Dating in Vadodara: first dates and weekend trips

First date ideas in Vadodara

• Sayaji Baug

  Kala Ghoda

  The city's big old garden, also called Kamati Baug, with the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery inside. Walk the lawns, then see the paintings.

• Laxmi Vilas Palace

  Moti Baug

  The Gaekwads' 19th-century palace, open for guided visits, with grounds that are calm and green. A first date with plenty to talk about.

• Sursagar Lake

  Mandvi

  The lake in the heart of the old city, with its tall Shiva statue lit up at night. Good for a short evening walk.

• Faculty of Fine Arts, MS University

  Sayajigunj

  One of India's best-known art schools. Look out for exhibitions and the work on show around the campus, then coffee in Alkapuri.

• EME Temple

  Fatehgunj

  An unusual aluminium-clad temple run by the Army's EME corps, set in quiet grounds.

• Mandvi and the old city

  Mandvi

  The old Mandvi gate and the busy lanes around it, good for an evening of sev usal and kachori.

Weekend trips from Vadodara

For when a few good dates turn into a plan to go somewhere together.

• Champaner and Pavagadh

  Gujarat

  A UNESCO World Heritage Site of mosques, forts and stepwells at the foot of Pavagadh hill, with a ropeway to the temple on top.

  about 1 hour by roadJuly to February

• Statue of Unity and Kevadia

  Gujarat

  The Narmada valley's big landmark, with the viewing gallery, the dam and gardens to fill a full day.

  about 2 hours by roadOctober to February, or the monsoon to see the dam overflow

• Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary

  Gujarat

  Teak forest and small lakes, with forest stays for a quiet night away from the city.

  about 1.5 hours by roadJuly to March

• Polo Forest

  Sabarkantha, Gujarat

  Old temple ruins scattered through forest by the Harnav river. At its best green and misty in the rains.

  about 4 to 5 hours by roadJuly to February

• Saputara

  Gujarat

  A hill station in the Dangs with a lake, viewpoints and monsoon waterfalls on the way up.

  about 5 to 6 hours by roadJuly to February

Navratri and the Vadodara dating calendar

For nine nights every autumn, Vadodara's big garba grounds fill with people dancing late into the night. Plenty of couples will tell you they met at one.

• Go as a group first: Garba is crowded and loud. Meeting with friends around makes it easy, and a quieter coffee the next day is a better place to actually talk.
• Plan the way home: Nights run late, so sort your own ride before you go.
• The rest of the year: Gardens and museums suit the cool months; from April to June, keep dates to evenings and indoor spots.

Questions people ask

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  Is SwipeTrip available in Vadodara?

  Not yet. SwipeTrip is pre-launch and opening city by city across India. Join the waitlist for early access when it opens in Vadodara.

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  What are good first date ideas in Vadodara?

  A walk in Sayaji Baug and its museum, a tour of Laxmi Vilas Palace, an evening by Sursagar Lake, or an exhibition at the MS University fine arts faculty.

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  Where can couples go for a weekend trip from Vadodara?

  Champaner and Pavagadh and Jambughoda are close; the Statue of Unity makes a full day; Polo Forest and Saputara suit a longer weekend.

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  Is it safe to meet a match from a dating app in Vadodara?

  Video call first, meet in a public place with people around, handle your own travel and tell a friend where you'll be. On SwipeTrip, nobody can see you until you've verified with Aadhaar and a live selfie.