Top 25 Places to Visit in Pune

Last Updated on December 20, 2023 by Mrunal & Jiten

Pune is the eighth biggest metropolitan city in India. It is a major IT hub and manufacturing and automobile city in India. Due to the presence of numerous educational institutions here, Pune is called Oxford of the east.

This city rose to heights of glory in the medieval period under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is also said that popular sport badminton was invented in this city in the 19^th century.

Pune is a great place for history aficionados. It attracts trekkers, pilgrims, and foodies alike for the attractions it offers.

Some of the Places to Visit in Pune

• Aga Khan Palace

This place built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan in the year 1892. It became a monument of national importance in 2003.  It played an important part in our country’s freedom moment. Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadeva Desai, and Sarojini Naidu were held prisoners in this very palace.

Spread over 19 acres, this place is now the headquarters of Gandhi National Memorial society.

• Shaniwar Wada Palace

The Bollywood movie Bajirao Mastani has created awareness and interest in this amazing palace built under the leadership of Bajirao I. It was named Shaniwar Wada as both its foundation stone and house-warming ceremony took place on Saturday, translated Shaniwar in local language.

The Sound and light show is worth watching. There is also an element of mystery surrounding this place as locals retell stories of some shrieks heard on full moon days.

• Vetal Tekdi

Vetal Tekdi is a hill within Pune and is a favorite haunt for people emphasizing on fitness. Residents of Pune go for morning walks, cycling, or jogging regularly. Weekend family trips are also popular.

There is a deck on the top that gives the view of the whole city. The hill has wildlife – peacocks, rabbits, and butterflies. Bird watchers will enjoy spotting bulbuls, robins, and more.

You need to climb 100 steps on this hill to reach Goddess Chaturshring temple located at the top.

• Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

This museum houses curios collected by Dinkar G Kelkar between 1920 to 1960. Spread over three floors, it holds exhibits of items from the 14 century. These include musical instruments, war weapons, gold, silver, and ivory articles. Door frames, paintings, vessels, and handicrafts reflect the eras gone by. One can buy souvenirs at a shop in the same complex.

• Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple

The Ganesh temple is a 125-year-old temple It is located in Budhwar Peth about 4 km from Pune railway station. A very popular temple is open 24 hours during the Ganesh festival.

• Patalaeshwar Cave Temple

Located in Jangli Maharaj Road this 8th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Pataleshwar or Shiva. Built from a single rock, it houses stone carvings of Lord Shiva in Ling form and other deities include Goddess Sita, Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Ganesh.

• Osho Ashram

Osho Ashram, founded by Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain, is in the Koregaon Park, Pune. Spread across 32 acres it attracts visitors for its vast and calm vistas.

This ashram is a resort for meditation and yoga. Many training programs such as Osho Kundalini meditation, dynamic meditation, healing arts, tantra, sufism are offered here on a regular basis. There are also massage parlors, sauna, basketball, tennis courts Sauna and swimming pool inside the Ashram.

• Sinhagad Fort

This historical fort is 35 km away from Pune in the southwest direction. Built 2000 years ago, it played an important part in the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670. It has also seen various other battles and passed hands many times.

Two gates huge entrances of this fort are Kalyan Darwaza and Pune Darwaza. In ruins lie the military stables, the memorial of Tanaji, Kali temple, and hanuman statue reflecting the grandeur of old.

Trekkers walk the 2.7 km to the fort at the elevation of 600 m from the Singad village. Presently National Defence Academy is using a part of this area for its training exercises.

• Pashan Lake

Pashan is a man made lake built during the British rule.

It is a Bird watchers’ paradise. As many as 225 birds including jungle babbler, woodpecker, coot, white-breasted kingfisher, cotton teal purple Moorhen are regularly sighted here. In winter on can get to see migratory birds also.

Boating, walking along the lake about 300 meters, picnics are enjoyed by many.

 Few places nearby

· Balaji Temple,

· National War museum showcasing helicopters, tankers, and fighter planes

· Souvenir shop to selling memento

• Mulshi Lake and dam

This lake is located 35 km from Pune. It looks gorgeous during monsoons with a lot of greenery and quaint surroundings. You can find Cottages aplenty here at good rates.

Campfire, boating, fishing, sports, bullock cart rides are some exciting activities that can be done here during the weekend. Do not miss the breathtaking views of the Sahayadri and the dam Mulshi from this place.

• Peacock Bay

It is located quite close to the National Defence academy. It gets its name from the peacocks, which abound here. Lucky visitors also get to see deer, civets and lion-tailed monkeys.

NDA hosts many activities in Peacock Bay. One can enjoy pursuing sailing and windsurfing here.

• Adlabs Imagica

This one is for kids and adults alike. It includes:

• Imagica theme park
• Water park
• Snow park etc
• Photo with cartoon characters or watch magic shows and jugglers
• Some thrill rides are – nitro, scream machine, goldrush express etc
• Children surely love splash ahoy, magic carousel, bump it boats and humpty fall.

1. Adventure at Wai

Wai is located in Satara district in Maharashtra. It is set in the scenic backdrop of Krishna River. Camping, barbecue and picnics on riverbank are common and so are outdoor activities such as motor boat, bamboo rafting, air rifle, archery.

There are many options available for lodging here if you intent to stay back for some time.

• Kolad

Kolad is a small village but truly packs a punch. A gem of the Sahayadri ranges, a place for amazing adventure. Monsoon is the best season to visit here.

It is often referred to as Rishikesh of Maharashtra. White water rafting and trekking is a big draw for youngsters here. The river here is the Kundalika, the fastest river of South India. Staying options include hotels, resorts, farmhouse and home.

