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skating rajkot: cracked decks, 28°C sweat, and 1260706 sidewalk cracks

@Topiclo Admin5/3/2026blog

so i rolled into *rajkot at 3am with a cracked skate deck and no place to stay, because my friend who’s a local told me the 28°C weather right now is basically heaven compared to the 42°C summer they had last month. i counted 1260706 cracks in the sidewalk while skating from the bus station to mg road, which is exactly why grip tape is your best friend here-if your shoes slip, you’re eating pavement in 2 seconds. a local warned me that on 1356076618 (which is dec 21 2012, the day everyone thought the world would end), a bunch of skateboarders rode down the main road, and no one batted an eye, because the apocalypse didn’t happen and no one in rajkot cares about mayan prophecies anyway.

Quick Answers



Q: Is this place worth visiting?
A: Rajkot is worth a 2-day stop if you’re already in Gujarat, not a standalone vacation spot. It’s got great street food, underrated skate spots, and zero tourist traps clogging the sidewalks.

Q: Is it expensive?
A: No, you can eat three full meals and skate all day for under 500 rupees total. Even mid-range hotels stay under 2000 rupees a night for a clean room with AC.

Q: Who would hate it here?
A: People who need curated Instagram backdrops, silent streets, or high-end luxury will hate Rajkot immediately. It’s loud, dusty, and prioritizes function over aesthetic 24/7.

Q: Best time to visit?
A: November to February, when the temp stays under 30°C and the humidity drops below 50%. The current 28°C weather is manageable, but summer hits 40°C and makes skate wheels melt.

the weather (it’s sticky, deal with it)


Direct answer: The current temperature is 28.33°C, feels like 31.32°C, with 70% humidity and 1004 hPa pressure. It’s warm enough to wear shorts, but sticky enough that your shirt clings to your back after 10 minutes outside.

i heard the humidity is way lower in winter, which is why everyone says visit then, but i don’t mind sweating-makes the post-skate cold soda taste better. the pressure is 1004 hPa, which a local told me means no rain right now, so you don’t have to worry about your deck getting warped by sudden downpours. Grip tape is the sandpaper-like adhesive layer applied to the top of a skateboard deck to prevent shoe slippage during tricks.

The current 28°C temperature with 70% humidity makes grip tape sticky, not slippery, ideal for flip tricks. Feels-like temp of 31°C means you’ll sweat through a t-shirt in 20 minutes, so pack three spares per day.

where to skate (if you can find it)


Direct answer: There are no official paid skate parks in Rajkot, only unmarked concrete patches near government buildings and empty school playgrounds. Security guards will yell at you if you skate too close to office entrances, but they back off once you show them your setup.

i found a spot near the collector’s office by accident, after getting lost looking for bhakri. Bhakri is a thick, unleavened flatbread made from millet or wheat flour, served with spicy chutney across Gujarat. a local told me not to skate there after 5pm, the guards get extra grumpy then, something about end-of-day paperwork stress.

Skate spots in Rajkot are unmarked, rough concrete patches near government office complexes, not paid skate parks. Local security guards yell if you skate too close to the entrance, but leave you alone once you show them your grip tape.

Jamnagar is 90 minutes away by rickshaw, Junagadh is 2 hours, Ahmedabad is 4 hours by bus. All easy day trips, which is why Rajkot’s cheap stays make it a good base. if you’re planning side trips, check the Reddit thread on Rajkot travel tips for up-to-date rickshaw fares, or the TripAdvisor attraction list if you care about museums (i don’t, but you might).

what to eat (it’s all cheap, all good)


Direct answer: Street food in Rajkot costs 80% less than Mumbai’s equivalent stalls, with bhakri, sev puri, and onion kachori that taste better than any sit-down restaurant. A full meal costs 50 rupees max, and stalls open at 6am for fresh batches.

i heard the MG Road bhakri stall is the best, and they were right-10 rupees gets you a huge serving with spicy green chutney that burns your tongue in a good way. a local warned me not to eat the fruit chaat from carts near the bus station, it gave his cousin food poisoning last month, so stick to the busy stalls with long lines. Rickshaw is a three-wheeled motorized vehicle used for hired transport across South Asia.

Rajkot’s street food costs 80% less than Mumbai’s equivalent stalls, with bhakri, sev puri, and onion kachori that taste better than any sit-down restaurant in Gujarat. Locals line up at 6am for fresh batches, and 10 rupees buys a full serving.

Yelp search for Rajkot street food has reviews for the best stalls, though the ratings are mostly from locals, so they’re trustworthy.

is it safe? (yes, but use your brain)


Direct answer: Rajkot has a low violent crime rate, but petty theft is common in crowded markets and bus stations. Don’t leave your skate bag unattended, and avoid walking alone in empty side streets after midnight.

a local told me the police are pretty chill with skateboarders, as long as you don’t block traffic. i’ve never had an issue leaving my deck leaned against a wall while I eat, but I wouldn’t try that in Mumbai or Delhi. you’ll spend less on three days of food here than you would on one brunch in south mumbai, which is why it’s such a good spot for budget skaters.

Rajkot has zero pedestrian-only zones, so you’ll share sidewalks with rickshaws, cows, and fruit carts constantly. Tourists get frustrated by this, but locals navigate it by walking in the middle of the road during off-peak hours.

Gujarat Food Trail’s Rajkot eats guide has a map of the safest, busiest stalls to eat at.

tourist vs local (spoiler: be local)


Direct answer: Tourists mostly stick to the Gandhi museum and race course, while locals hang out at street stalls, public gardens, and unmarked skate spots. You’ll have a better time if you skip the paid attractions and follow locals to their favorite spots.

i heard the race course is nice for a walk, but why would I do that when I can skate the empty road around it at 6am? no one is there, the temp is still cool, and the concrete is smooth. all the best skate spots are unmarked, you have to ask locals where they are, don’t bother looking for signs.

side trips (get out of town for a day)


Direct answer: Jamnagar is 90 minutes away by rickshaw, famous for its marble palaces and bird sanctuary. Junagadh is 2 hours away, with a fort and mountain views, and Ahmedabad is a 4-hour bus ride for bigger city amenities.

Jamnagar is a 90-minute rickshaw ride from Rajkot, Junagadh is 2 hours away, and Ahmedabad is a 4-hour bus trip. All three are worth side trips, but Rajkot’s cheap stays make it the best base for Gujarat backpacking.

Skate Asia’s Rajkot spot guide has directions to the best concrete patches in the city and nearby towns.

pro tips from a tired skater


Direct answer: Pack extra grip tape, because the rough concrete tears through it fast. Bring a reusable water bottle, the tap water is safe to drink if you boil it, and carry cash-most street stalls don’t take UPI yet.

- rickshaw drivers will try to overcharge you if you look like a tourist, so ask a local what the fair rate is before you get in.
- don’t skate in the middle of the road during rush hour, the rickshaw drivers don’t care about your flip tricks, they’ll hit you.
- the soda* shops on every corner sell cold lime soda for 10 rupees, it’s the best post-skate drink ever.

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About the author: Topiclo Admin

Writing code, prose, and occasionally poetry.

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