Don’t you feel like taking a break from your exhausting hectic work life schedule? The answer would possibly be yes, of course. So do avail this great opportunity to let your long-awaited vacation plan to visit places near Mumbai for 2 days.
Now preparing a checklist of those places will swallow most of your quality time & you will end up failing to make an informed decision. But worry not, as today we bring you a travel guide of the best 15 places that are worth visiting near Mumbai during your short weekend trip.
Whether you are aiming for a leisure holiday, an adventure trip, or seeking spirituality, the places that we are going to list in this article, will fulfil your purpose. So wasting no more time, let us begin with our travel guide:
Top 15 Places to Visit near Mumbai
1. Igatpuri
Igatpuri is one of the ideal destinations to visit near Mumbai, especially during the onset of monsoon. If you are coming here for a short trip then you are making an informed choice in discovering the scenic beauty of this place that is bestowed with quaint beauty, the highest peaks of the Western Ghats, & breathtaking valleys. It is also a place to visit for history buffs who would love to explore the historical attractions here.
Distance from Mumbai
- 120.8 km
The Best time to visit
- December, January & February
Attractions
- Kasara Ghat
- Dhamma Giri Vipassana
- Bhavali Dam
- Tringalwadi Fort
- Vihigaon Falls
- Ghatandevi Temple
Things to do
- Meditation at Dhamma Giri Vipassana
- Camping
- Playing water sports
- Seeking peace at Ghatandevi Temple
- Exploring forts & waterfalls
- Picnicking
- Swimming
How to Reach
- By Car: Take a roadway route to Igatpur through NH 160
- By Bus: You can either hire a bus from Mumbai or board state-run buses or private buses at affordable prices.
- By Train: Dadar Railway Station
2. Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat is also one of the best places to visit near Mumbai. It is an ideal travel destination for hiking, trekking, & being amidst the lush greenery of Sahyadris. It is one of the major weekend getaways for people in Mumbai to enjoy quality time with their loved ones. The weather here is very pleasant to get relief from the scorching summer heat. Malshej Ghat is rich in flora & fauna, & a must-place to visit to view migratory birds.
Distance from Mumbai
- 126.2 km
Best time to visit
- October to March
Attractions
- Harishchandragad Fort
- Konkan Kada
- Malshej Falls
- Ajoba Hill Fort
- Joga Dam
Things to do
- Visiting forts
- Enjoying waterfall
- Visiting Joga Dam
- Trekking
- Camping
How to Reach
- By Car: You can reach Malshej Ghat through NH752
- By Bus: No availability of direct plying buses
- By Train: You can travel by train to Kalyan Junction from Mumbai & drop at Asangaon. From here, you can take a taxi to Malshej Ghat.
3. Lonavala
When it comes to listing the top places in Maharashtra, how can Lonavala be skipped? This famous hill station of the latter Indian state is a top place near Mumbai to plan a short weekend with your friends or partners. The weather here is very pleasant to escape from the scorching humid summer heat. Moreover, the pristine natural beauty makes it a wonderful place to spend some peaceful days amid nature, which you will not expect in Mumbai.
Distance from Mumbai
- 83.1 km
Best time to visit
- October to February
Attractions
- Kune Waterfalls
- Tiger’s Leap
- Valvan Dam
- Ryewood Park
- Duke’s Nose
- Rajmachi Fort
- Lions Point
Things to do
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Picnicking
- Strolling
- Hot balloon safari
- Watching the sunset view
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Lonavala, you can take a roadway route of Mumbai Pune Expressway or old Mumbai Pune Road NH4.
- By Bus: There are many private/state-run buses, or taxis plying from Mumbai to Lonavala.
- By Train: Lonavala railway station
4. Nashik
Endowed with multiple vineyards, Nashik is famously called as Wine Capital of India. For all those wine lovers, this place is an ideal destination near Mumbai. There are a multitude of things to do here including tasting wines & being part of grape-crushing tours. This will let you gain knowledge of different wines. Besides this, there are many temples & churches to find peace.
