Calico Museum of Textiles

The basics

Visiting is possible only on tours organized by the Sarabhai Foundation, which runs the museum. Gallery tours are held four times daily (twice weekly for the gardens) and require booking two weeks before your visit. Once you’ve booked, you can reach the museum on taxis, rickshaws, or buses from the city center (a ride on bus #105 takes about 20 minutes). Some heritage and sightseeing tours pass the museum but don’t step inside.

Things to know before you go

• Museum tours are held twice in the mornings and afternoons; garden tours are on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

• The museum is not wheelchair-accessible.

• Taking photos or videos on the premises is prohibited.

• Mobile phones, cameras, and bags are not allowed inside the premises. The museum provides storage.

• Tours are free but must be pre-booked online or on the phone.

How to get there

The museum lies on the north side of Ahmedabad, off Airport Road, not far from the Sabarmati River and Riverfront Park. You can easily reach the museum on taxis, rickshaws, or buses from the city center (a ride on bus #105 takes about 20 minutes) or pass by on some guided heritage and sightseeing tours.

When to get there

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm, but closes for lunch between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Tours are held four times daily, six days a week, and are roughly two hours long. Travelers interested in exploring the museum gardens, formerly private botanical gardens, can take tours on Tuesday and Thursday mid-afternoons.

What’s inside the Calico Museum of Textiles?

Renowned for holding one of India’s finest collections of textiles, the Calico Museum has other artifacts that are more than worth seeing. An entire gallery, for example, is dedicated to Indian block-making and printing techniques. Other parts of the museum hold sacred bronze statues from South India and Jain manuscripts, sculptures, ceremonial objects, and woodwork. Museum tours are two hours long and cover everything.