5 Places To Visit Nearby Pune

While there’s much and more to be seen and done in Pune, sometimes the city limits just don’t cut it. You just have to get out. Luckily for Pune dwellers, there’s a host of destinations near Pune that are just begging to be visited every odd weekend. So here we bring you 5 places to visit near Pune.

* Kamshet

At about 50 kilometres from the main city, Kamshet is a convenient one-hour-drive away. The hilly terrain is sprawling with lakes and dense forests, making for a very picturesque getaway. If you’re an adventure junkie, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, from paragliding and cave tours to boating trips. Kamshet is dotted with historical sites and temples too, so there’s plenty of sightseeing to be done here.

* Lonavala

One of the more popular holidaying destinations for both Mumbai and Pune dwellers, Lonavala offers a clean break from the concrete jungle of the city, thanks to its lakes, gardens and lush greenery as far as the eye can see. Situated around 67 kilometres from Pune, Lonavala has enough forts, caves and temples to keep the most ardent tourist busy for the weekend. Add to that the quaint hill-station charm of the place and you have got yourself a weekend getaway to remember.

* Alibag

Literally meaning ‘Garden of Ali’, Alibag is a coastal town nestled in the lap of nature. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides, it’s often nicknamed the ‘Goa of Maharashtra’. It’ll take you only around 3 hours to reach here from Pune. Go to Alibag for its pristine beaches and historical landmarks.

* Panchgani

It’ll take you about 2 hours to cross the 107 kilometres from Pune to Panchgani, also called ‘Place of Five Hills’. An amalgamation of hill-station on one side and coastal plains on the other, Panchgani is an excellent camping destination with scores of photo-ops for the taking. You don’t want to forget your camera behind for this one, we assure you!

* Matheran

At a height of 2516 feet above sea level, Matheran offers a kaleidoscope of plunging cliffs, toy trains winding past gushing waterfalls and forest canopies making natural tunnels through the mountain mist. Matheran has a strict anti-vehicle policy, which helps keep its environs pristine and pollution-free. There are 38 peak points in the region, encouragement enough for mountain lovers. Add to that a cave and a park and you can see why Matheran is a destination Puneites love.