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Pune is the new name for the city, which was called Poona. The city is the second biggest in Maharashtra and the state’s capital. This city has many schools and students, so it’s been called the “Oxford of the East.” The city doesn’t believe in all work and no play, though, as you can see by how many picnic areas there are in and around it. Get your bags and lunch ready, because we’ll show you some great places to picnic spots near Pune.
1. Shaniwar Wada, Pune
This beautiful fort was built in 1732, during the reign of the Peshwas, who were part of the famous Maratha Empire. To construct this thirteen-story fort, Peshwa Bajirao laid the first stone. At that time, Shaniwar Wada was home to up to 10,000 people. A large statue of Peshwa Bajirao stands at the door to the fort. It looks like he is greeting people who are there to learn about history while having a good time with family and friends.
- Location: Shaniwar Peth, Pune
- Timings: General visit: 9 AM to 6:30 PM; Show (Marathi): 7:15 PM to 8:10 PM, Light Show (English): 8:15 PM to 9:10 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹25 for the light show,₹5 for entry to the fort.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Shaniwar Peth for accommodation options
2. Okayama Friendship Garden, Pune
This garden is still as fresh as the day it was planted 30 years ago. The garden was based on Okayama’s Koraku-en Garden, which is one of three beautiful Japanese gardens. That’s why it was named the Pune Okayama Friendship Garden. Okayama Garden is also known as Pu La Deshpande. It is named after a famous Marathi artist with the same name. The garden is spread over ten acres of land and gets water from a river. You can see some lively fish in the canal water if you walk along the bridge in the middle.
One thing that makes this place special is that the landscape is meant to get more beautiful every few steps. Another part of the garden has been added, which looks like the famous Mughal Gardens on display at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
- Location: Singhad Road
- Timings:
- Morning: 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM; evening: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Entry Fees: ₹5
- What Not to Miss: Replica Mughal Garden
- Places to Stay: Hotels on Singhad Road
3. Pawna Lake Camping
The beautiful Pawna Lake campsite is set in a lush green area next to Pawna Lake. Misty Western Ghat valleys surround the campsite. The setting at Pawna Lake is better, because Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort, Tung Fort, and Visapur Fort are all nearby. This is a lovely place to spend the weekend near Lonavala and Khandala because it has a peaceful view and lots of greenery.
- Location: Pawna Lake, near Lonavala, Maharashtra
- Timings: Check-in: 4:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM (timings may vary depending on the campsite)
- Entry Fees: Camping packages usually range from ₹1,200 to ₹2,500 per person (includes tent stay, meals, and activities).
What Not to Miss:
- Sunset and sunrise views over the lake
- Bonfire and stargazing
- Water activities like kayaking and boating
- Trekking to nearby forts (Lohagad, Tikona, Tung)
Places to Stay:
- Various campsites around Pawna Lake offer tent accommodation (basic to luxury options).
- Hotels and resorts are also available in nearby Lonavala for those preferring more comfort.
4. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
Enjoy a relaxing day with your family in an environment where plants and animals coexist. The park was first opened in 1986 as Katraj Snake Park. It wasn’t until 1999 that it was given the new name Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. The park has been given a new, modern look that is in line with the rules set by the Central Zoo Authority of India. The main draws of the zoo are a white tiger and Tanaji, a male Bengal tiger. Animal lovers will love the area because it is home to sloth bears, the Indian Rock Python, and the Indian Star Tortoise.
Many people come to the snake park to see the 13-foot-long King Cobra. During the Indian festival of Nagpanchami, the park hosts many snake-related educational events. These cover a wide range of topics, such as how to properly handle a stray snake.
- Location: Pune, near Cantonment Area
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Entry Fees: ₹15 per person
- Places to Stay: Hotels Empress Botanical Garden
5. Empress Botanical Garden, Pune
This city park is so beautiful that it deserves to be called the city’s jewel. The kids can enjoy horseback riding or swinging while you relax and take in the area’s natural beauty. The adults can take a stroll through Nana-Nani Park. The kids can pay to do things like jump on the trampoline, play with toy trains, and row small boats. Get on the toy train and have a great time going around the park.
There is a small canal running through the middle of the yard. If you’re lucky, you might see some water birds having fun in the water. After lunch, don’t forget to bring some plants and gardening supplies home with you. The park sells them. Every January, nature enthusiasts flood the park for a yearly flower show that features a wide range of exotic flower species.
- Location: Off Solapur Road, Near Cantonment Area
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Entry Fees: ₹15
- What not to miss: Buds N’ Blooms flower show
- Places to Stay: Hotels near Empress Botanical Garden
6. Pataleshwar Caves, Pune
Whoever goes into these caves does so at their own risk of having an exciting and amazing time. A day lunch is mostly an opportunity to have fun with family and friends. For some of us, it’s a sit-down lunch, while for others, it’s a day full of exciting things to do. If you’re in the second category, you have to see these caves. The Pataleshwar caves are cut out of a single rock and full of carvings and miniatures.
