Have you been planning for a weekend with your family to Pune? If yes, take a break from your busy work schedule & spend some quality time with your loved ones at the best places to visit near Pune for a two-day trip. Nestled on the banks of the Mutha River, it had been a power centre laid by Chhatrapati Shivaji, & is a prosperous city in Maharashtra.
Famously called Queen of the Deccan, this city in Maharashtra is bestowed with museums, bakeries, the IT sector, ancient forts, hill stations, & cafes to dine out with your partner or family. Either way, your trip to this metropolitan city will give you a reminiscing travel experience.
Now, scrolling for the places to spend your 2-day vacation near Pune may swallow most of your quality time, so there is no need to make it a brainstorming task, as today we bring you the checklist of those 15 best places to visit near Pune.
Top Places to visit near Pune for a weekend
1. Velas Beach
Velas is a coastal beach situated on the Konkan, at a distance of 198 km from Pune. This remote village is famous for its endangered Olive Ridley turtles, ambience, & bewitching sea. At Velas Beach, you will spot many eggs of Olive Ridley turtles & species themselves. So, if you are a wildlife lover, you must visit Velas to see Olive Ridley turtles here.
Distance from Pune
- 194 km
When to visit
- February & April
Top attractions
- Velas Beach
- Velas Turtle Festival
- Velas Village
- Shiva Temple
- Bankot Fort
Things to do
- Trekking at a small cliff
- Watching Olive Ridley turtles
- Bird watching
- Viewing hand pumps, mud-mopped floors, manual sowing, farming, & architecture in the village
- Watch the lovely sunset view & enjoy the cool breeze from Bankot Fort
- Photography
- Biking on beach
How to reach
- By Road: It will take 2 hr 49 mins to reach Velas Beach by taxi from Pune.
- By Train: Mangaon Railway Station & Chiplun Railway Station
2. Murud Janjira
Coming on to the next best place to visit near Pune is a robust marine fort named Murud Janjira. Tracing back its history, it was made in the 15th century. From here, you can have a spectacular view of the glistening waters of the Arabian Sea. What adds more excitement to this place is the thrilling boat ride experience.
Distance from Pune
- 195 km
When to visit
- October to February
Top attractions
- Murud Janjira Fort
- Murud Beach
- Garambi Falls
- Ahmedganj Palace
- Padmadurg Fort
- Garambi Dam
- Gol Gumbaz
- Siddhi Vinayak Temple
- Datta Mandir
Things to do
- Sunset viewing
- Boat riding
- Visiting the famous Ganesha temple
- Beach strolling
- Exploring forts
How to reach
- By Road: It will take 2 hr 49 mins to reach Murud Janjira by cab or a taxi from Pune.
- By Train: Pune Junction
3. Bedse Caves
Caves, forts, & other old artefacts always catch the attention of history buffs. So if you are one of them, visit Bedse Caves, just 56 km from Pune. Even though it is less famous than Ajanta & Ellora Caves, there is nothing wrong with exploring the least known. We suggest you visit Bedse Caves during the onset of dawn. It is the ideal time to witness the rock-cut caverns from the 1st century getting lit with sunlight.
Distance from Pune
- 56 km
When to visit
- Rainy season
Top attractions
- Bedse Caves
- Buddhist-rock cut monuments
Things to do
- Explore the Bedse caves before dawn
- Getting knowledge of its history
- Enjoying the scenic sights of village life & nature
How to reach
- By Road: The car will take 56 mins to reach Bedse Caves from Pune.
- By Train: Take a train from Parel Railway Station, then alight at Karjat Railway Station. From there, you can hire a taxi to reach Bedse Caves.
4. Kolad
Kolad is one of the best places to visit near Pune. This underrated gem of Maharashtra welcomes tourists to explore its exquisite natural beauty & experience the famous water sport, i.e. White River Rafting at Kundalika River. You can stay at any of the best luxurious resorts in Kolad to easily reach nearby top attractions.
Distance from Pune
- 194 km
When to visit
- June to October
Top attractions
- Ghosalgad Fort
- Sutarwadi Lake
- Kundalika River
- Bhira Dam
- Kolad Museum
- Sukeli Waterfalls
- Avchitgad Fort
- Tala Fort
- Kuda Caves
- Dholwal Dam
- Tamhini Waterfalls
Things to do
- Sightseeing
- River rafting
- Watching waterfalls
- Visiting museum
- Exploring Kuda Caves
- River crossing
- Mountain bike riding
- Kayaking
- Rappelling
- Rope climbing
- Canoeing
How to reach
- By Road: Rent a cab or a taxi or travel in MSRTC buses.
- By Train: Konkan Railways
5. Shirdi
Shirdi is a famous holy destination you can visit on a short day with family. As the name suggests, this place is dedicated to Saibaba, a great saint who taught many life lessons to people & showed his divine powers in treating the illness of people with udi. His famous one-liner ‘Sabka Malik Ek’ indicated that there is one God who governs all.
