Ahmedabad straddles the Sabarmati River, with the historic old city on the east bank and the newer, planned neighborhoods on the west. Each area has a distinct character and a different reason to stay there , from the 600-year-old pols of the walled city to the glass office towers along SG Highway. Here’s how the neighborhoods break down and which one fits your travel style. For more detail, see our Ahmedabad weather by month.
Best Neighborhoods in Ahmedabad: The Old City (Walled City and Pols)
The Old City on the east bank of the Sabarmati is Ahmedabad’s UNESCO World Heritage core, a dense maze of pols , traditional gated residential micro-neighborhoods established by caste and profession between the 15th and 18th centuries. Each pol has a central square with a temple, a bird feeder (chabutra), and a community well. The lanes are narrow (many too narrow for cars), the architecture ranges from crumbling havelis with carved wooden facades to modest concrete additions, and the street life is constant: chai stalls on every corner, children playing cricket, and the call to prayer from the Jama Masjid. The Old City is where you stay if you’re here for heritage, photography, and street food , the Manek Chowk night market and the city’s best heritage hotels (like The House of MG) are here. Downsides: noise levels are high, parking is nonexistent, and the area floods during monsoon. Hotel prices range from ₹800 (US$10) for basic guesthouses to ₹8,000+ (US$96+) at heritage hotels. Best for: first-time visitors, photographers, heritage buffs, and anyone who wants to feel Ahmedabad’s history rather than just visit it. For more detail, see our best time to visit Ahmedabad.
Best Neighborhoods in Ahmedabad: Navrangpura and Ashram Road
Navrangpura sits just west of the river, directly across from the Old City, making it the most central base for exploring both sides of Ahmedabad. The area runs along Ashram Road, the city’s main north-south artery, and includes the Gujarat University campus, the Law Garden night market, and several major business hotels. It’s a middle-class residential and commercial area with tree-lined streets, a mix of mid-century apartment buildings and offices, and easy access to the Sabarmati Riverfront. Ashram Road itself runs from the Gandhi Ashram in the north through the commercial heart of the city. Hotels here lean toward business-oriented chains: Hyatt Regency, Fortune Landmark, and several mid-range options. Hotel prices: ₹2,500-7,000 (US$30-85) per night. Best for: business travelers, visitors who want centrality without the Old City’s intensity, and anyone planning to split time between old and new Ahmedabad. The area has excellent public transport connectivity with AMTS bus routes and easy auto-rickshaw access. For more detail, see our things to do in Ahmedabad.
Best Neighborhoods in Ahmedabad: CG Road and Ellisbridge
CG Road (Chimanlal Girdharlal Road) is Ahmedabad’s most established commercial high street, running between Ellisbridge and Panchvati. It’s the city’s shopping and dining spine, lined with retail stores, jewelry showrooms, multi-cuisine restaurants, cafes, and several hotels. The adjoining Ellisbridge area connects to the Old City via the Ellis Bridge (built 1892, a heritage landmark in itself). The area is walkable by Ahmedabad standards, with wide footpaths and crosswalks. Restaurants here cover everything from Gujarati thali to pizza and sushi , CG Road is where you go for variety. Hotel options include mid-range business hotels and a few boutique properties. Prices: ₹2,000-5,000 (US$24-60) per night. Best for: shoppers, food-focused travelers, couples, and anyone who wants a neighborhood that’s lively after dark with actual dining options beyond street food. The nighttime energy here is higher than in other western neighborhoods, with restaurants and cafes open until midnight. For more detail, see our Ahmedabad events and festivals.
Best Neighborhoods in Ahmedabad: SG Highway and Satellite
SG Highway (Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway) is Ahmedabad’s modern growth corridor, a wide divided highway lined with corporate offices, IT parks, luxury hotels, shopping malls, and upscale residential townships. The adjacent Satellite and Prahlad Nagar areas are planned residential neighborhoods with wide roads, gated communities, and a suburban feel. This is where you’ll find the city’s largest malls (Ahmedabad One, Palladium), multiplex cinemas, and international chain restaurants. Hotels run from premium 5-star (ITC Narmada, Courtyard by Marriott) to service apartments. Prices: ₹3,000-12,000 (US$36-145) per night. Best for: business travelers with offices on SG Highway, families wanting space and quiet, and anyone who prioritizes modern comfort and air-conditioned malls over walking access to historical sites. The trade-off is distance , the Old City is a 30-40 minute drive (₹300-400 by Uber). For more detail, see our where to stay in Ahmedabad.
Best Neighborhoods in Ahmedabad: Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar, Gujarat’s planned capital city, sits 23km north of Ahmedabad and is effectively the northern extension of the metropolitan area. It’s India’s greenest capital, with wide tree-lined avenues, minimal traffic, and the magnificent Akshardham Temple complex , a pink sandstone Hindu temple and cultural complex that’s one of Gujarat’s most visited attractions. Gandhinagar is where you stay if you’re attending government meetings, visiting Akshardham, or extend your trip by a day for a quiet retreat. Hotels range from the luxury Leela Gandhinagar to mid-range business options. Prices: ₹2,500-8,000 (US$30-96). The drive from Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad’s Old City takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. Best for: business travelers with government meetings, Akshardham visitors, and anyone who prefers planned, green urban environments over dense historic cores. For more detail, see our Ahmedabad travel tips.
Best Neighborhoods in Ahmedabad: Quick Comparison
- Old City (Pols): Heritage, street food, cramped but characterful. ₹800-8,000/night. Best for culture and photography.
- Navrangpura / Ashram Road: Central, balanced, business-oriented. ₹2,500-7,000/night. Best all-rounder.
- CG Road / Ellisbridge: Shopping, dining, lively evenings. ₹2,000-5,000/night. Best for food and retail.
- SG Highway / Satellite: Modern, spacious, corporate. ₹3,000-12,000/night. Best for comfort and business.
- Gandhinagar: Green, planned, quiet. ₹2,500-8,000/night. Best for Akshardham and government business.
