7 Places to Visit Near Pune for a Weekend Getaway

While there’s much and more to be seen and done in Pune, sometimes the city limits just don’t cut it. You just have to get out. Luckily for Pune dwellers, there’s a host of destinations near Pune that are just begging to be visited every odd weekend. So here we bring you 7 places to visit near Pune.

7. Kamshet

 

At about 50 kilometres from the main city, Kamshet is a convenient one-hour-drive away. The hilly terrain is sprawling with lakes and dense forests, making for a very picturesque getaway. If you’re an adventure junkie, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, from paragliding and cave tours to boating trips. Kamshet is dotted with historical sites and temples too, so there’s plenty of sightseeing to be done here.

6. Lonavala

 

One of the more popular holidaying destinations for both Mumbai and Pune dwellers, Lonavala offers a clean break from the concrete jungle of the city, thanks to its lakes, gardens and lush greenery as far as the eye can see. Situated around 67 kilometres from Pune, Lonavala has enough forts, caves and temples to keep the most ardent tourist busy for the weekend. Add to that the quaint hill-station charm of the place and you have got yourself a weekend getaway to remember.

5. Alibag

 

Literally meaning ‘Garden of Ali’, Alibag is a coastal town nestled in the lap of nature. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides, it’s often nicknamed the ‘Goa of Maharashtra’. It’ll take you only around 3 hours to reach here from Pune. Go to Alibag for its pristine beaches and historical landmarks.

4. Panchgani

 

It’ll take you about 2 hours to cross the 107 kilometres from Pune to Panchgani, also called ‘Place of Five Hills’. An amalgamation of hill-station on one side and coastal plains on the other, Panchgani is an excellent camping destination with scores of photo-ops for the taking. You don’t want to forget your camera behind for this one, we assure you!

3. Matheran

 

At a height of 2516 feet above sea level, Matheran offers a kaleidoscope of plunging cliffs, toy trains winding past gushing waterfalls and forest canopies making natural tunnels through the mountain mist. Matheran has a strict anti-vehicle policy, which helps keep its environs pristine and pollution-free. There are 38 peak points in the region, encouragement enough for mountain lovers. Add to that a cave and a park and you can see why Matheran is a destination Puneites love.

2. Bhimashankar

A 110-kilometre-drive from Pune will bring you to the nature resort of Bhimashankar. A veritable trekking and wildlife hotspot, Bhimashankar is popular among both wildlife photographers and families on picnic. One of the more popular attractions in this region is the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva - the idol of which is said to be one among the 12jJyotirlingas in India. The trekking trails here are also excellent, where you can encounter diverse natural landscapes along the routes.  

 

1. Khandala

Set in the foothills of the Sahyadris, the charming hill town of Khandala is about 70 kilometres from the city centre of Pune, which makes for a great road trip!. The best time to visit Khandala is definitely during the monsoon, when the valley comes  alive in all  its verdant glory. The rich history of Khandala means there are plenty of historical sites as well and for the adventure lover, activities like trekking and paragliding are aplenty.

So what are you waiting for? Get set for that long weekend with a relaxing weekend getaway to these places near Pune.