You will find a lot of things to do in Pune, the Oxford of the East. The cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune is a beautiful city in which the past, present, and future co-exist in harmony. You will find the remnants of history in every corner of old Pune, while there are a few areas that exude modernity and luxury. Plus, the pleasant climate of the region is an added bonus while visiting the city. Read on to find out some of the best things to do in Pune.
1. Visit the iconic Shaniwar Wada
Perhaps the most popular historical site in Pune, the Shaniwar Wada is a testament to Marathi culture. The 18th century palace fort was once the home of the Peshwa rulers in Maharashtra. The mighty doors, intricately carved designs, and vast gardens offer a glimpse into the grandiose Peshwa rule.
The palace is partially in ruins today, but there is still a lot to see. Shaniwar Wada also has a light and sound show during the evening, which tells tales of history.
Read more: Best time to visit Maharashtra
2. Learn the history of Maharashtra through historic monuments
The Aga Khan Palace in Pune was built in 1892 by Sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan. was where Mahatma Gandhi was held captive during the Quit India Movement with his wife Kasturba Gandhi, and his close associate Mahadev Desai. Today, the palace is a museum displaying personal artifacts belonging to Gandhi. Kasturba Gandhi spent her last days here, and there is a memorial in the palace grounds dedicated to her which preserves hers as well as Gandhi’s ashes. Learn about the Indian freedom struggle as you stroll through the place with its grand architecture and serene gardens.
Nana Wada in Pune is a blend of Peshwai architecture and British Gothic design. It showcases the Indian freedom struggle movement through audio-visuals. Lal Mahal, Bhide Wada, and Shinde Chhatri are a few other historic monuments in the city you should visit.
3. Find peace at Osho Ashram
The Osho Ashram in Koregaon Park is an international meditation resort. The ashram imparts the teachings of Osho, an influential but controversial spiritual leader. The resort has many programs aimed at meditation, personal development, and spiritual growth. The ashram also has vast zen-inspired gardens perfect to relax or meditate. The resort includes facilities like the Basho Spa, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and a mini-mall.
4. Watch a sunset at Parvati Hill
Above the city of Pune towers Parvati Hill, a scenic place to visit for sunsets. There is also a temple on the hill, known as Parvati Hill Temple, located 2100 feet above sea level. You need to climb around 100 steps to reach the top. There are also temples of Lord Vishnu, Lord Kartikeya, and Devdeveshwar here. You can also visit the Peshwa Museum here.
5. Camping at Pawna
A popular activity among domestic travelers is camping at Pawna. Just a short drive from Pune, you can pitch your tents at the banks of the Pawna Lake. Activities like boating and kayaking are available here. Chill by the lake in the evening around a bonfire, and spend the night stargazing in a clear sky. There are many groups that regularly organize camps at Pawna.
6. Go paragliding
Paragliding is not just an activity in Pune – you will find educational institutions related to paragliding here, such as Indus Paragliding, Nirvana Adventures, and OrangeLife Paragliding School. There are many basic and advanced courses to learn flying. You will also get accommodation facilities here. Paragliding in Pune is open throughout the year except the heavy monsoon months.
7. Shop for souvenirs
Tulsi Baug is Pune’s most popular shopping street. You will find shops on both sides of the road selling copper and brass items, jewelry, shoes, and many other stuff you can buy as souvenirs.
FC Road, or Fergusson College Road, is great for shopping on a budget. Frequented by college students, you can get trendy clothes, bags, jewelry, and accessories at great prices. If you get tired of shopping, there are also many cafes and restaurants in the area where you can grab a quick bite.
Kasba Peth is another area in old Pune that has many markets selling a range of products – fresh vegetables and fruits to utensils, jewelry, bangles, and knick-knacks.
See also: Shopping in India
8. Visit the ancient caves
Pataleshwar Cave Temple in Pune is an ancient rock formation dedicated to Lord Shiva. The caves date back to the 8th century and are believed to be built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Some distance away from Pune, the Karla Caves are believed to date back to 160 BC. The ancient rock-cut Buddhist cave temple takes you right back in time. You will have to walk up around 300 steps to the top, but the view is completely worth it. Bhaja Caves near Pune are also a set of 22 rock-cut caves named after Bhaja village nearby.
