Vadodara formerly known as Baroda is also known as the Sayaji Nagari after  Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III) and Sanskari Nagari (The City of Culture- due to its rich cultural traditions) and Vadpatra ( finally Vadodara) because of the abundance of banyan trees on the banks of the Vishwamitri.

This garden city of Vadodara alias Baroda is located on the banks of Vishwamitri River and is the industrial capital and the third most populated town of Gujarat, known for the beautiful Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (M.S.U.) offering courses in Science, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Technology, Management, Psychology, Social Work, Law and Medicine.
The Lakshmi Vilas Palace:
Buil by tMaharaja Sayajirao III, in the Indo-Saracenic tradition, this palace has artistic multi-colored marble, mosaic work with courtyards beutified with palms and fountains, tall arched entrance-ways, golf course and Sayajirao`s personal museum,displyaing original paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.(open 10:30-5:30; entrance fee Rs. 25/-/ Rs. 100/- for Foreigners)

The Nazarbaugh Palace: Once a royal guesthouse, now converted into the Railway Staff college, has an free entry.
The Makarpura Palace:Once royal summer palace, it is now used for Indian Air Force training and is not open to the public. Still worth viewing from the outside.
Other places to see are Kirti Mandir, Kirti Stambh, Nyay Mandir, Mandvi & Walled City, Khanderao Market, Aurobindo Ashram, EME Temple (Dakshinamurty Temple), Hazira Maqbara, Tambekarwada, Kala Ghoda, Anglo-Vernacular School(Music College), Juni Kothi, Central Jail, Kala Bhavan, Motibaug Palace, Sursagar Lake, Baroda Museum, Sayaji Baug, Jubilee Baug, Lal Baug, Sardar Baug

Excursions: Ajwa & Nimeta, Dabhoi, Pavagadh, Champaner, Sindhrot Nature Park, Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kayavarohan, Chandod, Galteshwar, Dakor, Nareshwar, Sankheda, Kabirwad.

46 km from Vadodara, at the foothills of Pavagadh, Champaner is an ancient fort, with scattered remains of fort walls, tombs, gardens, arches, pillars and wells.
The lower fortification is the Citadel Royal enclosure- of Muhammad Begada, a massive lake Vada Talav and the ruins of Sultan`s Palace, Air Manzil an excavated site and mosques.

Jami Masjid on a high plinth with 172 pillars and seven mihrabs has two tall minarets of 30 meter height.
Excursions from Champaner: Chhota Udepur (Royal Palaces) 80 km, Jambu Ghoda (wild life sanctuary) 25 km, Dabhoi (ancient fort, gateways) 75 km, Balasinor (Dinosaur fossils) 85 km

Where to Stay:

Welcom Hotel, Vadodara:R.C. Dutt Road-390007 (0265 2330033)
Hotel Express Towers:R.C. Dutt Road-390007 (3055000)
Hotel Green:R C Datt Road,Opp. Circuit House, Alkapuri-390007 (2336111)
Hotel Express Residency:(2337899)
Gateway Hotel:Akota Gardens,Vadodara 390 020 (0265 2354545) www.thegatewayhotels.com
Sayaji Hotel:Kala Ghoda, Sayajigunj-390005(0265 2226363) http://www.sayajihotels.com
Hotel Yuvraj:Near Central Stbus Depot, Sayajigunj-390002 (2795252)
Surya Palace Hotel: Sayajigunj (265 2363366)/ www.suryapalace.com
Nidra Hotel:1275 Ward 7, Fateh Ganj-390002 (0265 3040000)/ www.nidrahotels.com
Ginger:(3 Star):Survey 4 (2)(B), Fatehgunj Camp road-390 002 (6633333)
Revival Hotel:University Road,Sayaji Gardens-390002 (2793535)www.revivalhotel.com
Hotel Utsav Pvt Ltd: Navrang Complex, Raopura-390001(2435859)

By Air:Vadodara Airport (BDQ) is connected with Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
By Rail:Vadodara Junction  on  Mumbai-Delhi route (Western Railway). connects with major cities.
By Road: On National Highway 8- Ahmedabad 122, Surat 149, Mumbai 455,  Indor (NH 59) 359,