24 Best Weekend Getaways From Mumbai

Source: treebo

Life in India's largest metropolitan city, Mumbai, is exciting and dynamic. However, it can also be stressful. To get away from the hustle and bustle of this big city life, you can pay a visit to a mountain pass, hill stations, and even beach towns on the weekends.

Apart from this, you also get to try many exciting activities with your loved ones at these places. So if you are looking for a place to plan your next trip, here is a list of the best weekend getaways from Mumbai with incredible scenic beauty to relax your stressed muscles and provide peace of mind.

1. Karnala Bird Sanctuary | 60 kms

source: indiatimes

The Karnala Bird Sanctuary, located on the Mumbai-Goa highway, is one of the best weekend destinations near Mumbai for bird watching. Home to more than 150 bird species and 37 types of avian migrants, it's a charming picnic spot and ideal for trekking which makes it one of the best weekend holiday destinations near Mumbai.

• How to Reach: Via NH17
• Places to Visit: Karnala Fort, Karnala Bird Sanctuary
• Average Cost: ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 1,200 (Food and Transport)
• Best Time to Visit: October and April

2. Matheran | 83 kms

source: wikimedia

Matheran is a hill station that is located near Mumbai in the Western Ghats. The place is known for its lush green pastures, serene and tranquil environment, and unadulterated ambiance. It is one of the oldest hill stations in India and is a weekend retreat for many people living around Mumbai.

• How to Reach: Via Mumbai-Pune Expressway
• Places to Visit: One Tree Hill, Panorama Point, Lords Point, Heart Point, Charlotte Lake, Luisa Point, Malang Point, One Tree Hill, Echo Point
• Average Cost: ₹ 7,000 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: May and October

3. Lonavala-Khandala | 93 kms

source: specialholidays

Lonavala and Khandala are two hill resorts near Mumbai that are considered to be among the best weekend getaways in the city. These places hold a special place in the hearts of Mumbaikars, who frequently visit them for their natural beauty and scenic views. They offer great road trips and can even be used as escapes into the hills for couples.

• How to Reach: Via Bengaluru – Mumbai Highway and Mumbai to Pune Highway
• Places to Visit: Lonavala Lake, Duke’s Nose, Korigad Fort, Karla & Bhaja Caves, Bushy Dam, Tungarli Lake, Bedsa Caves, Pavna Lake, Tiger’s Leap, Lohagad
• Average Cost: ₹ 8,000 to ₹ 9,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to May

4. Alibaug | 95 kms

source: toiimg

Alibaug is a popular beach destination in the Konkan region, about two hours north of Mumbai by road. The beach is near the Gateway of India, an important historical site. You can take a ferry from Alibaug to visit the Gateway of India and other attractions along this coast. It is a perfect weekend getaway for those who want to do a lot of outdoor activities, such as swimming, boating, and hiking in this beautiful area.

• How to Reach: Via Sion-Panvel Expressway
• Places to Visit: Underi, Varsoli Beach, Alibag Fort, Kihim Beach, Hirakot Fort, Akshi Beach, Kaneshwar Mandir, Kankneshwar Temple, Vikram Vinayak Temple, Kolaba Fort, Korlai Fort, Murud Janjira, Nagaon Beach
• Average Cost: ₹ 6,000 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to March

5. Raigad | 103 kms

source: wikimedia

Raigad Fort is the primary attraction of this weekend getaway for history buffs and families. It is situated at an altitude of 2700 feet above sea level in the Sahyadri Mountains and consists of 1737 stairs to climb or a cable car that connects to the fort. This is one of the perfect weekend getaways from Mumbai, as it allows you to see the Raigad Fort and its surroundings from a different perspective than that offered by Mumbai's crowded beaches.

• How to Reach: Via NH 17
• Places to Visit: Raigad Fort, Raigad Museum
• Average Cost: ₹ 6000 to ₹ 7000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: September to November

6. Igatpuri | 120 kms

source: ibcdn

Igatpuri is a small town in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. It's famous for its Vipassana meditation centre, where people from all over India learn meditation and other practices. It is also known as a place for weekend getaways from Mumbai since it's not too far away and has picturesque views of the Western Ghats.

• How to Reach: Via Mumbai - Nasik Highway
• Places to Visit: Camel Valley, Dhammagiri, Tringalwadi Fort, Kalsubai Peak, Arthur Lake, Bhatsa River Valley,  Amruteshwar Temple
• Average Cost: ₹ 7,000 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: June to September and November to March

7. Nashik | 167 kms

source: wikimedia

The city of Nashik is one of India's wine capitals. It has the oldest and most popular vineyards in the country, including Sula Winery. You can go on wine-tasting tours, crush grapes in barrels and pick the juicy grapes straight from the plantations. Nashik also has a noted Hindu religious destination. So, a varied group of tourists throngs here all seasons.

• How to Reach: Via Mumbai-Agra Highway, NH 160
• Places to Visit: Mhasoba Temple, Sula Vineyards, Soma Vineyards, Trimbakeshwar, York Winery & Tasting Room, Muktidham, Pandavleni Caves
• Average Cost: ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 11,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to March

8. Lavasa | 191 kms

source: dnaindia

Lavasa is a planned township in Maharashtra, India. The city's design is inspired by Portofino, a charming Italian town located on the east coast of Italy. This new town settlement provides a perfect getaway for visitors seeking peace and quiet in Mumbai's busy urban environment.

