courteous. We loved our history lessons here filled with artefacts from the years gone by.a must visit place for every history lover. 100% recommended.

It was founded by Maharao Khengarji in the year 1877. The museum consists of the region’s delightful diversity in craft and local living with inscriptions of Kshatrapa back to the one A.D. along with coines [Kori- A kutch local currency] as well as scripts [Having gujarati alphabets]. Other than that, there's an anthropological section, archaeological section, textiles section, weapons section, music instruments section, shipping section, and stuffed animals section. More particularly, there's a section devoted to the tribal community where one can see ancient artifacts, folk arts, and crafts and information about tribal people, who are a major part of Kutch's history and culture. Visiting Hours for tourists: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Closed on Wednesday and Public Holidays. Having ticket charges of Rs 5/- . Parking is somewhat difficult to get in nearby areas.

The museum is good, maintained very nicely, and ancient things are present inside the museum which you should definitely explore The entry fee is 5Rs/- per person And if you want to click photos then you have to pay an extra 100rs.

We visited Mandvi beach last month and it was a very beautiful place to visit if you are in Kutch. We travel from Bhuj to Mandvi beach by car and it takes around free and half hours by road. It's a very beautiful beach and the sunset is beautiful to view. It is always crowded with lots of people laughing taking photos making videos and atmosphere is very nice. Here you can play in the water and there are so many water activities also there by paying you can enjoy the water activities. You can have a camel ride or a horse ride. The city is closed to the beach.

Mandvi Beach is a delightful mix of serenity, adventure, and cultural richness. It’s ideal for families looking to relax, thrill-seekers out for fun, couples chasing sunset magic, or history lovers exploring nearby heritage. With a little planning—especially to avoid crowds and stay comfortable—you’re in for an enriching experience by the Arabian Sea.

It is a golden-brown sandy beach in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India, known for its water activities, horse riding, and windmills. It is located in the coastal town of Mandvi. Water sports: Enjoy various water activities available at the beach like quart bike rides, camel rides etc. Horseback riding: Take a relaxing horse ride along the shore. See the windmills: The beach is famous for its line of windmills, which was one of Asia's first windmill projects. The beach is clean but the water is murky.

A clean, calm, and scenic beach with soft sand and beautiful sunset views. It's great for walks, camel rides, or just relaxing by the sea. There are fewer crowds, and it is well-maintained compared to other beaches.

The gentle waves invite you to stroll along the shore. Soft sand cushions each step as you breathe in the fresh sea air. The rhythmic crashing of the waves creates a soothing soundtrack to your beach walk. Colorful shells and smooth stones are scattered along the shoreline, waiting to be discovered. The vast expanse of ocean stretches out before you, a calming reminder of nature's beauty.

The beach was very clean and you can. Feel so wonderful in the beach because beach was very big and you have a camel ride and the. Toy car was. Also available for children and water activities also available for childrens

The cleanliness is a huge issue but the sunsets are worth it!

Visiting the Rann Utsav in the evening was a truly enchanting experience! The beauty of the white desert under the soft moonlight was surreal and unforgettable. The festival grounds were vibrant and alive, celebrating the rich culture and traditions of Gujarat in every detail. The setup was well-organized, with cultural performances, exquisite handicrafts, and mouthwatering Gujarati cuisine creating a perfect festive ambiance. Camel rides were available to transport visitors from the main entrance to the function area, adding convenience and a unique cultural touch to the evening. However, the restroom facilities in some areas left much to be desired and could use significant improvement to match the otherwise excellent event standards. Overall, it was an incredible evening that beautifully showcased Gujarat's heritage and the breathtaking beauty of the Great Rann of Kutch. Highly recommend an evening visit for a magical and unforgettable experience!

Beautiful place enjoy with family and friends. Thankfully, upon going there in the night we were allowed to take our vehicles till the last point after showing our permits at the BSF checkpost. Although they may change the rules soon and allow only buses to take you there. Parking is so big facility all is available enjoy your day.