Distance from Mumbai
- 166.2 km
Best time to visit
- October to March
Attractions
- Someshwar Waterfall
- Muktidham Mandir
- Sita Gufa
- Pandav Leni
- Ramshej Fort
Things to do
- Wine tasting
- Becoming part of the Sula Wine Fest
- Enjoying the spectacular view of the waterfall
- Visiting Ramshej Fort
- Finding peace & solace at Shri Kalaram Sansthan Mandir Vedic Puja
How to Reach
- By Car: You can reach Nashik through NH 3
- By Bus: There are many private & MSRTC buses plying from Mumbai to Nashik
- By Train: Nashik Railway Station
5. Khandala
With the mention of Khandala, who can forget that famous Bollywood song ‘’Aati Kya Khandala’ sung by actor Aamir Khan in his 1998 movie Ghulam? This famous hill station in Maharashtra is nestled on the foothills of Western Ghats & is near Lonavala. The place is a big retreat for people who wish to see gushing waterfalls, lush greens, serene lakes, & scenic valleys. It is the best place to beat the scorching summer heat & refresh your mind & body.
Distance from Mumbai
- 79.8 km
Best time to visit
- June to September
Attractions
- Pavana Lake
- Visapur Fort
- Shooting Point
- Kune Falls
- Karla & Bhaja caves
- Shingroba Temple
Things to do
- Picnicking
- Photography
- Sightseeing
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Khandala from Mumbai, take the Mumbai-Pune Expressway or the NH4 route.
- By Bus: Board private-run luxury or non-luxury buses
- By Train: Lonavala Railway Station
6. Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is one of the major names in the list of hill stations in Maharashtra. Nestled in the southern region of Mumbai, it has everything to attract tourist footfall. The place is admired for its fascinating natural beauty, ancient temples, & more.
There is a lot to explore here including strawberry farms, evergreen woods, serene lakes, majestic peaks & valleys. One more reason to visit Mahabaleshwar on your short trip is to get respite from hot & humid weather in Mumbai. The weather in this place is pleasant in comparison to the latter city.
Distance from Mumbai
- 263.3 km
Best time to visit
- November to February
Attractions
- Rajpuri Caves
- Pratapgarh Fort
- Mapro Garden
- Venna Lake
- Tapola
Things to do
- Exploring famous tourist viewpoints
- Boat riding
- Visiting temples
- Enjoying captivating waterfall
- Camping
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai, take the Bengaluru – Mumbai Highway & NH3 route.
- By Bus: Take MSRT buses
- By Train: Wathar Railway Station
7. Matheran
Matheran is one of the places near Mumbai. Like the above mentioned spots, this also comes as an ideal short weekend getaway destination to experience fresh air from the polluted atmosphere. At Matheran, you can go shopping for jams, sweet chikki, & decorative bags. Note that, this place is eco-friendly, so you won’t be expecting private vehicles plying around. Only the hand or horse-pulled rickshaws are allowed here.
Distance from Mumbai
- 83 km
Best time to visit
- October to May
Attractions
- Kalavantin Pinnacle trek
- Dodhani Waterfalls
- Kalavantin Pinnacle trek
- Rambagh Point
- Chanderi Caves
- Porcupine Point
- Charlotte Lake
- Louisa Point
Things to do
- Trekking
- Rappeling
- Viewing sunset
- Picnicking
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Matheran, you can take the route of Mumbai – Pune Highway & Karjat. Don’t take vehicles inside the city, as they are not allowed here. Ride on horse-pulled rickshaws.
- By Bus: Take MSRTC buses that ply from Panvel, Mumbai, & Pune.
- By Train: Neral Junction Railway Station. Take a toy train to reach Matheran.
8. Kolad
Kolad is an underrated place near Mumbai to explore for its exquisite attractions, especially the white river rafting sport on the Kundalika River. It also houses many other tourist spots that are worth visiting. To make your journey convenient, you can book a luxury resort in Kolad.
