20 Weekend Getaways from Mumbai That Are Too Beautiful to Miss!

   

In our hectic lifestyles, the weekend is our one true saviour which we look forward to the rest of the week – but mostly end up spending doing laundry and going to the same clubs and restaurants. However, weekends need not be that boring  – even without a long weekend, you can go for a mini vacation without getting in the way of your work. Here are some great weekend getaways from Mumbai you can consider for a quick escapade!

   

One day weekend getaways (Within 150 Kms):

1. Matheran (‘forest on the forehead’)

Distance from Mumbai: 90 km

A celebrated hill station & great weekend place near Mumbai, Matheran is situated in the lush green Western Ghats in the Karjat tehsil of Maharashtra & is the smallest hill station in India. The toy train that connects Matheran and Neral is a major tourist attraction. The Panorama Point, often referred to as the sunrise point is one of the most visited places in Matheran. Matheran was declared as an eco-sensitive region by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and is Asia’s only automobile-free hill station. Other major attractions here are Louisa Point, One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point and Rambagh point.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

2. Khandala & Lonavala

Distance: 93 km Via Mumbai – Pune highway

Khandala and Lonavala are twin hill resorts & are an immensely popular weekend getaway near Mumbai. Both the towns lie at a distance of 5 km from each other and can be reached in just three hours by road from Mumbai.Trekking, Camping, waterfall rappelling, and farm tours are popular attractions. Other attractions here are Korigad Fort, the Tiger’s Leap, Lohgad, Karla, Bhaja caves & the Duke’s Nose.

Source: Pixabay

3. Alibaug

Distance from Mumbai: 95 km

Approachable either by road or by a ferry from the Gateway of India in South Mumbai, Alibaug is known to have one of the best beaches in Maharashtra. Main attractions here are Kanakeshwar Devasthan temple, Vikram Vinayak temple, Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kulaba Fort, Versoli Beach, Nagaon Beach, Akshi Beach, and Kashid Beach. The Sagargad hill & a seasonal waterfall nearby are also worth visiting. Revdanda Beach is another picturesque village in Alibaug, 125 km from the heart of Mumbai.

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

4. Kolad

Distance from Mumbai: 121 km

Popular for its river rafting opportunities and its scenic landscape coupled with several waterfalls emerging from the surrounding mountains makes for an ideal spot for trekking and camping. Major attractions here include Kuda Caves (a series of 13 caves), Tala Fort, Tamhini & Kansai waterfalls, Devi Kedar Janani Hills & Bhira Dam.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

5. Palghar

Distance from Mumbai: 109 km

Located in the outskirts of Mumbai’s suburbs, Palghar is a town in the Konkan division of Maharashtra. Attractions here include Kelva & Mahim beaches, Kelva and Shirgaon fort and the Kelva Dam.

6. Igatpuri

Distance from Mumbai:120 km

A beautiful hill station located in the ‘Wine Capital of India’, Nashik, Igatpuri is embraced into the lap of surrounding peaks. One of the best places to visit especially during the monsoons, Igatpuri has become very popular recently due to the Vipassana International Academy. Attractions are Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre, Tringalwadi and Ratangad forts, Ghatandevi and Amruteshwar temples, waterfalls & the Alanggad. Madangad & Kulanggad are especially popular for trekking.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

7. Karnala

Distance: 48 Kms via Sion-Panvel Expy

Situated at a distance of about 10 km from Panvel

The two major attractions here are the Karnala Bird Sanctuary and the Karnala Fort. The Karnala Fort is of much historical significance as it overlooks the Bor Pass, which connects the Konkan coast to the interior districts of Maharashtra. The Karnala Bird Sanctuary, on the other hand, is home to about 150 species of resident and 37 species of migratory birds & attracts a large number of bird lovers.

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

8. Karjat

Distance: 62 km Via Sion-Panvel Express highway

Situated on the banks of the River Ulhas, it has the largest chain of farmhouses in Asia.

Besides its natural beauty, Karjat attracts a lot of tourists as it offers various adventure sports activities such as river rafting, trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing. One of the major tourist attractions here is Art Director Nitin Chandrakant Desai’s ND Studio Karjat which served as the backdrop for the movie Slumdog Millionaire. There are several places of interest in and around Karjat such as the Ulhas Valley, Bhor Ghat, Kondana Caves, Peth Fort etc.

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

9. Kamshet

Distance: 100kms via Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Situated at a distance of 16 km from the twin hill stations of Khandala and Lonavala, the Kamshet railway station runs parallel to the River Indrayani. The hills have a number of ancient cave temples, colonial hill stations, and hill fortresses. It is often referred to as the “Paraglider’s Paradise” as Kamshet provides world-class paragliding facilities. Besides paragliding, other places of interest are the Karla Caves, Bedsa Caves, the Bhaja Caves, and the Kondeshwar Temple.

