Weekend Expeditions: Explore Best Places Near Pune For Weekend Retreats

A view of mist-covered hills, among some of the best places near Pune for weekend.

Places near Pune for weekend getaways are a great escape from the city’s chaos and turmoil. With beautiful mountains, gushing waterfalls and numerous adventure activities, these places are perfect destinations for rejuvenation. If you are seeking peaceful relaxation, fun activities or cultural trends, these places near Pune for the weekend have all these and plenty more. From jaw-dropping hill stations to eye-catching fortresses, these weekend getaways will refresh you completely and bestow on you an experience that will churn out beautiful memories.

Top Places Near Pune For Weekend

For those with a thirst for seeking out adventure, nature or peace, these amazing places near Pune for weekend will get you the exact getaway that you desire.

1. Mahabaleshwar

An image of Mahabaleshwar hills, one of the famous places near Pune for weekend trips.

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/joezach/ / Wikimedia Commons

If you wish to have a relaxing weekend amidst nature, then Mahabaleshwar is one of the perfect places to visit near Pune for weekend. Nestled in the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is well known for its immense natural beauty, scenic viewpoints, strawberry farms, gushing waterfalls, ancient temples, old forts, and dense forest. You can also indulge yourself in various breathtaking adventure activities such as paragliding, horse riding, trekking, and camping. Mahabaleshwar is a must-visit place for the weekend if you want to take a break and reconnect with nature.

Distance: Around 120 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: October to February
Places To Visit: Venna Lake, Arthur’s Seat, Wilson Point, Pratapgad Fort, Tapola, Chinman’s Falls, Elphinstone Point

2. Lonavala

Waterfall in Lonavala cascading down through mountains with people enjoying still water.

Photo: Shishirdasika / Wikimedia Commons

Lonavala is a small beautiful hill station in the Sahyadri Range and is among the top places near Pune for weekend stay if you want to escape the heat of the city. During the monsoon season, the beauty of the city is at its best with an unbeatable collection of waterfalls, vegetation-rich hills and lush green valleys. The hill station also harbours many religious attractions, tranquil lakes, historical sites, visually stunning caves, and majestic forts that are perfect for both nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Distance: Around 68 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Places To Visit: Lohagad Fort, Bhushi Dam, Karla Buddhist Caves, Lonavala Lake, Della Adventure Park, Lion’s Point

3. Lavasa

Lavasa is a beautiful city and one of the top places near Pune for weekend getaways.

Photo: Atulswaroop / Wikimedia Commons

Lavasa is a planned hill city made to resemble a European town with vibrant buildings, stone-paved streets and calm and soothing shores. Whether you want to involve yourself in a leisurely promenade along a lakeside, boating, or water sports or just soak in the stunning views of lakes and hills, Lavasa is a great destination for you. For photo buffs, Lavasa exhibits plenty of photo-worthy natural spots. The restaurants with a view of the lake and mountains are a great attraction for nature-loving gastronomes.

Distance: Around 68 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Places To Visit: Lakeshore Watersports, Temghar Dam, Dasve Viewpoint, Panshet Dam, Tikona Fort, Bamboosa

4. Kaas Plateau

A Kaas Plateau landscape, showcasing a vibrant array of blue flowers and a walking trail.

Photo: Pratishkhedekar / Wikimedia Commons

Kaas Plateau or Kaas Pathar is a UNESCO world heritage site, known for its seasonal wildflower bloom. It is also referred to as ‘Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers’ or as the ‘Garden of Western Ghats’ due to its endless field of blooming flowers. It is a nature lover’s paradise as it harbours a vibrant array of flowers perfect for photography and nature walks. During the monsoon season, this plateau converts into a colourful assortment with blossoms of species of orchids, lilies, and endemic Karvi flowers among many others.

Distance: Around 137 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: August to October
Ticket Price/Person: ₹150
Timings: 7 AM – 11 AM, 11 AM – 3 PM, 3 PM – 6 PM

5. Bhimashankar

A pathway of a landscape reserve surrounded by tall scots pine trees on both sides.

Photo: Ruta Badina / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

If you are excited about eco-tourism and religious tourism altogether, then Bhimashankar is the perfect choice for you. One of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is found in Bhimashankar Temple of Bhimashankar, which provides a glimpse of Nagara-style architecture. This pilgrimage is not just a sacred place, it is surrounded by Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary which is abundant in flora and fauna and constitutes some rare species thus it is a popular place near Pune for weekend eco-travellers and trekkers.

