101 things to do around Mumbai

Here’s a funny thing about Mumbai, every good vacation spot is outside the city. For those who’ve been living in the city forever (and those who feel they’ve been living here forever), and those who have a few more days to spend in Mumbai, we’ve got an exhaustive list of things to do around Mumbai. Time kam hai aur karne ko bahut kuch!
Read, think, and go!

Weekend getaways near Mumbai within 100 Kms.

1. Stay in Old Khandala for a day. For those heading to Lonavala, take a day out for 'Aati kya Khandala Why? Arey ghumo, phiro, nacho aur aish karo… aur kya?

2. Be amidst nature in Karjat. Take a few friends (akela bhi chalega), find a ride (bike or car - apna ya rent par) and just step out. Find a place to stay, book it, and spend an entire day amidst nature.

3. Take a weekend drive to Lonavala. You can travel via train, book a cab or drive your own vehicle and stay there for a day. Bas chill karna hai at The Hosteller Lonavala.

The Hosteller Lonavla

4. Capture one of the best sunsets Maharashtra can offer in Matheran. There’s plenty more to do in this vehicle-free hill station. Toy train is one of them. It is definitely worth a visit.

5. Go for bird watching at Karnala Bird Sanctuary. You can also do trekking here.

6. Visit Vasai Fort. Not a lot of people know about it. There’s a fort in Vasai (not well maintained though) which is perfect for a day trip. Biggest challenge - getting a seat in the local train.

7. Manori Island – A quiet, clean, and peaceful beach near Malad. The nearest railway station is Malad.

8. Durshet – a haven for trekkers and mountaineers. Good for nature trails and forest camping.

9. Plan a 2-3 day escape to Alibaug and explore the coastal Konkan town on your motorbike or car, visit all the beaches, try water sports, and have lots of seafood and beer.  

Pallas's Gull chilling at Alibaug beach

10. Uttan is a coastal beauty and heaven for food lovers. The beaches are much cleaner here.

11. Camp at Pawna lake.

12. Take a ferry from CST to Mandwa.

13. Another ferry ride from Varsova will take you to Madh island. Where you can enjoy fishing, visit temples, and enjoy water activities.

Weekend getaways near Mumbai within 100-200 km range

14. Seek blessings from Lord Mahabaleshwar. Relax in nature, trek, watch the sun rise and set or even try the nearby strawberry farms.

15. Take a break at Panchgani. Experience the best of nature - stunning lakes, valleys, waterfalls, and natural bounties along with perfect weather.

16. Ride to Igatpuri for a weekend filled with nature treks and lush green valleys.

17. Go for river rafting on the Kundalika River in Kolad

18. Take pictures at Murud-Janjira - a beach with a historical sea fort.

Popular strawberries of Mahabaleshwar

19. Go Chikoo farming in Dahanu. It is a coastal village which is famous for its chikoo orchards.

20. Take a holy dip in Godavari ‘known as Ganga’ river in Nashik and explore this divine city on foot.

21. Book a stay at The Hosteller, Bhandardara for one of a kind experience. Also go for lakeside camping at Arthur Lake and Randha Falls.

22. Get a taste of tribal way of life in Jawhar. It is one of the places which will expose you to the famous Warli Art.

23. Drive to Malshej Ghat for its waterfalls and greenery. It is also home to many species of birds.

24. Take a ropeway to Raigad Fort– Righad has a rich history of Shivaji Maharaj. You can trek or take the ropeway, both the ways are beautiful,
(Tip: If you’re into history, spend 2 days exploring. For a quick visit, 3-4 hours will do.)

25. Taste wines at Sula Vineyards—explore the winemaking process, sample wines, and take some home.

26. Live the tribal culture at Saputara. It is a small hill station in Gujarat with boating and tribal culture.

27. Take a ride to Satara. It is home to Kaas Plateau, a UNESCO-listed valley of flowers.

28. Get blessed by Sai in Shirdi. Buses are easily available from Pune and Mumbai.

29. Pay a visit to Pune. If you know a Punekar, you need to do nothing more. Even otherwise, there’s lots you can do in Pune, including a wide array of cultural and historical attractions. It is one of the best cities to live in.

