The hometown of the redoubtable Maratha Empire, Pune shines with a glorious cultural and historical blend as testified by the illustrious forts in Pune. Pune is the second-largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and the go-to vacation place for many architectural fanatics and nature admirers. The Pune city holds the title of 'The Oxford of the East' owing to its stellar educational institutions. 

The city caters to peace and adventure enthusiasts alike through cultural activities like- classical music, spirituality, theatre, sports, and literature. 

An ideal travel getaway destination for all is the service offered during your Pune trip! And, the best places to see in Pune have been covered by us to aid your Pune travel itinerary.

1. Shaniwar Wada Palace
2. Aga Khan Palace
3. Katraj Snake Park
4. Paragliding at Kamshet
5. Sinhagad Fort
6. Parvati Hill
7. National War Museum
8. Koregaon Park
9. Rajiv Gandhi Zoo
10. Karla Caves

1. Visit Shaniwar Wada Palace

Shaniwarwada Palace hits the list of famous places to visit in Pune with friends. Embedded with historical significance and state-of-the-art architecture, the setting of Shaniwarwada Palace is nothing short of a royal dream! 

Built-in 1732, the palace aboded the Marathan Empire but a fire caused in 1828 did heavy damage to a major chunk of the Shaniwar Wada Palace. One can still witness the remnants of Marathan Empire in Dilli Darwaza, Mastani Darwaja, Naachacha Diwankhana, Juna Arsa Mahal, and the famous Hazari Karanje (Fountain of a thousand jets). 

Location: Shaniwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411030

Ideal Time: The Palace is open everyday between 9:00 AM-5:30 PM

Entry Fees: INR 5 for Indian citizens and INR 25 for Foreign nationals

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2.  Travel to Aga Khan Palace

The Aga Khan Palace comes under one of the famous places of Pune as it backs up a significant history in  its quarters. The palace constructed by Sultan Aga Khan in 1892, served as a shelter for the destitute civilians facing the wrath of ransacking floorings. In recent time the edifice doubles as a museum and memorial commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s life (he was under house arrest here for a few years).

Interestingly, all the belongings of Mahatama Gandhi have been left untouched in the room which he stayed, for its array of visitors (including his books, clothes, and famous spectacles). 

Location: Gandhi National Memorial Society, Aga Khan Palace Road, Pune

Ideal Time: The Palace is open everyday between 9:00 AM-5:30 PM

Entry Fees: INR 5 for Indian citizens and INR 100 for Foreign nationals

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3. Katraj Snake Park

Aboding more than 22 species of snake, Katraj Snake Park hits the list of the top thrilling places to see in Pune during your Pune trip. A tour of Katraj Snake Park might assuage your fear of snakes and turn out to be an enlightening educational experience. 

The park's major attraction is its 13 feet long King Cobra and often hosts a myriad of snake festivals such as the Nag Panchami (popular among Pune folks). Katraj Snake Park harbors wildlife ranging from snakes, reptiles, birds, and turtles. A visit to Katraj Snake must make your itinerary of popular things to do in Pune.

Location: Pune-Satara Road, Opp. Katraj Dairy, Katraj, Pune, Maharashtra

Ideal Time: Visit during the rainy season (July-September)

Entry Fees: INR 3 for tourists

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4. Paragliding at Kamshet

Paragliding fanatics can flock to Kamshet to defy nature’s way of viewing the scintillating beauty of the Sahyadri Ranges from an altitude that cannot be rivaled! The licensed pilots and certified trainers have literally got your back as you swoosh down leaving behind the mundane worries and make your Pune trip a memorable one indeed. 

Paragliding definitely makes it to the list of cool things to do in Pune. 

Handy Tip: In order to be eligible for paragliding in Kamshet, you need to be above 15 years and weigh more than 45 kgs.

Location: Kamshet, Maharashtra

Price: INR 2500 and above

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5. Trek to Sinhagad Fort

A historical landmark in Pune, the Sinhagad Fort is said to be 2000 years old and the war ground of many famous battles, including the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670. The fort's location on a high altitude range at the Bhuleshwar Range of the Sahyadri Mountains makes the visit to Sinhagad Fort a welcoming challenge for trekking enthusiasts!

Location: Sinhagad Ghat Road

Ideal Time: Open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fees: INR 20 (for two-wheelers) & INR 50 (for four wheelers)

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6. Explore Parvati Hill

Parvati Hill invites travelers from all walks of life and is one of the popular Pune visiting places. Apart from beautiful trekking trails and nature-viewing, the major tourist attractions in Pune are drawn to the ancient Paravati Temple atop the summit located at around 2,100 ft. above sea level. 

The Parvati temple was built during the Peshwas reign and is one of the best places to visit in Pune. One of the most popular activities to do in Pune is observing the sunset over the hills after a satisfying climb of 103 steps! You can also pay a visit to Peshwa Museum to see pictures and exhibits about the glorious life of Peshwa rulers.

Other Temples to visit in Parvati Hill: Devdeveshwar temple, Kartikeya temple, and Vishnu temple

Location: Parvati Hill, Parvati Paytha, Pune, Maharashtra 411009.

Ideal Time: The Hill opens from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm & the temple opens from 05:00 am to 08:00 pm

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7. National War Museum 

The National War Museum is among popular Pune attractions and one of the most heartwarming places to see in Pune. Commemorating the lost lives of travel Indian soldiers in the line of fire, the museum  is the only war memorial in South Asia that was built by the contributions of common citizenry. 

Blanketed by lush greenery, the National War Museum makes for a worthwhile visit during your Pune city tour. The Museum displays the MiG-23BN which was used in the Kargil war. Also, the replica of INS Trishul offered its services in the India-Pakistan War of 1971 and the Liberation of Goa. National War Museum. A lesson in India's defense strategy and a learning experience for many!

Location: Prince Of Wales Drive, Ghorpuri Lines, Dobarvadi, Ghorpadi, Pune, Maharashtra 

Ideal Time: Open for visit any day of the week from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fees: None

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8. Visit Koregoan Park  

Koregaon Park invites all to its numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars in the city for a dinner date, family picnic, or leisure time! Definitely, one of the best places to visit in Pune, the tourists are allured to its ever-giving and vibrant nature during their Pune trip packages. 

Location: Koregaon Park, Pune 

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9. Have fun at Rajiv Gandhi Zoo

Outing at Rajiv Gandhi Zoo makes for an enthralling experience to share with your friends and family during your Pune trip. The wildlife and nature enthusiasts would find visiting the Zoo one of the best places to see in Pune as it abodes a snake park, an animal shelter, and a zoo.

 A visit to Rajiv Gandhi zoological park accounts for an enriching trip as you learn about snakes and reptiles.

Famous animals to Spot: white tiger, leopard, blackbucks, elephants, sambhars, a13 ft cobra garnering the maximum tourist attention.  

Location: Pune-Satara Road, Opp. Katraj Dairy, Katraj, Pune

Ideal Time: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Entry Fee: INR 25 (for adults), INR 10 (for children), & INR 100 (for foreign nationals)   

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10. A Rendezvous at Karla Caves

About one and a half hour’s drive from Pune, the Karla Caves warrants the best places to visit near Pune. Rooting from 160 BC, the Karla Caves account for the most significant and ancient symbol of the origins of Buddhism in India. And of all the caves located here, it’s actually the Grand Chaitya (Cave 8) which is the most popular Pune tourist attraction.

Within the caves, look the Buddhist monastery, carved prayer halls, and picturesque arched entrances, lined with marvelously well-maintained sculptures of humans and animals.

Location: Karli, Lonavala

Ideal Time: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Entry Fee: None

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