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There are many places near Maharashtra for weekend trips. The state abounds with several hill stations, historical forts, beautiful beaches, and other culturally important towns. You can visit the green hills of the Western Ghats, trek through ancient forts, or bask on the beaches along the Arabian Sea coastline. With its diverse topography, Maharashtra offers plenty of choices to escape the monotony of daily life. Travellers interested in nature, history, or outdoor activities will find something for themselves on their weekend trips to Maharashtra.
15 Places Near Maharashtra For Weekend
Places near Maharashtra for weekend for a relaxing retreat include hill stations, beaches and forts that cater to the needs of every traveller to the state.
1. Lonavla
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Lonavala is a famous hill station in Maharashtra. Lonavala is popular for its beautiful mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and caves. People like to visit Lonavala to chill out in the cool atmosphere. Bhushi Dam, Tiger’s Leap, and Karla Caves are famous spots among tourists in Lonavala. Lonavala is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway for chilling out or hiking and trekking. In monsoon season Lonavala turns into Green Paradise with flowing waterfalls from hills.
Major Attractions: Bhushi Dam and Karla Caves
Distance From Mumbai: 83 km
Best Time To Visit: June to September for monsoon season.
2. Mahabaleshwar
Photo: POOJAN THANEKAR / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Mahabaleshwar is one of the best places to see in Maharashtra, overlooking the Western Ghats. It is famous for its strawberry farms, Venna Lake, and various viewpoints such as Arthur’s Seat and Elephant’s Head Point. The hill station attracts visitors of all ages, be it families, couples, or adventure lovers. The cool climate, lush green scenery, and colonial architecture make Mahabaleshwar a pleasant place to be in and explore. Mahabaleshwar provides activities like boating in Venna Lake, hiking to viewpoints, or relaxing amidst nature.
Major Attractions: Venna Lake, Arthur’s Seat, and Mapro Gardens
Distance From Mumbai: 120 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: October to June
3. Alibaug
Photo: Abhiram Katta / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A coastal town in Maharashtra, Alibaug is popular for its calm beaches and historical importance. A favourite weekend destination for beach lovers, the place is renowned for its cleaner beaches like Alibaug Beach and Kihim Beach. You can also check out places like Kolaba Fort which can be explored during low tide, and ancient old temples in the town. The natural beauty of the place mixed with the fun of adventure sports like water sports makes this place a good destination for family trips.
Major Attractions: Alibaug Beach and Kolaba Fort
Distance From Mumbai: 95 km
Best Time To Visit: November to February
4. Panchgani
Photo: Akhilesh Dasgupta / Wikimedia Commons
Panchgani is another hill station, famous for its scenic beauty, strawberry farms, and pleasant climate. This quiet place is near Mahabaleshwar and offers trekking and paragliding. Its biggest attraction is Table Land, which is a huge flat plateau where you experience a great view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Further, one can visit Rajpuri Caves which has religious importance, and Sydney Point for some spectacular views. Panchagani is a perfect place for unwinding with clean and fresh air.
Major Attractions: Table Land, Rajpuri Caves, and Parsi Point
Distance From Mumbai: 100 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: September to May
5. Matheran
Photo: Satish Dharmavarapu / Unsplash
One of the most preferred hill stations in Thane district, the small town of Matheran is well-known for its scenic views and relaxed environment. Matheran is Asia’s only automobile-free hill station and hence remains quiet and pollution-free. Tourists often go for nature walks and visit points like Panorama Point, Echo Point, etc, and also take a ride on the toy train that offers a beautiful view around the hills. You can consider trekking, horse riding, and photography while you explore the place. Matheran turns into a paradise during monsoons.
Major Attractions: Panorama Point, Charlotte Lake, Toy Train
Distance From Mumbai: 80 km
Best Time To Visit: October to May
6. Igatpuri
Photo: Mvkulkarni23 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Igatpuri is a hill station in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, which is famous for its lush greenery, and misty mountains. Kalsubai Peak, the highest point in Maharashtra makes it a popular destination for trekking and hiking. Igatpuri has the Bhatsa River Valley, Vaitarna Dam, and the Vipassana International Academy, one of the biggest meditation centers in the world. Igatpuri has several lakes and waterfalls.
Major Attractions: Kalsubai Peak and Vipassana Academy
Distance From Mumbai: 121 km
Best Time To Visit: June to September
7. Khandala
Photo: Sobarwiki / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Khandala is a beautiful hill station in Maharashtra. It is on the western ghats near Lonavala. It is surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Sahyadri. The Khandala is famous for Rajmachi Fort, Tiger’s Leap, and Kune Falls. The distance and Pune is 80 kilometers. This makes it an easy weekend retreat for people living in nearby cities. There are various activities you can do on the Lonavala trip, such as trekking, sightseeing, and relaxing. The natural beauty of this place attracts tourists from across the country.
Major Attractions: Rajmachi Fort, Tiger’s Leap, and Kune Falls
Distance From Mumbai: 82 km
Best Time To Visit: June to September
8. Bhandardara
Photo: www.win7wallpapers.com/ / Wikimedia Commons
Bhandardara is a hill station near Igatpuri that offers a calm atmosphere along with its scenic beauty. The place is famous for Arthur Lake surrounded by greenery which is perfect for a picnic and boating. Randha Falls is a stunning sight during the monsoon and trekkers can enjoy a climb to the highest peak in Maharashtra, Mount Kalsubai. Bhandardara is for those who are looking for a calm and quick getaway from city life.