Source: Pixabay

10. Pawna Lake

Distance from Mumbai: 117 km

For those who love adventure and need a break from their everyday life, Pawna Lake offers a great camping experience. Located not too far from Mumbai, Pawna Lake is an artificial lake that is not just picturesque, but also provides a myriad of activities like paragliding, ridge dancing and trekking.

   

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

11. Durshet

A quaint town between Mumbai and Pune, Durshet is the perfect place for anyone who is one with the wild. A gift sent from the heavens for mountaineers and trekkers, Durshet, with its rich wildlife and beautiful terrain is a must-see for anyone looking for weekend getaways from Mumbai.

Source: Flickr

Two days weekend getaways (Between 150 – 350 Kms):

12. Nashik

Distance:167 Kms

The largest city in Northern Maharashtra and the third largest district in the state, Nashik is situated on the banks of the River Godavari, and is the highest producer of onions and grapes in the country. Popularly called the ‘Wine Capital of India’ due to its flourishing wine industry, Nashik has bagged the title for being the Most Tourist Friendly City in India. Attractions include Panchavati, The Kalaram Temple hosting the Kumbh Mela, the Stone Museum (Gargoti Museum) & the Coin Museum.

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

13. Lavasa

Distance from Mumbai: 186 km

A hidden gem amongst the hills of Western Ghats, Lavasa is located quite close to the Varasgaon Dam; the mountains here are covered in dense vegetation, and the main attractions are the Varasgaon Dam, the musical fountain and laser animation show. Lavasa is popular for jet skiing, kayaking, boating, rock climbing, rappelling and trekking. As a fully private and planned city, Lavasa has been built to look like a city straight out of Europe.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

14. Panchgani

Distance from Mumbai: 244 km

The hill station of Panchgani was named so because it stands in between five hills of the Sahyadris. The calm & enchanting weather all year round makes it one of the most appealing hill stations in India. It is the hub of strawberry farming where strawberries are cultivated & processed into jams, squashes, and crushes. Attractions here are the River Krishna with the Dhom Dam built across it, Asia’s longest mountain plateau called the Table Land & the Rajapuri Caves comprising of a group of four caves.

Source: Pixabay

15. Bhandardara

Distance from Mumbai:165 km

Bhandardara is a holiday resort village situated along the River Pravara with lush greenery, waterfalls, mountains and peace, and tranquillity. Some of the famous spots here include the Bhandardara Lake, the Randha Falls and Mount Kalsubai (highest peak in Maharashtra). Other places of interest include Ghatghar, the Arthur Lake, the Ratangad Fort, the Wilson Dam, Agasti Rishi Ashram, Amruteshwar Temple and the Sandhan Valley.

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

16. Bordi

Distance from Mumbai: 153 km

A beachside getaway with black sands and shallow waters, the Bordi beach is way less crowded than most other beaches. Main attractions here are Bahrot Caves, the Dahanu fort, Asavali dam, and a Jain temple.

17. Shirdi

Distance from Mumbai: 242 km

A world-renowned place where the temple dedicated to Sai Baba stand, Shirdi is visited by lakhs of believers every year. Main attractions in the temple complex includes structures like the Samadhi Mandir, Chavadi, Sri Saibaba Sansthan Temple, Gurusthan and Dwarkamai Masjid. Temples of Lord Ganesha, Shani and Shiva can also be found in the same area.

18. Saputara

Distance from Mumbai: 248 Km

A hill station situated in the Dang district of Gujarat which means ‘Abode of the Serpents’, Saputara is blessed with natural beauty and scenic splendor, there is an image of a snake along the banks of the River Sarpagandha. The hill station has a museum, ropeways, boat clubs, swimming pools, parks and hotels. The major sightseeing places in Saputara are the Artist Village with Tribal artifacts, Warli paintings, and tribal craft, Vansda National Park, Purna Sanctuary, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Gira Falls, the Rose, and Step Gardens.

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

19. Mahabaleshwar

Distance from Mumbai: 263 Km

One of the best summer retreats in Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is a renowned hill station located in the Western Ghat Ranges in Maharashtra. This misty place has some of the few evergreen forests in the country. Mahabaleshwar also happens to be the source of the River Krishna. The main attractions here are The Mahabaleshwar Temple, the Vienna Lake, the Wilson or Sunrise Point; the city is also known for its market of strawberries and mulberries.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

20. Rajmachi

Distance from Mumbai: 312 Km

Known for its beautiful architecture, Rajmachi Fort is situated at a remarkable height, overlooking the Bor pass. One can also find ancient temples neaby the the forts.

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

Did you like our list of weekend getaways from Mumbai? Which one of these would you like to visit? Comment below to let us know!

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