Destination Guides
Weekend Getaways From Ahmedabad With a Pool Day: Saputara, Daman, Gir and Bhuj
By Bookaday Editorial Team · Published · Updated · 10 min read
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Quick summary
- Four weekend getaways from Ahmedabad with resort pools listed on Bookaday are Bhuj (about 332 km), Daman (about 366 km), Sasan Gir (about 370 km) and Saputara (about 409 km).
- Bhuj is the shortest drive, at roughly 5.5 hours. The other three are full-day drives of 6.5 hours or more, so leave early on Saturday or take Friday evening off.
- Best months: Gir from 16 October (safari reopens), Bhuj for Rann Utsav (1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027), Daman from October to March, and Saputara in the monsoon or winter.
- A resort pool day solves three common problems: midday heat in Kutch and Gir, rough-sea days in Daman, and children who need a break from sightseeing.
- Rates and pool access vary, so message properties before you leave.
The best weekend getaways from Ahmedabad by car are the ones you can reach in a day and still enjoy, and a resort pool makes the second day much easier with family or friends. Bhuj is the quickest drive; Daman, Gir and Saputara each take most of a day. This guide compares all four by drive time, season and vibe, shows what a pool day adds to each, and gives a two-day plan for every route. Start with the Saputara destination page if you want hills.
Which weekend getaways from Ahmedabad have resort pools?
Bookaday lists resort pools in all four: Saputara (three resorts), Daman (three), Sasan Gir (seven) and Bhuj (three in its Bhuj section). Bhuj is the closest by road, while Saputara is the farthest. Pick by season first, then by drive time and what your group enjoys.
| Getaway | Road distance from Ahmedabad | Typical drive | Vibe | Resorts with pools on Bookaday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhuj, Kutch | About 332 km | About 5.5 hours | Culture, crafts, White Rann | 3 (one is at Dasada, not Bhuj) |
| Daman (UT) | About 366 km | 6.5 to 7.5 hours | Beaches, Portuguese forts | 3 |
| Sasan Gir, Gir Somnath district | About 370 km | 7.5 to 8.5 hours | Lions, forest, Somnath | 7 |
| Saputara, Dang district | About 409 km | A full day | Gujarat's only hill station | 3 |
Sources: Holidify (Bhuj), CabBazar (Daman, Gir drive time), Gujarat Forest Department (Gir distance), Gujarat Tourism (Saputara). Bookaday listings checked 14 October 2026.
When is the best time for each getaway?
Each destination has a clear best season. Gir's safari reopens on 16 October, Bhuj peaks during Rann Utsav from November, Daman is best from October to March when the sea is calmer, and Saputara is greenest in the monsoon and pleasant in winter.
| Month | Saputara | Daman | Gir | Bhuj |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June – September | Best for greenery; Monsoon Festival in August | Rough sea; pool only | Safari closed (16 June – 15 Oct) | Hot and humid; quieter |
| October | Pleasant, green | Good | Safari reopens 16 October | Pre-season |
| November – February | Cool, clear | Best season | Best season (Nov–Mar) | Rann Utsav season |
| March – May | Relief from plains' heat | Warm, busy in holidays | Summer safari slots | Hot; pool essential |
Saputara: best for a hill-station weekend
Saputara, in Dang district at about 1,000 m, is Gujarat's only hill station and about 409 km from Ahmedabad, according to Gujarat Tourism. Bookaday lists three resorts with pools there. Vanvaso Resort & Adventure Park includes pool access in its day packages, which suits families who want adventure activities on day two.
What a pool day adds: a calm afternoon after lake and Governor's Hill walks. In winter, ask whether the pool is heated; in the monsoon, ask about rain rules.
Two-day plan by car
- Day 1: leave Ahmedabad by 6 AM via Vadodara and Surat; reach by late afternoon; sunset at Saputara Lake.
- Day 2: a resort pool morning, adventure activities after lunch, and a 2 PM start for the drive home (expect to reach late).
Best for: families and couples who want cool air. Trade-off: the longest drive of the four.
Daman: best for a beach-and-pool weekend
Daman, a Union Territory, is about 366 km from Ahmedabad by road via Vadodara, Surat and Vapi. Bookaday lists three Nani Daman resorts with pools, each selling a 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM day package; Devka Beach Resort includes beach access. Explore the Daman destination page.
What a pool day adds: a safe swim. The sea at Daman can be unpredictable, and the district administration has banned beach swimming in the past after drownings.
Two-day plan by car
- Day 1: leave early; lunch on the highway near Surat; evening walk on Devka Beach.
- Day 2: Moti Daman Fort in the morning, a resort pool and lunch until mid-afternoon, then drive back.
Best for: friends' groups and families with older children. Daman's rules differ from Gujarat's, but never swim or drive after drinking.
Sasan Gir: best for a safari weekend
Sasan Gir is about 370 km from Ahmedabad, according to the Forest Department's Gir portal. Bookaday lists seven resorts with pools there. Two, Daksh Resort & Amusement Park and Gir Vanraj Farm & Resort, sell day packages with pool access; others include the pool in room packages. Start with the Gir destination page.
What a pool day adds: a midday rest between the morning safari (6:30 to 9:30 AM in winter) and the evening slot (3:00 to 6:00 PM). Book permits only on the official portal, girlion.gujarat.gov.in. Our guide to Sasan Gir resorts with swimming pools covers safari timings in detail.
