Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay is the financial capital of India and the home of Bollywood industry. The city is named after the Mumba-devi temple situated at Bori Bunde. Famous for its Vada Pav and the dabawallas, Mumbai is a city which never sleeps. Apart from bustling crowd and the city lights, Mumbai being connected to all major cities in India is surrounded by many popular tourists’ destinations. Here is a list of five of the best tourist destinations around Mumbai.
#1 Panvel
Trip Duration: 2 Days Hotel Prices: starting from ?600.
Panvel is famous for its forts that are spread throughout the city and is often referred as the Gateway of the Konkan Coast. The city is surrounded by mountains Panvel is the most crowded city in the Navi Mumbai region. Most tourist visit Panvel in order to see the forts at Raigad and Khopoli.
The city has a famous trekking spot, Karnala fort and its bird sanctuary is considered a paradise for bird watchers. It is flocked by the migratory birds such as the Magpie Robin, the Malabar whistling thrush and the Paradise flycatcher.
Panvel is also famous as a place of worship and two of the most famous Ganesh Temples of Maharashtra, the Ballaleshwar temple and Varadavinayak temple are located here.The city has a rich history associated with it and one can find many old buildings and havelis within the city. During the Peshwais, Panvel was one of the wealthiest cities in the region.
The city can be visited anytime as it has pleasant weather throughout the year. In summer the temperature lies between 22 and 35 degrees Celsius and in winter it ranges from 19 to 33 degrees Celsius.
Well Panvel doesn’t have one of those sit and eat type restaurants but one can find lots of stalls and Udipis everywhere which serve traditional Malvani, to Punjabi, South Indian, and even Chinese.
One can reach Panvel directly from Mumbai Airport via taxi as it is located just 50 km from Panvel. It can also be reached via rail as the Panvel railway station is frequented by trains and nearly 11 trains pass through the station every day. It can also be reached via Sion-Panvel Highway that connects Mumbai to Daman and the journey takes approximately an hour or so. There is a regular bus service between Mumbai and Panvel and along with ongoing bus offers.
One must definitely visit Panvel if they want to see the historical forts and temples while being close to nature and enjoy the peace. The Elephanta caves are also located nearby.
#2 Karjat
Trip duration:1-3 Days Hotel Prices: starting from 700
Karjat is a small village and the last station of Thane district in Maharashtra. River Ulhas originates here making it a popular trekking destination. Located 90 kms from Mumbai and it connects the Pune and Lonvala station to Mumbai.
It is one of the picturesque villages in the state of Maharashtra and is dotted with lush green fields and farm houses. Kajrat is encompassed by the mountain route of Bhor Ghat, in the Western Ghats. The ancient caves at Kondana and the beautiful Ulhas valley are two of the most popular tourist spot in the area. The river provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the water sports to its visitors. Lately, Kajrat has become a major tourist spot which is flocked by foreign tourists and has seen a major growth in terms of infrastructural and tourist facility development.
The best time to visit Karjat is during the monsoon season when the river becomes perfect for rafting. The temperature ranges between 23 to 37 degrees in summer and 13 to 30 degrees in winter.
The local cuisine consists mainly of Maharashtrian food but one can also find a blend of South and North Indian cuisines ranging from idli-dosa to paranthas and tandoori. You should definitely try Dada’s Grill and Food Code.
Karjat can be reached directly from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport which is located 90 kms away. The Karjat railway station is a major railhead in Mumbai railway division which links it to many major cities in the country. If you are planning a road trip then it will take one and a half hour to reach Karjat from Mumbia via Sion-Panvel Expressway as the village is located 68 kms away from Mumbai.
While in Karjat one must definitely try to visit the Kondana Caves, Peth fort and trekking enthusiast should try Kothligad and Bhivgad treks.
#3 Alibag
Trip duration:1-2 Days Hotel Prices: starting from 1000
Alibag is a small costal town in the Konkan region of Maharashtra with many locals owning cottages and farms within a walking distance from the beaches. The popular weekend getaway destination has earned the nickname of “mini Goa” due to the large number of tourists that visit throughout the year. Rich in colonial history, Alibag is located about 110 km from Mumbai and provides a relief from the polluted air of the city and is dotted with sandy beaches, forts and temples.
The town might be small but still it can offer plenty of fun during the trip. The beaches are only a few kilometres away from one another which means you don’t have to decide which ones to visit and which ones are to be left out. The most famous beach in Alibag is the Alibag beach which provides spectacular view of the sunrise and sunset. The Colaba fort is also located nearby and can be visited via boat. Once, the cornerstone of the Maratha empire, The Colaba fort is still in great shape today.
Apart from Aibag beach one could also visit the Nagaon Beach and, Kihim beach which is a paradise for photographers. The Mandwa beach which is pretty famous movie shooting location is also located in Alibag. It offers a mesmerizing view of The Gateway of India from its bay and one could sit and relax under the orchard of coconut trees while sipping on a cool drink.
