Things To Do
in Wānkāner
Wānkāner (commonly spelled Wankaner) is a small historic town in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India, known for its Rajmahal (royal palace), old-world architecture and a relaxed small-town atmosphere. The town served historically as a princely state capital, and you can still see ornate palaces, colonial-era railway buildings and tree-lined avenues that speak to that legacy. Wankaner is a practical base for exploring nearby Saurashtra destinations — Morbi, Rajkot and the Little Rann of Kutch — while offering a quieter, more local Gujarati experience.
Visitors will find friendly markets, simple regional cuisine and easy day-trip options into surrounding countryside and wildlife areas.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your journey with a visit to the historic Wānkāner Fort, where you can marvel at the intricate architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the fort's periphery, taking in the serene atmosphere and capturing stunning photographs. The morning sun casts a golden hue over the fort, making for an ideal time for exploration and reflection.
After exploring the fort, head to a local eatery for a delicious lunch featuring traditional Indian cuisine. Savor the flavors of regional specialties while chatting with friendly locals who share intriguing stories about Wānkāner's rich history. In the afternoon, consider visiting nearby handicraft shops to witness artisans at work and perhaps pick up a unique souvenir.
As evening approaches, take a stroll along the picturesque lanes of Wānkāner, soaking in the local culture and vibrant community life. Enjoy a delightful dinner at a popular restaurant, where you can immerse yourself in the flavors of the region. Conclude your day by witnessing the sunset, casting an enchanting glow over the town and creating a perfect ending to a fulfilling day.
Start your day with an energizing breakfast at a local café before heading to the bustling markets of Wānkāner. Experience the vibrant colors and rich aromas of various spices, textiles, and crafts that fill the stalls. Engage with local vendors and learn about the unique products that reflect the culture and traditions of the region.
After a morning of market exploration, take a break to enjoy a charming lunch at a nearby dhaba, relishing authentic Indian street food. Post lunch, visit the nearby Jain temples, adorned with exquisite carvings and intricate designs that showcase the architectural brilliance of the past. Take your time to absorb the tranquil ambiance and spiritual significance of these sacred spaces.
As the sun begins to set, return to the market for some evening shopping where you can find unique jewelry and handicrafts to take home. Enjoy a leisurely dinner at an open-air restaurant, where you can bask in the gentle evening breeze while sharing stories with fellow travelers. The night concludes with a stroll through the dimly lit streets, filled with the sounds of laughter and lively chatter from nearby cafes.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-6 |
| 🍽️Meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $12-25 |
| ☕Coffee / Tea at a café | $1.50-3 |
| 🚕Short auto-rickshaw / taxi ride | $1-5 |
| 🛌Budget hotel / guesthouse per night | $15-40 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich small-town heritage with palaces and colonial architecture
- Authentic Gujarati culture and affordable local food
- Quiet base for day trips to Saurashtra attractions and wildlife areas
- Friendly local population and easy-to-navigate town layout
- Limited nightlife and tourist infrastructure compared with bigger cities
- Fewer international-standard hotels and medical facilities locally
- Summer heat can be intense for some travelers
- Language barriers may exist outside hospitality outlets (limited English)
- "Kem cho? (કેમ છો?)" - How are you?
- "Dhanyavaad (ધન્યવાદ)" - Thank you
- "Aapnu naam su che? (આપનું નામ શું છે?)" - What is your name?
- "Swasth raho / Shubh raatri (શુભ રાત્રિ)" - Good night / Stay well
- "Kripya pani (કૃપયા પાણી)" - Please (give me) water
Places to Visit in Wānkāner
Visit one of these nice places.
The palace exterior, gates and nearby estate walls offer ornate architecture, courtyards and decorative details — excellent for daytime and golden-hour shots.
Historic station buildings and surrounding colonial-era structures provide characterful, textured architectural photography opportunities.
Bustling markets, colorful textiles, vendors and snack stalls create authentic candid street photography — best in the morning and early evening.
Rural roads, fields, and village life around Wankaner offer pastoral landscapes and portrait opportunities with local farmers and craftspeople.
Food in Wānkāner
Wānkāner Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
An assortment of small servings — dal, kadhi, vegetable preparations, rice, roti, chutneys and sweets. Try at a local family-style restaurant for a complete introduction to regional flavors.
Must-Try!
A classic Gujarat breakfast or snack: crunchy chickpea flour strips (fafda) served with spicy chutney and sweet jalebi. Widely available at street stalls and bakeries.