There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the caves are popular with both Hindus and tourists. You can feel at peace as soon as you walk into the caves. They are more of a place to relax or connect with the Supreme Being.
- Location: Jungli Maharaj Road
- Timings: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
- Entry Fees: Free Entry
- What not to miss: intricate carvings on the cave walls
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Jungli Maharaj Road
7. Shantivan- Lake, Pune
Shantivan is a great place to get away from the busy city and spend some quiet time with family and friends. The location is ideal, offering a stunning view of the lake. People from the nearby city are still fascinated by the place that opened in 1990. It’s next to the well-known Khadakwasla Dam. There are so many fun things for kids to do here that they will be busy all day. This park has everything you could want: a trampoline, swings, a ropes course, and a ropeway bridge. People also like to have school picnics, birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and business meetings there. The meatless food at the Madhuram Restaurant inside Shantivan is delicious.
- Distance of Shantivan from Pune: 25 km
- Timings: 9 AM to 6:30 PM
- Entry Fees: ₹550 for adults and ₹390 for kids
- What not to miss: Jungle Book and Aquarium
- Time Required: One day
8. Kamshet, Pune
The path to the top of these hills is just right serene. With friends, a day of adventure sports and lunch can be planned. Kamshet sits on the shores of Pawana Lake, 2200 feet above sea level. There are lots of exciting things to do here, such as rock climbing, flying, and water sports. The Bhedsa Caves, one of Maharashtra’s oldest caves, are a short distance away and are one of the oldest caves in Maharashtra. This place for a day vacation is easy to get by car from Pune and is a great place to spend the day away from Pune.
- Distance of Kamshet from Pune: 48 km
- Timings: NA
- Entry Fees: NA
- What not to miss: Kondeshwar Temple, Bhairi Caves, and Pavana Dam
- Time Required: One day
9. Satara: An Impeccable Offbeat Spot
There are many great places to picnic in Pune’s Sahyadri range. Satara is the most peaceful and ideal. People come from all over Maharashtra to visit Satara, which has beautiful churches and forts. It is 2320 feet above sea level, close to where the River Krishna and the River Venna meet. The hills are even more beautiful because the branches of rivers Koyna and Krishna run through them. Satara’s name is derived from the group of hills that circle it; the name itself means “Seven Hills.” After all the fun, food, and games are over, you can visit nearby sights like Karad, Ajinkyatara Fort, and Koteshwar Mandir.
- Distance of Satara from Pune: 113 km
- Timing: NA
- Entry Fees: NA
- What not to miss: The Abhayankar Vishnu Temple, Vasota Fort, Sajjangadh Fort, Thosegarh Falls, Kaas Lake, and the Kaas Plateau are some places to see in India.
- Time Required: Two days
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Satara
Read Another Content: Chadar Trek
10. Panchgani, Pune
Many people from Pune love to go to Panchgani for an overnight trip, because it’s a great place to escape the stress of everyday life. One of the best places in Maharashtra to visit. Panchgani gets its name from the five hills surrounding it, and the five towns spread around them. A story says the Pandavas spent a short time in these caves, now called Devil’s Kitchen, during their vasanas. It’s one of those places where the weather is nice all year. There are so many nice places to have a picnic at this hill station that it would take at least two days to see them all.
- Distance of Panchgani from Pune: 102 km
- Timing: NA
- Entry Fees: NA
- What not to miss: Devil’s Kitchen, Table Land, Kamalgadh Fort, Sydney Point, Mapro Gardens, Rajpuri Caves, and Dhom Dam
- Time Required: Two days
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Panchgani
11. Sinhagad Fort
If you want to go on a walk this weekend, Sinhagad is the place to go. The remains of this fort don’t tell us much about history, but they are a great place for a picnic because they have many different things. Beautiful scenery that makes photographers weak at the knees, tasty and authentic Maharashtrian food, and rainy days that soak you all give it a lot of brownie points.
The rough hiking trail will test your endurance, but it only takes about 1.5 hours to complete, even if you move slowly. On your way up to the fort, you can buy corn, mangoes, buttermilk, and cucumbers from people in the town. If it’s not cloudy, the view from the top of Torana Fort, the Khadakwasla and Varasgaon lakes, and Panshet is beautiful.
- Sinhagad Fort distance from Pune: 38 km
- Timings: 5 AM to 6 PM
- Entry fee:₹20 for two-wheelers,₹40 for four-wheelers.
- What not to miss: When it rains or mists, go to “Hawa Point” to enjoy the view.