When in Alibag one should definitely try the local seafood and indulge in Chinese preparations or try one of these popular restaurants: Aparanta, Bohemian Blue Garden Café, Fulora and Sai Vatika.
Alibag can be visited during the months ranging from October to March. The summer time temperature ranges between 22 and 40 degrees while in winter it ranges between 12 and 30 degrees. One should definitely visit the Alibag beach along with the Vrindawan farm and take a trek through the Kanakeshwar forest.
Alibag can be reached directly from the Mumbai airport via cabs. As Alibag doesn’t have a railway station one must travel to Roha via train from Mumbai and then get a taxi to Alibag. The road connection from Mumbai to Alibag is excellent and one can reach Alibag using their own vehicle or take one of the many cabs that frequent between Mumbai and Alibag. The road distance is 93 km and can be travelled within an hour and a half.
#4 Kamshet
Trip duration:1-2 Days Hotel Prices: starting from 700
Located 2200 ft above the sea level, Kamshet is a picturesque hill station in the Western Ghats. It is a popular destination for paragliding and flying school. Being surrounded by the Western Ghats and famous for its adventure sports, Kamshet is on the list of every adventure junkie in India. It is a perfect getaway destination from not only Mumbai but Pune as well. The destination has lots of architectural splendours and historic sites which will leave the visitors mesmerized. The thick forest surrounding the location add to the beauty of the also paradise like scenery.
Apart from the adventure sports and scenic view one could also see the rural life in India as it has many small villages with mud huts and village markets. One can see the rice paddies and beautiful sunflower fields all around themselves.
One can also visit the Bhairi caves, Bhedsa caves, Khondeshwar temple, Pavana lake and Shinde wadi hills. It is located close to Lonavla and Khandala which means one can easily visit Kamshet while traveling to these locations and vice-versa.
One should visit Kamshet during the months ranging from October to May. The summer time temperatures are 22 to 40 degrees and in winter it ranges from 13 to 30 degrees. Paragliding, caves, temples and lakes are the main attraction in Kamshet.
One can reach Kamshet directly from the Mumbai airport via taxi. Kamshet has a local railway station which is properly connected to Mumbai and one can find taxis near the railway station. If you plan to go via road then it can be reached via Pune-Mumbai expressway and is 103 kms away from Mumbai which means one can reach Kamshet in under two hours.
#5 Pune
Trip duration: 2-4 Days Hotel Prices: starting from 300
Pune is often referred to as the Oxford of the East. It is a bustling hub of activities and is rapidly growing into one of the top metropolitan cities of our country. Behind the bustling hub lies the ancient Poona the birthplace of the Maratha kingdom and also one of the important locations while discussing the history of India’s independence. Pune is a city which presents the perfect amalgamation of traditions and modernization and is rightfully deserves the title of Cultural Capital of Maharashtra.
Pune has many temples and forts which remind of the cities rich heritage. The Shaniwar Wada palace and the Aga Khan palace are two of the most famous tourist spot in the city. Shaniwar Wada used to be the seat of power for the Peshwa rulers back in the days of the Maratha kingdom. The architectural marvel was constructed by Peshwa Bajirao I after his victory in the Third Anglo Maratha war. It comprises of nine bastions, five gateways, intricate latticework and a beautiful mountain.
The Aga Khan palace was constructed by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III and it witnessed some of the significant events during the Indian war of independence. Mahatma Gandhi and other important freedom fighters were imprisoned here during the British rule. The beautiful Italian arches coupled with the lush green lawns and large hallways are a sight to behold. The palace also has display exhibits from the lives of various freedom fighters which makes it a must visit place for the history buffs.
One must also visit the Singhagad fort located on the Buleshwar Range of the Sahyadri Mountains. It offers an excellent trekking experiences to the top of the cliffs. Once an important military fort now lies in ruins telling the tales of India’s glorious past.
Pune also has a great many temples such as Dagaduseth Halwai Ganpati Temple, the Pataleshwar Cave Temple, and the Chaturshringi Temple.
Pune has a summer time temperature of 25 to 40 degrees and in winter it ranges between 19 and 29 degrees. The city can be visited throughout the year.
To reach Pune from Mumbai one can either travel via trains which connect the two cities with trains traveling at regular interval. Being only 170 km away from Mumbai one can travel using their car or take a bus which travel between the cities regularly.
Conclusion
While visiting these loctions one should definitely try the local cuisine such as Misal Paav, Bhel Puri, Pav Bhaji, Pithla Bhakri, Vada Paav, Poha, Dabeli and Puran Poli. One can find these all around as they are the popular street food. Oh! Don’t forget to try Mastani either, a rich milkshake garnished with dry fruits, one of the most delicious savouries of the town.
Mumbai is one of the most populated cities in India. Everybody wants to get away from their regular life and enjoy a vacation. If you live in Mumbai then you should definitely try some of the aforementioned destinations on your weekend. On the other hand, if you are visiting Mumbai and want to experience the best places around the city then check out one of these places and you would enjoy your trip even more.
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