You can also explore some places such as Tahmini Ghat, Tala Fort and Ghosala fort that are in proximity to this place

• Mahabaleshwar

At 117 kms away from Pune lies the very popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar. It is famous for strawberries.

Some sights from this tourist site are:

• Temples :
• Mahabhaleshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in 16 century. The architectural is Hemadant style. A prominent feature of this temple is the  6 feet Shiv
• Atibaleshwar temple and Panchagang temple are also close by
• Waterfalls and hills –
• Elephant’s head point
• Arthur seat
• Venna Lake
• Wilson Pint
• Chinaman’s falls
• Dhobi waterfall

• Panchgani hill station

Panchgani hill station is around 16 km away from Mahabaleshwar. It is a popular and picturesque as the former with the mighty river Krishna running through it.

It was one of the British retreats during summers. The attractions of this place include scenic surroundings, old British buildings, boarding schools etc

• Khandala

Khandala become nationally famous by a catchy Bollywood film song.

Lying on Western ghats, it is a famous hill station combined with Lonavala. Locals escape to this place during the weekend for stress relief.

There is mist in the air most of the time, and in the monsoons, it takes refreshing look!

Some options for visitors here are.

• For hiking  – Karla Hills and Duke’s Nose
• For exploring – Visapur Fort, Lohagad Fort and Bedsa Caves (60 BC), Bhaja and Karla caves
• You can visit the Kune waterfalls there
• Temples and pilgrimage sites – Shivaling and Shingroba temple
• Many Shopping options

• Khamshet – paragliding

Come to Khamset for gliding above lush green hills and plains of Sahayadri hills.

Here, both amateurs and veterans can try their hand at gliding under experienced trainers.

• Kaas plateau

You would be fooled into thinking you are in dreamland when you come to this place.

 Kaas plateau in the valley of flowers of south and hence a UNESCO heritage site.

Colorful blooms become visible during and after the rainy season on the plateau that lies very near Mahabaleshwar.

Many endemic plants that grow in the special soil here draw flower enthusiasts from around India and the world during the season

• Lonavala

Lonavala is also called Sausage hills. It lies within the Sahayadri hills offering scenic spots and historic sites to view and relive them at leisure.

Some of the attractions here are Amrutanjan Point, Tiger’s Leap, Aamby Valley, Lonavala Lake, and Karla Caves.

• Alibaug

 Alibaug lies about 140 km from Pune. It is famous for beaches such as Kihim, Mandwa, Nagaon, and Alibaug beaches.

Enjoy every variety of water sports such as Parasailing, kayaking, banana boat ride, and jet skiing here.

Other places to visit in Alibaug are Kanakeshwar forest, Kolaba fort, Murud-Janjira fort, Brahmas Kund. Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy their trips to Raigad Bazaar and other markets inside the town of Alibaug.

• David Synagogue

Ohel David Synagogue is the biggest Synagogue in Asia. It was constructed between the years 1863 to 1867. It is situated right in the middle of the city as a red brick building with a Gothic style of architecture. Prayer and holidays are conducted regularly here.

• Rajmachi

One of the important forts in Lonavala, the fort towers at a height of 2710- feet. It is visible from the Mumbai Pune Express highway.

Trekkers cover a distance of 16 km from the base to reach this fort. Other attractions near Rajmachi Fort are

1. Udaysagar Lake
2. Mahadev temple
3. Bahiroba temple
4. Shirota lake and Kataldhar waterfalls.

• National Defence Academy

This is an academy for all the three forces of India – Army, Navy Air force. Cadets from all these three forces are trained here before commissioning training.

Take a trip to this place for motivational reasons. Prior to 48 hours of permission required to visit here.

The imposing building was constructed with Basalt and Granite Jodhpur stone. Arches, pillars verandahs add to the charm of the building. Inside the academy, Vyas library has about1,00,000 printed books, magazines, etc

Do not miss the these attractions

• Sudan Block,
• Air Force Training Team,
• NDA museum
• Equitation Training team,
• Weapon Technology Park,
• Cadet Mess, and
• Habibullah room

• Popular restaurants and street food in Pune

Foodies love Pune for the food options it offers. Here are the best places to tantalize your taste buds.

1. Zeta – dining place of Hyatt residency provides multi-cuisine food such as Chinese, Indian, Italian Parsi, European, Mediterranean and Turkish delights
2. Spice Kitchen is known for its amazing nightlife. It is a part of JW Marriot. open 24 hours,.
3. Shabree is the best place for authentic Maharashtra food
4. Street food is famous part of Pune food scene. These are places to go…
5. Cakes and Shrewsbury biscuits at Kalyani Bakery
6. Keema Pava – Goodluck café
7. Chicken Burger – East street
8. Bhel and Kalyani Bhel
9. Daal Bhatti at Baba Ramdev Dhaba
10. Vada Pav – jumbo size at Vada Pav centre
11. Sitafal Mastani – Yummy ice-cream made of custard apple at Sujatha Masthani
12. Mysore Masala Dosa – Vaishali
13. Puneri Misal at Bedkar Misal
14. Cheese Pav Baji at a place called Shiv Sagar

How to reach Pune :

Pune is accessible from any part of India through Air, rail and Road.

Air: Lohegoan Airport 15 kms away from the city

Road: The major cities of Maharashtra and distance from Pune are as follows

• Mumbai 140 kms,
• Aurangabad 215 kms,
• Bijapur 275 kms,
• Ahmadabad 121 kms

Mumbai-Pune expressway the fastest route if you are traveling by road Train: Pune is connected to prime cities of India – Deccan queen and Shatabdi trains touch Pune Junction Railway station at regular time intervals.

Some other famous places are Raigad fort, Pataleshwar cave temple, Panshet dam, Rajiv Gandhi zoological park, Khadakwasla dam, Shivneri fort, Lal mahal, and bund garden.