5 Irresistible Weekend Getaways From Mumbai

Mumbai is a city of dreams where people work hard to build their careers and live their dreams. However, working in Mumbai can often become very exhausting with the long office hours and even longer commute times attached to it. If you live in Mumbai you are no stranger to all these and would have to rejuvenate yourself once in a while by going to one of the popular weekend getaways from Mumbai to freshen up your body, mind and soul.

So let’s talk about some popular nearby destinations where you can easily go with your family and friends to spend some memorable time.

1. Alibag

Alibag is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Mumbai that people generally think of whenever they need to plan their tour. It is situated south of the Mumbai city in the Raigad district and is well connected with Mumbai via rail, road and waterway (ferry).

The beaches of Alibag attract thousands of people every year. These include Alibag Beach, Nagaon Beach, Mandwa Beach, Versoli Beach and Awas Beach. Apart from beaches, there are several other things to do and see in Alibag. If you are religious minded, then you can visit Kanakeshwar Devasthan Temple, Siddheshwar Mandir and the Historical Magen Avot Synagogue, the century-old place of worship of the small Jewish community of Alibag.

Alibag has a rich history of several centuries. If you want to get a taste of this rich heritage of Alibag,  and it will be worthwhile to visit the Khanderi and Underi islands where you can see forts which were built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century. There is also a lighthouse which was built in the 19th century and is still in operation. You can also visit the Kolaba Fort which is situated around 2km away from the shores of Alibag.

2. Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is another favourite hill station of the Mumbaikars. This is not surprising since it was a favourite holiday destination for the British too! Mahabaleshwar is well known among the travel aficionados of India and abroad and a very popular tourist destination of Maharashtra.

Situated at an average elevation of around 4400 ft, the temperature of Mahabaleshwar remains pleasant throughout the year. So if you’re looking for a destination where you can relax and enjoy the cool weather, you should visit Mahabaleshwar.

If you are a nature lover you cannot miss visiting the Vienna Lake And Lingmala Waterfalls. Other tourist spots like the Arthur Point, Wilson Point, 3 Monkey Point and Kate’s Point offer breathtaking views of the nearby rivers and mountains and are also unmissable. If you really want to rejuvenate in the calm and serene environment, then you can spend hours sitting on these points enjoying the fresh air and scenic beauty of Mahabaleshwar.

3. Matheran

Matheran is another great place to visit if whenever you feel like rejuvenating yourself quickly. Interestingly, it is the smallest hill station in India an area of around just 7 sq km.

Matheran is dotted with lakes parks and points which you can easily cover within two to three days. In total there are 28 points including the famous Rambagh Point, Alexander Point., Little Chowk Point, One Tree Hill Point, Big Chowk Point and Belvedere Point.

You must also visit Charlotte Lake, Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir and the century-old Olympia Race Course. Two other points worth visiting are the Panorama Point And Porcupine Point where you can get the best views of sunrise and sunset respectively.

4. Lonavala and Khandala

Both Lonavala and Khandala are the dream weekend venues of the people of Mumbai and the staple shooting spots of the Bollywood movie industry. Probably the first names that come to the mind when someone mentions weekend getaways from Mumbai are Lonavala and Khandala.

Lonavala and Khandala are located just 5kms away from each other. Both are mesmerizing places offering breathtaking views of its picturesque landscapes, notably the lakes, streams and gardens that dot the places. There are also many forts, temples and caves which are also equally attractive.

Some of the must visit places are Pawna Lake, Lonavala Lake, Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, Lohagad Fort, Lions Point, Rajmachi Point, Rajmachi Fort, Bhushi Dam, etc.

5. Karjat

Karjat is another weekend getaway from Mumbai that is very famous among the vacationers as well as adventure sports lovers. The entire landscape of Karjat is dotted with mountains, forests, waterfalls and rivers. There are also many caves carved out of rocks which are worth seeing.

Adventure sports lovers regularly flock to Karjat to do river rafting along the River Ulhas. There are also several trekking routes and rappelling opportunities which you can participate in if you plan in advance.

With so many activities and its scenic beauty, Karjat is sure to take your breath away.

Which Of These Weekend Getaways From Mumbai Is Your Favourite?

So which of these weekend getaways from Mumbai have you already visited or plan to visit soon? Would you like us to cover any other destination? Do let us know by commenting below.

While you pack for the tour, do not forget to carry these travel essentials which you will definitely need during your vacation.