Best Places To Stay in Pune

Situated close to the famous hill station of Lonavala, Lohagad is one of the most magnificent places to visit in Pune. Located on a beautiful hillock near Malavali, this place is one of the favourite destinations for trekking enthusiasts in Pune. Dating back to the 18th century, this place is an interesting visit to appreciate the charm of ancient architecture nestled in the midst of natural beauty.

Lohagad Fort offers an exciting trek where people can look forward to an adrenaline filled day. Surrounded by beautiful green hills, it also offers various delightful opportunities for photographers and nature lovers to appreciate the panoramic views all around.

• Location: Lohagad Fort, Lohagad Trek Rd, Maharashtra

• Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Lohagad Fort is during Monsoon season when the surroundings are most spectacular due to the rains and presence of dark clouds without the scorching sun.  

• Entry fee: There is no entry fee to visit Lohagad Fort

• Timings: One can visit the Lohagad Fort from 9 am to 6 pm

Enjoy the wonder of nature by paying a visit to the exquisite Pawna Lake when you are in Pune. Its paradise location is something that you will not be able to forget anytime soon. The setting at Pawna Lake is made beautiful with the presence of various tourist attractions like Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort, Tung Fort and Visapur Fort. Its refreshing ambience makes this place a beautiful destination near Lonavala and Khandala to enjoy an idyllic weekend.

It was created as an artificial water reservoir and offers a soothing time to relax with nature. People keep flocking to Pawna Lake for its postcard-perfect landscape. The place is known for its wonderful climate and offers a serene retreat away from the noise of usual city life. Pawna Lake is also known to attract nature lovers due to the number of flora and fauna which can be seen around the lake. Some of the activities which you can look forward to enjoying at Pawna Lake are camping, paragliding, sightseeing etc.

• Location: Pawna Lake, Pune

• Best Time to visit: The best time to visit this place is during the monsoon season

• Entry fee: There is no entry fee for visiting Pawna Lake

• Timings: This place can be visited from morning till evening.

Literally meaning the Lion Fort, Sinhagad Fort is one of the most famous historical places to visit in Pune. It was earlier named Kondana and believed to have been built about 2000 years ago. Sinhagad Fort occupies an important place in the history of Pune as there were many important battles like the famous Battle of Sinhagad fought here. It boasts of a strategic location and is protected by natural frontiers.

The fort makes a mesmerising scenery with the Sahyadri mountains and serves an as popular place for outings in Pune. Many trekking lovers also flock the place for an enterprising day to complete a one day trek from the village to the fort. Some notable attractions which you can see inside the fort are Tanaji memorial, the tomb of Rajaram Chhatrapati, a Kali temple, some military stables and a brewery.

• Location: Sinhagad Ghat Road, Thoptewadi, Pune, Maharashtra

• Best Time to visit: The months of winter and monsoon season from July to February are the most preferred time to visit this fort

• Entry fee: N/A

• Timings:  Tourists can visit here between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m

Raigad Fort is a majestic fort in Maharashtra which you can see in Sahyadri mountain ranges of Western Ghats. The fort is a symbol of Maratha pride and one of the great reminders of the history of Marathas. It was named as Gibraltar of the East by the British due to its strategic location and one of the most important landmarks in the city of Pune.

Some main attractions of Raigad Fort are the Hirakani Buruj, Maha Darwaja, the King’s Durbar, Takmak Tok, Jagdishwar Mandir etc. The fort has become a major tourist spot for its trekking opportunities where one needs to climb up to 1737 steps and enjoy a breath-taking view of the landscape. For those who wish to give trekking a miss, there is a splendid ropeway ride to give you goosebumps as you move through the winds with an exquisite aerial view of the landscape. The place has been dubbed as one of the most exciting Pune tourist destinations for history lovers and adventure freaks.

• Location: Raigad Fort, Raigad, Maharashtra

• Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Raigad Fort is from November to March

• Entry fee: The cost of an entry ticket for Indians is INR 10 / USD 0.15 and for foreigners, it is INR 100/ USD 1.54

• Timings: Tourists can visit Raigad Fort from 10 am to 6 pm every day

Also famous as Tanaji Sagar Dam, Panshet Dam is one of the top places to visit in Pune for adventure enthusiasts.  Perched beautifully in the Sahyadri Ranges, Panshet Dam is a visual delight with a surreal landscape that offers a soothing retreat. Panshet Dam is encompassed by luxuriant hills and a number of thundering waterfalls that makes it a perfect place for nature lovers too.

