For some people, life in Mumbai can be quite tiring, with each day seemingly more hectic than the other. You look for a moment’s rest, and it has passed before you even realize it. Even if it’s not, it is certainly extremely busy. Weekend then is the only time when the people of Mumbai look forward to much needed rest, relaxation & enjoyment. Planning a weekend getaway from Mumbai is a great way of experiencing a change. There are several amazing places to visit near Mumbai like hill stations, beach towns and even a mountain pass. These tourist destinations are best for a road trip from Mumbai and offer all that you could ask for a fun filled short vacation. Here, we tell you the 12 best weekend destinations from Mumbai, each of which deserves a visit in its own right.
Short Weekend Getaways from Mumbai within 150 Kms
- Alibag, Beach Destination
- Bhandardara, Hill Station
- Karnala, Bird Sanctuary
- Lonavala, Hill Station
- Durshet, Adventure Getaway
- Karjat, Adventure Getaway
- Malshej Ghat, Hill Station
Long Weekend Getaways from Mumbai within 300 – 500 Kms
- Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Heritage
- Ganpatipule, Beach Destination
- Goa, Luxury Beach Getaway
- Saputara, Hill Station
- Mahabaleshwar, Hill Station
Popular Weekend Packages from Mumbai
1. Alibag: For Its Beaches, Forts & Much More!
Alibag is a famous romantic destination which looks like it was made for couples, although that’s not to say that singles won’t have a great time! There are several beaches in this quiet coastal town. Kolaba Beach, which offers spectacular views of the sunrise, sunset & Fort Colaba, and Mandwa Beach, from where you can enjoy views of the Gateway of India, are two famous beaches. You can enjoy water sports like jet skiing & boating or visit the forts & temples.
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Best Time to Visit
Check out: 2 Nights 3 Days Alibag Beach Tour Package
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
2. Bhandardara: To See How Beautiful Nature Can be!
Bhandardara is an exceptionally beautiful weekend destination close to Mumbai, so beautiful that you wouldn’t want to leave it after a while. It is a trekkers paradise, thanks to its lush landscape which is marked by green paddy fields, musical waterfalls, hills embracing you from all sides and plenty of fresh air. If your idea of a weekend getaway is being one with nature, then this is where you need to come to.
Distance from Mumbai
Best Time to Visit
Check out: 2 Nights 3 Days Bhandardara Tour Package
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
Photo Credit: Amrita Sharma
3. Karnala: For the Bird Sanctuary & the Fort!
Karnala is an ideal choice when you are looking for a short getaway from Mumbai during the monsoon. There is plenty of greenery to soothe your eyes and sightseeing options. A famous tourist attraction is the Karnala Bird Sanctuary which houses more than 147 species of resident birds. During the winter season, you can spot over 37 species of migratory birds. Inside the bird sanctuary is the Karnala Fort, whose ruins are a popular destination for trekking.
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Other Interesting Blogs to Read
4. Lonavala: Different Faces of Nature!
It’s believed that Lonavala is the most visited weekend getaway from Mumbai, and it’s not difficult to see why. Anyone from Mumbai will love a place with cool air, dense greenery, lakes, waterfalls, caves, dams and even temples, for those that are spiritually inclined. Enjoy the gorgeous views from the viewing points, plan a picnic at Ryewood Park and even go hiking to Duke’s Nose, named so because it’s believed to resemble the nose of the Duke of Wellington.
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Recommended Tour Packages
5. Durshet: A Place That Lifts Your Spirits!
A lot of privacy to spend some quality time with your loved one, lovely places to visit & surroundings that lift your spirits, these are some of the reasons why Durshet should be included in your weekend travel plans. In this small town stretched across the banks of River Amba in the Sahyadri Ranges, you can enjoy trekking at Sarasgad, river rafting & kayaking on River Kundalika and enjoy sightseeing at Pali & Mahad Ganpati Temples, Pali Fort & Uddhar Hot Springs.
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Recommended Tour Packages
6. Karjat: A Weekend Adventure Getaway!
Karjat is the place to head to when you are planning a weekend adventure getaway from Mumbai. Its beautiful landscape lends itself to various adventure activities like trekking at Peth Fort and waterfall rappelling at Bekare Falls. Other attractions in this town are ancient rock cut caves temples and simply taking a leisurely stroll enjoying the laidback surroundings.
Distance from Mumbai
Best Time to Visit
- Mid June to late September
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
7. Malshej Ghat: Best for Monsoon Getaways!
When it comes to best monsoon getaways, Malshej Ghat wins the first spot! When it rains heavily, the streams and waterfalls spring into action, while their air is infused with a new life all of a sudden. The mist ascends and spreads out its arms gradually, and you think that everything must have awakened after a long sleep. Monsoon is also when various species of birds arrive in large numbers, especially the Flamingo. There are numerous trekking trails dotted with temples, forts and ancient rock cut caves.
