If you are a traveller who stays in Mumbai, and yet, don’t feel lucky enough to be a resident of that city, think again. I am not saying this because Mumbai is the commercial capital of the country or because it has enough prominence in the global stage as a city. I am saying this purely from the standpoint of a traveller, who likes to grab most of his weekends and simply drive down to beautiful destinations nearby. So, when it comes to destinations where a Mumbaikar can escape to over any weekend, the options are in plenty. And the best part is, no matter how much you have explored as a traveller, it will never be enough to have seen all the places there are. That said, there are a host of offbeat destinations located in easy driving distances from Mumbai which are simply waiting to be explored. If you are wondering which are those, here’s a list of some of the most lesser-known weekend getaways from Mumbai.
Murud
Photo: Somen Roy
A coastal village situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, something that makes Murud a prominent place is the fact that a huge chunk of Alphonso mangoes come from this place. However, if that’s not something that you are looking for as a traveller, remember that its natural beauty and soothing weather can make you wile away your time in leisure before you even realise it. When you head out for a walk in this place, pay a visit to the 15th-century-fortress, Murud-Janjira, which happens to be one of the most beautiful sea forts in the country. Apart from that dose of heritage, the destination is home to picturesque and quiet sun-kissed beaches, fresh seafood and small outlets serving delectable food from the Konkani cuisine.
Distance from Mumbai: 155 km
Vaitarna
Photo: Somen Roy
If vineyards are the only reason why you have been wanting to visit Nashik, then we are here to suggest you that Vaitarna is yet another good reason why you can visit the region. Named after the Vaitarna Lake, it is a place which offers you a perfect experience of the Sahyadri ecosystem. While there are the charms of the Western Ghats on one hand, the beauty of the Vaitarna Lake itself is good enough can make time come to a picture-perfect standstill. Go for a nature walk or sit down by the lake or simply sit by the lake and read a book and let the cool breeze soothe your senses, Vaitarna can prove to be the perfect escape from the daily grind of urban life.
Distance from Mumbai: 142 km
Wai
Photo: Anant Srivastava
On that odd weekend when Mahabaleshwar might look like a destination which is too far away, head to the quaint town of Wai instead. Located just 35 km north of Satara, Wai is a place which is home to a perfect combination of heritage and nature. Although the place is famous for being home to more than 100 age-old temples, Wai also lies in the midst of the Western Ghats that surround the destination like good old guardians. Whichever direction a traveller looks at, there’s an abundance of greens. While exploring the verdant charms of this destination, travellers can also pay a visit to several interesting spots here, including the Kamalgad Fort, the Pandavgad Fort, the Dhom Dham, and Panchgani among other places.
Distance from Mumbai: 230 km
