Seven Happening Places to Visit in Pune in 2023

1. Parvati Hill

This is an age-old temple, which is not only beautiful but also very well maintained. Additionally, you can also spiritually connect with your inner self in a quiet place.

Spend some important-demanded time relaxing with your near and dear ones at the top of Parvati Hill. Enjoy the stunning view of Pune City that will leave you mesmerized and refreshed.

People who love to exercise go for an early morning jog to the top of the hill. You can also go trekking here when there is less crowd. This spot is best for energizing your system early in the morning.

Parvati Hill offers stunning images of the megacity from above. Hence budding and experienced photographers can click some great and memorable pictures from the top of the hill.

The nearest field to Parvati Hill is the Pune International Airport, located roughly 16.8 kilometers down, to reach Parvati Hill from the field.

You need to reach the Swargate bus stand by your own vehicle or by regular bus and taxi service from the airport. Public transport will usually drop you at the bus station, after which you can take an auto-rickshaw to reach the hill.

Now it is easy to get a car rental in Pune with RenTrip Car Rentals.

Parvati Hills in Pune experiences pleasant weather throughout the year with stunning views of the city.

2. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park

This park is also known as Katraj Snake Park. Park is one of the popular zoos in India. It is located in Katra, a few kilometers from Pune. Hence, it is a favourite among the locals and others who come to visit Pune.

The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park is divided into three sections, the zoo, a lake, and a snake demesne. It also houses a wildlife Research Centre, which serves as an animal orphanage, rescue centre, and care centre.

You can visit all these parts and see the care of animals in a protective environment. Among the colourful creatures at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and wildlife exploration centre are leopards, blackbucks, and mammoths. Then you will find different species of snakes and other reptiles at the snake park.

There is also a small library in this Pune Zoo Snake Park, where you can get more information about snakes.

The zoo also organizes colourful beast weal conditioning, environmental mindfulness programs, and guided tours. And it is a must for nature lovers, experience seekers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park has more than 300 animals living in their natural ecosystem.

The zoo is famous for its large collection of snakes and reptiles. The enclosure displays venomous snakes, light wipers, pythons, and others. Here you can also see the 13 feet long king cobra and also get information about those snakes.

It is best to approach the Pune Zoo area on foot. You can also hire a guide to show you the animals around. But for those who find walking difficult, there are battery-operated vehicles available in this zoo park.

The zoo timings are from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. It is open all week except Wednesday. Tickets for the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park cost Rs 40 for adults and Rupees 10 for children. And for foreigners, the entry ticket cost 100 rupees.

If you take your camera, you will need to pay rupees 50 for photography and Rs 200 for videography. And battery-operated vehicles are available for rupees 40 for adults and Rs 25 for children. You can also hire a companion for 50 rupees to show you each part present which is worth seeing at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park.

The park is at Katraj on the Pune Satara Highway, about seven kilometers from Pune. It is well connected by roads and is easily accessible from all parts of the city. The distance of the park from Pune Station is about 10 km.

And the zoo is about 5 kms from the Pune Swargate bus stop. The distance from the airport is about 18 kilometers. And here are the different ways to reach Rajiv Gandhi zoological park in Pune.

By bus – There are public buses available from Pune to Katraj Zoo. The Katraj bus stop is only one km away from the zoo. 

By cab – Top car rentals in Pune booking full-day cabs from companies is a more convenient way to visit parks and other popular sightseeing places in Pune.

3. Pataleshwar Caves

The Pataleshwar Caves are also known as the Panchaleshwar Temple or Bhamburade Pandava Cave Temple. It is an 8th-century rock-cut Hindu temple of the RashtraKuta, located in Pune, Maharashtra, India.

This is dedicated to Shiva. It was a remarkable, monolithic excavation with a remarkable, indirect Nandi Mandapa and a large pillared mandapa. It is a tabernacle of three gemstone-cut delve sanctums, firstly devoted to Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu but presently devoted to Parvati, Shiva and Ganesha. A garden now surrounds the site, and new idols are placed elsewhere in the complex.

The Pataleshwar Temple is a protected monument of India and is managed by the archaeological survey of India.

The Pataleshwar Caves are in the northern part of Pune on a Rocky Hill just west of the confluence of the Mula and Mutha Rivers. The site is recommended for temples in historical Sanskrit texts on temple architecture.

4. Shaniwarwada

Shaniwarwada is a palace in Pune in the state of Maharashtra that was built by a Peshwa or minister. At the time when this fort was built, it used to be about a 7-story building. But many times, due to mysterious fire in this fort, most of its main parts were burnt, as a result of which the remains of this fort are a ruin at present, as can be seen even today.

