Diu is one of those very few places that offer an ample number of options when it comes to weekend getaways. Located near Gujarat, Daman and Diu together form a union territory. From the Little Rann of Kutch to Gir National Park and from Delwara to Somnath, there are many fantastic places to visit near Diu. In the following post, we have compiled a list of the best places to visit near Diu that are a perfect weekend getaway choice as well. So, check them all and make plans for making your weekends exciting and fun affairs!

10 Best Places To Visit Near Diu

There are several beautiful places to visit in Diu. But as a curious traveler, you would not want to explore further. So here are all the activities, attractions, and travel inspirations offered put together in a list of sightseeing places near Diu.

  • Somnath – A Temple Hub
  • Gir National Park – Lions And More
  • Little Rann Of Kutch – A White Desert
  • Delwara – Architectural Wonders
  • Dwarka – An Ancient City 
  • Bhavnagar – For Temples And Lakes
  • Junagadh – A Fort City
  • Vadodara – On The Banks Of Vishwamitri
  • Rajkot – A Large City
  • Kalyan – For Forts And Temples

1. Somnath – A Temple Hub

Visit Somnath Temple

Dating back to ancient times Somnath is one place that has an incredibly important place in the history of India. Apart from being an important border town, Somnath was also home to the richest and the most ostentatious temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Among the various temples in Somnath, a very significant one is the Somnath temple. It was looted many times in history, the first plunder dating back to 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni. The last loot was done under the reign of Aurangzeb who also built a mosque there. Somnath has a wonderful beach and is a religious pilgrimage now. Which makes it one of the best places to see near Diu.

Best time to visit: September to March
Ideal for: Adventure, beach vacation, pilgrimage, friends, families, and solo travelers.
Must-visit places in Somnath: Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, Somnath Beach, Surya Mandir, Panch Pandav Gufa, Triveni Sangam, Buddhist Caves, Prabhas Patan Museum and Bhalka Tirth.

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2. Gir National Park – Lions And More

asiatic lion

Gir National Park in Gujarat is one of the best places to visit near Diu and make up for an exciting and thrilling weekend trip. Lion Safari, Camping, Forest Walks and enjoying the thrill of roaming in the land ruled by mighty lions – Gir is one of the happening places to explore! Apart from being home to lions, Gir is also home to more than 250 species of birds, leopards, nilgai, hyenas, chinkaras, antelopes and crocodiles.

Timings: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Best time to visit: December to March
Ideal for: Safari, camping, families, friends, solo travelers, and photography lovers.
Must-visit places near Gir: Mahabat Maqbara, Nalsarovar Lake, and Uperkot Fort

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3. Little Rann Of Kutch – A White Desert

Animals

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Though the distance is big, Little Rann of Kutch is one of the best road trip destinations from Diu. The place is highly popular among the youngsters that enjoy the long drives passing through various landforms and sights. The place is a salt wetland that is being considered for a biosphere reserve. The region has many wildlife reserves and rare animal species that attract thousands of tourists every year. Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary is one of the largest wildlife reserves in India and is a must-visit place. Banjana Creek is yet another famous place to spot birds.

Best time to visit: November to February
Ideal for: Road trips, wildlife photographers, families, and solo travelers
Must-visit places: Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Banjana Creek, Chakkdo tours, visiting the salt pans, and Rabadi Tribal Area.

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4. Delwara – Architectural Wonders

Delwara Near Diu

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Delwara is one of the best sightseeing places near Diu, which is also famous for its architectural wonders – the Delwara Temples. The place was initially known as Devkul Paton Nagri. There was a time when Delwara used to house 1000 religious buildings or temples of which 400 were Jain temples. Delwara was ruled by Jhala Rajputs and is currently one of the best places to visit near Diu. It is a fantastic destination if you want to take road trips to tourist places around Diu.

Best time to visit: November to March
Ideal for: Road trips, families, groups, solo travelers, and temple visits
Must-visit places: Art Haveli, Jain Sanctuaries and temples.

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5. Dwarka – An Ancient City 

Dwarkadhish Temple

Offering a perfect getaway for families and a group of friends, Dwarka is also one of the best places to visit near Diu. As of now, more than half of this ancient town was submerged under the water, and the remaining part is known as Bet Dwarka. You can enjoy a fun-filled ride from Port Okha to Bet Dwarka with seagulls making it even better. There is a lighthouse from where you can enjoy an aerial view of the region. There are plenty of places to visit in Dwarka and lots of legends to listen to and get intrigued with. Dwarka is undoubtedly one of the best sightseeing places near Diu.

Best time to visit: October to March
Ideal for: Families with kids, religious groups, sightseeing, and historical places.
Must-visit places: Gopi Talav, Hanuman Mandir, Dwarka Beach, Nageshwar Mandir, Shree Dwarkadhish Temple, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, and Tulamandir

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6. Bhavnagar – For Temples And Lakes

Bhavnagar

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Bhavnagar is an old city in Gujarat that offers many amazing tourist attractions and historical landmarks to visit. This is one of the most exotic places to visit near Diu that is just less than 250 KM from Diu. It offers attractions for the adventurous travelers, history fanatics, nature lovers, families, solo travelers and all other kinds of travelers. Offering glimpses of the royal life of its founder and is also home to the Gohil dynasty members in the current generation.