An absolute masterpiece this place is. You need to reach bhuj railway station or airport where they have a dedicated space for stall where you can report your arrival and the staff will be happy to help you with your transportation to white rann resort. It takes approx 1.5-2 hours to get here by Bus which will be arranged by the management as a complimentary service to all arriving and departing guests. You will regularly get follow up calls for your arrival and departure. Once you reach you are welcomed by the hotel staff wearing local dress and playing dhols and shehnai. Luggage is taken care of by bell boys. At reception you are welcomed with a good welcome drink mostly soft drinks. You have 2 options for stay. Tents or Bhungas. Both are very well maintained clean and tidy. Bathrooms are spacious and clean. Staff is very polite and helpful. All meals have a good number of options mostly vegetarian and its buffet. Meals include soup and starter, main course and dessert. Jain food counters are seperate and its delicious. Buses and tour guide is ready as per itinerary to show you around. Water bottles are provided with no limit or additional payment. Everything is well planned and executed. If you find this review and photos uploaded helpful please give it a like.

We visited Rann of Kutch on the first full moon of the Dec 2024. Apparently the govt/Gujarat tourism have recently started a shuttle bus service from BSF checkpost to the point where the road ends in Rann. Previously we were allowed to take our vehicles till that point. Talking to the locals I got to know it's a way for govt to commercialize and earn money via permits which also takes money away from the hands of locals who previously might be earning by taking tourists to the last spot via camel rides. The local homestay owners were also not informed of this so we were not able to get any information from them on the permit system and if we will be allowed to go to the Rann at night for the full moon experience (since it was the first full moon since the shuttle bus service started and the bus operators told they only operate till 7:30pm). The people at the Runn Utsav helpdesk also had no clue and were not at all helpful in answering our queries. They were rude and had no business being at the helpdesk. Thankfully, upon going there in the night we were allowed to take our vehicles till the last point after showing our permits at the BSF checkpost. Although they may change the rules soon and allow only buses to take you there. Also, the Rann Utsav market, eateries and other activities which are setup before the checkpost operate only for a limited time in the evening and close early by 9-10pm. We reached there a bit late after sightseeing nearby areas as we had assumed fair will be open till late in the night due to the full moon occasion since it is the biggest draw to visit Rann which lights up the entire white desert by Moonlight. Talking about the actual white desert, we visited it during sunrise and at midnight during the full moon. It really is beautiful and you see mostly white plains till the horizon, although it was below expectations as it was not as white as I'd heard from f&f and various adverts/social media (which could partly be due to it becoming a commercialized space with a lot of tourism). At night the full moon was incredibly bright and looked like a bulb which lit up the entire sky and the white desert below it. We were able to spot Jupiter and Mars too along with various constellations among the starry sky. Overall I felt it's a beautiful place but is being spoilt by increasing commercialization by Gujarat Tourism.

Best Experience ever! Rann Utsav, Dhordo is an Amazing and a must visit place. At first, I was a bit worried after reading the negative reviews but it seems to be just another Competitive act! The Welcoming and Hospitality right from the point we reached the Railway station till the point we Boarded the train for Returning, it was excellent! The food😋, it was so yummy, delicious and Fingerlicking and I can't just get over it!😅 The menu included all the cuisines- South Indian, Punjabi, Gujarati, Italian (pasta, lasagna), Soups and Sweets! Food accompanied by music, Cherry on the Cake!🥰 Travel Experience 💯/💯 We visited all the places included in the Itinerary. And they were very punctual with the Timings! Tour Guides were excellent too! We were given every bit of the information about Kutch as well as the places we visited. Cultural Night✨ Very Unique performances representing the culture of Kutch! Loved them! Market✨ There is a big market or "Mela" just outside the RannUtsav Campus. Just give it a visit. I am sure you're gonna empty your pockets! There's even a Food court there, don't miss that too!! Stay, House keeping, and Staff: 5⭐ Amazing Tents were great and its a Different experience in its own! Stunning Sunrise and Amazing Sunsets! It was the Beginning so the water didn't dry much in the White Rann, but if you'll visit in December -January-February then you would get to see the White Rann at its best!

Amazing experience at the Rann Utsav. Planned to go on bike ride from Ahmedabad to White Dessert which was an ok decision. Road is good till bhuj but after that a lot of construction work is underway. But all the tiredness was gone on reaching the Rann. The atmosphere and vibe is so full of life here. Be the the camel cart ride, road side market, cultural shows, Gujarati thali, tent city, everything is breathtaking. You have to be here to believe it.

Visited Rann of Kutch in Bhuj District of Gujrat famous for its vast stretch of salt desert. One must visit the place between November to February for its beauty. Rann is in close proximity to Pakistan border. India Bridge is last point upto which Indian side travellers can go. One can find many home stays nearby Rann of Kutch at reasonable rates.