30. Visit Toranmal- Maharashtra's lesser-known hill station.

31. Get mesmerized by Kaas plateau– a reserved forest and a botanical wonderland during the monsoon.

Kaas plateau 

32. Take a bus to Chiplun for a comparatively relaxed, Goa-like vibe at a pocket-friendly price.

33. Let the adrenaline kick in at Kamshet. Go for paragliding and explore the lush landscapes.

34. Visit Daman for an old-school vibe, colonial architecture, and beaches. You’ll feel like you’ve landed in a Portuguese town.

35. Head to Konkan if you love seafood, visit any region to try fish thali, solkadhi, and even delicious vegetarian dishes.

36. Plan a weekend trip to Sindhudurg– and while you're there, try Bangda fry or Pomfret curry.

37. Spend a day at Maval takve lake- near the Mumbai-Pune highway. Go boating and try out adventure activities.

38. Take a 3-4 day trip to Goa. Yaha ke baare mai hum kya hi bataye, you know everything already. Just one reminder – we’ve got 6 properties all across the city. Check out The Hosteller Goa! 

39. Tarkarli– A white sand beach popular for scuba diving and water sports.

Fisherman hauling nets on a beach

40. Sindhudurg Fort houses ancient temples, stairways, and rich traces of Shivaji Maharaj’s history.

41. Take a scuba diving course in Malvan if you're staying for a few days. If not, just roam around the beach, explore the villages around, and eat Malvani food – trust us, it's delicious!

42. Ratnagiri ke aam ke baare mai to suna hoaga. But Ratnagiri is also known for its beaches, charming local life, greenery, seafood, and temples.

43. Plan a family picnic to Dapoli– perfect for great seafood, clean beaches, fewer crowds (at times), and lush greenery all around.

44. Lavasa– Once a well-planned, European-themed city, it is still worth visiting for its scenic views and lake.

45. Ellora and Ajanta Caves– You probably remember reading about these as UNESCO World Heritage sites in your history textbooks.

46. Explore Shivneri Fort– the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj.

400-500 km (Extended Road Trips)

47. Go to Kolhapur for the food– but stay for the culture! Famous for the Mahalakshmi Temple, Rankala Lake, and food. Don’t miss the chaat by the lake, spicy Misal, and Tambda-Pandhra Rassa.

48. Visit lesser known hill station Chikhaldara– It also has a story related to Mhabharata. A place where Bheema killed Keechaka then threw him into the valley.

49. Visit Bijapur (Vijayapura)to study history– Explore Gol Gumbaz, Bara Kaman and Fort Bijapur.

50. Take a 4-5 day trip to Hampi– known for architecture. Don’t forget to spot the iconic Stone Chariot, on the ₹50 note!

51. Every backpacker's bucket list Gokarna! – Beaches, mountains, temples, cute cozy cafes, and everything in between. And you know na where to stay, The Hosteller Gokarna.

View from The Hosteller Gokarna

52. A village of Bamboo, Belgaum. See the variation of different cultures like Kannada, Konkani, Marathi, and Goan.

53. Explore Chalukya capital- Badami – Not many people know about this place. This was Chalukya capital which still has ancient Ancient rock-cut temples

54. Mandrem (Goa)– Talking about specific beaches in Goa, you can stay at Mandrem (Of course in The Hosteller Mandrem) . For more information about read our blog- Mandrem Guide.  

55. Aihole-Pattadakal– This place is in Hampi itself. If you’re into sketching, architecture, or just love noticing cool patterns, make sure to take your time here.

56. Seek blessings from Lord Krishna in Udupi- Also very popular for veg food. Aur Udupi dosa khana mat bhulna.

57. Take a road trip to Coorg- Take a road trip to Coorg – stay at The Hosteller Coorg, and for more things to do, check out our blog "7 Best Things to Do in Coorg: The 'Scotland of India.'" 

Hill Stations and beaches

58. Check in to The Hosteller Panshet for amazing comfort and a vibey atmosphere.– While the Panshet Dam is famous for its watersports, that’s not all. The scenic route to Panshet has a lot of fun things and activities to do.

59. Visit Gujarat’s only hill station – Saputara.

60. Take a road trip to Amboli. Enjoy the waterfalls, rivers, and stunning views along the way.

61. Trek to Torana Fort (also known as Prachandagad). The name ‘Prachanda’ means huge, and the trek up is just that – moderate to difficult.

62. Beaches and Coastal Getaways 

63. Kashid is a lesser-known beach, just one hour from Alibaug, perfect for a quick one—to two-day escape.

A woman walking on the beach

64. Get a beach all to yourself in Guhagar.

65. Shrivardhan – Known for clean sand and water. Also one of the safe beaches to go to with kids.

66. Bike ride to Diveagar beach 

Nature and Wildlife

67. Spot leopards, deer, and birds at Sanjay Gandhi National Park—it’s right within Mumbai. You can just take some time out on the weekend and go to this place.

