Explore some of the best places to visit in Pune, the cosmopolitan city of Maharashtra.Pune is also a favourite holiday destination for people. The second most important city of Maharashtra after Mumbai, Pune is emerging as the educational centre and IT hub.
With Cosmopolitan culture being at its best, traditional values still prevail in the city. If you are planning to visit Pune, do not miss these 10 most visited places to see in Pune. There are some unusual places that can surely give you a different outlook on the city.
Places To Visit In Pune
#1: Osho Ashram and Koregaon Park
Koregaon Park is one of the most popular and happening areas in the city of Pune, also called KP. You can find a lot of tourists in this part, enjoying the culture of India through the city.
The Osho Ashram or Osho Commune International is the most attractive location that draws thousands of visitors to the city. The ashram was founded by Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain, also called Osho. It is an ideal Yoga and meditation centre with teachings and ideologies of Osho being famous amongst people.
While the ashram is a beautiful place in itself, you can also take a stroll down the park and enjoy a relaxing day. Don’t forget to buy a pair of Osho chappals from the Osho Street in Pune.
#2: Aga Khan Palace
Also called the Gandhi National Memorial, this place is a memorial to the non-violent struggles of Mahatma Gandhi. Spacious lawns, Italian arches and intricate interiors make this palace a must visit during your visit to Pune.
You can take a close look at the life of Mahatma Gandhi through his room and bathroom, protected behind glass. The Samadhi of Kasturba is just a few steps away. You can spend a day well, reminiscing history as it was on your Pune tour packages.
#3: ABC Cheese Farm
The first of its kind and the only cheese farm is this city, ABC produces 70 distinct varieties of cheese every year. Founded in 1976 by the families of the Agas (A), Bhathenas (B) and Chinoys (C), this cheese farm is now run by the Chinoy family having a chain of multi-cuisine restaurants in Pune.
You can sample and taste some excellent quality mozzarella, gorgonzola and other modified varieties of cheese like cranberry, coffee, wine and raisin, and walnut.
Do visit ABC Cheese Farms and you have to go through the tasting process of diverse varietals of cheese before buying some.ABC Cheese farms is surely one of the best places to visit in Pune.
#4: A Trip to Shaniwarwada
Pune is a historical city, and the Shaniwar Wada Palace lies in the heart of Pune.It is a must among the places to visit in Pune for someone who is going to Pune for the first time.
The palace-fort of the Maratha Dynasty covers 6 and a quarter acres of land in central Pune. Constructed in 1732 as the palace of the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, Shaniwar Wada remains the political capital of the empire until the annihilation.
A big fire, however, destroyed the palace in 1872, but the mammoth structure survived the fire. If you want to experience the real specimen of Maratha culture and its architectural design, visit Shaniwar Wada Palace. The palace is open to visitors everyday between 8AM to 6:30PM.
#5: Rajgad Fort
If you are brave enough to take up a strenuous trek in the exotic Sahaydris, a trip to the Rajgad Fort can be a great exercise that combines adventure and heritage.
Located 50 km from the city of Pune, you can reach the fort in many ways, amidst verdant valleys, meandering pathways and a drive to remember. Indeed, a visit to the fort is totally worth all the effort as it is the vantage point to admire the cityscape and breathtaking sunsets. Surrounded by ramparts, the fort is also the longest residence of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Rajgad Fort is a sought-after gateway close to the boundaries of the city, and among the places to visit in Pune that should not be missed.
#6: The Best of Three Lakes in Pune
As Pune is located on the leeward side of the Western Ghats along the Sahyadri mountain range, this catchment area is surrounded by three marvellous fresh-water lakes.
The closest is 20 km away from the city, the Khadakwasla Lake. It is a small, quiet and calm location with a dam built across the lake, which is also the primary source of water for the city. The famous National Defence Academy is located towards the north-west of the dam, and the entire western shore is used for sailing and boating-related training.
Around 50 km. southwest of Pune further from the Khadakwasla Lake is the Panshet Lake with dam. The lake is flanked by lush green mountains streaked with innumerable waterfalls surrounding the lake. This is a perfect picnic spot too.
The third one is the Mulshi Lake, created by the Mulshi Dam catchment area. It is yet another picnic spot around Pune.
#7: Temple Pilots
The Summer Festival organized by Temple Pilots is an amazing thing to experience during your Pune holiday.
You can come across the skyline dotted with flying Batman. Started more than a decade ago, almost 14 years back, the paragliding school, run by an ex-Air Force fighter pilot, offers different activities starting from beginners’ courses to planned flying workshops.
In addition, it also offers single flight option to travellers. So, whenever you are planning Pune tour packages, make sure you don’t miss this experience. Paragliding should be on the list of things to do in Pune
#8: Explore MG Road
Who doesn’t love shopping? Tour packages in Pune comprise of shopping too. If you are an ardent shopper at heart, there’s nothing you can’t find in MG Road, Pune.
The city blends Indian as well as western culture to perfection with branded clothing and goods, exquisite handicrafts and many more items. It is, indeed, a shopper’s paradise. MG Road, also known as Main or Camp Street, is the shopping destination in Pune.
The walking plaza is a latest attraction whereby roads remain closed to vehicle and turns into a fair with entertainment, food stalls and shopping unlimited.
#9: Doolally Brewing Company
Want to enjoy nightlife in Pune? How about visiting the Doolally Brewing Company?
The most popular micro-brewery in Pune with premium quality beer to match your palette, there are choices of classic brews like Kolsch, Rauchbier, Belgian Witbier, Hefeweizen, Apple Cider and Oatmeal Stout. Beer lovers can also take a peep into the brews, which can be found in some of the iconic beer lobbing regions worldwide.
Don’t miss the annual flagship event hosted by Doolally Beer – The Doolally Beer Olympics in May and Doolally’s Oktoberfest in October.
#10: Sinhagad Fort
Sinhagad Fort is another place that needs to be mentioned among the places to visit near Pune.
A gateway from Pune are the forts and hills around the city, and Sinhagad Fort, a popular fort of Shivaji, is located 25 km away from Pune, towards the south, perched on a hilly region at a height of 700 m of the surroundings.
Drive up via Khadakwasla Lake and Dam to enjoy mesmerizing views of nature.
Waytoindia.com organizes Lonavala Khandala Tour Packages from Mumbai and Pune which can be booked by visiting the link http://www.waytoindia.com/lonavala-khandala-tour-package and sending an enquiry.
Choose Pune tour packages and enjoy a visit to some of the unusual destinations you’ve never visited before. Besides city life and the maddening crowd, the hills, dams and lakes around Pune can be some of the best places for a change.
