From beaches to valleys, hills, rivers - there is nothing that you can't find in Maharashtra. The state displays a great balance of urban and rural at the same time. When it comes to travelling, you have a lot of places around Pune that you can discover without spending too much more or too much time. Here are our top 5 places to visit in Maharashtra:
From Hills To Beaches: The Top 5 Places To Visit In Maharashtra
The information in this post might be outdated
Panchgani
Located just two hours away from Pune, the hill station of Panchgani is the mini vacation you were looking for. It's a great destination for a wedding, a trip with your friends or even a mini honeymood. You can either take a bus or drive down to the main city of the hill station. Book a cute Airbnb or stay at the Zostel for less than INR 800. Visit Table Land, Syndey Point, Parsi Point and other spots for great view and gorge on some delicious baked goods from Lucky Bakery. The best time to visit Panchgani is between November to January, however you can expect pleasant weather through out the year.
Alibaug
Just 140 kms away from Pune is Alibaug - a small coastal town near Mumbai - that is known for it's beaches. You can either drive down or take a bus to Alibaug in less than three hours. Stay at a beautiful resort, enjoy some local sea food and don't forget to try out some water sports. The two most famous beaches in Alibaug are the Alibag Beach and the Versoli Beach so make sure you catch the sunset at at least one of these spots. The best time to visit Alibaug is after the monsoons.
Lonavala
How can you forget Lonavala when you are talking about Maharashtra! This table land like hill station is always packed with tourists and travellers. Located only 60 kms away from Pune, Lonavala is very easy to reach either by bus, train or car. Head to the tiger point for a great sunrise view, eat some local chikki and breakfast while enjoying a foggy morning. If you want to break apart from the usual, set up a camp near one of the lakes and enjoy a quiet night amongst nature. The best time to visit Lonavala is during winters.
Mahabaleshwar
Just above Panchgani is the hill station of Mahabaleshwar. You must have seen the hill station more than once in some of your favourite Hindi movies. Known for their strawberry farms, Mahabaleshwar is a hub for tourists. Book yourself an AirBnB or stay at a resort to enjoy the greenery around you. Go for treks, take a tour of the Mapro Garden and head to Venna Lake for boating. If you are a foodie, try some of their freshly made ice creams and don't miss out on fresh berry smoothies The best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is during the winters.
Mulshi
If you are looking for the perfect weekend getaway then head to Mulshi. Located only 70 kms away from Pune, this small village has a beautiful lake that is connected to the Mulshi Dam. Head to Paradise Cafe for a great meal with an even better view and camp by the lake during winters. Trust us, winter morning drives to Mulshi are the best! You should also try out local Maharashtrian food at any small eatery around the lake. The best time to visit Mulshi is during or after monsoons.