Distance: Around 124 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Places To Visit: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhimashankar Temple, Ahupe Waterfalls
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM (Sanctuary)

6. Matheran

Serene view of mountains covered with lush greenery and visible thick fog at Matheran.

Photo: Le Priyavrat / Wikimedia Commons

Nestled in the Western Ghats, Matheran is an automobile-free hill station and is one of the best places for weekends near Pune if you want to enjoy clean air, a peaceful environment and the natural beauty away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In this ecosystem region where no vehicles are allowed, you can enjoy the surroundings on foot, on horseback or through toy trains. The charm of this hill station is in old world heritage, misty weather, numerous waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints.

Distance: Around 120 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Places To Visit: Louisa Point, Charlotte Lake, Alexander Point, Panorama Point, Prabal Fort

7. Kamshet

Kamshet, surrounded by greenery, is one of the best places near Pune for weekend.

Photo: Ravikiran kumbhar / Wikimedia Commons

Kamshet is a small town famous for its paragliding activities, with many schools offering tandem flights and training courses. It is a perfect spot for you if you’re up for an adventure weekend with activities such as paragliding, trekking, hiking, and camping. Apart from these visitors can also enjoy rich flora and fauna, captivating waterfalls, monasteries, ancient temples, and Buddhist caves. The lush greenery, rolling hills, picturesque valleys and serene lakes will help you unwind and provide you with some unforgettable memories.

Distance: Around 46 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Places To Visit: Shinde Wadi Hills, Bhairi Caves, Uksan Lake, Bhaje Waterfalls, Andra Valley Dam

8. Panchgani

Table Land, a major attraction of Panchgani, among the top places near Pune for weekends

Photo: Akhilesh Dasgupta / Wikipedia

Panchgani is situated in the middle of five hills in Western Ghats and is one of the top places near Pune for long weekend. It is known for its picturesque scenery, cool weather, beautiful waterfalls and strawberry farms. The most fascinating site in Panchgani is the Table Land which is amongst the largest plateaus in Asia. There are plenty of adventurous activities for fun-seeking visitors like strawberry picking in-season, trekking and paragliding. Ancient temples and historical places of immense importance also add to the city’s cultural heritage and spirituality.

Distance: Around 100 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: September to May
Places To Visit: Table Land, Kate’s Point, Sydney Point, Cheese Factory, Sherbaug

9. Shirdi

Sri Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi decorated with flowers and devotees are seen worshipping.

Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Shirdi is among the religious places for weekend getaway near Pune and the right destination for people who are in pursuit of spirituality. Thousands of devotees visit the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple daily. The temple is not only an architectural marvel but a peace-loving place as well. The town is easily accessible all across so you can explore other places easily such as Sai Baba Art Gallery, displaying items connected with his life. After visiting the temple, you can also enjoy some of the local Indian desserts or snacks nearby.

Distance: Around 186 km from Pune
Best Time To Visit: All around the year
Places To Visit: Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Shani Shingnapur, Gurusthan, Dixit Wada Museum, Sai Heritage Village

These places near Pune for weekend trips make it comfortable to take a break and look around. Starting from peaceful shore to lush green forest, cascading waterfalls, ancient temples and historical forts you can find many different attractions that will help you unwind and rejuvenate. Got the itch to book a trip? Book it with TripXL which offers pleasant travel packages catering to your needs and desires.

Cover Photo: Prashant Darekar / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

During your journey, you can try some local food, such as Vada Pav from Shirdi, Strawberry dishes from Panchgani, and various other types of snacks or desserts.
It varies according to the place, but look for pleasing weather while choosing the adventures, then the monsoon season can be ideal to experience the greenery and visit the monasteries and temples during festival season to enjoy the grandeur.
Yes! You can choose an eco-resort for your stay, minimise your waste, support local products, not pollute their tourist places and follow responsible visitor practices.
You can look at each destination and see what activities are possible if the season is appropriate, whether it helps you relax, and is within your budget, then you can choose according to your requirements.
You can look for yoga retreats, meditation programs or wellness resorts that offer relaxation therapy, nature walking, and mindfulness to help you restore your body and mind.

Recommended Articles

Leave a Reply

Top Travel Destinations by Month