Pune is one of those Indian cities that has accepted modern developments yet preserved its own culture and traditions. It has a number of entertainment centers and numerous historical places to explore, making it one of the best tourist spots in the state of Maharashtra. In recent times, it has seen the establishment of many malls, clubs, theme parks, etc. We have compiled a list of the best places to visit in Pune in this article.
Those who love visiting temples, historical sites, forts, and lakes will not be disappointed in Pune. The food here is also one of the best things that attract tourists from all over the world. There are various activities that one can go for with their friends or family in Pune such as sightseeing, picnic, exploring the historical places, etc.
Best places in Pune
1. Western Ghats
| Climate | humid and tropical in the lower portions; upper portions experience a temperate climate and in some parts, it’s quite freezing too |
| Best time to visit | October to March and the monsoon season |
| Major attractions | Many hills and peaks, Forest, Grasslands, flora and fauna, lakes, waterfalls, birds, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, etc. |
| Activities to do | Sightseeing, exploring the valley and the wildlife, hiking, trekking, Photography, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Pune Airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | The major one is Pune Junction |
| How to reach? | Get to the nearest airport or the railway station and book a cab or taxi to the Western Ghats |
| Elevation | 700-1500m |
| Entry fees | NA |
The Western Ghats are known as the Sahyadri mountains in the state of Maharashtra. These are some of the least touched mountain ranges in India and are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Western Ghats in Pune offer some of the best places to visit in Pune, with mountains covered in mist, lush green forests, beautiful valleys, numerous flowers, and many kinds of endemic species.
2. Shivneri Fort
| Climate | Summers are bearable, winters are pleasant and the monsoon season is awesome |
| Best time to visit | October to March and the monsoon season |
| Major attractions | The fort itself, Shivai Devi Temple, 7 Doors at Shivneri Fort, Jijabai’s Wada, Statues of Maasaheb and Bal Shivaji, Ganja Jamuna Water Tank, Badami Talav, etc. |
| Activities to do | Explore the area, visit temples, learn about the history, take photos, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Pune Airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | Pune Railway Station |
| How to reach? | It is 94km from Pune Junction. Get to the nearest airport or the railway station and book a cab or taxi to the Western Ghats |
| Elevation | 1024m above the sea level |
| Entry fees | 0 |
This was the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji who was one of the greatest Maratha emperors. It is said that it was at this place that the great ruler got his early training.
To reach the fort, one has to pass through seven gates which shows how well it was protected from outside forces. Inside the fort, there is also a beautiful lake and a statue of Shivaji with his mother, Jijabai, making it one of the must-visit places to visit in Pune.
3. Seven Wonders Dream Park
| Climate | hot semi-arid climate, tropical wet and dry |
| Best time to visit | October to March and the monsoon season |
| Major attractions | Replicas of the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower, the Stone Henge, the Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, and the Statue of Liberty |
| Activities to do | Explore the area, take photos, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Pune Airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | Pune Railway Station |
| How to reach? | Get to the nearest airport or the railway station and book a cab or taxi to Western Ghats |
| Elevation | 560m |
| Entry fees | 20 rupees |
This can be one of the best places to visit in Pune if you plan to come with your family, especially the kids. The place offers an opportunity to view some of the greatest monuments of the world without needing to go abroad. Here, 3D and 4D shows are also organized to make the visit more fun.
4. Parvati Hill Temple
| Climate | hot semi-arid climate, tropical wet and dry |
| Best time to visit | October to March and the monsoon season |
| Major attractions | Flora and Fauna Abundance, Connoisseurs, Devotional Site, Historic Significance, Sightseeing, etc. |
| Activities to do | Explore the temple, Visit the museum, Trek to the top, take photos, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Pune Airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | Pune Railway Station |
| How to reach? | Get to the nearest airport or the railway station and book a cab or taxi to Western Ghats |
| Elevation | 640m |
| Entry fees | 0 |
To reach the temple, one needs to walk through 103 steps that take you to the top of the hill, giving a splendid view of the entire Pune city. It is one of the oldest structures situated here and four other temples are also present here.