Distance from Mumbai
- 112.9 km
Best time to visit
- June to October
Attractions
- Ghosala Fort
- Bhira Dam
- Tala Dam
- Kundalika River
- Tamhini Ghat Waterfalls
- Kuda Caves
- Sutarwadi Lake
- Kolad Museum
- Avchitgad Fort
- Dholwal Dam
Things to do
- White River rafting
- Visiting forts
- Watching waterfalls
- Exploring Kolad Museum
How to Reach
- By Car: Rent a car or a cab
- By Bus: Regular ST bus services are active from Mumbai Central to Mumbai to Ratnagiri route.
- By Train: Kolad Railway Station
9. Lavasa
Lavasa is an attractive hill destination planned initially post-independence. You can plan a short visit with your family, & friends, or even as a solo traveller. The idea behind this place was inspired by a famous town in Italy, called Portofino.
Its infrastructure and beauty are what attract its visitors. Other significant features that make Lavasa an ideal holiday destination are its residential properties, pleasant weather, big malls, and opulent resorts. In your 2-day visit to Lavasa from Mumbai, you will enjoy it to the fullest.
Distance from Mumbai
- 196 km
Best time to visit
- September to March
Attractions
- Lakeside Promenade
- Temghar Dam
- Dasve Viewpoint
- Lavasa Nature Trail
- Lakeshore Watersports
- Bamboosa
- The Promenade
- Vortex Splash Pad
- Torna Fort
Things to do
- Enjoying water fun at Vortex Splash Pad
- Sightseeing
- Tasting delicious cuisines
- Learn to make things from Bamboo
- Pedal boating
- Jet skiing
- Kayaking
How to Reach
- By Car: The roads are smooth for a comfortable drive to Lavasa.
- By Bus: AC & non-AC buses that operate between Mumbai & Lavasa.
- By Train: Pune railway station
10. Panchgani
Joining the list of top places near Mumbai to enjoy your short weekend is Panchgani. As the name suggests, it means five hills. This place is very famous for its mesmerising vistas, pleasant weather, and amazing valleys. The scenery of hills and coastal plains on either side make Panchgani a worthwhile tour plan with your family. Here you will find many colonial dwellings, juicy strawberries, and lush green farms.
Distance from Mumbai
- 244.1 km
Best time to visit
- October to February
Attractions
- Sydney Point
- Parsi Point
- Mapro Garden
- Devraj Art Village
- Kates Point
- Table Land
- Dhom Dham
Things to do
- Enjoying stunning landscape
- Horse riding
- Experiencing peace at Dhom Dham
- Exploring organic products from Mapro Garden
- Visiting Devraj Art Village
How to Reach
- By Car: If you are travelling by car to reach Panchgani, then follow the route from Mumbai Pune Expressway – NH 4 – Surur on NH 48 – Wai.
- By Bus: Take a bus from Mumbai that runs directly to Panchgani
- By Train: Having no direct provision of trains running between Mumbai and Panchgani, you have to drop at Khed, Satara, or Chiplun. Then take the bus or a taxi to Panchgani.
11. Lohagad
Lohagad is one of the best places near Mumbai to visit during the monsoon season. Also known as Iron Fort, it is counted among the top hill forts with daily tourist footfall. So now it’s time to escape from your boredom and hectic life and embark on the journey to Lohagad in your 2-day short trip. It is worth watching the lush greenery during the rains.
Distance from Mumbai
- 98.5 km
Best time to visit
- Monsoon season
Attractions
- Karla Caves
- Visapur Fort
- Karla Buddha Caves
- Bhushi Dam
- Korigad Fort
- Bhaja Buddhist Caves (stupas & carvings)
Things to do
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Exploring Buddhist caves
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Lohagad take the route from Sion – Panvel Expressway and Mumbai – Pune Expressway to NH4.
- By Bus: State or Private buses running from Mumbai to Lohagad.
- By Train: Board express trains to reach Lohagad from Mumbai.
12. Panvel
Panvel is among the most visited places near Mumbai for its major tourist attractions like Karnala Bird Sanctuary which seems a great retreat for all wildlife lovers. Here you can see a flock of migratory birds including the Magpie Robin, Malabar whistling thrush, and the Paradise flycatcher. The place is surrounded by lush greens and the weather here is also pleasant to visit.
