Mumbai is more than nightlife. Weekends here does not merely mean to head to one of the lively clubs or lounges. Trust me, you can make your weekend more pleasant by visiting any of the lovely places from Mumbai. There is a myriad of hill stations, beach destinations accessible close by that I had already check-marked from my bucket list. Though still many are yet to be explored!
So, here is my list of favorite locations that I will also recommend to my readers to plan their weekend getaway here.
- Kolad
If you are hunting an offbeat place and the one that can even satisfy your adventurous soul, don’t neglect Kolad. Famous river rafting at its gushing Kundalika River attracted me towards it. It’s a must-try activity that several tourists indulge in while here. Kolad also offers a perfect backdrop for trekking. The beautiful landscape and many waterfalls descending from the encompassing mountains boost the panorama of the trail. Camping at the night while gazing the star-studded sky was the sight to behold!
Things to do – River rafting, rappelling, kayaking, paragliding, camping, and trekking.
- Matheran
This hill station perches above the Western Ghats at an elevation of 2516 ft. It is the oldest hill station in Maharashtra state and one of the most mesmerizing places near Mumbai. I planned my weekend escape here with family to enjoy its stunning scenes. Strolling around lush green pastures and peaceful ambiance makes this place an ideal recreational spot far from the city’s hustle and bustle. Also, the kids loved the ride in the famous Neral-Matheran Toy Train here.
Things to do – Horse riding, sightseeing, valley Crossing, and hiking
- Alibaug
Are you a water baby? This one is definitely for you. One of the top favorite weekend getaway spots close to Mumbai is Alibaug. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, I loved to take a walk with my better half on its clean and black sandy beaches. While here, we also visited another talcum-powder sand beach called Kashid, which is a couple of kilometers away from Alibaug Beach. There is also Akshi Beach and Kihim Beach. Thus, you can take your pick and rest along the seashore. Watching the changing colors of the sky as the sun sets wins everyone’s heart at Alibaugh beaches.
Things to do – Beach lingering, sunset view and sightseeing tour to forts
- Lohagad
Being a trekking enthusiast, Lohagad Fort was an ideal site near Mumbai to experience one of a kind thrill with friends during weekend holidays. Lohagad is actually a well-known hill fort in Maharashtra nestled at the top of a towering hill at 1,033 ft.
The surreal scenery from the top of the hilltop fort was rewarding. We clicked a lot of pictures of the landscape and, of course, ours to cherish it forever.
It’s one of the popular and easy trekking courses in Maharashtra. However, both experienced and beginner level trekkers will enjoy the trail.
Things to do – Trekking
- Tarkarli
Tarkarli is another fabulous location that boasts pristine beaches dotted with Suru trees. The white sandy beach here is one of the most attractive beaches of Maharashtra. This beach location is also known for Dolphins spotting. And to our surprise, we were lucky enough to see a few. Since there is not much commercialization here, it was our ideal retreat for some tranquil moments. Thus, not hitting this place once in a while would be foolish. Besides, we savored the lip-smacking Malvani cuisine here. It served us as a perfect picnic spot where we lazed on the beaches for long hours.
Things to do – Beach walk, scuba diving, dolphin spotting, and sightseeing to forts
-Travelrasoi