9. Visit Koregaon Park
Koregaon Park will give you a glimpse of Pune’s nightlife. With many restaurants, cafes, and clubs, the area is lively even late at night. You will find some delicious street food here as well. The German Bakery, (in)famous for the bomb blasts that took place here in 2010, is also located here. Osho Ashram is also situated in Koregaon Park.
10. Explore the mighty forts
There are many forts in and around Pune from more than 400 years ago. The great Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built and acquired many forts that were used as the base for the kingdom.
The Sinhagad Fort in Pune is one of the oldest forts, believed to be over 2000 years old. You can either drive to the fort or trek to the top. There are snack stalls along the way so that you can sit and take a break before making your way ahead.
Lohagad and Visapur forts are also near Pune, and great spots to visit during the day.
11. Try trekking
Pune is a haven for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. With its mountainous terrain, Pune has many trekking trails for beginners as well as professional trekkers. Around 60 kilometers from Pune, the Lohagad Fort is a popular trekking destination for locals. The trek is fairly easy, making it a perfect route for beginners.
The Sinhagad Fort is also accessible via a trek, which comes with some breathtaking views along the way. Rajmachi Fort trek also offers stunning views of the Sahyadri range. You can also try Visapur Fort trek and Rajgad trek.
The Andharban Trek is a moderate-level trek and includes crossing streams, which can be risky during monsoons.
Read more: Best time to visit Pune
12. Visit Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, also known as Katraj Zoological Park, was initially started on 7 acres of land. Today, it covers 130 acres and includes many animals, birds, and reptiles. There is also a snake park in the complex. You can stroll around the park, which will take you around 2-3 hours, or you can also choose cycling or a battery-operated vehicle provided by the park. You will be able to see animals like the tiger, white tiger, lion, leopard, and many deer and monkeys, along with crocodiles, gharials, and different species of snakes.
13. Visit the museums
Pune is home to many museums that showcase the history of Maharashtra and India. If you are a history buff, Pune is one of the best places to visit.
The National War Museum, built in 1998, is situated in the Pune Cantonment area. The museum was established only with public funds and displays the histories of different battles and the brave soldiers who fought for our country over the years. The MIG 23 BN, used in the Kargil War, is displayed here. There is also a replica of the warship INS Trishul used during the Indo-Portuguese war.
The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum was established in 1962 by Baba Dinkar Kelkar and it showcases rare artifacts dating back to the 14th century, such as paintings, sculptures, weapons, and coins. You should definitely check out the Mastani Mahal, a recreation of the original palace by using the original furnishings.
If you want to know more about the tribal population in Maharashtra, you should visit the Tribal Cultural Museum in Pune. The state has the second largest tribal population in India, and the museum showcases the 18 tribes prominent in Maharashtra.
Read: Things to do in Maharashtra
14. Embrace spirituality at the temples
Perhaps the most popular temple in Pune is Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple. Dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha, the temple is visited by thousands of devotees every day. During Ganesh Chaturthi, the temple is abuzz with people and you will find the energy around to be infectious. If you are in Pune, you should definitely visit this temple.
The ISKCON temple in Pune is dedicated to the deities Radha and Krishna. The temple has many complexes across India and even the world. The beautiful architecture of the temple and its landscaped gardens are perfect for a spiritual and peaceful visit.
15. Stroll through the many gardens of Pune
Pune has many gardens and parks that are perfect if you want some peaceful time away from the crowd just to sit around or relax.
Saras Baug, or Saras Garden, is one of the most popular attractions in Pune. The garden has a temple of Lord Ganesha built in 1750. It is a great place for evening strolls and bird watching.
The Empress Garden was built during British rule in India in honor of Queen Victoria. Spread over 39 acres, the garden is a serene place to relax, take a stroll, or even have a picnic.
The Pune Okayama Friendship Garden, also known as P.L. Deshpande Udyan, is a picturesque garden inspired by Japanese design. It is said to be the largest Japanese garden in Asia outside of Japan. The beautiful garden is perfect for long walks or relaxing.
So, what are you looking forward to doing in Pune? Let us know! At India Someday, we plan customized itineraries to India based on your preferences and interests. Contact us and we will plan the perfect trip to India for you!