- Marathi delicacies like Kanda Bhaji, Pitla, Bhakri, Thecha and Wangyacha Bharit at the small hotels at the top
- Time Required: One day
- Places to Stay: Hotels near Singhagad Fort
12. Tamhini Ghat Getaway to Konkan
The Western Ghats are beautiful because they are green. You can see them at Tamhini Ghat, which is close to Pune. This area links Pune to the low-lying coasts of Konkan. Nearby are the Temghar and Mulshi dams, and you can visit them or walk through the forests on both sides to see streams, waterfalls, valleys, and more.
- Location: Stretching between Mulshi and Tamhini, around 70 km from Pune
- Ideal for: scenic drives, nature lovers, and trekking
- Highlights: waterfalls, lush greenery, and a serene environment
- Activities: Trekking, photography, and picnicking
- Pricing: No stay facilities directly at the beach, but nearby resorts like Bougainvillea Mulshi are ideal.
- How to Reach: A road trip is the best option, and it can take around 2 to 2.5 hours from Pune.
FAQs About Picnic Spots Near Pune
How many picnic spots are there in Pune?
There are numerous picnic spots in and around Pune, each offering various experiences. The following are some of the most popular spots:
- Sinhagad Fort
- Mulshi Dam
- Pawna Lake
- Panshet Dam
- Lonavala and Khandala
- Lavasa
- Tamhini Ghat
- Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
In total, there are at least 20–30 well-known picnic spots around Pune, ranging from forts and lakes to hill stations and gardens.
Which fort is Picnic Spots Near Pune for a one-day picnic?
Several forts near Pune are ideal for a one-day picnic. Some popular choices include:
- Sinhagad Fort: Just 35 km from Pune, Sinhagad is a great picnic spot for history lovers and trekkers. You can enjoy local food at the fort while exploring its ancient architecture and beautiful views.
- Rajmachi Fort: Located near Lonavala, about 80 km from Pune, this fort offers a scenic trek and is surrounded by lush greenery during monsoon.
- Lohagad Fort: This fort near Lonavala, around 75 km from Pune, is known for its easy trek and historical significance, making it perfect for a day trip.
- Torna Fort: Also known as Prachandagad, this fort is 50 km from Pune and offers a more challenging trek with breathtaking views.
What is special to see in Pune?
In addition to its rich cultural heritage and historical landmarks, Pune is also known for its natural beauty. Some special places to see include:
- Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, Sinhagad Fort, Pataleshwar Cave Temple, Osho Ashram, Katraj Snake Park and Zoo: Bund Garden:
How many tourist places are there in Pune?
Pune has a wide range of tourist attractions that cater to different interests. From historical sites to natural beauty and spiritual retreats, Pune has around 30-40 major tourist destinations. Key places include:
- Historical Sites: Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, Lal Mahal, Sinhagad Fort
- Nature Spots: Pashan Lake, Mulshi Dam, Vetal Hill, Katraj Lake
- Cultural and Spiritual: Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, Osho Ashram, Chaturshringi Temple
- Parks and Gardens: Saras Baug, Bund Garden, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
Do these picnic spots have entry fees or parking charges?
Some picnic spots may have nominal entry fees or parking charges. Here are a few examples:
- Sinhagad Fort: Entry fee for vehicles.
- Pawna Lake: Certain camping operators may charge for parking and facilities.
- Lonavala: No specific entry fee, but certain attractions like caves or parks may charge a small fee.
Always check beforehand if you’re visiting a private property or managed location.
Can I bring my pet to picnic spots near Pune?
Many picnic spots are pet-friendly, especially outdoor locations like:
- Pawna Lake: Most camping sites welcome pets, as long as they’re under supervision.
- Lonavala and Khandala: Open areas and hill stations are ideal for pets, especially if they love hiking and the outdoors.
- Mulshi: Another open space where pets can enjoy the scenery. However, always check with specific properties or resorts if they allow pets.
Are these picnic spots safe for a solo traveller?
Yes, most picnic spots near Pune are safe for solo travelers, particularly popular ones such as Lonavala, Sinhagad Fort, and Mulshi. However, always inform someone about your travel plans, carry essentials, and avoid isolated areas after dark. Solo travellers frequently enjoy treks like Rajmachi and camping spots like Pawna Lake, but safety should always be a top priority.
Are their picnic spots around Pune suitable for overnight camping?
Yes, if you want to extend your picnic into an overnight camping experience, here are some spots:
- Pawna Lake: A popular camping site with several operators offering tents, barbecues, and bonfires.
- Bhandardara: Known for its serene lakes and nearby Randha Falls, this location is ideal for stargazing and overnight camping.
- Kambre: Located near Pavana, Kambre offers a peaceful camping experience with proximity to nature and basic amenities.
- Velhe Village (Torna Fort): For a rustic camping experience, Velhe Village at the base of Torna Fort provides an offbeat adventure with scenic views.
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