• How to Reach: Via Bengaluru to Mumbai Highway
• Places to Visit: Lakeside Promenade, Bamboosa, Temghar Dam
• Average Cost: ₹ 3,000 to ₹ 4,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year

9. Shirdi | 241 kms

source: templepurohit

The town of Shirdi is famous for its Sai Baba Temple, which is visited by worshipers and travellers from across the country. A drive to this destination will take you through lush green hills and avenues. This is a perfect place for a peaceful escape from the city with your family. This is one of those places around Mumbai that appeals to people of all age groups.

• How to Reach: Via NH 160 and Aurangabad – Nashik Highway
• Places to Visit: Dixit Wada Museum, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple, Gurusthan, Shani Shingnapur
• Average Cost: ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 3000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: July to March

10. Panchgani | 244 kms

source: toiimg

Panchgani is a small town in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The town is known for its pleasant weather all year round, which makes it an appealing weekend retreat for cities nearby. It is also a popular weekend getaway for Mumbai residents.

• How to Reach: Via Mumbai - Pune Highway
• Places to Visit: River Krishna, Dhom Dam, Table Land, Devil’s Kitchen Caves
• Average Cost: ₹ 6,000 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to May

11. Chiplun | 258 kms

source: wikimedia

Chiplun, the coastal region of Ratnagiri district, is a lush green city in Maharashtra. The area's white sand beaches and tranquil environment are known for their mango and cashew groves. One of the best places to visit near Mumbai to explore the Konkani culture is Chiplun.

• How to Reach: Via NH 66
• Places to Visit: Vashishti River, Marleshwar Temple, Guhagar Beach, Sawatsada Waterfall
• Average Cost: ₹ 5,000 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: June to September

12. Mahabaleshwar | 263 kms

source: tripadvisor

Mahabaleshwar is a quiet and misty hill station near Mumbai that boasts of one of the few evergreen forests in Maharashtra. Once served as the summer capital under British rule, today it is a fun and adventurous weekend getaway for Mumbaikars. It’s among the most scenic places to visit near Mumbai for 2 days if you are traveling from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar by train.

• How to Reach: Via NH 48 and Mumbai – Pune Highway
• Places to Visit: Mapro Garden, Venna Lake, Pratapgarh
• Average Cost: ₹ 8,000 to ₹ 9,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: January to December

13. Jaigad | 310 kms

source: wikimedia

The point where the Shashtri River meets the Arabian Sea is called the creek of Jaigad. The fort is relatively small when compared to other forts, but it is important in historical context because of its large area. Other than a fortress, Jaigad also served as the main port on India's western coast for trading activities.

• How to Reach: Via NH 66
• Places to Visit: Jaigad Fort
• Average Cost: ₹ 7,000 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year

14. Ellora | 350 kms

source: wikimedia

Ellora or Elapura is a rock-cut Buddhist cave complex near Aurangabad. It was built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty and is considered to be the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. The site has been declared a World Heritage Site, and it has been called one of the most significant Buddhist monuments in India. Thus, an exciting weekend getaway for the Mumbaikars.

• How to Reach: Via NH 160 Aurangabad – Nashik Highway
• Places to Visit: Ellora Caves
• Average Cost: ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 4,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: June to March

15. Aurangabad | 370 kms

source: itinari

Aurangabad is a city in Maharashtra. It is the sixth most populated city in the state and an important cultural hub. It has a hilly landscape and is the centre of art, education, and commerce. Moreover, the weather during October and March remains pleasantly cool, which makes it an ideal place near Mumbai for a weekend getaway for exploration and sightseeing.

• How to Reach: Via NH 160 and Aurangabad – Nashik Highway
• Places to Visit: Bibi Ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, Jama Mosque, Grishneshwar Temple, Himayat Bagh, Salim Ali Lake, and Panchakki
• Average Cost: ₹ 6,000 to ₹ 7,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October and March

16. Ajanta | 450 kms

source: britannica

History enthusiasts planning weekend getaways to Mumbai need to visit Ajanta Caves. The complex, which includes 30 rock-cut caves, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The murals on the walls and ceilings, as well as the carvings and paintings in its monastic halls and stupas, are some of the most impressive examples of religious art from ancient India.

• How to Reach: Via NH 160 and Mumbai – Agra Highway
• Places to Visit: Ajanta Caves
• Average Cost: ₹ 5,000 to ₹ 6000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: June to March

17. Champaner | 460 kms

source: wikimedia

Champaner is a small town in Gujarat. It's separated from Mumbai by an overnight drive, but it's well worth a visit for its interesting stories from the past and its mix of aesthetic structures. Some of them date back to Jain and Hindu times, while others are more recent additions to the landscape that have been built in response to changing local needs.

