Last Updated on April 14, 2024 by Umer Malik
While Mumbai is known for its fast-paced lifestyle and hurried activity day through the night (which gave this place its sobriquet ‘the city that never sleeps), you can find peace and tranquility just a few kilometers away from the city. Several beautiful places are located toward the outskirts of this city but unfortunately, these places are often overlooked by many travelers. So, the next time you take that flight to Mumbai, you can give the overcrowded tourist attractions within the city a miss and check out these offbeat places near Mumbai for a refreshing holiday.
Durshet
A calm village nestled amidst the lush Sahyadri Ranges, Durshet is the perfect place to visit for a leisure holiday or an adventure-filled one. As this place is close to both Pune and Mumbai, it makes for a good weekend getaway from any of these two cities. There are many beautiful waterfalls where you can go to spend some time with yourself. Surrounded by hillocks, Durshet also boasts many trekking and mountaineering destinations. What’s more? Imagica Theme Park, a popular adventure park in Maharashtra, is also located less than 9 km from Durshet. You can have a blast of a time at this adventure park that offers several adventure rides.
Distance from Mumbai: 75 km approximately
Kanhoji Angre Island
Formerly known as Khanderi Island, Kanhoji Angre Island is home to an ancient fort that has been built by the Portuguese. This island is situated right across the Mumbai Harbor and is home to a very old lighthouse. It is considered among the least-explored lighthouses in the state. If you are a history enthusiast, then this is the right place for you. Although Kanhoji Angre island doesn’t offer much at present, it is all set to undergo renovation and will soon provide several facilities and attractions for tourists like trekking, viewing galleries, outdoor restaurants, and overnight camping. book flights to Ahmedabad from Los Angeles in advance to get the best airfare deal.
Distance from Mumbai: 25 km approximately
Chikhaldara
Also spelled Chikhladara, this is the only area in Maharashtra where coffee is produced. Located in the Amravati district, Chikhaldara hill station lies at an altitude of over 1000 m above sea level. For someone who loves to surround themselves with beautiful sights and fragrances of coffee, this is one of the best offbeat places near Mumbai to plan your weekend getaway. You can trek to the viewpoints such as Hurricane Point, Prospect Point, and Devi Point for the best views of the valley. Chikhaldara is also rich in wildlife and you can spot many animals like tigers, panthers, sloth bears, and sambhars among others.
Distance from Mumbai: 600 km approximately
Kamshet
One of the best offbeat places near Mumbai, Kamshet is filled with many natural and cultural attractions such as waterfalls, lakes, hills, forts, temples, and monasteries. Its beautiful environs and rich cultural heritage makes it an interesting place to visit. For adventure enthusiasts, there are many paragliding spots, namely Shinde Wadi Hills, Tower Hill, Shelar and Kondeshwar Cliff. Caves are another attraction in and around Kamshet. Do consider a trip to scenic Pawna Lake, which is only 30 minutes away from here.
Distance from Mumbai: 110 km approximately
Bhandardara
Blessed with gorgeous waterfalls, Bhandardara is among the hidden gems of Maharashtra. Umbrella Falls and Wilson Dam (one of the oldest surviving dams in Asia) are must-see attractions here. Randha falls, Ratanwadi village, Arthur lake, Kalsubai peak, Amruteshwar Fort, Harishchandragad Fort, Agastya Rishi Ashram, and Ratangad Fort are other best places to visit. Lush mountains, dense jungles, beautiful lakes, and waterfalls abound in this serene place. Bhandardara offers breathtaking views of the Sahyadri ranges and it is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and revel in the beauty and tranquility of nature.
Distance from Mumbai: 165 km approximately
Jawhar, Tamhini Ghat, Dapoli, Tapola, Kaas Plateau, and Igatpuri are some of the other offbeat places near Mumbai you can visit during your holiday in the city. Which of these places have you already visited? Let us know in the comments section below.
