Pune travel guide: All about my birthplace and the city of adventurers

This Pune travel guide will give you major travel goals and inspiration while you find amazing places around my home city. In addition to places and adventures around Pune city, this guide also contains details about where to shop, what to eat, places to party and more.

Pune city located in western India is my birthplace and my comfort destination. It is surrounded by hills that come alive in the monsoon. Pune also has a rich history and culture. It is not just a city, it is a vibe! Everyone who comes here loves this vibe and is left wanting some more. We like to say this is Marathi – Jo ithe ala, ithlach zala!

Pune Travel Guides

Following are a few resources that will help you plan weekend trips around Pune. Whether you are new to Pune or you are a local I am sure you will find something new. I have classified them into categories as below, to make it easier for you to find places as per your interests.

• Crazy things to do in Pune
• Road trips near Pune
• Waterfalls near Pune
• Treks near Pune
• Black Sand Beaches near Pune
• Places to visit in Pune
• Places to visit near Pune
• Best one day trips near Pune

Listen to my podcast about Pune city

Whether you are a Punekar or a Pune fan, you will definitely love listening to this podcast. The actual podcast starts at 2.18 minutes so you can skip the annoying advert at the beginning.

More about Pune city

The city of hills

Pune city is located in the state of Maharashtra in the western part of India. It is recognised as one of the most livable cities in India. Since the olden times, Pune has always been referred to as the city of hills. That is because of the unique terrain where the city is located. It is based inside a valley which is surrounded on all the sides with hills. This gives us numerous hikes, treks, waterfalls, lakes and dams that make it a popular travel destination for nature and trekking enthusiasts. Apart from the amazing natural terrain, Pune has inherited a lot of history which makes it equally popular among historians and history geeks.

The history of Pune

Pune has a lot of history and culture which has been preserved well even with increasing metropolization. The history itself has left such a mark that cannot be erased at all. The bravery of the Maratha army, the strength and valour of Tanaji Malusare, the lost grandeur of Peshwas, the love story of Peshwa Bajirao and Mastani can all be found in Pune city. Then revolutionaries like Lokmanya Tilak, Chafekar brothers, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and even Mahatma Gandhi all have left their footprints or traces around Pune city. While referring to Pune we say in Marathi – Ithihasacha warsa labhlele shahar!

Food and Shopping

What’s more, we have numerous shopping streets, shopping malls and Khau Gallis ie. streets full of the lip-smacking street food. This makes Pune a shopper’s paradise as well as a foodie’s paradise. The most beloved snacks are in Pune are Puneri Misal, Vadapav and Chitale’s Bakarwadi. Read till the very end to find my what to eat and where to shop guides.

Educational hub – Oxford of the East

In recent times, Pune has emerged as a hub of educational institutions which is why we proudly call it – The Oxford of the East. The story of Savitiribai Phule and Jotiba Phule, a couple who spoke up for the girl’s right to education for the first time in India can be found around the campus of Pune University. Savitribai Phule is said to be the earliest feminist in India.

Plan your trip to Pune

Below are a few things that you should know while planning a trip to Pune city.

Best time to visit Pune city

The best time to visit Pune is the monsoon (Jun-Sept). The weather is lovely in the monsoon in Pune. If you like trekking then this is the best time to explore places near Pune. The winters are also equally beautiful. If you hate the wet and rains then winter is the time when you should explore Pune. Moreover, the summers are hot and dry. Average temperatures are as follows:

• Summer (Mar-May): 30°C to 40°C
• Monsoon (Jun-Sept): 20°C to 30°C
• Winter(Oct-Feb): 10°C to 30°C

How to reach Pune?

• By Air: Pune has an international airport, so it is well connected by flights. If you are coming by air, you can come directly to Pune or come to the nearby airport of Mumbai.
• By Rail and Road: Pune is also very well connected by Trains and Buses which you can use if you are coming from anywhere in India. This is the cheapest mode of transport to reach Pune.

Where to stay in Pune city?

Instead of staying in hotels, I would suggest you stay at one of the many campsites near Pune. You can camp near any one of the lakes in Pune city. You can also stay in a luxurious bungalow or villa at a scenic location near Pune. Just message me on Instagram @shepherdtraveller and I can set up everything for you.

Pune sightseeing itinerary

It will take 2 days to visit all the major attractions in Pune city. After you are done with it, you should reserve some days for the crazy things to do in Pune. Moreover, there are a few places to visit near Pune, that are just amazing. All in all, you can plan a trip to Pune of 5-6 or 7-8 days, depending on your time availability and the things that you want to do in and around Pune.

Budget for Pune trip

Depending on how you spend your money, the cost of one person travelling in Pune is ₹ 4,000 – ₹ 5,000 per day ie $60 – $70 per day. This includes transport, daily meals and accomodation. If you join some trek group then the cost will go up for that particular trip. Moreover, a trip of one week for one person will cost from ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 ie. $ 350 – $ 430.

Is Pune Safe?

Pune is one of the safest cities in India. Apart from some Puneri sarcasm nothing else will hurt you when you are here. But in any case, it will be wise to take care while going out at odd hours of the night. There can be some pickpockets and groping people during the festive times, particularly during Ganpati Visarjan. This is when the city is full of crowds who come to Pune from all over Maharashtra, to experience the amazing festivities.

FAQs about Pune city