Places to Visit Near Gir: 8 Spots to Pair With Your Lion Safari

The Best Places to Visit Near Gir

Gir is the star for its lions, but the area around it is one of the richest corners of Gujarat, with temples, forts, a sacred hill, hot springs and beaches all within easy reach. I am Harsh Rawat, guiding this region for more than 8 years and I always tell guests on the Somnath Dwarka Tour Package that the Gir safari is best enjoyed as part of a wider loop. Here are the places near Gir I most recommend pairing with it.

1. Somnath

Only a couple of hours from Sasan Gir, Somnath is the most natural pairing with a lion safari. Home to the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, its great seaside temple, the Triveni Sangam and the evening light and sound show make it a profound contrast to the wilderness of Gir. For everything the town offers, see our guide to the sightseeing places in Somnath. Most travellers do Gir and Somnath back to back.

2. Junagadh

The historic city of Junagadh, about two hours from Gir, is packed with heritage: the ancient Uparkot Fort with its stepwells and cannons, the Mahabat Maqbara mausoleum with its spiralling minarets, the Ashokan rock edicts and the Sakkarbaug Zoo, one of India's oldest, where Asiatic lions are also bred. It is an easy and rewarding add-on for a day.

3. Girnar

Rising above Junagadh, the sacred hill of Girnar is one of Gujarat's great pilgrimages, with around 9,999 steps climbing past Jain temples to the Amba Mata, Gorakhnath and Guru Dattatreya peaks. A ropeway now carries visitors up towards the Ambaji temple. Girnar suits anyone who wants to add a spiritual climb and sweeping views to a wildlife trip.

4. Tulsishyam

Tucked in the hills near the edge of the Gir forest, Tulsishyam is famous for its natural hot springs and an ancient temple to Lord Krishna. There is also a curious spot nearby where the road appears to defy gravity. It is a peaceful, offbeat stop that few tourists make and a lovely break on the way between Gir and the coast.

5. Kankai Mata Temple

Deep inside the Gir forest sits the Kankai Mata temple, a revered shrine to the goddess reached by a forest road through lion country. The journey itself is an adventure and the temple's remote setting among the teak makes it feel truly special. Access can depend on forest rules, so it is best arranged with a guide.

6. Devalia Safari Park

Right at Sasan Gir, the Devalia Safari Park is a fenced interpretation zone where lion and leopard sightings are near certain and it stays open even in the monsoon when the core park closes. It is the perfect backup or add-on to a core safari, especially for families. See more about the wildlife options in our guide to the places to visit in Gir National Park.

7. Diu

About two to three hours from Gir, the island of Diu is a former Portuguese enclave with forts, beaches and a relaxed, un-Gujarat holiday mood. It makes a wonderful soft landing after the intensity of a safari and temple tour, with Diu Fort, Nagoa Beach and the shoreside Gangeshwar Temple among its highlights.

8. Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach

On the mainland across from Diu, Ahmedpur Mandvi is a long, clean beach known for water sports and calm swimming, a short hop from Una. It is a great place to unwind for an afternoon between Gir, Somnath and Diu and a reminder of how much coastline this corner of Gujarat packs in.

Places Near Gir at a Glance

How to Plan Your Trip Around Gir

The smart way to see these is to treat Gir as the wildlife anchor and loop the rest around it. A common plan is Somnath and Gir together, then Junagadh and Girnar, with Diu as a relaxed finish. To reach the region in the first place, see our guide on how to reach Gir and for where to base yourself, our hotels overview covers stays across the circuit.

If you would rather have it all arranged, our 5 Days Saurashtra Darshan Tour strings Gir together with the temples and the coast, with transport, stays and the safari permit handled.

What I Tell Every Guest About Exploring Near Gir

After 8 years and more than fifty thousand travellers, my honest advice is not to treat Gir as a one-night stop. So many people drive in, do a single safari and leave and miss the whole character of this region. The magic of Gir is that within a couple of hours you can stand before the first Jyotirlinga at Somnath, climb a sacred hill at Girnar, soak in hot springs at Tulsishyam and end on a Portuguese beach at Diu.

So give the area at least two or three days. Pair the safari with Somnath at the very least and if you have time, add Junagadh and Diu for the full range of temple, fort, forest and sea. Let me know how long you have and I will build a loop that flows naturally without doubling back, so you see the best of what lies near Gir without wasting a day in the car.

Plan Your Gir and Nearby Trip