- Dutch Garden
Dutch Gardens — Surat
The Dutch Garden in Nanpura is a European-style cemetery for Dutch and British officers. It is famous for the beautiful tombs of the explorers who visited and settled in India at that time. They settled in the area for commercial purposes and the same area was marked as Dutch Garden as we see it today.
As the resting place of famous figures of its time, this place is beautifully built and is also called the Dutch Cemetery. The manicured green lawns, sparkling fountains and colorful flower beds attract tourists and locals alike. The garden overlooks the Tapi River, which adds to its beauty and makes it an ideal place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Baron Adrian Van Reed Memorial is one of the most interesting memorials in the park. He was a director of a Dutch company and built the first commercial port in Surat. He died in 1691. You can explore Surat’s colonial history at the mausoleum and relax in nature in the Dutch Garden.
2. Dumas Beach
Dumas Beach is located on the Arabian Sea, about 21 km southwest of Surat. The beach is very popular with tourists and locals alike, but only during the day. Located at the confluence of the Mandola and Tapi rivers, this beach offers scenic beauty but unlike other beaches in India, this beach has black sand and an eerie atmosphere. The black color of the sand is due to the high concentration of iron.
This beach is also considered to be one of the most haunted places in India due to widespread paranormal activity. This beach is crowded with visitors until sunset and then deserted. Visitors claim to have seen ghosts and bullets on the beach, or heard strange sounds and laughter. People wandering the beaches after dark have reportedly disappeared or been found mysteriously dead.
Locals say the beach is used as a cremation site for Hindus, which causes the site to become haunted and the ashes turn the sand black. You can visit the beach during the day to enjoy the stunning beauty of the place, sunbathe, play volleyball and eat local street food. You can also visit a nearby temple dedicated to Daria Ganesh.
3. Hajira Desa Village
Hadjira village near Surat, Guaharat
The village of Hajira is a charming town on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It is located about 20 km from Surat in the Chorasi district of Tehsil. This shallow water city is home to India’s main shipping port thanks to its connections to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat and the Arabian Gulf.
Apart from being home to India’s famous petrochemical projects, it is also a popular holiday destination. The pristine Hajira Beach boasts golden sand overlooking the clear waters of the Arabian Sea. Brilliant seashells dot the beach, adding romance to the beautiful natural setting. Strolling along the cypress-lined beach refreshes the weary soul.
You can enjoy the sunrise or sunset on the beach while enjoying the calm and beautiful view of the Arabian Sea. Hajira is also a popular resort as there are many hot springs in the city. The water from this spring is rich in sulfur and has healing properties. You can visit the ancient city for a relaxing holiday with family and loved ones.
4. Sardar Patel Museum
Visit the Sardar Patel Surat Museum
The Sardar Patel Museum was founded in 1890 and came to be known as the Winchester Museum. It is located in Shahibaug in an old building built for Shah Jahan in 1622. The building was later occupied by the British and was even used by the great Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.
After India’s independence, the building became the residence of the US Governor (Raj Bhavan). It was later converted into a national museum by Sri Babuhai Jasbhai Patel and is known as Sardar Sangrahalaya. The museum features exhibits such as silk textiles, glassware, metalwork, paintings, maps, ivory and terracotta artifacts depicting Surat’s glorious past and heritage.
About eight thousand five hundred exhibits are displayed in the museum and many of them were donated by collectors. You can also enjoy an audiovisual 3D laser show that takes place every night at the museum. It takes you through the history of India from Vedic times to Mughal times and the stories of British rule in India. The museum is open daily except Mondays and has a planetarium.