Mainly five doors have been built to go to Shaniwar Wada Fort, namely Delhi Darwaza, Mastani Darwaza, Khidki Darwaza, Ganesh Darwaza, or Ali Bahadur Darwaza, and Jambhul Darwaza, or Narayan Darwaza. The main gate of Shanivar Wada is known as Delhi Darwaza. This Delhi gate is very big and wide. A small door is also seen in this Delhi gate.

You can visit Shaniwar Wada any time of the year according to your convenience. But people avoid going here during the rainy season.

The nearest airport to Shaniwar Wada is located in Pune; after reaching Pune, take a flight to Pune Airport. You can easily visit this Shaniwar Wada fort with the help of local transport available from Pune. The distance of this from Pune Airport is about 11 km.

The nearest railway station to Shaniwar Wada is Pune Junction, which is situated at a distance of about four kilometers from this fort. This way, after reaching Pune Junction, by taking a train from here, you can easily visit this fort with the help of local transport running from Pune Junction.

This fort is located in Pune. You can easily visit it by road from here. Pune is quite well connected for different reasons by road.

5. Aga Khan Palace

Aga Khan Palace is an important tourist and historical site located in Pune, Maharashtra state, which was constructed in 1892 to help the poor in the neighbouring regions hit by famine. Let us tell you that this palace is one of the most important places in Indian history, as it has played an important role in many decisive moments of Indian Independence.

This was the place where Mahatma Gandhi and his women, Kasturba Gandhi, as well as Sarojini Naidu and Mahadev Desai, were locked. It is also the place where Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai died.

If you are planning to visit Aga Khan Palace, then you can come during these events organized by the Gandhi Memorial Society to make your visit more special. The most important of these is Martyrs Day, which is celebrated on 30 January.

Independence Day, which is celebrated on 15 August, Republic Day on 26 January and on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Apart from annual events, every day is organized with morning prayers at the Samadhi. Huge crowds turn up for these prayer sessions, which increase tenfold during the annual events.

Timing in morning 9:00 AM to evening 5:30 PM

6. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

Raja dinkar kelkar Museum is in Pune, Maharashtra. This Dinkar Kelkar, 1896 to 1990, is dedicated to the memory of his only son, Raja.

The three-story building houses various sculptures from the 14th century. Ornaments made of ivory, silver, and gold, musical instrument. There are also weapons and utensils of war. 

This museum is located on Bajirao Road, Shukavar Peth. It is one of the excellent museums in Maharashtra, which reflects the tradition and culture of India. This museum has a vast collection of objects from all parts of India, including architectural pieces, sculptures, Paintings, and innumerable small objects of everyday life, such as ivory and wooden combs, pots, lamps, pen ink stands, Kumkum boxes, and evergreen decorative ornaments.

Timings in the morning, 9:00 AM to evening, 6:00 PM. Open on all days except govt holidays.

Entry fees – Rupees 15 for Indian visitors and Rupees 100 for foreign visitors.

7. Sinhagad fort

Sinhagad means lion’s fort. This is a fort located on a hilltop in the Pune District of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is about 30 km from Pune. The fort was earlier also known as Kondhana.

This fort is situated at an altitude of about 4400 feet above sea level. Bhuleshwar’s Rangevar this fort is built on the East Branch of Sahyadri. The hilly part looks like two stairs, and the Manora is erected for Doordarshan because this attracts everyone from anywhere in Pune.

Sinhagad Fort is Thoptewadi, about 35 kilometers from the megacity of Pune; at the base of the court is Donaje Village, from where the journey begins. You can also get a local guide here to help you learn the story of Sinhagad Fort as you explore the area.

There are things to be seen in Sinhagad Fort

1. Bhavya Pravesh Dwar
2. Tanaji Kada
3. Khandkada Machi
4. Kalavantin Burj
5. Junjar Burj
6. Daru Kothar
7. Windpoint 
8. Memorial of Tanaji Malusare
9. Memorial of Udaybhan Rathore
10. Tomb of Chhatrapati Raja Ram
11. Temple of Sinhagad Fort

The entry fees of Sinhagad Fort varies from time to time. It’s usually rupees 5 or rupees 10 per person. But during peak hours or season, you can expect to pay Rs 20.

Then, if you make it to the top of the fort, you will need to pay for your vehicle as well. The fee is rupees 20 per two-wheeler and rupees 50 per four-wheeler.