They have been dedicated to Kartikeya, Lord Rama, Vishnu, and Vitthal, making it one of the best places to visit in Pune. The temple also presents the rich history of Marathas and there are many legends related to the Peshwa rulers.
5. Rajgad Fort
| Climate | Summers are hot and generally avoided by tourists, monsoon and winter seasons are pleasant |
| Best time to visit | October to March and the monsoon season |
| Major attractions | Padmavat Temple, Rameshwar Temple, Saibai’s Tomb, Padmavati Lake, Sanjivani machi, Suvela machi, Padmavati machi, etc. |
| Activities to do | Camping, enjoying delicious food, visiting temples, taking photos, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Pune Airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | Pune Railway Station |
| How to reach? | Pune to Rajgad is 35km and one can take a bus from Swargate Bus Depot to Gunjawane which is the base village for Rajgarh Fort. |
| Elevation | 1376m |
| Entry fees | 0 |
This particular fort acted as the capital of Shivaji‘s empire for more than 25 years. If you plan on visiting this fort, take a trekking route to it which is highly adventurous and exciting. One can also plan on camping at the top of the fort at night and exploring the nearby areas, making it one of the must-visit places to visit in Pune.
6. Lal Mahal
best places to visit in pune
| Climate | Summers are hot and generally avoided by tourists, monsoon and winter seasons are pleasant |
| Best time to visit | October to March and the monsoon season |
| Major attractions | The red bricks used |
| Activities to do | Explore the area, take photos, learn about the history of the Maratha Empire, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Pune Airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | Pune Railway Station |
| How to reach? | It is located just 3km from Pune Railway station. |
| Elevation | 640m |
| Entry fees | 0 |
It is also known as Red Palace and it is one of the most famous monuments of Pune that was established by the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Shahaji Bhosale. The current monument is the reconstruction of the original palace and this place has been an encounter spot between the Maratha rulers and other invaders. It is one of the best places to visit in Pune.
7. Sinhagarh Fort
| Climate | hot and uncomfortable summer from March to mid-July, monsoon, and winters are pleasant |
| Best time to visit | October to March and the monsoon season |
| Major attractions | The fort itself, and nearby attractions include Kaundinyeshwar Temple, the tomb of Tanaji Malusare, Khand Kada, Ghadpaga Tak, Ganesh Tak, Darukhana, Wada, Zunjar Burunj, Kalavantin Burunj, etc. |
| Activities to do | trekking, hiking, camping, learning about the history, exploring the area, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Pune Airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | Pune Railway Station |
| How to reach? | take public transport or a cab/taxi from the nearest airport or the railway station |
| Elevation | 1312m |
| Entry fees | 0 |
It is located at a distance of 25 km from the city of Pune and this fort is said to be almost 2000 years old. Sinhagad means the fort of the lion and it has witnessed many battles such as the Battle of Sinhagad in the year 1671. From the top of the cliff, one can also view the magnificent and splendid view of the Sahyadri ranges. It’s one of the most popular places to visit in Pune for those seeking to explore the region’s rich history and natural beauty.
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Frequently asked questions about a trip to Pune
How can I travel locally to Pune?
A. Local trains connect Pune to the majority of nearby cities and hill stations such as Lonavla, Khandala, and Mahabaleshwar.
What is the best time to visit Pune?
July to February are the best months to travel to Pune. Monsoon time is one experience that will stay with you throughout your life.
What food is famous in Pune?
Wada Pav, Misal, Bakarwadi, etc. amongst numerous other cuisines are best known in Pune.
Is Pune safe?
It is one of the safest cities in India.
How costly is Pune?
A trip of seven days may cost you somewhere between 10 thousand to 25 thousand rupees.
