Pune is a historic city which glorifies the past of the Maratha Empire. For travelers, Pune is indeed a gem place to explore. Pune is a beautiful city in Maharashtra and is best known for its tourist attractions such as forts, temples, museums, treks, parks, lakes, and more. Pune is also known as the Queen of Deccan. If you plan a family vacation for 3-4 days, Pune is ideally the best place to explore. Pune is approximately 150 km away from Mumbai city. You can reach here by train, flight or car.
Here you will see several 7 best places to visit near Pune. It is the best location for a short weekend trip. Here are some of the places to visit near Pune. Make sure, during your Pune visit, you’ll cover these places.
7 Top Places to Go Near Pune
Pune has various nearby tourist attractions which can be covered within 1-2 days. Some places are in the main Pune City and you can explore this on the same day. Here is the list of the best places to visit near Pune:-
Lonavala
Lonavala is approximately 67 km from Pune. It is one of the most popular hill stations in Maharashtra. It is globally known for its magical waterfalls, pristine hiking trails, breathtaking vantage points, ancient caves, and historical forts. Lonavala experiences pleasant weather throughout the year but during monsoon season, the beauty of Lonavala is totally changed. The entire region is covered with full greenery and clouds. The deadly combination of dancing clouds and rain makes this place more interesting and the best places to visit near Pune.
Top attractions in Lonavala: Bhushi Dam, Lion’s Point, Tiger’s Leap, Karla Caves, Rajmachi Fort, Lonavala Lake, Duke’s Nose, Lohagad Fort, Ryewood Park, Bhaja Cave
Best time to reach Lonavala: June to September
Lonavala distance from Pune: 67 km
Mahabaleshwar
If you are looking for an ideal place for a fun family vacation or a couple-friendly location near Pune, Mahabaleshwar is one of the ideal places to visit. This famous hill station is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra and is just 120 km away from Pune. Pune International Airport is the nearest airport to Mahabaleshwar. It is best known for its strawberry farming, waterfalls, treks, fortress, and more.
Top attractions in Mahabaleshwar: Venna Lake, Pratapgad, Mapro Garden, Lingmala Falls, Arthur’s Seat, Kate’s Point, Elephant’s Head Point, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Panchgani, Wilson Point
Best time to reach Mahabaleshwar: June to September and November to February
Mahabaleshwar distance from Pune: 120 km
Sinhagad Fort
Sinhagad Fort is a historical landmark of Pune. It is just 36 km from Pune city and takes hardly 1.5 hours to reach. This is an ancient hill fortress previously known as Kondhana. To reach the top, you need to do a 2.5 km of easy to moderate level trek. It will take 2-3 hours to complete this trek. It is one of the best monsoon treks to do in Maharashtra.
Top attractions in Sinhagad Fort: Kalyan Darwaja, TanajiSamadhi, Khadakwasla, Temple, WindPoint, Museums, Caves, Scenery, Trekking, Sunrise
Best time to reach Sinhagad Fort: June to September and November to February
Sinhagad Fort distance from Pune: 36 km
Mumbai
Mumbai, The city of dreams or the city that never sleeps. Mumbai is one of the best places to visit near Pune. Trains and flights are frequently available from Pune to Mumbai and Mumbai to Pune. You can reach here in just 3-4 hours by road and less than 1 hour via flight. For a fun weekend getaway from Pune, there is nothing better than visiting Mumbai.
Top attractions in Mumbai: Victoria Terminal, Gateway of India, Taj Palace, Marine Drive, Siddhivinayak Temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Juhu, Worli Sea Link Bridge
Best time to reach Mumbai: June to September and November to February
Mumbai distance from Pune: 150 km
Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwar Wada is the crown Jewel of Pune. It is just 1 km away from Pune. You can reach here by taxi or even by foot. It is a historical fortification built in 1732. Shaniwar Wada was the prominent seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire until 1818. You must have seen this place in the Bollywood Blockbuster movie “Bajirao Mastani”.
Top attractions in Shaniwar Wada: Palace, Garden, Fountain, Architecture, LightShow, History
Best time to reach Shaniwar Wada: November to February
Shaniwar Wada distance from Pune: 850 m
Nashik
Nashik is one of the best places to visit near Pune. It is a religious city in Maharashtra and is associated with the epic Ramayana. It is also home to Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (one of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Shiva). If you are planning a family trip near Pune, you can take them to Nashik and cover some historical and religious places. It is also an ideal location for trekkers and hikers.
Top attractions in Nashik: SulaVineyards, Trimbakeshwar Temple, Panchvati, AnjneriHill, Pandavleni Caves, Dudhsagar Falls, Saptashrungi, Harihar Fort
Best time to reach Nashik: June to September and November to February
Nashik distance from Pune: 214 km
Khandala
Khandala, you must have heard this word in many Bollywood songs and movies. Yes, it is the same place that you see in Bollywood songs and movies. It is one of the best places to visit near Pune within 100 km. You can reach here in less than 2 hours. Khandala is best known for its lush green areas and seasonal waterfalls. To experience the beauty of Khandala, you should plan a short trip to Khandala in the monsoon season.
Top attractions in Khandala: Rajmachi Fort, Bhushi Lake, Tiger’s Leap, Duke’s Nose, Karla Caves, Lohagad Fort, Pavana Lake
Best time to reach Khandala: June to September and November to February
Khandala distance from Pune: 71 km
Key Takeaways
Exploring the 7 best places to visit near Pune offers a delightful mix of history, nature, and adventure. Whether you’re seeking a serene escape in the Western Ghats, a dive into the rich Maratha heritage, or a thrilling trek, these destinations cater to every traveler’s needs. So pack your bags, set your itinerary, and embark on an unforgettable journey to discover the hidden gems that lie just a short drive away from Pune. Happy travels!
FAQs
- Sinhagad Fort
- Khadakwasla Dam
- Panshet Dam
- Mulshi Lake and Dam
- Lavasa
- Pashan Lake
- Baner Hill
- Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
- Pataleshwar Cave Temple
- Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sinhagad Fort
- Lonavala
- Khandala
- Lavasa
- Mulshi Dam
- Rajmachi
- Tamhini Ghat
- Karla Caves
- Bhaja Caves
- Pawna Lake
- Shaniwar Wada
- Aga Khan Palace
- Sinhagad Fort
- Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple
- Pataleshwar Cave Temple
- Saras Baug
- Pune Okayama Friendship Garden
- Shaniwar Wada
- Aga Khan Palace
- Sinhagad Fort
- Pataleshwar Cave Temple
- Pune Okayama Friendship Garden (Pu La Deshpande Garden)
- Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
- Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple
- Lal Mahal
- Parvati Hill Temple
- National War Museum
To reach Pune, flight is the fastest way. However, you can also take the train to reach Pune. Direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai are available for Pune.