68. Bhaja caves– If you want a mix of trekking and history then go to Bhaja Caves.
(Pro tip- Visit during monsoon you'll get to see waterfalls too.)

69. Tansa wildlife sanctuary– There aren’t many animals here, but you can visit if you want some time around nature.

70. Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary is popular for Indian giant squirrels (Shekru).

71. Bikeride in monsoon to Amboli ghat

72. Go to Phansad wildlife sanctuary for birdwatching

73. Visit Chandoli national park in the Sahiyadri mountains. If you're lucky, you might spot an Indian leopard, Bengal tiger, or Indian bison.

Temples to visit around

74. Trimbakeshwar temple, Nashik – One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, with roots dating back centuries and renovations during Bajirao Peshwa’s reign.

75. Shirdi – If you’re from Mumbai, you’ve probably been to Shirdi at least once for Sai Baba’s blessings. (Pro tip – Don’t miss the Prasad laddoo; it's damnn tasty!)

76. Ganpatipule temple – This temple is just by the sea. Visit Bappa for blessings, then enjoy the nearby beach and water sports.

77. Harihareshwar temple – Known as the “Mini Kashi of Maharashtra,” Another beautiful temple near the beach.

78. Pandharpur– A lot of devotees visit Pandharpur each year to seek the blessings of Lord Vithal. If you can, visit Ashadhi Ekadashi for the famous Pandharpur Wari – it’s an experience like no other.

Devotees from Pandharpur yatra

79. Bhimashankar temple– Another one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.

80. Jejuri temple– Maharashtrians often go here after marriage (but you can visit even if you’re single!). Everything here is covered in haldi, from the steps to the mandir and even the murti.

81. Kolhapur Mahalaxmi temple— What makes this temple special? Mahalakshmi's murti is believed to be 5000-6000 years old and covered with gemstones.

82. Visit Akkalkot, which is famous for the Swami Samarth Maharaj temple.

83. Shani Shingnapur is just an hr away from Shirdi. It's known for Sani temples one interesting fact about this temple is none of the houses in the village have doors

Pro Tip:
Before visiting any temple, check the aarti timings. Many temples offer VIP passes (yes, you can skip the long queues). Check their websites for details!

Lesser known places

84. Witness the Turtle hatchling festival in Velas – Watch baby turtles take their first steps into the ocean.

85. Take a long sunset walk on the 3 km beach in Shrivardhan

86. Adventure camps in Durshet forest – With plenty of resorts and adventure camps, Durshet is perfect for a weekend staycation.

87. Eat seafood in Guhagar – This hidden beach in Konkan has great food, fewer crowds, and clean beaches, aur kya chahiye?

88. A quick trip to Palghar- Just under three hours from Mumbai, there are beaches, forts, and charming villages.

89. Watch peacocks dance in Morachi chincholi – Monsoon is the best time to plan a visit here.

90. Boat around Dhamapur lake – It can be a nice road trip from Mumbai to here.

91. Sandhan valley – One of Maharashtra’s toughest treks. If you are looking for adventure this is for you

92. Karla caves will take you back two thousand years. And if you are going there, you know where to stay—The Hosteller Lonavla. 

Karla caves, Lonavla

93. Visit Anjarle, a lesser-known Konkan village – Relax by the sea and explore Suvarnadurg fort.

94. Explore the Panhala fort and know how Shivaji Maharaj escaped from there.

95. Catch the sunset from Revdanda fort near Alibaug 

96. Harihar fort- One of the most challenging treks known for its steep, rock-cut steps and incredible views from the top.

97. Take another bike ride to Tamhini ghat - For waterfalls, dense forests, and breathtaking views

98. Trek to Lohagadh - Just 36 minutes away from The Hosteller Lonavla

Lohagad fort, Pune

99. Catch sunrise from highest peak of Maharashtra- Kalsubai

100. Chiplun- You can take a small break from city hustle and bustle and relax in nature here.

101. Take a trip to Wai– known for its temples, dams, and forts.

That's all about places to visit near Mumbai. If you are too tired to leave the city, here’s a blog that might help. “101 things to do in Mumbai.” And don’t forget to check out The Hosteller for fun and affordable accommodations across India!