Valentine’s Day in Ahmedabad: Best Spots & Ideas for PG Students
Valentine’s Day for students doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. If you’re staying at a PG in Ahmedabad, you’ve got plenty of options to make the day special.
Here’s what works for you, whether you’re planning a date, hanging out with friends, or just want to do something different.
Budget-Friendly Date Places in Ahmedabad
Let’s start with spots that won’t empty your wallet.
Kankaria Lakefront: This is a classic for a reason. Walk around the lake, grab some street food, or take a balloon ride. Entry is free. The rides cost ₹20-50 each. It’s busy on weekends, but the vibe is nice.
Sabarmati Riverfront: Perfect for an evening walk. The sunset looks good here. There are food stalls and seating areas. You can rent cycles for ₹20 for 30 minutes. If you’re staying at a PG in SG Highway, this is a short auto ride away.
Law Garden: Go in the evening when the market opens. Browse the handicrafts, try some local snacks, and soak in the atmosphere. The street food here is cheap and good. Kulfi costs ₹30, pav bhaji around ₹50.
CEPT University: Canteen Not your typical date spot, but hear me out. The canteen is open to everyone and has good, cheap food. The campus itself is beautiful, and lots of architecture students hang out here. Chai costs ₹10.
Parimal Garden: A quiet park in the middle of the city. Good for conversations. There’s a small lake and plenty of benches. Entry is free. Grab some snacks from outside and spend a couple of hours here.
Related Read – Ahmedabad’s Best Street Markets: Top 10 Shopping Spots
Romantic Places in Ahmedabad Worth Checking Out
If you want something a bit more special, these spots work well.
Manek Chowk at Night: Yes, it’s a food market. But the energy here after 9 PM is something else. Share a plate of dosa, try different chaats, and people-watch. Most items cost ₹30-80. It’s not traditionally romantic but it’s fun.
Vintage Car Museum: If either of you likes cars, this is interesting. The collection is impressive. Entry is ₹100 per person. It’s air-conditioned, which matters in Ahmedabad’s heat.
Vastrapur Lake: Smaller and less crowded than Kankaria. Good for a quiet evening. The lake has a musical fountain on weekends. There are food stalls around. It’s close to many PG for girls and PG for boys in the Vastrapur area.
Adalaj Stepwell: About 30 minutes from the city center. The architecture is stunning. It’s cool inside even on hot days. Entry is free. Good if you both like history or just want some good photos.
Riverfront Flower Park: Less known than the main riverfront. It has themed gardens and is well-maintained. Entry is ₹20. Peaceful on weekday evenings.
Additional Read – Exploring Ahmedabad: 9 Places You Can’t Miss!
What to Do If You’re on a Tight Budget
Student budgets are real. Here’s how to make it work.
Picnic at a Park Pack: some food from outside or make sandwiches if your PG has kitchen access. Grab a mat and head to any garden. Costs almost nothing.
Movie at Home: Many PGs have common rooms with TVs. Check with your PG for boys or PG for girls management. Order some snacks and watch something together. If your PG doesn’t allow guests, plan a movie marathon with your roommates instead.
Cafe Hopping: Don’t order full meals. Just get chai or coffee at different cafes. Havmor, Cafe Coffee Day, local cafes, spend ₹100-150 total, and you’ve had a nice outing.
Temple Visits: Swaminarayan Akshardham or Hutheesing Jain Temple are beautiful. Entry is free. Peaceful atmosphere. Good for couples who want something meaningful.
Street Food Trail: Make a list of must-try street foods. Spend the evening trying them. Budget ₹200-300 per person for a full food tour.
Bonus Read – Ahmedabad’s Best Cafes & Bistros for PG Residents
Valentine Gift Ideas That Actually Work
Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be thoughtful.
Handwritten Letter: Old school but effective. Write down what you appreciate about them. Costs ₹10 for nice paper.
Photo Prints: Print your favorite photos together. Get them at any photo shop for ₹5-10 each. Put them in a simple album or frame.
Their Favorite Snack: Notice what they always buy. Get them a bigger pack of it. Shows you pay attention.
