With a hilly landscape, lush green valleys and meandering rivers, places to visit near Pune make for the ideal holiday destinations. Since Pune is situated on one side of the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges, most of the places near the city are known for their natural beauty. While tourist places near Pune like Lonavala, Khandala and Panchgani cover-up for your hill station carvings, the spots including Kamshet and Pawna Lake let you indulge in various adrenaline rushing activities.
Having winding rivers all around and overlooking the misty mountain ranges, all these locations will provide you with a chance to get closer to nature. The buzzing nightclubs, serene viewpoints, sandy beaches and cheerful picnic spots are a few highlights of all the places to visit around Pune. Another exciting aspect of visiting places near Pune for a short vacation is the chance to sample the fresh seafood and local cuisine that are available in these places. With an impressive range of places to visit, the surroundings of Pune have emerged as popular holiday destinations.
Places to Visit Near Pune
Pawna Lake (56 Km from Pune)
An excellent weekend escape, Pawna Lake, lying 62 kms from Pune is a popular picnic and camping site. A surreal destination among the many places to visit near Pune, the lakeside is quite popular among young adults who come to camp for the weekends. Lying in close proximity to Lonavala, the lake also gets many visitors among those who visit the hill station as well. Visitors here can also indulge in some photography and light boating as well.
Lonavala (66 Km from Pune)
Lonavala is a popular hill station close to Pune and an excellent destination during Monsoon. With lots of waterfalls, lakes and hills around, Lonavala is frequented by families, large groups of friends and especially hikers and trekkers. The road to Lonavala from Pune is in excellent condition and the drive is very scenic making a car the best medium of transport.
Kolad (145 Km from Pune)
Located around 110 kilometres from Mumbai, Kolad is a small hamlet in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. Often called the Rishikesh of Maharashtra, the village boasts of numerous scenic valleys, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mist-laden hills and dense evergreen forests. The verdant greenery, clear streams and a peaceful ambience add to the beauty of this quaint hamlet.
Kolad is a treasure trove of sightseeing attractions and caters to all kinds of tourists. Some of the best attractions in Kolad City include the Kundalika River, which is the hub of white water rafting in the region. You can also visit the serene Tamhini Ghat, and soak in picturesque views of the surrounding hills. Or you can enjoy a fun-filled and memorable picnic at the Bhira Dam while enjoying views of the gorgeous Devkund Waterfalls. Other famous attractions of Kolad include the ancient Ghosala Fort and the Kuda Caves. You can also enjoy camping and bird watching at the tranquil Sutarwadi Lake, or enjoy the history at the Talgad Fort. For adventure sports lovers, you can go trekking at the Plus Valley, or hike to the Devkund Waterfalls.
Igatpuri (247 Km from Pune)
Igatpuri is a hill station primarily known for the Vipassana International Academy, the headquarters of the world's largest Vipassana meditation institute. A popular weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune, Igatpuri is one of the best places to visit in Maharashtra in the monsoon. Apart from old forts, majestic waterfalls, and tall mountains, Igatpuri is also a great place to indulge in activities like rock climbing and trekking. For photographers and nature lovers, Igatpuri offers Bhatsa River Valley, Camel Valley, Konkankada valley and the Randha falls.
Mumbai (149.9 km from Pune)
When looking for a wild and fun weekend away from Pune, few other destinations can top Mumbai. Aptly named the 'City of Dreams' in India, Mumbai is frequented by families and young adults from Pune over weekends. The exotic eateries, the monuments and buildings with an old-world charm and the beaches are thronged by daily visitors. One can take the train from Pune to Mumbai, although buses and taxis can also be chosen.
Khandala (71 Km from Pune)
At a distance of 5 km from Lonavala Railway Station, 93 km from Mumbai & 71 km from Pune, Khandala is a hill station situated in Western Ghats of Pune district in Maharashtra. It lies at an altitude of 625 m at one end of the Bhor Ghat, a major ghat on the road link between the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan plain. Khandala is among popular weekend getaways from Mumbai & Pune and also one of the best hill stations near Pune & Mumbai.
Lonavala and Khandala are twin hill stations located near to each other and are very popular monsoon getaways in India. Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of the Bombay Presidency, developed Khandala along with Lonavala in 1871.There is no reliable historical evidence to suggest the origin of this place and the founding fathers. However, it is well known that Khandala was ruled by Chatrapathi Shivaji and subsequently by the Peshwa rulers, until it was taken over by the British. Khandala is known for its panoramic beauty, deep valleys, lush greenery, waterfalls and lakes. It is situated at the end of the Bhor Valley and serves as a popular hiking destination. Duke's Nose, Rajmachi Fort, Visapur Fort, Korigad Fort, Tung Fort, and Tikona Fort are the major trekking places in Khandala. Amrutanjan Point, Ryewood Park, the Bushy dam, Valvan dam, Kune Falls and Rajmachi Point are some other tourist places in Khandala.
Panchgani (100 Km from Pune)
Sandwiched by rolling hills on one side and the coastal plain on the other, Panchgani is a quaint hill station near Pune. Known for its rich strawberry gardens, Panchgani is dotted with many colonial buildings. The viewpoints offering panoramic views of the valley and excellent sunrise and sunset views are what attract many visitors. Panchgani can be reached from Pune by private vehicle or a hired taxi.
Alibag (144 Km from Pune)
A little coastal town tucked away in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Alibag or Alibaug is a very popular weekend getaway and has earned itself the name of 'mini-Goa', owing to the high tourist footfall all year round. Steeped in colonial history, Alibaug is located 150 km from Pune, and is replete with sandy beaches, clean unpolluted air and plenty of forts and temples, ensuring that despite being a small town, you never run out of activities to do..