Tourists here can look forward to savouring an adrenaline rush by partaking in a number of water sports. Some of the popular water sports enjoyed here are kayaking, boating and few rides like the banana ride and water scooters. Other activities which you can enjoy here are trekking and camping in the midst of nature.

• Location: Panshet Dam, Ambi River, Pune District, Maharashtra

• Best Time to visit:  The best time to make a visit to Panshet Dam is during the monsoon days or in the evenings of the winter season

• Entry fee: During the weekdays the entry fees for an adult is INR 250/USD 3.75 and for a child is INR 170/ USD 2.62. For the weekends the entry fees for a child in INR 230/ USD 3.54 and for an adult is INR 300/ USD 4.62

• Timings: Tourists can visit here from 10:00 am in the morning to 6:00 pm in the evening.

Dedicated to the Maratha leader Mahadji Shinde, this place is a popular tourist attraction in Pune. Being an important reminder of the Maratha rule in India’s history, this place is hailed as a significant landmark. There is a memorial devoted to the great ruler Shinde and the place also houses a temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and built by Shinde himself.

It boasts of an interesting architecture replete with intricate carvings and beautifully aligns Rajasthani design with Anglo style. The splendid designs have withstood the passage of time and still considered to be one of the gorgeous pieces of architecture in Pune. The place was constructed following the Vaastu Hara rules and represent a fine amalgamation of two beautiful cultures. Shinde Chhatri is now maintained by Shinde Devasthan Trust, Gwalior and attracts many lovers of art and history in Pune.

• Location: Shinde Chhatri is located in Wanawadi in Pune

• Best Time to visit: The months from July to February are the most preferred time to visit here

• Entry fee: The entry fees at Shinde Chhatri is INR 5/ USD 0.07

• Timings: The timings to visit here from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm

One of the most scenic attractions in Pune, Saras Baug is a great place to plan a visit with your friends and family. This place is popular its beautiful 25-acre park and the famous Talyatla Ganpati temple. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this temple attracts a number of devotees who come here to pay their respects and seek God’s blessings. It is one of the ideal Pune tourist places if you are visiting with children or looking for a relaxed spot for picnicking in the city.

Saras Baug offers a refreshing experience as you are surrounded by a lush green landscape and indulge in various rides like giant wheels to bring out the kid in you. Another attraction of this place is the presence of a wide array of eateries which are just a delight for foodies in Pune. One can look forward to enjoying some lip-smacking dishes outside Saras Baug like pav bhaji, bhelpuri, panipuri etc.

• Location: Saras Baug is located within a radius of one kilometre from Swargate bus station and 3.6 km from Pune Railway Station.

• Best Time to visit: Anytime throughout the year is great for visiting Saras Baug in Pune.

• Entry fee: There are no entry charges to enter Saras Baug in Pune.

• Timings: The garden remains open for tourists from 9 am to 6 pm every day.

A resonating reminder of Pune’s rich cultural heritage, Vishrambaug Wada was built in 1807 as a mansion for Peshwa Bajirao of Pune. It boasts of its majestic design and architecture with cypress-shaped columns, decorated ceilings and imposing verandahs. The place can be visited during a heritage walk in Pune that is organised every Sunday and offers an entertaining musical performance to the public.

The place is replete with its historical charm and leaves a lasting impression on everyone’s mind. It is one of the most interesting Pune tourist places that will take you back to the times of Peshwa rule in the erstwhile Maratha kingdom. The place has been undergoing constant renovations and houses a post office and some other offices of Pune Municipal Corporation.

• Location: RB Kumthekar Rd, Perugate, Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Maharashtra

• Best Time to visit: Anytime throughout the year is great for planning a trip to Vishrambaug Wada

• Entry fee: The entry fee at Vishrambaug Wada is INR 5/ USD 0.07 Per Person

• Timings: Vishrambaug Wada can be visited by the tourists from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm