Best Places to Visit in Pune, Tourist Places near Pune

Pune Tour & Travel Guide - Places to See in Pune

While Pune is usually a work stop, industrial or a student centre, there are a few places that must be visited when there. Some of these are:

Aga Khan Palace

Also known as the Gandhi National Memorial, the Palace was built in 1892 by Aga Khan III, in order to give employment to the famine struck villagers. It was here that Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba were held under house arrest in the 1940s. This is also where Kasturba bai passed away. The Palace has, since Independence, been treated as a museum and memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Shaniwarwada

This is a palace-fort within Pune, and was built in 1736, serving as the Peshwa seat of the Maratha empire. After an inexplicable fire, the Shaniwarwada wasn' reconstructed or restored, resulting in what remains today being but a tourist attraction. Despite this, the massive, sturdy fort leaves one in awe of the strength of the Empire that sought protection behind these walls.

Pataleshwar Temple

The Pataleshwar temple is an 8th century rock-cut cave temple located within the parameters of the city. Dedicated to the god Shiva, this incomplete temple is still used as a site of worship and is interesting to look at for its architectural disparity with respect to other Shiva temples.

Lal Mahal

Located in the centre of the city, Lal Mahal was built by Shivaji's father for his mother and himself, and is where the young to-be-emperor lived till he captured his first fort. While the original fell to ruins, this is a reconstruction. The Mahal has many historical stories associated with it, and is today a museum of sorts detailing the life of Shivaji, complete with paintings and other memorabilia.

Osho International Meditation Centre

For many years now, Pune has placed itself on the international map thanks to the Osho Centre. Thousands of visitors come by here to reflect on Osho's teachings and experience the calm and quiet brought on by the beautifully designed gardens and Meditation Centre.

Forts

Pune is also an excellent pit stop for some lovely historical treks to forts such as the Sinhagad, Parvati Hill and Temples, Lohagad and Rajgad.

Sumana Bose ()

On my first trip to Pune, I was totally awed by the weather. It's the best in the country. The rain is not obtrusive, the breeze is cool, the greenery is fresh, I am actually planning to settle down here!

Mohit ()

Pune weather is awesome! Slightly drizzly, windy, and nostalgic. Whatever you do here, it's always pleasant

Nishi Jain ()

Yes Samantha, they have a guesthouse for visitors. The rooms are air-conditioned, are provided with double beds, and have attached bathrooms. Timings: Osho Multimedia Galleria: 9am-1pm and 2-4 pm Welcome Center: 9-12.30 pm and 2 -3.30 pm

Samantha ()

Are there any specific timings to visit the Osho centre? Can visitors also stay the night there?

Christina Rodericks ()

I have been to the Osho centre. Pune is one of the perfect settings to host an Osho centre- so calm and tranquil

Tanya Sharma ()

The Shaniwarwarda fort is really overwhelming in its sheer size. Amazing how they could build such massive structures in those days. - Tanya Sharma

Ayushi Mukherjee ()

Hey Nehru Park at Fateh Sagar Lake is a sight to behold! Unpolluted, unpopulated. There are sit-outs, grassy stretches, unending vistas of the water, and even an eating joint right in the middle of the lake! But the memory of my trip here has turned a little bitter because of the fact that I dropped my camera here.