Two-day plan by car
- Day 1: leave by 5:30 AM via Rajkot or Junagadh; afternoon pool at your resort; early dinner.
- Day 2: morning safari, breakfast, pool, and drive home after lunch; or add Somnath, about 45 km from Sasan via Veraval.
Best for: families with children who will remember the lions. Trade-off: permits sell out on holiday weekends.
Bhuj: best for culture and the White Rann
Bhuj is the closest of the four, about 332 km and roughly 5.5 hours from Ahmedabad. Regenta Resort Bhuj, near the airport, sells a 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Day Outing package with pool access. The White Rann at Dhordo is about 85 km beyond Bhuj, and Rann Utsav 2026-27 runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027, according to the official site.
What a pool day adds: relief from Kutch's dry midday sun before a White Rann sunset. See our guide to resorts in Bhuj with swimming pools for permits and routes.
Two-day plan by car
- Day 1: leave at 6 AM; Bhuj sights after lunch; early night.
- Day 2: pool and lunch at a Bhuj resort, then Dhordo for sunset with a valid permit, or start home after lunch.
Best for: couples and craft lovers. Note: Gujarat's prohibition law applies across Kutch.
Which getaway suits couples, families or groups?
Couples tend to prefer Saputara or Bhuj for views and culture; families with children get the most from Gir's safari plus a pool; friends' groups enjoy Daman's beaches. For group trips, pick the getaway with the most listed resorts, so you can compare replies.
| You are… | First choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Couple | Saputara or Bhuj | Cool hills, or crafts and the White Rann |
| Family with kids | Sasan Gir | Safari plus resort pools and play areas |
| Friends' group | Daman | Beaches, forts, resort day packages |
| Large group or office trip | Sasan Gir | Seven resorts with pools to compare |
| Monsoon weekend | Saputara | Monsoon Festival, waterfalls, green hills |
How do you shortlist and message properties before leaving?
Shortlist two resorts per destination, then send each the same message on WhatsApp. Ask about pool access for your dates, room or day-package options and food, and get answers in writing. Do this at least a week ahead for festive weekends such as Diwali.
Hello, we are [X] adults and [Y] children driving from Ahmedabad on [dates]. 1. Is the pool open to us with a stay, or with a day package? What are the pool hours? 2. Which meals are included? Is veg or Jain food available? 3. Is there a shallow area for children, and are changing rooms available? 4. What is the rate for our dates and group size? Thank you.
Road-trip checklist
- Leave before 6 AM to beat the heat and highway traffic.
- Carry swimwear, sunscreen, caps, water, and a warm layer for Saputara or Rann evenings.
- Keep ID for Gir safari and White Rann permits.
- Plan fuel and food stops; Vadodara and Surat suit the Daman and Saputara routes, and Rajkot suits Gir.
Plan your weekend getaway
Pick the season-right destination, shortlist resorts with pools, and message them before you set off. Explore the Saputara, Daman and Gir destination pages, then tap Ask on WhatsApp on the listings you like. Bookaday helps you find and contact properties; they confirm access, timings and rates.
FAQs
Popular weekend getaways from Ahmedabad by car include Bhuj in Kutch (about 332 km), Daman (about 366 km), Sasan Gir (about 370 km) and Saputara (about 409 km). Each has resorts with swimming pools listed on Bookaday. Bhuj is the shortest drive; the other three take most of a day, so leave early.
For two days, Bhuj is the easiest because it is roughly 5.5 hours away, leaving time for sightseeing and a pool break. Sasan Gir suits families from mid-October to June, when the safari is open. Daman works best from October to March. Saputara is ideal in the monsoon and winter but is the longest drive.
Saputara is the best monsoon pick: Gujarat Tourism describes green hills and thick forest in the rains, and the Monsoon Festival ran from 8 to 29 August in 2026. Avoid Gir in the monsoon, as the safari is closed from 16 June to 15 October, and avoid sea swimming in Daman, where the sea is rougher.
Saputara suits couples who want cool air, lake sunsets and a quiet resort; Savshanti Lake Resort lists lake views. Bhuj suits couples who enjoy crafts, culture and the White Rann at sunset during Rann Utsav. Ask resorts about pool access and quieter weekday rates.
Yes. Gir safari permits are sold only on the Forest Department's official website, girlion.gujarat.gov.in, with no tatkal bookings, and weekend and holiday slots fill fast. Each e-permit covers up to six people plus one child aged 3 to 12. Resorts can help with planning but do not issue permits.
Daman is about 366 km from Ahmedabad by road, mainly via Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Valsad and Vapi. The drive takes about 6.5 to 7.5 hours depending on traffic, so most families leave early on Saturday and return on Sunday afternoon.
Sources
- Gujarat Tourism: Saputara (opens in a new tab)
- Gujarat Forest Department: About Gir (distances) (opens in a new tab)
- Gujarat Forest Department: Gir Jungle Trail booking (opens in a new tab)
- Rann Utsav official site (opens in a new tab)
- Holidify: Ahmedabad to Bhuj (opens in a new tab)
- Also used: CabBazar route pages for Ahmedabad–Daman and Sasan Gir–Ahmedabad; DeshGujarat on the Saputara Monsoon Festival 2026; Bookaday listings, checked 14 October 2026.