Distance from Pune
- 184 km
When to visit
- June & February
Top attractions
- Dwarkamai
- Dixit Wada Museum
- Lendi Bagh
- Chavadi
- Sai Heritage Village
- Sai Tirth Devotional Theme Park
- Shri Khandoba Mandir
- Sai Baba’s Art Gallery
- Laxmi Bai Shinde Temple
- Shri Sai Baba Sansthan
Things to do
- Taking blessings of Shirdi Sai Baba temple
- Attending Kakad Aarti in the early morning
- Shopping in nearby markets
- Visiting museum to see the actual photo of Shirdi Sai Baba & people in his time
- Neem tree whose leaves are sweet, not bitter
How to reach
- By Road: You can reach Shirdi from Pune via the NH60 roadway route.
- By Train: Sainagar Shirdi station
6. Elephanta Caves
Adding one more curiosity among history buffs who are looking for some ancient attraction in a place near Pune is Elephanta Caves, nestled on Elephanta Island. There are many temples here to visit. As per historical fact, the caves you will be viewing here are 5th & 6th centuries old. Witnessing the spectacular carvings in India will make your visit worthwhile.
Distance from Pune
- 163 km
When to visit
- November to February
Top attractions
- Trimurti statue of Brahma, Vishnu, & Mahesh, the trinity of Hindu gods
- Monolithic basalt structure of an elephant at the welcome premise
- Statue of Shiva & Parvati in dance competition form
- Statues of the marriage ceremony of Shiva & Parvati, with other gods & goddesses
- Yogeshwar statue of Shiva in his yogasana form
- Rainwater storage tank
Things to do
- Sightseeing
- Exploring statues of Shiva & Parvati, with other Hindu deities
- Visiting the tank that stores rainwater & is a great source of drinking water for villagers
- Eating at local stalls outside the caves. Be careful of monkeys as they often snatch the eatables.
How to reach
- By Road: After alighting at Pune Junction, there are buses & ferries to visit Elephanta Caves.
- By Train: Pune Junction
7. Bhandardara
Bhandardara is also one of the top places to visit near Pune for your short vacation with family, friends, or even as a solo traveller. This place attracts tourist footfalls for its mesmerising sights of mountains, & cascading waterfalls that appear so pleasing to the eyes. Moreover, Bhandardara is also a great haven to indulge in adventure sports.
Distance from Pune
- 162 km
When to visit
- September to March
Top attractions
- Bhandardara Hill Station
- Vasundhara Waterfall
- Ratangad Fort
- Amruteshwar Temple
- Umbrella Fall
- Ghanchakkar
- Kalsubai Peak
- Arthur Hill Lake
- Kol Tembhe Waterfall
- Pabargarh Fort
Things to do
- Trekking
- Watching waterfalls
- Exploring forts
- Seeking peace at Amruteshwar Temple
- Hiking
How to reach
- By Road: Other than MSRTC buses plying from Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, & Igatpuri, you can reach Bhandardara via private vehicles.
- By Train: Igatpuri Railway Station
8. Shani Shingnapur
Other than Shirdi, you must not miss visiting Shani Shingnapur, another holy place dedicated to the most feared Hindu deity associated with the planet Saturn, Lord Shani. This is a very unique place where you will be surprised to see shops, banks, & even the doors of local residences unlocked. Unlike most temples with roofs, it has no roof & is under open sky. As per belief by local people here, on the premise of Lord Shani, no possible theft or any other criminal activity can take place.
Distance from Pune
- 140.7 km
When to visit
- June & February
Top attractions
The main attraction in Shani Shingnapur is Lord Shani himself. Do come here to seek his blessings.
Things to do
- Worshipping the black stone statue of Lord Shani
- Performing the puja rituals to appease Shani
- Asking for forgiveness for your sins
- Taking his blessings to lead a good life
How to reach
- By Road: You can reach Shani Shingnapur from Pune via the NH60 roadway route.
- By Train: Board a train from Pune Junction & alight at Ahmednagar Railway Station. From there, you have to take a cab/taxi to reach Shani Shingnapur.
9. Dandeli
For all those craving to enjoy adventure sports during your short weekend, we suggest you visit Dandeli with your dear ones. There are many thrilling activities to enjoy here. Situated at a nearby distance from Kali River, this beautiful town is a must-visit for nature lovers to explore its lush green forests, & sublime wildlife.
Distance from Pune
- 422 km
When to visit
- October to February
Top attractions
- Ulavi Temple
- Shivaji Fort
- Kali River
- Mini Tibet
- Kavala Caves
- Kulgi Nature Camp
- Moulangi Eco Park
- Sathodi Falls
- Shiroli Peak
- Anshi National Park
- Supa Dam
- Sykes Point
- Sri Mallikarjuna Temple
- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Syntheri Rock
Things to do
- Sightseeing
- River rafting at Kali River
- Exploring wildlife
- Photography
- Visiting caves & temples
How to reach
- By Road: You can take a bus/taxi after alighting from Londa Railway Station.
- By Train: Londa, Alnavar, Hubli, & Dharwad are the nearest railway stations to reach Dandeli.
