Suratसूरत — हीरा, सिल्क और सूरती लोचो-उंधियू
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Surat in one minute
Surat — live weather, population, hidden places and cost of living, auto-updated.
Surat rose on the Tapi as a Sultanate port, and the old town still holds its 1540s castle, the gabled Dutch Cemetery and the sandstone Jama Masjid of the trading days. Today the city cuts nine of every ten diamonds polished in the world and weaves its synthetic and silk bales in the same lanes — the Bourse towers mark the new quarter.
The working city is diamond floors, powerloom sheds and the Hazira industrial belt down the creek — plants, port and power on the Arabian coast. Surat (ST) on the Western Railway and Surat airport (STV, ~25 km) hold the corridor; Dumas beach 18 km, Ubhrat 20 km, and Saputara’s hill station ~80 km inland.
Fast facts
| Status | Municipal corporation |
| District | Surat (HQ) |
| Division | Surat |
| District population (2011) | 60,83,716 |
| City population (2011) | 45,94,194 |
| Urban agglomeration | 45,91,246 |
| Density | ≈14,000 / km² |
| Languages | Gujarati · Hindi · Urdu |
| Main stations | Surat (ST) — Western line |
| Nearest airport | Surat (STV) — ~25 km |
| River | Tapi · Arabian Sea coast |
| Sub-divisions | Surat · Olpad · Choryasi · Kamrej |
| District literacy | ≈85.5% (2011) |
| Famous for | Diamonds · textiles · Surti food |
City map
Demographics CENSUS 2011
Last official census — 2021 census deferred, estimates update on release.
45,94,194 residents
per 1,000 males
municipal area (2011)
≈5,05,361 children (est.)
🌟 Hidden & heritage places
Surat beyond the postcards — quiet places and lanes most guides skip.
Surat Castle
The sixteenth-century river fort of the Sultans — ramparts standing over the Tapi.
Directions ↗Dutch Cemetery
The gabled tombs of Surat’s Dutch traders — walled, weathered and quiet.
Directions ↗Dutch Garden
The garden laid over the old trading quarter — lawns by the cemetery gate.
Directions ↗Jama Masjid
The Sultanate mosque of the port days — a sandstone prayer hall and carved minarets.
Directions ↗Dumas beach
The dark-sand shore with the runway across the road — evening crowds and salt wind.
Directions ↗Gopi Talav
The medieval tank rebuilt with steps on every side — the evening walk of the old town.
Directions ↗Weekend getaways
Approximate road distances from Surat.
Cost of living
Indicative monthly estimates for a single person — verify locally before deciding.
| 1 BHK rent (city) | ₹5,000 – 9,000 / mo |
| 2 BHK rent (city) | ₹9,000 – 16,000 / mo |
| Meal at a local eatery | ₹100 – 200 |
| Groceries (single, month) | ₹4,500 – 6,500 |
| Utilities (basic) | ₹1,500 – 3,000 |
| Monthly total (est.) | ₹14,000 – 23,000 |
Estimates only · tier-2 trading market · updated with market data over time
Top industries
What actually runs Surat.
Diamond capital
Cutting and polishing floors where most of the world’s stones are graded and set.
Diamond ↗Silk & synthetic mills
Powerloom sheds and dyeing units — sarees and cloth bales priced in the Ring Road markets.
Textiles ↗Hazira belt
The creek-side plants and port — chemicals, steel and power on the Arabian coast.
Industry ↗Consumer goods units
Detergents, soaps and household brands — the packaged-goods names of the city.
Brands ↗Chikoo & banana belt
The fruit orchards of the southern district — chikoo on the slope, banana on the delta.
Orchards ↗Banquet & stay circuit
Hotels and wedding halls running on textile deals and diamond appointments.
Stays ↗Rail & highway hub
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor — diamond parcels and cloth bales move nightly.
Gateway ↗Top restaurants & food
Where locals actually eat — local counters, classics and street institutions.
Locho stalls
Steamed gram-flour locho with sev and chutney — the Surti breakfast on paper plates.
Directions ↗Ghari & mohanthal shops
Mawa sweets rolled for the festival week — ghari and mohanthal shipped across India.
Directions ↗Undhiyu counters
The Surti winter one-pot — beans, muthiya and coconut, slow-cooked in the clay pot.
Directions ↗Dumas beach food
The shack line on the black sand — chaat and hot snacks facing the Arabian dark.
Directions ↗Verified from local guides · Sep 2026 · hours change — call ahead
Markets & shopping
Surat Diamond Bourse
The exchange floors where rough deals turn into polished carats.
Directions ↗Ring Road silk markets
Silk sarees by the metre — priced, packed and shipped from the market lanes.
Directions ↗Festival & fair calendar
Uttarayan
The kite skies of Makar Sankranti — patangs over the Tapi from every terrace.
Navaratri garba
Nine nights of garba — the city’s grounds lit for the dance.
Diwali lights
The festival week of lamps — sweet shops running night shifts on ghari and mohanthal.
October – February
Post-monsoon ease — festival season, beach evenings and the wedding calendar.
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FAQ
Why is Surat famous?
The diamond capital polishing most of the world’s stones, the silk and synthetic textile mills, the Tapi riverfront and Surti food.
What is the population of Surat?
As per Census 2011, Surat city has 45,94,194 residents and the district 60,83,716.
What are the places to visit there?
Surat Castle, Dutch Cemetery and Garden, Dumas beach and Gopi Talav — with Ubhrat, Bardoli and Saputara close.
How do I reach Surat?
Surat (ST) on the Western Railway, Surat airport (STV) ~25 km, and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway and rail corridor.