Things to Do in Pune: Peshwa Heritage, Hill Forts, Food & Monsoon Escapes

Explore Shaniwar Wada

Shaniwar Wada, the Peshwas' palace-fortress built from 1732, burnt in 1828 and today only its massive walls, gates with anti-elephant spikes, foundations and gardens remain. An evening sound and light show recounts its history, including the legend of Narayanrao Peshwa's murder.

Look for the Delhi Darwaza, the main gate, with its spikes to stop elephants, and the Hazari Karanje, once a thousand-jet lotus fountain. The foundations show how large the seven-storey palace once was.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours

Best time

Evening for the show

Visit Aga Khan Palace

The Aga Khan Palace, built in 1892, is where Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai were held from 1942 to 1944 during the Quit India movement. Kasturba and Mahadev Desai died here, and their samadhis are in the grounds. A museum displays photographs and personal items.

Time needed

1 hour

Good for

History lovers

See the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is a remarkable private collection of everyday objects, including lamps, nutcrackers, musical instruments, textiles and a reconstructed Mastani Mahal.

Time needed

1.5 hours

See Lal Mahal and Vishrambaug Wada

Lal Mahal, a reconstruction of the house where Shivaji spent his childhood, and Vishrambaug Wada, a Peshwa mansion with carved wooden balconies, are in the old city.

Visit Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati

The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, founded by a sweet-maker in the 19th century, has a gold-adorned Ganesha idol and is Pune's most popular temple, lit up at night and especially busy during Ganeshotsav.

Climb Parvati Hill

Parvati Hill has a group of Peshwa-era temples reached by a flight of 100-odd steps, with views over the city. It is a favourite morning walk.

Best time

Early morning

See Pataleshwar caves

Pataleshwar, a rock-cut cave temple dedicated to Shiva from around the 8th century, sits unexpectedly in the middle of the city on Jangli Maharaj Road.

Celebrate Ganeshotsav

Pune's Ganesh festival, made into a public celebration by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 to unite people against British rule, features five 'manache' Ganpatis, dhol-tasha drum troupes and grand immersion processions on the last day.

Best time

August or September

Trek to Sinhagad Fort

Sinhagad, about 35 km from Pune, is a hill fort famous for the battle of 1670 in which Tanaji Malusare captured it for Shivaji and died in the attempt. You can trek up from the base or drive near the top. Stalls at the top sell pithla-bhakri, kanda bhaji and curd.

At the top, see Tanaji's memorial, the Kalyan Darwaza gate, and the tomb of Rajaram, Shivaji's younger son. On clear days, the views stretch over Khadakwasla lake and the Sahyadri ranges.

Time needed

Half a day

Best time

Monsoon and winter mornings

Climb Rajgad and Torna

Rajgad, Shivaji's capital for over two decades, and Torna, the first fort he captured, are longer and more demanding treks, popular with experienced hikers.

Good for

Trekkers

Visit Bhimashankar

Bhimashankar, about 110 km away in the Sahyadris, has one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a wildlife sanctuary home to the Indian giant squirrel (shekru), Maharashtra's state animal.

Eat misal pav and Maharashtrian food

Pune's misal pav, a spicy sprouted-lentil curry with bread, is a breakfast institution. Try vada pav, sabudana khichdi, puran poli and a Maharashtrian thali. Old Irani bakeries in Camp sell shrewsbury biscuits and bun maska.

Good for

Food lovers

Spend an evening in Koregaon Park or FC Road

Koregaon Park has cafés, restaurants and bars among leafy lanes. FC Road and JM Road are lively student hangouts with food stalls and shopping.

Best time

Evening

See Osho's garden

The Osho Teerth Park in Koregaon Park, a landscaped garden with bamboo groves and streams next to the Osho meditation resort, is open to the public and makes a calm walk.

Attend the Sawai Gandharva festival

The Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, held every December, is one of India's most important festivals of Hindustani classical music.

Best time

December

Walk through Mahatma Phule Mandai

The city's old central market, housed in an octagonal Victorian building from 1886, is full of vegetables, fruit and flowers, and the lanes around it sell spices and brassware.

See the Pu La Deshpande Garden

Also known as the Pune–Okayama Friendship Garden, this Japanese-style garden is modelled on the Korakuen garden in Okayama, Pune's sister city.

Visit the National War Memorial Southern Command

The memorial in the cantonment honours soldiers who died after independence, with a museum and a MiG aircraft and other displays.

Drive to Mulshi and Tamhini Ghat

In the monsoon, the road past Mulshi Lake to Tamhini Ghat is lined with waterfalls and green valleys, a favourite weekend drive from the city.

See Khadakwasla Dam

Khadakwasla Dam, on the way to Sinhagad, is a popular evening spot where families sit by the water with snacks.

Monsoon (June to September)

The Sahyadris turn green and the forts and ghats are at their most beautiful, with waterfalls everywhere. Treks are slippery; go with experienced groups.

Winter (October to February)

Cool, clear days and the best time for city sightseeing and longer treks. The Sawai Gandharva music festival takes place in December.

Summer (March to May)

Hot afternoons, though milder than Mumbai's humidity. Plan outdoor visits for mornings and evenings.

What are the best things to do in Pune?

Explore Shaniwar Wada and Aga Khan Palace, visit Dagdusheth Ganpati and the Kelkar Museum, climb Parvati Hill, trek to Sinhagad, celebrate Ganeshotsav and eat misal pav.

What are the best treks near Pune?

Sinhagad, Rajgad, Torna, Lohagad and Rajmachi are popular, especially in the monsoon and winter.

How many days are enough for Pune?

Two days for the city; more for forts and day trips.

When is Ganeshotsav in Pune?

In August or September, over ten days.

Is Pune good for a weekend trip from Mumbai?

Yes. It is about three hours away by expressway or train, with enough heritage, food and fort treks for two full days.