Distance from Mumbai
- 34.8 km
Best time to visit
- July to September
Attractions
- Karnala Bird Sanctuary
- Beth El Synagogue
- Adai Waterfalls
- Shivganga Waterpark and Resort
- Ancient Karnala Fort
- Ballaleshwar Pali Temple
- Khandeshwar Shiv Temple
- Kalavantin Durg
Things to do
- Exploring forts
- Visiting temples
- Sightseeing
- Seeing waterfalls
- Bird watching
- Enjoying water activities
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Panvel take the route from Bengaluru – Mumbai Highway/Mumbai Highway/Mumbai – Pandharpur Road/Mumbai – Pune Highway/Sion – Panvel Expressway.
- By Bus: State or Private buses are available.
- By Train: Catch direct trains from Mumbai Central to Panvel Junction.
13. Amboli
Amboli is one of the best places to enjoy your perfect weekend of 2 days. Nestled in the Western Ghats of Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, it is worth visiting as the weather here is very pleasant due to heavy rainfall. It is a great place for its astonishing scenic beauty and multitude of things to explore. What makes Amboli more appealing is its serene atmosphere which is ideal for any nature lover and peace seeker.
Distance from Mumbai
- 489.1 km
Best time to visit
- October to February
Attractions
- Mahadevgad Fort
- Hiranyakeshi Mandir
- Nangartas Waterfall
- Sunset Point
- Kavlesad Point
- Amboli Ghat Waterfall
Things to do
- Praying at the temple
- Watching the lovely hues of the sun at Sunset Point
- Visiting the ancient Mahadevgad Fort
- Watching cascading views of Nangartas Waterfall and Amboli Ghat Waterfall
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Amboli take the route from Mumbai – Pune Expressway and exit from NH4.
- By Bus: Board a bound bus for Goa and alight at Amboli in between
- By Train: Sawantwadi Railway Station
14. Kamshet
It won’t be wrong to say that Kamshet is indeed a haven for adventure seekers. The place is adorned with a multitude of tourist attractions including hill castles, small villages, cave temples, forts, and mud houses. Many people visit here during the summer season because of its pleasant weather, lush greenery hills, and sunflower fields that will give you a refreshing experience.
Distance from Mumbai
- 100.8 km
Best time to visit
- December to February
Attractions
- Tikona Fort
- Karla Caves
- Bhaja Caves
- Bhedsa Caves
- Wadeshwar Temple
- Sangameshwar Temple
- Kondeshwar Temple
Things to do
- Praying at the temples
- Exploring caves
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Kamshet take the route Bengaluru-Mumbai Highway.
- By Bus: Private and state-owned buses are available
- By Train: To reach Kamshet, you have to first take a train to Lonavala. After alighting from it, you have to take a suburban train to reach your destination.
15. Alibaug
Alibaug is a great place to spend your short vacation near Mumbai. The place is famous for its historical sites and temples. This beach town is an ideal destination for beach lovers as you can explore 3 white-sand beaches here. These include Kashid Beach, Varsoli Beach, and Nagaon Beach.
Distance from Mumbai
- 489.1 km
Best time to visit
- November to February
Attractions
- Alibaug Beach
- Murud-Janjira Fort
- Varsoli Beach
- Raiwadi Beach
- Revdanda Fort
- Hirakut Old Fort
- Alibaug Magnetic Observatory
- Kanakeshwar temple
- Siddheshwar Temple
Things to do
- Enjoying at beaches
- Praying at temples
- Visiting the forts
How to Reach
- By Car: To reach Alibaug from Mumbai, you can take the route from NH66
- By Bus: State transport buses are available from Mumbai to reach Alibaug.
- By Train: Pen Railway Station
Conclusion
So this ends our list of the top 15 places to visit near Mumbai during your short 2-day trip with family or friends. Among these places listed in the article, Kolad is one such place that stocks many tourist attractions but has always remained underrated. So if you choose to visit this place near Mumbai, then do book a luxury resort for your staycation. One example is jüSTa Rudra Resort & Spa. It is one of the opulent resorts in Kolad that facilitates world-class amenities to its guests ranging from a multi-purpose court, swimming pool, spa, yoga and meditation, bonfire area, poolside bar, and multi-cuisine restaurant.
