When it comes to the best places to visit near Pune in summer, the options are so many – hill stations, quaint villages, coastal towns, historical destinations, etc. The best thing about these places near Pune is that they provide you with every chance for recreation and rejuvenation. You can soak up the beautiful views of nature, explore the rich history of the city, relax on the beaches, indulge in adventure activities, go camping or picnicking, and have fun. Whether you are looking for weekend getaways or summer holiday destinations, here are some of the best places you can visit near Pune to enjoy a great holiday.
Lonavala:
Located on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, Lonavala is a favorite weekend getaway from both Pune and Mumbai. The wealth of lush hills, valleys, forests, stunning lakes, waterfalls, and amazing caves in Lonavala has always attracted holidaymakers to this place irrespective of the season. Families and friend groups can be spotted having a whale of a time at Lonavala. Trekking historical forts, camping by the Pawna Lake, and exploring the spectacular Karla-Bhaja caves are some of the most popular things to do in Lonavala. Only 5 km from Lonavala lies another beautiful hill station, Khandala, which is also a great place to visit near Pune in summer.
Approximate distance from Pune: 65 km
Driving time from Pune to Lonavala: Around 1.5 hours
Top attractions in Lonavala: Duke’s Nose, Tiger’s Leap, Lonavala Lake, Rajmachi Fort, Kune Falls, Bhushi Dam, Tikona Fort, Lohagad Fort, Ryewood Park, Della Adventure Park, etc.
Matheran:
When you are stuck up in huge traffic with all that loud honking driving you mad, haven’t you felt like escaping to a place free from all this noise? Well, Matheran is one such undisturbed place. Vehicles are strictly prohibited at this eco-friendly destination. A little hill station nestled at an elevation of 2600 feet in the Sahyadri Range of Maharashtra, Matheran offers pleasant weather, an unpolluted atmosphere, beautiful sunsets, and adventure activities. It is also the smallest hill station in India. Want to go off-grid and spend closer to nature? Go ahead and book cheap flights to Pune from Dallas to enjoy a refreshing holiday at Matheran.
Approximate distance from Pune: 120 km
Driving time from Pune to Matheran: Around 2.5 hours
Top attractions in Matheran: Louisa point, Charlotte Lake, Neral-Matheran Toy Train, Chanderi Caves, Dodhani falls, One Tree Hill Point, Irshalgad fort, Porcupine Point, Panorama Point, etc.
Igatpuri:
Surrounded by tall Sahyadri ranges, Igatpuri boasts beautiful scenery and a serene ambiance. As one of the best places to visit near Pune in summer, this hill station is a favorite among nature lovers, photographers, and trekking enthusiasts. There are lush mountains, stunning waterfalls, gushing streams, old forts, and temples at this hill station situated in Nashik. Vipassana International Academy is a major attraction here. Adventure opportunities in Igatpuri include trekking, rock climbing, river rafting, camping, etc.
Approximate distance from Pune: 240 km
Driving time from Pune to Igatpuri: Around 5 hours
Top attractions in Igatpuri: Vihigaon Falls, Tringalwadi Fort, Kalsubai Peak, Vipassana Center, Bhatsa River Valley, Bhavali Dam, Camel Valley, Vaitarna Dam, Thal Ghat, Ghatandevi Mandir, etc.
Mahabaleshwar:
Another beautiful hill station, Mahabaleshwar is best known for its strawberry fields besides thick forests, spectacular hills, valleys, waterfalls, and many rivers. The sacred Krishna River also originates here. Further, the ancient temples of Mahabaleshwar make it popular among pilgrims too. This place has so much on offer for people with different travel interests and thus is a famous holiday destination near Pune and Mumbai. Enjoy breathtaking views from Wilson point, visit Mahabaleshwar temple, relish fresh strawberries on a farm tour, learn about Maratha history at Pratapgad fort, and unwind at Lingamala falls or Venna Lake.
Approximate distance from Pune: 120 km
Driving time from Pune to Mahabaleshwar: Around 3 hours
Top attractions in Mahabaleshwar: Elephant’s Head Point, Arthur’s Seat, Dhobi falls, Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Pratapgad fort, Morarji Castle, Blue Valley, Chinaman’s falls, etc.
Alibaug:
One of the best places to visit near Pune in summer for beach lovers is this coastal town situated along the Konkan coast of Maharashtra. Loved for its beautiful beaches and everything they offer (from fantastic views to fun watersports), Alibaug or Alibag is often referred to as Maharashtra’s Mini Goa. Its scenic beaches attract tourists looking forward to enjoying a beach vacation away from huge crowds. These beaches allow you to indulge in a variety of water sports like parasailing, banana boat rides, jet-skiing, surfing, etc. Apart from beaches, Alibaug is also home to several historical forts and ancient Hindu temples.
Approximate distance from Pune: 140 km
Driving time from Pune to Alibaug: Around 4 hours
Top attractions in Alibaug: Alibaug beach, Murud-Janjira fort, Varsoli beach, Mandwa beach, Kihim beach, Nagaon beach, Kolaba Fort, Underi Fort, Akshi beach, Kanakeshwar Temple, etc.