Book They Mentioned: If they talked about wanting to read something, get it. New books cost ₹200-500. Used books are cheaper.
Homemade Food: If your PG has a kitchen, cook something. Even if you’re not great at cooking, the effort counts. Pasta, cookies, or their favorite dish.
Playlist: Make them a playlist of songs that remind you of them. Share it on Spotify or YouTube. Write down why you picked each song.
Valentine’s Day Celebration in PG: Making It Special
If you’re staying in, you can still make the day nice.
Decorate Your Room: String lights cost ₹100. Some flowers from the local market cost ₹50. It takes 15 minutes to set up and changes the whole vibe.
Cook Together: If your PG allows it, cook a meal together in the common kitchen. Even making simple pasta or Maggi together can be fun.
Game Night: Cards, board games, or even video games if you have a console. Invite your partner or make it a group thing with friends.
Rooftop Dinner: Many PGs have terrace access. Check if yours does. Get takeout, go to the terrace after sunset, and have dinner under the stars. In February, the weather is perfect for this.
Movie Marathon: Download some movies, get snacks from outside, and spend the evening watching them in your room or the common area.
Group Valentine’s Day Ideas
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Here’s what you can do with friends.
Potluck Dinner: Everyone brings one dish. Eat together in the PG common room. It’s fun, and the food variety is great.
Anti-Valentine’s Party: If Valentine’s Day isn’t your thing, own it. Host a game night or movie marathon. “Galentine’s Day” works too, just celebrating friendship.
Gift Exchange: Like Secret Santa but for Valentine’s. Set a ₹200 limit. Everyone gets a gift for someone else in the group.
Outing Together: Go to Kankaria or the riverfront as a group. It’s more fun and less pressure than a date. Split food costs.
Baking Session: If your PG has an oven, bake cookies or brownies together. Most PGs don’t, but some fancier ones do. Otherwise, try no-bake desserts.
Tips for Planning Your Day
Book in Advance: If you’re going to a popular restaurant or want to rent bicycles, book ahead. Valentine’s Day gets busy.
Travel Smart: Auto fares spike on Valentine’s Day. Use Ola or Uber for fixed rates. Or take the BRTS, it’s cheap and covers most of the city.
Timing Matters: Avoid peak hours. Go to places early in the evening instead of prime dinner time. You’ll skip crowds and sometimes get better deals.
Check PG Rules: If you’re bringing someone to your PG, check the guest policy first. Most PG for girls and PG for boys have specific visiting hours. Don’t assume.
Have a Backup Plan: If a place is too crowded or closed, have another option ready. Flexibility helps.
What Not to Do
Don’t Overspend: It’s easy to go overboard trying to impress. Set a budget before you start planning and stick to it.
Don’t Ignore Your Friends: If you’re in a relationship, don’t ditch your single friends completely. Include them, or at least make time for them too.
Don’t Stress About Perfection: Things won’t go exactly as planned. That’s fine. What matters is the effort and spending time together.
Don’t Force It: If your partner or friends aren’t into Valentine’s Day, don’t push it. Do something low-key or skip it entirely.
Making It Memorable Without Breaking the Bank
The best Valentine’s Days aren’t about expensive dinners or fancy gifts. They’re about doing something together that you both enjoy.
Maybe that’s trying street food you’ve never had. Maybe it’s a long walk and a good conversation. Maybe it’s just watching a movie in your PG room with some samosas from outside.
Living in a PG means you’re probably watching your budget. That’s completely fine. Ahmedabad has plenty of options that cost very little but create good memories.
The city has parks, lakes, markets, temples, and streets full of food. You don’t need reservations at expensive restaurants to have a good time.
And if you’re spending Valentine’s Day for students with friends instead of a partner, that works too. Get your PG mates together and do something fun. Order pizza, play games, or just hang out.
Whether you’re at a PG in Navrangpura or anywhere else in the city, you can make February 14th worth remembering. Start with these ideas and adjust them to fit what you and your people actually enjoy.
Keep it simple. Keep it real. That’s what makes it good.
