Weekend Gateway near Mumbai

There might not be a specific reason to land in Mumbai at any time. Even though many of us have to fly to the City of Dreams for work, many of us also go there to make our dreams come true. Some of us just come down to hang out with friends or see what the city is like. No matter the reason, everyone wants to go to Mumbai. But most people don't know that there is so much to see and do around Mumbai. Khandala, Lonavala, Matheran, and the rest of the list are where most people stop. However, did you know that there are more than 20 places around Mumbai that you can drive to for a great weekend? Let's take a look at the best places near Mumbai to go on the weekend.

Weekend Gateway near Mumbai:

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Karnala

No, neither Lonavala nor Khandala are the best. Karnala is not like the usual places to visit. It is a hidden gem that not many people know about. About 200 kinds of birds live in the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, and some of them are very rare.

This sanctuary is a nice place to get away from the busyness of Mumbai for the weekend. It is spread out over a small area of 12 km. The Karnala Fort, which dates back to the 15th century and is a major historical landmark, is another important thing to see here.

Durshet

Durshet, which is in the Sahaydri range, is a great place to go on the weekend and has a beautiful setting that will make your vacation feel like heaven. You can watch the river flow into the valley or just take in the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. People go there because of the rice plantations, where they can learn a lot about how to grow rice. The large area of rice fields is a beautiful sight that you shouldn't miss, especially since it's only 1.5 hours from Mumbai.

Lonavala

Lonavala is a popular weekend getaway for people in Mumbai, and it always has a lot of visitors. It is surrounded by lots of greenery, and monsoon is the best time to see it. Still, it's not any less fun during the other seasons.

Do stop by for chikki, a sweet treat, and to see places like Rajmachi Point, Lonavala Lake, Tiger's Leap, Duke's Nose, Bhushi Dam, Karla Caves, and Lohagad Fort.

Matheran

Matheran is a small hill station in the Karjat district. Its name means "forest on the forehead." About 80 km separate it from Mumbai, but about 120 km separate it from Pune. It is Asia's only hill station that doesn't allow cars, which adds to the beauty and peace of the place. There's no pollution or noise, just peace and beautiful views to enjoy.

Worried about getting around? You can take a toy train there and get around on hand-pulled rickshaws and horse-drawn carts. If you like to try new things, you should definitely be there. Try paragliding, horseback riding, or crossing a valley.

Alibaug

Instead of driving or taking a bus from Mumbai, the ferry is an interesting way to get to Alibaug. Alibaug is also a great place to learn about history. The Kulaba Fort was built back when Shivaji was a great warrior.

Beach lovers will be happy to know that Nagaon Beach, Kashid Beach, Versoli Beach, and Akshi Beach are all close by. If you have some extra time, you can drive to Phansad Sanctuary, which is a nice place for nature and bird lovers to spend some time. The Sagargad Trek is a great way for people who like to try new things to get their blood pumping.

Rajmachi

During the rainy season, Rajmachi is a real treat. The lush greenery, the atmosphere around the fort, the smell of the wet mud, the fun fort, and the cool winds will make your weekend unforgettable. There are two forts in Rajmachi. They are called Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort.

One of the most popular treks among locals and people who like to try new things is to Rajmachi Fort. It takes no more than 40 minutes to get to the fort. For beginners, it might not be as easy as it sounds, but the view from the top is worth the trouble.

Revdanda Beach

Revdanda is a quiet place to live close to Alibaug. It is a hidden gem you should go see. What could be better than a beach vacation without having to spend a lot of money on flights and hotels to Goa?

You can get twice as much out of your trip if you camp by a lake and play in the sand. Here, you can see peace like you've never seen it before. Participate in water sports, look at the stars, make bonfires, and eat barbecue.

Kolad

Kolad is a popular place for nature and adventure lovers, even though it is a small village in the Raigad district. The beautiful Sahyadri Ranges are in the background, and the area is known for its green meadows, majesty valleys, and milky-white waterfalls. During the monsoon season, when everything is green and lush, Kolad looks absolutely beautiful. Waterfalls that are milky white and fall into green areas are a sight to see.

The Tamhini Ghat Waterfalls, the Devkund Waterfalls, the Ghosala Fort, the Tala Fort, and the Kuda Mandad Caves are all popular and must-see places in Kolad. Kolad is the place to go if you want to satisfy your need for excitement and adventure. There are many things to do, like white water rafting, kayaking, rappelling, paragliding, parasailing, and trekking.

Igatpuri

Igatpuri doesn't need to be introduced. This place, which is in the Nasik district, can be the cherry on top of your trip to the Wine Capital. You could also just drive to Igatpuri and see some of the beautiful sights there, like the Ghatandevi Temple, Bhandardara, and the Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre.

Aside from being a place with a lot of history, it also attracts a lot of people who like to try new things like zip lining, rappelling, trekking, and camping. The best times to go here are during the monsoons and from November to March.