Major Attractions: Arthur Lake and Randha Falls
Distance From Mumbai: 165 km
Best Time To Visit: October to February
9. Tarkarli
Photo: Devansh Sharma / Unsplash
Tarkarli in Maharashtra is a coastal gem that lies on the Konkan coastline of Maharashtra. It is surrounded by pristine beaches and clear waters. It is one of the best scuba diving and snorkelling spots due to its beautiful coral reefs and marine life. Tarkarli also has Sindhudurg Fort, which is situated on an island right in front of the coast. If you are up for beach relaxations and water adventures then you must visit Tarkarli.
Major Attractions: Scuba diving near Tarkarli Beach and Sindhudurg Fort.
Distance From Mumbai: 490 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March
10. Malshej Ghat
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash
Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats. Situated at an elevation of 700 meters The ghat has attractive landscapes and numerous waterfalls, particularly during the monsoon. The Pimpalgaon Joga Dam and Harishchandragad Fort are perfect for trekking and sightseeing. The spot also attracts birdwatchers who come to see the migratory flamingos during certain seasons here. The place is perfect for a refreshing weekend trip.
Major Attractions: Pimpalgaon Joga Dam, Harishchandragad Fort, and several waterfalls.
Distance From Mumbai: 127 km
Best Time To Visit: July to September
11. Rajmachi Fort
Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash
Rajmachi Fort, near Lonavala, is a favourite trekking spot between Lonavala and Karjat as this fort has two forts, Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. These forts offer a beautiful view of the Sahyadri mountains and valleys. The trek goes through lush green landscapes with waterfalls during the monsoon. The trek is easy, and people of all age groups can do it. You can start trekking either from Lonavala or Karjat. The fort carries historical significance as numerous battles have taken place during Maratha rule.
Major Attractions: Trekking, Panoramic Views, Historical Significance
Distance From Mumbai: 314 km
Best Time To Visit: June to September
12. Lavasa
Photo: Yashika Chhabaria / Unsplash
Lavasa, popularly known as India’s first planned hill city, is a well-planned town modeled on the lines of the Italian city of Portofino situated in the Western Ghats. The town provides the perfect backdrop with a magnificent view of the surrounding hills and lakes. The place attracts various visitors and offers a range of activities, including water sports in Lavasa Lake or a stroll on one of the many walking trails in the hills. Lavasa’s cool climate and breathtaking scenery make it the perfect place to relax away from the urban noise.
Major Attractions: Lavasa Lake, water sports, and nature trails.
Distance From Mumbai: 178 km
Best Time To Visit: October to May
13. Ganpatipule
Photo: Dinesh Valke / Wikimedia Commons
Ganpatipule is a coastal town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. It has a beach and an old Ganpati temple on the coast, a pilgrimage place for the Lord Ganesha. The beautiful beach is crystal clear and one can swim in the waters. It is a wonderful place to rest, relax, and escape the city. There are other places to visit in Ganpatipule, such as Jaigad Fort and Prachin Konkan Museum, which briefs its visitors about the local culture and history of the area.
Major Attractions: Ganpati Temple, Ganpatipule Beach, and Jaigad Fort
Distance From Mumbai: 345 km
Best Time To Visit: November to February
14. Kolad
Photo: Naishashetty17 / Wikimedia Commons
Kolad is the destination for adventure lovers with white-water rafting on the Kundalika River being its biggest attraction. Surrounded by green hills and forests, apart from white-water rafting, Kolad offers many other outdoor activities, ranging from kayaking, camping, zip-lining, and trekking. The place has many waterfalls and picturesque locations making it a perfect destination for a weekend getaway for families, friends, or adventure lovers. Visiting Kolad will be an adrenaline-packed experience.
Major Attractions: White-Water Rafting, Kayaking, Camping
Distance From Mumbai: 120 km
Best Time To Visit: Visit from June to September for rafting.
15. Ajanta And Ellora Caves
Photo: Photo Dharma / Wikimedia Commons
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites where you can explore ancient rock-cut temples and intricate carvings. These caves are a treasure trove of the history and art of India. The Ajanta Caves date back to the 2nd century BC and mostly depict Buddhist culture. Ellora Caves are a mixture of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain influences. At both places, there are interesting sculptures and carved murals that depict stories from ancient texts.
This is a perfect site to visit for those who are interested in India’s history and architecture.
Major Attractions: rock-cut temples, sculptures, and murals.
Distance From Mumbai: 413 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Maharashtra offers a variety of places to visit and enjoy your weekend getaways. You can visit hill stations, adventurous trekking routes, beaches, or historical monuments. From the peaceful hill stations at Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar to the thrilling water sports at Tarkarli and Kolad, these places near Maharashtra for weekend are suitable for every traveler Plan a trip with TripXL for a memorable experience.
Cover Photo: Ashwini Chaudhary(Monty) / Unsplash
