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HERITAGE TOWN · DISTRICT HQAmreli City
The leafy district capital of Saurashtra — a calm heritage town of a landmark clock tower, old havelis, the Nagnath temple and a characterful little museum.
A quiet heritage town
Amreli, the green and unhurried capital of its district, is one of Saurashtra’s pleasant heritage towns. Once part of the Gaekwad of Baroda’s domain, it carries a gentle old-world charm: a landmark colonial-era clock tower presiding over the bazaar, lanes of carved wooden havelis, the old Nagnath Mahadev temple, and the Girdharbhai Sangrahalaya, a characterful museum of folk art, textiles and crafts.
The town is remembered as a centre of Gujarati culture and learning, and as the gateway to eastern Gir — the lions of Dhari and Ambardi lie just to the south. Without the crowds of the bigger cities, Amreli rewards the curious traveller with quiet streets, friendly Kathiawadi hospitality and a taste of small-town Saurashtra. It makes a comfortable base for the district’s temples, coast and forest.
Amreli’s landmark clock tower.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
The clock tower above the bazaar.
Amreli flourishes under the Gaekwads of Baroda.
It becomes a centre of Gujarati learning and arts.
The clock tower rises over the old bazaar.
The green capital of Amreli district.
Reasons to make the time
Clock tower
The town's beloved landmark.
Old havelis
Carved wooden quarters.
Folk museum
Crafts at Girdharbhai.
Nagnath temple
An old Shiva shrine.
Gateway to Gir
Dhari and Ambardi nearby.
Kathiawadi calm
Friendly small-town life.
What to look for inside
The Tower
Amreli's colonial clock tower.
Bazaar lanes
Havelis and markets.
How to spend an hour or two
See the clock tower
Amreli's central landmark.
Wander the havelis
The old carved quarter.
Visit the museum
Folk art at Girdharbhai.
Stop at Nagnath
The old Shiva temple.
Taste Kathiawadi food
Hearty local thalis.
Use it as a base
For Gir, coast and temples.
The heart of old Amreli.
Clock tower, havelis and bazaar
Old Amreli is a low-rise Kathiawadi town of narrow bazaar streets, carved wooden havelis and modest temples, anchored by its colonial-era clock tower — a pink-and-cream landmark with a domed top that rises over the market crossroads. Scattered through the town are the Nagnath Mahadev temple, the Girdharbhai folk museum and old civic buildings from the Gaekwad period, giving Amreli a quiet, layered heritage character rather than any single grand monument.
Colonial-era clock tower
Carved wooden havelis
Girdharbhai folk museum
Old Nagnath temple
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the best season across Amreli.
Green countryside; Gir's core closes (Jun–Oct).
Hot inland, but the best time for Gir lion sightings.
⏰ Use Amreli as a relaxed base for eastern Gir (Dhari/Ambardi), the Khodiyar temple and the district's coast.
Timings & entry
- The town is freely walkable
- The museum keeps daytime hours
- Markets are liveliest in the evening
- Allow a half day
- No entry fee for the town
- The museum charges a small fee
- Respect homes in the haveli lanes
- Combine with Gir and the coast
Getting there
By Air
Rajkot and Diu are the nearest airports.
By Rail
Amreli has its own railway station.
By Road
Well linked to Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Junagadh.
Around old Amreli
TOWER & LANES
A quiet Kathiawadi heritage town
What to shoot
The clock tower against the sky.
Detail
Carved haveli woodwork.
Life
Bazaar streets and stalls.
Best light
Soft early-morning light.
Know before you go
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
Ganthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
Local bites
Bhajiya, chevdo and chaat.
Pure-veg & ghee
Hearty Kathiawadi veg fare; jaggery sweets.
Amreli City FAQ
What is Amreli known for?
Being a green heritage district capital with a landmark clock tower and gateway to eastern Gir.
What can I see in the town?
The clock tower, old havelis, the Girdharbhai folk museum and Nagnath temple.
Is it a good travel base?
Yes — it's central for Dhari/Ambardi, the Khodiyar temple and the coast.
How do I reach Amreli?
By road or rail; the nearest airports are Rajkot and Diu.
Is there an entry fee?
No — the town is free; the museum charges a small fee.
When should I visit?
October to March, for pleasant weather.
What food is local?
Hearty Kathiawadi vegetarian fare and Saurashtra snacks.
How long should I stay?
About half a day, or use it as a base for the district.
Related places across Gujarat
Pithora Villages
Rathwa ritual wall paintings around Kawant
Ahmedabad
India's first UNESCO World Heritage City
Watson Museum
Saurashtra's history, sculpture & relics
Rann of Kutch
The white salt desert that glows at full moon
Nageshwar
◐ The colossal Shiva statue
Tapi Riverfront
Promenades & gardens along the river
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