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Check out: 2 Nights 3 Days Malshej Ghat Travel Itinerary
8. Ajanta and Ellora Caves: Magnificence Writ in Stone!
If you know your history, you would have heard about the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which are magnificent masterpieces carved in stone. While Ajanta Caves are a collection of 32 Buddhist caves, Ellora Caves are 34 caves divided between Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religious monuments. The most popular Buddhist caves are Cave 5 (used for the recitation of several Buddhist sutras) and Cave 10 (for its enormous image of Lord Buddha). This is a long weekend destination which surprises and teaches, is both education and entertainment!
Distance from Mumbai
- Ajanta caves: 428 Kilometres Approx.
- Ellora caves: 337 Kilometres Approx.
Best Time to Visit
- Throughout the year. Winters (for pleasant weather)
Check out: 5 Nights 6 Days Ajanta Ellora Travel Itinerary
9. Ganpatipule: A Quiet Beach Town!
For families and couples who love beaches and the relaxed atmosphere found in them, Ganpatipule is an ideal choice for a weekend trip. It is also a suitable choice for those with a spiritual bent of mind. The main attraction is the Ganpatipule Beach with its Swayambhu Ganapati Temple, built before several centuries. There are several resorts and hotels close to the beach where you can book a stay.
Distance from Mumbai
Best Time to Visit
Check out: 2 Nights 3 Days Ganpatipule Travel Itinerary
10. Goa: An All Time Favourite Tourist Destination!
Goa still remains a favourite weekend destination for the people of Mumbai. It has the best beaches in India, forts that offer spellbinding views of the Arabian Sea, waterfalls in the middle of dense jungles, flea markets, ancient churches that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wide range of activities to keep you busy including scuba diving, bungee jumping, motorized paragliding, birding tour and hot air ballooning.
Distance from Mumbai
Best Time to Visit
- October to March, Monsoons
Check out: Affordable Goa Tourism Packages
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
11. Saputara: Visit it for a Quiet & Relaxed Weekend!
Those who prefer spending their weekend holidays in hill stations should check out Saputara, a hill station located in the Western Ghats. It is a quaint hill station for those who want to just relax, enjoy a little sightseeing and just breathe the pollution free air. Some of the things to see in Saputara are Hatgadh Fort, Artist Village, Sunrise & Sunset Point and Saputara Lake. If you visit during the monsoons between August and September, you can attend the Saputara Monsoon Festival, which is marked by a variety of cultural events.
Distance from Mumbai
Best Time to Visit
Check out: 2 Nights 3 Days Saputara Weekend Tour from Mumbai
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
12. Mahabaleshwar: Best for Couples & Families!
Mahabaleshwar is one of those weekend getaways from Mumbai which attracts both families and couples. It is an amazing place to visit because there are so many interesting things to do like horse riding, boating in Lake Venna, hiking to Pratapgarh Fort, tasting strawberries, enjoying the two waterfalls, Lingmala and Dhobi, watching the views from Wilson Point & filling your lungs with clean healthy air!
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These are the 12 weekend getaways from Mumbai that you should visit, for fun, adventure, sightseeing, romance and generally, just having a good time. Which of these weekend getaways appeals to you the most? How many of them have you visited yet and how was your experience? Let us know!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What are some of the best weekend getaways from Mumbai for friends?
Some of the weekend getaways from Mumbai that are best for friends are Malshej Ghat, Karjat and Lonavala.
Q.What are some of the weekend getaways from Mumbai within 200 kilometers?
Some of the weekend getaways from Mumbai that are within 200 kilometers are Kamshet, Lonavala, Durshet and Karjat.
Q.What are the best monsoon weekend getaways from Mumbai?
The best monsoon weekend getaways from Mumbai are Goa, Malshej Ghat and Saputara.
Q.What are the best hill stations to visit on a weekend from Mumbai
Some of the best hill stations are:
- Lonavala
- Khandala
- Mahabaleshwar
- Panchgani
- Matheran
- Bhandardara
- Amboli
- Saputara
Q.What are some of the best places to visit nearby Mumbai for weekend breaks?
Adventure Weekend Getaways from Mumbai
- Kamshet
- Karjat
- Malshej Ghat
- Khodala
- Kolad
- Neral
- Adlabs Imagica
Q.What the weekend beach destinations to visit from Mumbai?
Popular Beaches Weekend Getaways from Mumbai
- Alibag
- Ganapatipule
- Tarkarli
- Daman
- Murud Janjira
- Harnai
- Ratnagiri
- Kashid
Q.What the best wildlife destinations to visit nearby Mumbai?
Wildlife Weekend Getaways from Mumbai:
- Dajipur Bison Sanctuary
- Karnala Bird Sanctuary
- Pench National Park
- Chikaldhara Wildlife Sanctuary
About the author
Writing, for me, is an artistic expression of the countless thoughts flooding my mind. For now, travel content writing is what keeps me going! In my spare time, I like nothing better than immersing myself in a book, along with a cuppa! A classic movie helps too! I define traveling as a process of self-discovery. Hailing from Darjeeling, my ultimate desire is to escape to the hills, with the mountain air and solitude as my constant companions!
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