One of the famous tourist places in Bhuj. There is one room which has mirrors on the sides and also in the main hall and aisle area there are mirrors on the roof. There are lot of antique that are well preserved and taken care of. To enter the palace, you have to remove your shoes outside. There’s no one to look after the shoes that’s a bit of a scare. There are separate charges for photography inside and there are CCTV cameras put inside to keep an eye on people messing around with things. It takes about 30 mins to do the complete the tour and it is a decent experience.

Aina Mahal in Bhuj is a beautiful palace with stunning mirror work and intricate designs. The architecture is unique, and the collection of antiques, paintings, and chandeliers is impressive. It gives a glimpse into the rich history and royal lifestyle of Kutch. The palace is well-maintained and a must-visit for history and art lovers.

This ancient palace showcases the royal living of the past, with beautiful architecture and stunning mirror work. Walking through its halls, you can almost feel the grandeur of the royal era. The designs, ornate rooms, and historical significance make it a must-visit destination. There’s two palace at one place one is aaina mehel and there’s another one. There’s no photography allowed inside aaina mehel. Overall a great place to witness ancient royal living and experience Gujarat's rich cultural heritage.

"This is a heritage building and it needs to be maintained. We could only see a few rooms and articles, but we wanted to explore more. Unfortunately, the condition of the building was very poor… the Queen’s palace (Rani Mahal) was almost completely in ruins. It felt very disheartening, but the time spent there was still very pleasant."

Aina Mahal is a beautiful heritage palace with stunning mirror work and artifacts, offering a great glimpse into Kutch’s royal history. A must-visit in Bhuj.

Good for tourist... Must visit old king's lifestyle and queens 👑 details...

We came to see this place along with campers from different districts of Gujarat. This palace is worth seeing. In which examples of items used in olden days can be found... Along with this, mirrors presented in different works are also seen. In which you will see a different work of yours by looking in the mirror... and at the same time there are many other things to see... Photography is prohibited inside the palace. Look, if someone wants to do photography, they can do it by paying a charge.

Sharhad Baugh in Bhuj is a peaceful heritage palace turned museum. It showcases the royal lifestyle of Kutch with elegant furniture, personal belongings, and colonial-style architecture. The gardens are serene, and the atmosphere feels calm and timeless. A quiet but meaningful stop to experience Kutch’s royal past.

Beautiful palace with a few peacocks, a variety of flowers and a peaceful environment. Do book their homestay Incase you haven't booked stay. It was a 5 star stay with great food, camp fire, clean rooms and compassionate people around.

The entire palace grounds are quite serene and peaceful. They're also well maintained and clean. The various ruins add a layer of mystery to the mood of the place. The central building was ruined during the last Bhuj earthquake but one can still sense the grandeur and beauty. Our walk in the morning through the property was an amazing experience with all the birds, cool breeze, greenery everywhere, and the freshness of the air. There's enough parking space, in case you are driving to this place and we saw many people come in by tuktuk and rickshaw. There's a small entry fee for the museum, which displays a lot of interesting items from the collection of the last king of Kutch.

The SharadBaug Palace, once the royal residence of the Madansingh Royal family, has been transformed into a museum showcasing striking relics and a beautiful collection of flowers and medicinal plants. Visitors can visit the palace six days a week, with an entry fee of Rs 30. (-1) Please be aware while buying the tickets. We were overcharged ₹100/- for 3 persons. However, after arguing the cashier gave us the remaining amount.

Royal family palace... if you love natural beauty please come hear in evening time or morning time... ❤️ peaceful place in heart of bhuj city.... Beautiful greenery💚 and best location for pre wedding photography📷 and videography 📸

Regal elegance! Sharad Baug Palace in Bhuj is a testament to timeless splendor. The palace's architecture is a harmonious blend of history and opulence, offering visitors a glimpse into a bygone era. Impeccably maintained gardens and exquisite interiors add to the allure. The palace staff's hospitality enhances the overall experience, making a visit to Sharad Baug Palace a journey through regal magnificence and cultural richness.

Nice place to visit. Good collection of silver, elephant ivory, hunted animals mainly Tigre, coins, etc. Bird lovers can get to see bats colony on nearby tree, black ibis, Indian roller with other birds as the nearby area is full of trees, lawn and farm with availability of water. Closed on Friday. Timing is 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm