Veraval Travel Guide: The Top 6 Places That Should Make Your Veraval Itinerary (2024)
Veraval is in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. It holds religious and tourist importance and sees several tourists visit all through the year. If you plan to visit Veraval and explore it, make sure you add these places to your itinerary. Because Veraval is in the Gir Somnath district, you will see several temples and other structures of religious interest in and around Veraval.
Veraval Travel Guide: The Top 6 Places That Should Make Your Veraval Itinerary
1. Veraval Beach
Veraval Beach should be at the top of the list of anyone wanting to explore this place. The calm, secluded beach in the middle of the city is a respite for one and all. Veraval Beach has several activities that will keep you engaged. The beach has small shops that sell everything from curios to apparel, just what you wanted to take back from your outing in Veraval. The Veraval Beach is a seven-minute drive from Veraval junction. Some pro-tips while visiting a beach in the interiors, you might need to pack your sun-tan, sunglasses, and head-wear, as the weather and heat here is pretty harsh. Another good idea is to wear clothing that not very revealing, and that’s for both men and women so that you don’t seem out of place in a tourist location.
2. Junagadh Gate
Junagadh Gate is one of the most popular tourist locations in Veraval. Even though it’s not something to explore, you can visit it and move on. The Gate is on the way from Junagadh to Veraval and one of the last remnants from when Veraval was a royal kingdom. You will see intricate carvings on the wall. The Junagadh Gate is also a depiction of the architectural ideas from centuries ago. On top of the Gate, you will see the sculptures of four lions. You will go through the Junagadh gate when you are traveling from Junagadh to Veraval or vice-versa.
3. Somnath Beach
Veraval is one of those unique places in Gujarat and India that has beaches to chill and religious places to pray at, all within a distance of a few kilometers. The beach is a long stretch of riverside, and tourists can have one of those long walks down the beach. Of course, if you are on a beach, you should wait around until dusk to get a beautiful view of the sunset. Somnath Beach is about ten minutes away from the Veraval Junction. Unfortunately, the beach is not the best premise for taking a dip.
4. Somnath Mahadev temple
Somnath Mahadev temple is the most famous and place of tourist and religious interest in Veraval. The temple has unique architecture and antique beauty. The temple premises is pretty big, and the main part is a two-storied structure. It is a well-maintained complex, so you will be able to spend a considerable amount of time here. The sanctum sanctorum has a magnificent shivling. Currently, there are two temple premises. An older Somnath temple, that’s more than 300 years old, is just next to the new structure. The Somnath temple is also home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. During the evenings, there’s a light and laser show. You get a great view of the Arabian sea and a magnificent sunset as well. The Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga temple is about twenty minutes away from the Veraval Junction.
5. Bhalka Tirtha
Bhalka tirth holds an important spot in the Krishna mythology, and therefore it is a sacred spot for Hindus. According to scripture, Bhalka was the place that Lord Krishna left for his heavenly abode after being hit by an arrow by the hunter Jara.
The temple is well-maintained and one of the few temples with the idol of Lord Krishna in a resting position, apparently the same one that he was in when the arrow struck him. This posture was the one portrayed in the Amar Chitra Comics depicting Lord Krishna’s life. At his feet, you will see the idol of Jara, begging for forgiveness. The temple is about one and a half kilometers away from Gir Somnath. In the temple premises, there’s also a peepal tree that never dries up. Devotees and experts claim that this was the same peepal tree under which Lord Krishna was resting when Jara’s arrow him. The fascinating history behind this place makes it a must-visit place in Veraval. Bhalka Tirtha is about seven minutes away from the Veraval Junction.
6. Suraj Mandir
The Suraj Mandir in Veraval is another unique temple, as it is one of the few that’s devoted to the Sun God. The temple is almost in ruins, but the carvings and architecture that has survived is a rapturing experience. The temple has about two or three carvings of the Sun God in the main prayer area. The pillars and walls have intricate carvings. Interestingly, you will see depictions of animals and birds in the wall and pillar carvings. The Suraj Mandir, also known as the Surya Mandir, is about 18 minutes away from the Veraval Junction.
Where to Stay In Veraval?
Veraval is a tourist hub, so you will find several hotels that offer you accommodation at all prices. Some of the hotels that offer accommodation at cheap rates are the Hotel Madhuram, Hotel Rajdhani, Hotel Rajdev, and others. These hotels operate in the 1000-1500 band. There are premium hotels, like the Grand Daksh Mansingh Inn and the OYO Hotel Park, but even they operate in the price band of about 2000 to 4000. All in all, the accommodation rates at Veraval are a little bit cheaper than other tourist places.
Veraval has about twenty places that you can visit, and you would need about a day or two to explore all the places in Veraval. One option for you is to book a tour that will take you through all the must-visit places in Veraval. These tour operators offer you a one-price program that includes your stay, travels to and fro, and in some cases, even the food expenses.
How to Reach Veraval?
Veraval connects well via air, road, and rail. The nearest airport is Keshod Airport, which is about 50 km away. Rajkot airport is about 190 km away from Veraval. The Veraval railway station is a junction and is on the major rail routes in the area. You can also opt to reach Veraval via road, as there are private buses as well as State Transport buses that ply on this route. You can hire a private vehicle directly from places like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, etc, to reach Veraval.
