Places To Visit Near Pune: Explore The Picturesque Countryside And Majestic Forts

Scenic view of a beach in Goa, one of the must places to visit near Pune

Places to visit near Pune offer a perfect blend of serenity and adventure. Some of the most beautiful attractions nearby are covered in lush greenery, rolling hills, and a calm lake–the epitome of retreats from the city. With such places offering their own charm in the aspect of natural beauty, rich history, and adventure-filled activities, they find themselves to be part of the most desirable list of tourist attractions near Pune for all nature lovers as well as history enthusiasts.

10 Places To Visit Near Pune

Some of the most amazing places to visit near Pune for a breathtaking experience are listed below:

1. Lonavala

An image of a waterfall with a clear stream flowing between the massive rocks

Photo: Shishirdasika / Wikimedia Commons

Lonavala is the favourite hill station known for its misty weather, waterfalls, and thick green landscapes. It is just the right place for a quick break from Pune. It boasts beautiful scenery, caves, and forts. It boasts some of the major attractions that include Tiger’s Leap and Bhushi Dam. It is perfect during the monsoons. The ambience of Lonavala soothes the soul, offering a refreshing retreat. It’s one of the major tourist attractions near Pune that one should not miss.

Distance: 64 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: July to September

2. Kolad

An image of the Kolad dam, one of the best places to visit near Pune

Photo: Prashant.angre2010 / Wikimedia Commons

If adventure is on your mind, you should definitely consider Kolad. The natural beauty of waterfalls and hills also makes it an excellent camping destination. Apart from rafting, you may take a shine to kayaking and zip-lining. This destination is perfect to add thrill and liveliness to your monotonous working days. Being one of the famous attractions near Pune, it offers a wholesome package of fun and amazement.

Distance: 113 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Entry Fee: Rafting charge differs, around ₹800 to ₹1500 per head

3. Kamshet

A picture of pawna lake surrounded by lush greenery

Photo: Sachin Mohol / Wikimedia Commons

Being one of the most beautiful places to visit near Pune and always an ideal destination for paragliding, cool climatic conditions along with marvellous views of the Western Ghats make it an ideal spot for paragliding. Ancient cave temples and serene boat rides at Pawna Lake are in store around it. The destination is one of the prominent places to see near Pune, as it is an astounding visual treat offering calmness and peace.

Distance: 48 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: From October till May for clear sky and pleasant atmosphere
Entry Fee: Paragliding costs around ₹3000 per session

4. Mahabaleshwar

An image of Mahabaleshwar, one of the top places to visit near Pune

Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons

This hill station promises breathtaking views and a rich cultural heritage in Mahabaleshwar, known more for its strawberry farms and majestic valleys and now even popularly famed for the mighty Arthur’s Seat viewpoint, making it one of the great places to see near Pune. The serene Venna Lake provides a peaceful boat ride, while Pratapgad Fort does not miss the love of history lovers. One should not miss this destination while planning a trip to visit places near Pune.

Distance: 120 Kms from Pune
Best Time To Visit: March to June

5. Matheran

View of  cloudy weather at Matheran, one of the peaceful places to visit near Pune

Photo: Omkar A Kamale / Wikimedia Commons

People want to forget the nerve of the hustle and bustle of life at Matheran, one of the car-free hill stations, which is covered in the thickly forested area. The fresh air, calm environment, and many viewpoints like Panorama Point make it one of the best tourist attractions near Pune. You can take a ride through the picturesque hills on a toy train to explore this scenic destination near Pune.

Distance: 120 km from Pune
Best time To Visit: November to February
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Matheran

6. Rajmachi

Image of Rajmachi fort located on top of mountains with a flag hoisted on it

Photo: BHARATHGOTTEMUKKULA / Wikimedia Commons

This little village of Lonavala has proven the existence of these two forts, which are Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. So, it is perfect for any trekking enthusiast or history lover. The trek to Rajmachi gives them adventurous views of the Sahyadri range, waterfalls, and dense forests. It is heaven to the adventure-seeker who must have found places to visit near Pune. The rich history and flawless beauty make it one of the top places to see near Pune.

Distance: 82 km from Pune
Best time To Visit: June to September
Entry Fee: No ticket price, but the trekking guides will charge around ₹500

7. Goa

Scenic view of a  beach at Goa with a clear sky and a bright sunny day

Photo: Hemant meena / Wikimedia Commons

This place represents the beach and Portuguese culture with a long night out. Although it is a little far from Pune, the surrounding landscape makes it worthwhile to travel here and spend some time there. Water sports, beach shacks, and sun-kissed sands make it one of the best tourist attractions near Pune. With the combination of serene day life and lit parties at night, the destination is one of the wholesome places to visit near Pune.

Distance: 448 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Entry fee: The free beaches and most of the facilities.

8. Khandala

View inside the halls of Karla caves, one of the most majestic attractions to see near Pune

Photo: Mriganka Das / Wikimedia Commons

Khandala is another close hill station that boasts views of valleys, waterfalls, and peaks. This place has been known for its scenic beauty and weather as a perfect place to be stoned into serene peace. Duke’s Nose and Karla Caves are always a must-visit at this place. Monsoon rain reveals the attractive beauty of rolling hills. For all those who are planning to explore places to visit near Pune, Khandala is a scenic retreat offering nature’s love and liveliness.

Distance: 69 km from Pune
Best time To Visit: June to September
Entrance Charge: Free admission to most attractions

9. Panchgani

A picture of Panchgani hills in smoky clouds–one of the best places to visit near Pune

Photo: Akhilesh Dasgupta / Wikimedia Commons

The strawberry farms and the calm surroundings make Panchgani a wonderful place for a secluded retreat. Being the largest mountain plateau in Asia, Panchgani gives a bird’s eye view from Table Land. Other than its peaceful surroundings, this town offers a vast range of choices in homestays and resorts. It’s one of the best destinations to surround yourself with top mountains brimming with greenery, offering solace and silent enlightenment.

Distance: 101 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: September to May

10. Lohagad Fort

Lohagad Fort showing its unique and interesting architecture with ancient rocks and styles

Photo: Roadtripper876 / Wikimedia Commons

Lohagad Fort is one of those historical marvels and excellent trekking points near Pune, which go as high as 1,033 metres and have a bird’s eye view over the valley. The trek here is moderately easy and perfect for novice trekkers. The very rich history and appealing architectural beauty of Lohagad Fort appeal to both nature lovers and history enthusiasts. This can undoubtedly be one of the most beautiful places to see near Pune for a rejuvenating holiday.

Distance: 66 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: June to February
Entry Fee: None, but parking may be charged at ₹20

There are so many varied amazing places to visit near Pune that can offer adventurous fun in Kolad, a peaceful break in Matheran and Panchgani, serene hill stations like Lonavala or one of the historic forts like Lohagad. Every destination offers a retreat to nature and can be reached by covering a short distance from Pune. Plan your trip with Trip XL to see the enchanting beauty and rich history!

Cover photo: Anonymous / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

For Lonavala, the best time to visit is in July and September, when the beautiful green landscapes will be available.
River rafting there costs about ₹800 to ₹1500, which again varies with the season.
Panchgani, Purandar and Kanifnath are known for paragliding near Pune. The best conditions are here from October to May.
Trekking hill stations within reach from Pune are both Rajmachi and Lohagad Fort. They offer easy treks as well as beautiful views of the Sahyadri ranges.
The distance is nearly 448 kilometres from Pune, but that becomes no barrier to enjoying a long weekend retreat of beaches, nightlife, and historical spots to indulge in.

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