A winter mixed-vegetable dish, slow-cooked with spices and fenugreek dumplings. Best during cooler months and at special eateries or festivals.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
The central market area is where you’ll find snacks, sweets and small food stalls. Try chaats, samosas, fafda, and seasonal fruit from vendors; markets also sell spices and pickles.
Stalls near the railway station and bus stand serve quick bites and tea to travelers — ideal for chai, pakoras and light snacks between journeys.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Wear modest clothing, especially when visiting temples or rural areas — shoulders and knees covered for women and men is respectful.
Remove shoes before entering temples, be quiet and avoid photography where prohibited. Respect religious rituals and timings.
A nod or 'Namaste' with folded hands is a polite and commonly understood greeting. Handshakes are fine in many places, but wait for the other person to offer.
If offered food, accept with thanks. In many homes and temples, eating with the right hand is the norm; take care to follow local cues.
Safety
Tipping in Wānkāner
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants with table service, 5–10% is customary if service is good; for small eateries, rounding up or leaving small change is fine. Tip drivers and guides modestly (INR 50–200 depending on service and duration).
Cash (Indian Rupees, INR) is king in Wankaner — carry sufficient small notes for markets and small purchases. Larger hotels and some restaurants accept cards; UPI and mobile payment apps are increasingly accepted but may be limited in very small shops. ATMs are available in town but can have limits or outages, so plan ahead.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Hot and dry from March to June with daytime temperatures often exceeding 35–40°C (95–104°F); avoid mid-day heat, carry water, sunscreen and wear light cotton clothing. Plan early-morning or late-afternoon outdoor activities and prefer indoor sightseeing midday.
June to September brings the southwest monsoon. Rainfall can be sporadic; roads may get muddy in rural areas but the landscape becomes greener. Carry a light raincoat and waterproof footwear for market visits and village walks.
November to February is the most pleasant time to visit — mild days (20–28°C / 68–82°F) and cooler nights (10–15°C / 50–59°F). Ideal for day trips, wildlife excursions and photography with clear skies.
Short transitional periods (Feb–Mar and Oct–Nov) offer comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds and good conditions for roaming markets and countryside excursions.
Wānkāner at Night
Hiking in Wānkāner
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Short trails around the town and nearby small hills offer easy walking and village interactions — suitable for half-day hikes and cultural observation.
While not conventional mountain hikes, guided treks and jeep safaris across the salt flats and their raised embankments offer unique walking and photography opportunities (best with a local guide).
For more strenuous hiking, Girnar near Junagadh (a few hours’ drive) offers well-known pilgrimage trails and panoramic views — plan this as a longer day trip or overnight excursion.
Airports
How to reach Wānkāner by plane.
Approximately 60–90 km from Wankaner (about 1.5–2 hours by road depending on route). Rajkot is the nearest commercial airport with regular domestic flights to major Indian cities.
Around 90–110 km away (about 2–3 hours by car). Useful for access to the western Saurashtra coast and nearby attractions.
Roughly 100–130 km away; smaller airport with limited flights — suitable if combining coastal visits.
Major international airport approximately 180–220 km away (3.5–5 hours by road). Best option for international arrivals or a wide choice of domestic connections.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority population — involved in trade, agriculture, local administration and small businesses; strong presence of Gujarati cultural traditions.
Small Muslim, Jain and other communities contribute to the town’s cultural and commercial fabric, with their own places of worship and markets.
Wankaner and the surrounding region have families involved in regional trade, textiles and small industries; these groups have shaped local civic life.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Cricket is the most popular sport in the region — local grounds and street cricket are common pastimes among children and adults.
Traditional team sports like kabaddi are played at schools and during local tournaments and festivals.
Rural fairs and festivals sometimes include traditional rural sports and demonstrations that reflect agricultural life and heritage.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Wānkāner.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian visitors will find the region very easy to navigate—many restaurants are vegetarian or offer full vegetarian thalis; always confirm if ghee or dairy is used if strictly vegan.
Vegan options require more questions—ask about ghee, butter, yogurt and paneer in dishes; rice, many dal and vegetable preparations can be made without dairy upon request.
Rice- and millet-based foods are common (bajra/pearl millet), but many snacks contain wheat; ask vendors about ingredients and prefer home-cooked or plain dal/rice meals for safety.
Communicate allergies clearly; carry a translation card for nuts, dairy, or gluten. Small eateries may not have strict cross-contamination controls.