• How to Reach: Via NH 48 and NH 953
• Places to Visit: Jama Mosque, Pavagadh Hill, and Champaner - Pavagadh Archaeological Park
• Average Cost: ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 1,200 per person (Car)
• Best Time to Visit: October to February

18. Amboli | 491 kms

source: picnicwale

For weekenders seeking a refreshing retreat in the lap of nature, Amboli is one of the best weekend getaways from Mumbai. Located in the Western Ghats, this hill station in Maharashtra is famed for its undulating hills and gushing waterfalls. One can visit Amboli Falls during monsoon when the entire region becomes vibrant and gets packed in a dreamy blanket of perpetual mist.

• How to Reach: Via NH 48
• Places to Visit: Amboli falls, Madhavgad fort, Shirgaonkar point, Hiranya Keshi temple, Durg Dhakoba trek, Nangarta falls, Sunset point
• Average Cost: ₹ 7,000 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to February

19. Bijapur | 493 kms

source: cloudfront

Bijapur is a city in Karnataka. It was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, one of the largest empires in the history of South Asia. The city's grand structures, such as Gol Gumbaz, Bara Kaman, and Bijapur Fort, are among some of India's most impressive monuments. Apart from these, there are sites like Ibrahim Rauza and The Citadel, which also contribute to making Bijapur an exciting choice for sightseers, culture vultures, and architecture aficionados. 

• How to Reach: Via Pune - Solapur Highway
• Places to Visit: Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, Jama Masjid, The Citadel, Shopping in Bijapur, Mithari and Asar Mahals, Bijapur fort, Bara Kaman, Gagan Mahal, Mehtar mahal, Saath Kabar, Sangeeth Nari Mahal, Malik-e-Maidan, Upli Burj
• Average Cost: ₹ 13,000 to ₹ 14,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to February

20. Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary | 494 kms

source: whatshot

The Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary lies at the southern edge of the Sahyadris and has a large population of Indian bison. Other animals can also be found in this place when visiting it as a tourist.

• Distance from Mumbai: 494 km
• How to Reach: Via Gurgaon-Alwar Highway
• Places to Visit: Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Shivgad Fort
• Average Cost: ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 3,000 per person (includes travel and entry fees)
• Best Time to Visit: September to March

21. Tarkarli | 531 kms

source: wikimedia

Tarkali, located on the Arabian Sea, is a small hamlet in the western part of Maharashtra. This village is renowned for its pristine clear water of the sea and the white sands that mark the beach. A weekend getaway from Mumbai, this place offers a host of adventurous water sports such as scuba diving and snorkeling sessions, where you can enjoy the view of the world beneath the sea!

• How to Reach: Via NH 48
• Places to Visit: Water sports, Karli backwaters, Deobagh, Dhamapur lake, Sidhudurg fort, Shree Shivchhatrapati temple, Achara beach, Tsunami island, Devbaugh beach, Chivla beach, Nivati beach, Sagareshwar beach
• Average Cost: ₹ 26,000 to ₹ 27,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: November to February

22. Dandeli | 583 kms

source: monksonwheels

Dandeli, a town in the Western Ghats of India, is named after a local deity called Dandayawa. Legends exist about how the place got its name; one story says that a king named Dandanayaka passed through the area and named it after himself, while another says that a local deity named it so. Either way, Dandeli is popular with adventure seekers who come to the area during both the monsoon and winter seasons because of its proximity to Mumbai.

• How to Reach: Via NH 48
• Places to Visit: Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Kavala Caves, Syntheri Rock, Shiroli Peak, Dandelappa Temple, Molangi Falls, Shivaji Fort
• Average Cost: ₹ 1,200 to ₹ 8,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to February

23. Dudhsagar Falls | 594 kms

source: wikimedia

Dudhsagar Waterfall is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Maharashtra. This milky white cascade plunges down from the middle of lush vegetation in the Western Ghats, close to Mumbai and Goa. The waterfall has 5 drops and a total height of 320 meters, making it one of India's highest waterfalls. Visit to witness breathtaking sights, roaring sounds, and pristine surroundings.

• How to Reach: Via NH 48
• Places to Visit: Horseshoe Tracks Towards Trekking Trials, Jeep Safari Guiding Through the Rich Forest Lines, Exploring the Historical Legacy, Stroll through the Portuguese era of Goa, Walk Amidst the Aromatic Spice Gardens, Hike the way up to Devil’s Canyon, Ferrying to the aerial view of pristine churches.
• Average Cost: ₹ 1,700 to ₹ 2,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: October to May

24. Gokarna | 705 kms

source: timeincuk

Gokarna, a district in Karnataka, has several beaches and waterfalls that attract tourists. The town has many places of worship and pilgrimage sites, including the Aghanashini River, which is considered sacred by Hindus. In addition, the serene beaches make it an ideal place for water sports activities like surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing.

• How to Reach: Via NH 48
• Places to Visit: Om beach, Paradise beach, Kudle beach, Yana caves, Half moon beach, Mirjan fort, Koti tirtha, Maha Ganapati temple, Kumta, Bhadrakali temple, Sirsi, Nirvana beach, Small hell beach, Belekan beach
• Average Cost: ₹ 8,000 to ₹ 9,000 per person (Overall)
• Best Time to Visit: September to December