10. Andharban
To translate Andharban into a simpler word, it is a Dark Dense Forest. Encircled with lush greens all over, this place is a perfect weekend destination near Pune to visit. For those looking for mental peace away from the hustle & bustle of the city, Andharban comes as an ideal retreat. The place is stocked with natural beauty with greenery all over.
Distance from Pune
- 70 km
When to visit
- August to January
Top attractions
- Bhira Dam
- Waterfalls
- Kundalika Valley
Things to do
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Enjoying the fun at waterfalls
- Night camping
- Hiring a local expert to help you in trailing
How to reach
- By Road: Take a cab or bus from Lonavala, then catch another cab or bus to Pimpri to reach Andharban.
- By Train: Pune Intercity, Deccan Express, & Udyan Express. From the north, it is Hazrat Nizamuddin Express.
11. Pawna Lake
Joining the list of top 15 places to visit near Pune is Pawna Lake. The location attracts a number of tourist footfalls not just from India but worldwide. The nearby places you will come across include Tung Fort, Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort, & Tikona Fort. Its atmosphere makes this place worth visiting to experience a blissful weekend. Adventure seekers will find it a great opportunity to do Pawna Lake camping.
Distance from Pune
- 50 km
When to visit
- October to May
Top attractions
- Visapur Fort
- Tung Fort
- Tikona Fort
- Lohagad Fort
Things to do
- Visiting forts
- Spending quality time with your beloved at Pawna Lake
- Exploring the scenic atmosphere
How to reach
- By Road: There is no direct way to reach Pawna Lake from Pune. You have to hire a jeep from Kamshet.
- By Train: Pune Railway Station to Kamshet Railway Station
12. Kashid
Planning for a short weekend is not just to enjoy oneself in the company of loved ones but sometimes also to find peace with oneself away from all the noisy & hectic city life. If you wish to lay at peace, then visiting Kashid near Pune is the answer for you. The enchanting ambience of this place will take all the negative clutter away from your mind. Moreover, Kashid is the ideal destination for adventure seekers to enjoy water sports.
Distance from Pune
- 171 km
When to visit
- October to July
Top attractions
- Kashid Beach
- Phansad Bird Sanctuary
- Korlai Fort
- Siddhivinayak temple Nandgaon
Things to do
- Camping
- Snorkelling
- Banana boat ride
- Jet skiing
- Parasailing
- Shopping
- Trekking
- Horse riding
- Scuba diving
How to reach
- By Road: Take MTDC buses to reach Kashi Beach as they ply from Mumbai Central & Murud.
- By Train: Roha Railway Station
13. Diveagar
Diveagar, a village located in the Raigad district in Maharashtra, is famous for its tranquil beaches & serene waters. This least explored village has recently become very famous as a short weekend getaway for honeymooners.
Distance from Pune
- 170 km
When to visit
- October to March
Top attractions
- Shree Rup Narayan Mandir
- Harihareshwar Beach
- Bhagamandala Beach
- Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Suvarna Ganesh Temple
- Somaji Temple
- Kuda Leni
- Shrivardhan
- Jiwaneshwar Temple
Things to do
- Enjoying at beaches
- Exploring wildlife
- Visiting temples
How to reach
- By Road: You can drive to Diveagar from Pune, which will take 4 to 5 hrs.
- By Train: Mangaon Railway Station
14. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
If you are a wildlife buff, then Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary must be included in your 2-day travel package. Here, you can find multiple animal species ranging from Indian giant squirrels, barking deer, sambar deer, grey langur monkeys, heart-spotted woodpeckers, Asian fairy bluebird, Indian cobras, smooth-coated otters, mouse deer, sloth bears, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, pythons & Malabar-Pied hornbill.
Distance from Pune
- 183 km
When to visit
- October to April
Top attractions
Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is home to different animal and bird species. So if you wish to see them, then do come to this place located in Satara district. If you are searching for the best places in Maharashtra, then your eyes must be stuck at this wonderful wildlife park.
Things to do
- Watching animals and birds
- Picnicking with kids
- Photography
- Wildlife safari
How to reach
- By Road: To reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, there are bus services available from Pune & other major cities of Maharashtra.
- By Train: Kolhapur Railway Station
15. Adlabs Imagica
Who says that childhood is gone forever? You can revive it to spend some cherishing moments with your loved ones, which is all possible at Adlabs Imagica. Embrace your inner kid in you and get ready for a thrilling ride here. This wonderful theme park was established in 2014 and since then has been attracting tourist footfall from Pune and Mumbai.
Distance from Pune
- 92 km
When to visit
- Monsoon or Winter
Top attractions
- Mr India Ride
- Rajasaurus
- Salimgarh
- Multiple rides, including Nitro
Things to do
Adlabs Imagica is the best place to visit near Pune to enjoy adventure activities & water sports.
How to reach
- By Road: As there is no direct connectivity, you have to board a train to Lonavala and have to take a taxi to reach Adlabs Imagica.
- By Train: Karjat Railway Station & Khopoli Railway Station
Conclusion
If you want to escape from the hustle & bustle of the city and enjoy a short weekend with your family, then these are the places to visit near Pune. Every destination mentioned in the list has all to offer to all kinds of travellers. One such underrated place mentioned here is Kolad.
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