Vadodara is one of the most modern cities in India combining great cultural and educational institutions with progressive Industrial and commercial developments. The history of Vadodara can be traced over 2000 years and it was the capital of one of the most powerful princely states prior to independence. The city owes its modern outlook to the 19th century king Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad’s foresight and his appreciation for the British way of life.

As one of India’s most cosmopolitan cities, Vadodara has a number of multiplexes, shopping malls, and International and popular Indian cuisines.  The choices for leisure activities include swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnasiums, and an International Cricket Stadium. Vadodara also boasts only one of the two golf clubs in Gujarat, a 12 holes course, located in beautiful and royal surroundings of Laxmi Vilas Palace.

Renowned for its cleanliness and organized infrastructure, resulting mainly from its unparallel underground sewage system not available in any other metros of India, the Gujarat Government has awarded Vadodara city the Model City award under its Swarnim Sankalp Yojana.  It is the only city in Gujarat which provides clean drinking water to its citizens from Ajwa Lake, an engineering feat in itself.

Vadodara has multiple and easily accessible links to the rest of India by Air, Rail and Road. There are daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai and is a major railway junction on Western Railway. Also, it is on the verge of Ahmedabad Mumbai Free express way allowing a smooth journeys to two of most frequented cities by Gujaratis.

As a prominent industrial city of Gujarat. Vadodara has been an attractive destination for MNCs such as General Motors, Reliance, Bombaireder ,Gujarat Refinery, GSFC, GACL, GIPCL, ONGC, GAIL, Heavy Water Projects, Apollo Tyres, Suzlon, L & T, Sahara and Nirma . Vadodara is also gradually becoming an IT hub in Gujarat with several software development projects undertaken by both national and international companies.

Known as “Sanskar Nagari” (city of culture and education), Vadodara has several reputed international schools and colleges.  The Maharaja Sayajirao University, one of the best universities in India, consists of Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, Fine Arts and Commerce faculties and has been sending its graduates for years to USA and other major developed countries and successfully contributing to their economies.  There are several international schools such as American National School and Royal International School. The Hansa Mehta Library provides an excellent center for latest books & publications from all over the world. While performing arts faculty nurtures & produces some talented musicians & artists.

The vast array of traditional festivals such as Navratri, Diwali, Uttarayan, Holi, and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated with great fervor in Vadodara which also has a large number of patrons for classical music and dance.  The Gandhinagar Auditorium, right in the city centre, and C.C.Mehta Auditorium, host various plays, Indian classical and popular music concerts throughout the year.  The centre of spiritual wisdom, the Arvind Ashram attracts the visitors from all over the world.

For a medium sized city, Vadodara has a surprising range of interesting museums, palaces, architectural beauties and art galleries.  Vadodara Museum & Art Gallery and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum boast of an excellent art collection of works by Indian artists and European Masters, Lakshmi Vilas & Pratap Vilas Palace are extravagantly built in Indo- Saracen style residence, Nazarbaug Palace is built in old classical style, used on ceremonial occasions by the royal family, Makarpura Palace is a beautiful palace designed in the Italianate style and Kirti Mandir is a 'Hall of Fame', memorial for the Gaekwad rulers designed in magnificent stone with domes, terraces.  The buildings such as Lal (Red) Court, Kothi Kacheri (Collector’s offices) and the main university building are examples of classic British architecture, while EME temple, made completely of steel is a remarkable example of modern architecture.

Within beautifully constructed Char Darwaja (Four Gates), Mandavi, Champaner, Laheripura and Pani lies the charming old Vadodara which has the famous Mangal Baazar, buzzing with bargain hunters for all consumer goods, and Khanderao Market offering the discerning buyers fresh fruits & vegetables.

A collection of well laid out gardens such as Sayaji Baugh, complete with zoo, a toy train and planetarium, Lal Baugh, Sardar Baugh, Badamadi Baugh, Kanchan Baugh, Nimeta Garden, Vrundavan Garden, and Suryanarayan Garden has made Vadodara known as the Garden City of Gujarat.  The Sur Sagar Lake with its imposing Shiva's statue in it’s centre, boating facilities and famous Indian experience of eating at the roadside complements this well balanced city.