Malshej ghat

Malshej Ghat is a beautiful mountain pass and hill station in Maharashtra's Western Ghats. The place is a feast for your eyes and soul. It is surrounded by the Sahyadri Ranges and has lakes, waterfalls, and lots of green plants. During the monsoon, when the whole hill station turns green, Malshej Ghat is stunningly beautiful. If you want to get away from the noises of the city, you should go there because the weather is nice and there are lots of plants.

If you come here between July and August, you might also see some rare pink flamingos. Some of the best things to see in this hill station are Malshej Falls, Harishchandragad Hill Fort, Ajob Hill Fort, and Pimpalgaon Joga Dam. Trekkers, hikers, and photographers all love this place.

Bhandardara

Bhandardara has everything a nature lover could want: tall mountains, lush green landscapes, gushing waterfalls, calm lakes and dams. This beautiful hill station in the Sahyadri Ranges is a great place to go if you want to relax in nature. Wilson Dam, Arthur Lake, and Umbrella Falls are great places for picnics. Kalsubai Peak, which is the highest point in Maharashtra, is popular with trekkers and people who want to try new things.

If you are interested in history, you should go to Ratanwadi Village, which is only 13 km away, and walk to the 400-year-old Ratangad Fort. The fort is on top of a hill and has great views of the Sahyadri Ranges. The hike is easy to moderate, and the beautiful scenery will keep you going. A lot of people visit the ancient Amruteshwar Shiva Temple in this village.

Raigad

When the Maratha dynasty was in charge, Raigad was the capital. The Raigad Fort, which was built 2270 feet above sea level, is mostly in ruins at the moment, but it does have a few interesting buildings. If you like taking pictures, you should look closely at the queen's chamber, the three watch towers, the market area, the palace, the public durbar, and the man-made lake. Maharaja Shivaji was a respected warrior and ruler of his time. The fort says a lot about how brave and brave he was.

Daman

Daman is a small city on India's west coast. It is known for its quiet beaches, beautiful scenery, and lush greenery. Daman has been around for about 2,000 years. So, it has a lot of historical buildings and religious sites that show the rich cultural history of the area.

Some of Daman's most popular places to visit include Jampore Beach, Devka Beach, Mirasol Lake Garden, Cathedral of Bom Jesus, and St. Jerome Fort. The revered Somnath Mahadev Temple is also in the city. It is an old Hindu shrine that Lord Shiva's followers visit often. And if you want a day full of fun and adventure, you can go to Devka Amusement Park, Vaibhav Water World, or Mirasol Water Park.

Silvassa

Silvassa is the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is a very important place in history. Through its churches and old houses, the area still has the architecture of Portugal.

It has a Roman Catholic Church, the Shri Jagannath Temple, the Nakshatra Van, the Madhuban Dam, and the Silvassa Museum, among other interesting places. Visit the Lion Safari Wildlife Park if you have some extra time.

Lavasa

This new hill station near Mumbai was built by a private company, and it looks just like an Italian city. Lavasa was built to look like the Italian town of Portofino. It is a wonderful mix of natural beauty and beautiful buildings. The hill station has everything: hills, valleys, lakes, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and places to shop.

The clean and well-planned lakeside promenade is a great place to walk, ride a bike, or go out on a boat. It also has a lot of places to eat and food choices. If you like water sports, you should go to Lakeshore Watersports where you can kayak, pedal boat, jet ski, and do other things. People like to bike, hike, abseil and do other adventurous things at the hill station.

Panchgani

Another beautiful and quiet hill station is 19 km from Mahabaleshwar. It is known for its sweet berries, green valleys, and many places to watch the sunrise and sunset. Panchgani gets its name from the five hills that surround it and make the perfect background. This hill station is a beautiful place to see, especially in February and March when the strawberry farms are at their best.

Panchgani's history goes back to the time when the British were in charge. Because the hill station is so pretty, the British used it as their summer vacation spot. There are still buildings from the colonial era in the hill station, and they are popular tourist spots. Also, when you are in Panchgani, you should go to the Kaas Plateau or Maharashtra's Valley of Flowers, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the months of August and September, when all the flowers are in bloom, the plateau is breathtakingly beautiful.

Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is a great place to get away from the chaos of the city. It is known for its beautiful valleys, rolling hills, milky-white waterfalls, and strawberries. This hill station is surrounded by the beautiful Western Ghats and has many beautiful trekking trails and lush green forests. And when you're in Mahabaleshwar, you should go to the famous Venna Lake, where you can go boating, horseback riding, and do other things. You should also try the tasty treats at Mapro Garden.

Mahabaleshwar is at an altitude of 4500 feet and has many vantage points with beautiful views. Wilson's Point, Kate's Point, Sunset Point, Parsi Point, and Lodwick Point are all popular places for photographers and people who like to be close to nature. There are also many old temples in the hill station. The most popular ones are the Mahabaleshwar Temple and the Krishnabai Mandir. If you like adventure, a trek to Pratapgarh Fort at sunset is a lot of fun.

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