Best time to visit: October to January
Ideal for: Families, friends, history geeks, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers
Must-visit places: Ferry Boat In Gadaria, Bortalav Lake, Nilambagh Palace, Shree Takhteshwar Temple, Mahuva, Gauri Shankar Lake, Velavadar National Park, Victoria Park, Trambak Falls, Ganga Deri, and Shree Khodiyar Mata Mandir

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7. Junagadh – A Fort City

places to visit in Junagadh

Junagarh has some of the best tourist places near Diu. The historical city of Junagadh is one of the top places to visit near Diu that is a walled city in the foothills of Mount Girnar. Junagadh has the Arabian Sea in its Northwest direction, and the city itself is dotted with lots of historical sites to visit and explore. Apart from history, Junagadh also offers adventurous activities and vibrant local markets to explore.

Best time to visit: October to March
Ideal for: Families, history fanatics, adventure seekers, solo travelers, friends, day trips, road trips
Must-visit places: Holy Hill of Girnar, Amba Ji Mandir, Adi-Kadi Vav, Jama Masjid, Navghan Kuvo, Jain temples, Dattatray Mandir, Tomb of Nuri Shah, Junagadh Museum and Uparkot Fort.

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8. Vadodara – On The Banks Of Vishwamitri

metropolitan city positioned in Gujarat

Vadodara is also called Baroda and is one of the royal states of Gujarat that offers many attractions for the history lovers and art aficionados. Offering an assorted collection of gardens, palaces, museums, zoos, and art – Vadodara is rightfully called a royal city. It is a perfect destination to explore over a weekend and can be explored in just over one day.

Best time to visit: October to March
Ideal for: Families, art enthusiasts, history lovers, families, groups, and solo travelers
Must-visit places: Sayaji Baug, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Fatehsingh Museum, EME Temple, Kirti Mandir, Tambekar Wada, Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery

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9. Rajkot – A Large City

Rajkot

Rajkot offers an amazing mix of cultural elements inspired and influenced by Gandhi, British Raj and traditional times. Amidst the modernity, one can also find distinct impressions of the old times, such as farmer shops and traditional markets. Folk music, handicrafts, lively celebrations of Navratri, Garba and true essence of Kathiawadi Cuisine – Rajkot is a perfect weekend getaway from Diu.

Best time to visit: October to March
Ideal for: Families with kids, sightseeing, gastronomic tours, history fanatics, group, and solo travelers
Must-visit places: Watson Museum, Gandhi Museum, Jubilee garden, Rotary Dolls Museum, Lang Library, and Aaji Dam.

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10. Kalyan – For Forts And Temples

Kalyan Near Diu

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The last name in the list of tourist places to visit near Diu is Kalyan which is famous for its fort, ghats, and trekking. There are an amusement park and recreation spots that offer the perfect options for picnics and day excursions with the family. Kalyan is located in Thane and is another impressive road trip destination from Diu. It is also one of the best places to visit near Diu for the youth that offers adventurous activities such as hiking and water activities.

Best time to visit: October to December and February to May
Ideal for: Family getaways, adventure, groups, solo travelers, road trips
Must-visit places: Durgadi Fort, Kala Talao, Birla Mandir, Shiv Mandir, Chikloli Dam, Shiv Mandir, Ganesh Ghat, Durgadi Killa and Ambernath Shiv Mandir.

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The strategic location of Diu allows it to offer a lot of weekend getaways for travelers with all kinds of interests. Now that you have the best places to visit lined-up, don’t waste any more time and plan an exciting vacation to Diu with your friends and family.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit Near Diu

How many days are enough for Diu?

If you wish to explore the best of Diu, you must plan a trip of 5-6 days. During your trip, you can indulge in sightseeing and enjoy numerous activities as well.

Which are the best places to visit in Diu?

Some of the best attractions you can visit in Diu include Naida Caves, Diu Fort, Nagoa Beach, Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple, Ghoghla Beach, Zampa Gateway, St. Paul Church, and Sea Shell Museum.

Can I visit Diu during the current Covid situation?

Yes, Diu is one of the safest places to visit during the current Covid situation. However, you need to follow government protocols that include wearing a mask when in public, sanitizing hands at certain intervals, and maintaining social distance.

Are there any good attractions near Diu?

Yes, there are plenty of places to visit near Diu that you can explore over the weekend as well. Some of the best places are Somnath, Gir National Park, Delwara, Kalyan, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and Vadodara.

Can I explore Gir over a weekend from Diu?

Yes, Gir National Park is just 67 km from Diu and can be explored over the weekend. Some attractions that you can visit in Gir include Kamleshwar Dam, Durbar Hall Museum, Uparkot Fort, Nalsarovar Lake, Kankai Mata Temple, Girnar Hills.

How many hours are enough to explore the Somnath Temple?

2 to 3 hours are enough to explore the temple and its surroundings. There can be long queues for the darshan of the deity though. So, plan your travel accordingly.

How do I get from Diu to Dwarka?

There is no direct flight, bus, or train from Diu to Dwarka. You can either go via a taxi.

Which are the places to visit in Vadodara?

Vadodara is the seat of the Gohil dynasty and has a lot of impressive places to visit. You can visit Sayaji Baug, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Fatehsingh Museum, EME Temple, Kirti Mandir, Tambekar Wada, Baroda Museum, and Picture Gallery.


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