Surat
Diamond City on the Tapi
Overview
Surat is a large port city on the Tapi river in southern Gujarat, historically one of India's busiest trading harbours and the site of the East India Company's first factory in 1613. Today it is the diamond capital of the world, cutting and polishing the majority of the planet's rough diamonds, and a major textile centre for synthetic sarees. It is also repeatedly ranked among India's cleanest cities. Landmarks include the riverside Surat Castle and Mughal-era cemeteries. MyTripMyTravel treats Surat as an industry-and-cuisine city stop, celebrated for Surti dishes like undhiyu, locho, and ghari.
Surat sits on the banks of the Tapi river near the Gulf of Khambhat, and for centuries it was one of the greatest ports in the Indian Ocean world, the western gateway of the Mughal empire, the embarkation point for Hajj pilgrims, and the place where the English East India Company established its first Indian factory in 1613, soon followed by Dutch and other European traders.
That mercantile DNA never left. Modern Surat is a fast, prosperous city built on two industries: diamonds and textiles. It cuts and polishes the overwhelming majority of the world's rough diamonds, and its mills turn out much of India's synthetic sarees and dress fabric. It is also, notably, one of the cleanest large cities in India, ranked at or near the top of the national cleanliness surveys.
For the traveller, Surat is less about monuments than about trade, food, and the river. The old Surat Castle guards a bend of the Tapi, Dutch and English cemeteries recall the European factories, and above all the city is a food destination, home of undhiyu, locho, khaman, and the famous Surti ghari. MyTripMyTravel runs Surat as a working-city stop, often paired with Saputara in the hills or as a gateway from Mumbai.
At a glance
Surat in brief
When to visit
November to February
November to February is the most comfortable season in Surat, with mild days for the riverfront, castle, and food trails. The city's biggest celebration, the kite festival around Uttarayan in mid-January, fills the skies over the Tapi. March to June is hot and humid on this coastal plain, and the monsoon (July to September) can be heavy, with the Tapi occasionally running high. We plan Surat within the pleasant winter window, and it pairs well with cool-season trips to nearby Saputara.
Things to do
Experiences in Surat
Surat Castle
The 16th-century Old Fort on a bend of the Tapi, built to guard the port against raiders, now restored on the riverfront.
Dutch & English cemeteries
The grand European tombs recalling the Dutch and English trading factories of Surat's great port era.
Surti food trail
A guided tasting of the city's celebrated dishes, undhiyu, locho, khaman, and the famous Surti ghari.
Textile & diamond markets
A look into the industries that drive the city, from the saree markets to the diamond-polishing hub.
Tapi riverfront & Gopi Talav
The restored riverside promenade and the historic Gopi Talav lake, pleasant for an evening stroll.
Dumas Beach
The black-sand seafront on the city's edge, a lively local spot for chaat and sea air at dusk.
Getting there
How to reach Surat
Surat (STV) has good domestic connections; Mumbai's international airport is about 260 km south with a fast highway.
Surat is a major stop on the Mumbai to Ahmedabad main line with frequent fast trains; we handle station transfers.
Surat sits on the Mumbai to Ahmedabad expressway corridor, an easy chauffeured drive from either city and the gateway to Saputara.
Our air-conditioned, GPS-tracked vehicles link Surat with Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and the Saputara hills comfortably.
Where to stay
Surat's best modern business hotels, polished and well-serviced, reflecting the city's prosperous trade base.
Comfortable hotels near the Tapi and city centre for easy access to the castle, markets, and food streets.
Reliable mid-range stays with concierge support for a straightforward overnight city stop.
Where to eat
Surat's signature winter dish, mixed vegetables and beans slow-cooked with spices, a Gujarati classic at its best here.
The soft, steamed savoury specialities of Surat, served hot with chutney, sev, and butter from the city's beloved stalls.
The rich, ghee-and-mawa filled sweet disc for which Surat is famous, especially around the Chandni Padvo festival.
Good to know
Surat, your questions
Why is Surat called the diamond city?
Surat cuts and polishes the overwhelming majority of the world's rough diamonds, employing hundreds of thousands in the trade. It is the global centre of diamond processing, which is why it is known as the diamond capital of the world.
What is Surat's history as a port?
Surat was one of India's greatest ports under the Mughals, an embarkation point for Hajj pilgrims and traders. The English East India Company set up its first Indian factory here in 1613, followed by the Dutch and others.
What food is Surat famous for?
Surti cuisine is a highlight, undhiyu, the soft steamed locho and khaman, and the rich sweet ghari. A guided food trail is one of the best reasons to stop in the city.
How do I reach Surat?
Surat has its own airport (STV) with good domestic flights and is a major stop on the Mumbai to Ahmedabad railway and expressway. It is an easy chauffeured drive from Mumbai, Vadodara, or Ahmedabad.
Is alcohol available in Surat?
No. Surat is in Gujarat, a dry state, so alcohol is restricted and requires a permit, which we can help foreign visitors arrange where needed.
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