Cabs
Pune sightseeing by cab

Places to visit in Pune in 2 days, in order

Day one is the city: Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal, Kasba and Dagdusheth Ganpati, the Kelkar Museum, the Pataleshwar cave temple, Aga Khan Palace and Osho Teerth Park, about 25 km and back by about 16:50. Day two leaves at 08:00 for Sinhagad Fort, then Khadakwasla Dam, Saras Baug and Parvati Hill, about 69 km. Do the Sinhagad day on a weekday if you can.

12 places94 km by cabtimed against opening hours
How long do you have?
Day 1

Shaniwar Wada, the old city and Aga Khan Palace

Shaniwar Wada at about 08:40, then Lal Mahal and Kasba Ganpati on foot, Dagdusheth Ganpati at about 10:35 and the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum from about 11:05, and lunch in the old city. After lunch, the Pataleshwar cave temple at about 13:40, Aga Khan Palace at about 14:30 and Osho Teerth Park at about 15:55, after it opens again at 15:00. About 25 km by cab, back by about 16:50. Works on any day.

08:30 to 16:498 places25 km by cab
  1. 1Shaniwar Wada
  2. 2Lal Mahal
  3. 3Kasba Ganpati
  4. 4Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati
  5. 5Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
  6. Lunch
  7. 6Pataleshwar Cave Temple
  8. 7Aga Khan Palace
  9. 8Osho Teerth Park
  10. Back
  1. Leave central Pune
  2. 1

    Shaniwar Wada

    1 h here
    Shaniwar Wada
    Photo: Aakash.gautam, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The fort palace of the Peshwas, who ruled the Maratha empire from Pune. Bajirao I built it in 1732. A fire in 1828 burnt the palace inside, so what you see is the tall stone and brick wall, five gateways with iron spikes against elephants, and the plinths and fountains of the old halls in a large garden.

    Forts, palaces & wadasAbout 08:00 to 18:30 every day. Indians about ₹5, foreigners about ₹125. The sound and light show is in the evening (Marathi about 19:15, English about 20:15), with its own ticket at the gate

    Tip: The main gate, Delhi Darwaja, faces north, by the car park. Lal Mahal and Kasba Ganpati are a few minutes away on foot, so see all three before your cab moves on. The evening sound and light show is in Marathi and English.

  3. 2

    Lal Mahal

    30 min here
    Lal Mahal
    Photo: ईशानी, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A red brick rebuild of the house where Shivaji grew up with his mother Jijabai in the 1630s. The first Lal Mahal was lost long ago; the Pune city council built this one in 1988. Inside are paintings of Shivaji's life, and a statue of Jijabai with the young Shivaji ploughing the field with a gold plough.

    Forts, palaces & wadasListings disagree: 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, or 09:30 to 18:00. Plan a morning visit before 13:00. Small fee or free?

    Tip: A small visit, about 20 to 30 minutes. It is about 200 m south of the Shaniwar Wada car park.

  4. 3

    Kasba Ganpati

    20 min here
    Kasba Ganpati
    Photo: Gayathri menon, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The oldest Ganpati temple in Pune and the city's guardian deity. Jijabai had it built in the 1630s, when the family moved to Lal Mahal. The idol is a small one covered in orange sindoor. In the Ganesh festival, Kasba Ganpati leads the procession as the first of Pune's five honoured Ganpatis.

    TemplesAbout 06:00 to 21:00 every day. Free

    Tip: A short stop, a few minutes' walk east of Lal Mahal through the lanes of Kasba Peth.

  5. 4

    Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati

    30 min here
    Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati
    Photo: Meghavbafana, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Pune's best known Ganpati temple, on Shivaji Road in Budhwar Peth. A sweet maker, Dagdusheth Halwai, set up the first idol in the 1890s after losing his son to plague. The 2.2 m idol is covered in gold, and you can see it from the road through the open front of the temple.

    TemplesOpen 05:00 to 22:30 every day, to 23:00 on Tuesdays. Free. Queues are longest on Tuesdays and Sankashti Chaturthi

    Tip: The road outside is busy, so the cab drops and waits nearby. You can see the idol from the road without joining the queue.

  6. 5

    Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

    1 h 30 min here
    Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
    Photo: DesiBoy101, CC BY 4.0

    One man's collection of everyday things from old India: about 20,000 objects gathered by Dinkar Kelkar from the 1920s on. Look for the brass lamps, the carved doors, the betel nut cutters in the shape of animals, musical instruments, and a rebuilt Peshwa-era room, the Mastani Mahal.

    MuseumsOpen 10:00 to 17:30 every day except 26 January, 15 August and Anant Chaturdashi

    Tip: Give it at least an hour and a half; there are three floors. It is in Shukrawar Peth, about 1 km south of Dagdusheth by road.

  7. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  8. 6

    Pataleshwar Cave Temple

    30 min here
    Pataleshwar Cave Temple
    Photo: Khoj Badami, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A rock-cut cave temple to Shiva, carved out of one block of basalt in about the 8th century, right on Jangli Maharaj Road. In front of the cave is a round Nandi pavilion cut from the same rock. It is in a small garden, a quiet corner in a busy part of town.

    Forts, palaces & wadasAbout 08:00 or 08:30 to 17:30 every day. Free

    Tip: Take off your shoes at the entrance. The temple is still in use, so keep quiet near the shrine.

  9. 7

    Aga Khan Palace

    1 h 15 min here
    Aga Khan Palace
    Photo: Aakash.gautam, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A palace with long arched verandas, built in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III. In 1942 the British held Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba and his secretary Mahadev Desai prisoner here. Kasturba and Mahadev Desai died here, and their memorials are in the garden. The rooms show photos and Gandhi's things.

    Forts, palaces & wadasOpen 09:00 to 17:30 every day, last tickets at 17:00. Indians about ₹25, foreigners ₹300, under 15 free

    Tip: Some of Gandhi's ashes are kept in the memorial garden. It is in Kalyani Nagar, about 10 km east of the old city.

  10. 8

    Osho Teerth Park

    45 min here
    Osho Teerth Park
    Photo: Preity.133, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A quiet park in Koregaon Park, made from a dirty stream by the Osho resort next door. Bamboo groves, small bridges, a stream and paths under tall trees. People come to walk slowly or sit, and it is free.

    Parks, lakes & the zooOpen twice a day: 06:00 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 18:00. Free

    Tip: Talking loudly and phones are frowned on: it is a park for quiet. It is open only in the morning and late afternoon.

  11. Back at central Pune
Day 2

Sinhagad Fort, Khadakwasla and Parvati

Leave at 08:00 for Sinhagad Fort. The map gives about an hour, but the last part is a ghat road, so plan on 1 to 1.5 hours. About 2.5 hours on top, then Khadakwasla Dam at about 11:55 and lunch. Saras Baug at about 13:55 and the steps up Parvati Hill at about 14:45. About 69 km by cab, back by about 16:10 on the map, later if the ghat road is busy. Works on any day, but go on a weekday if you can: the Sinhagad road jams on weekend mornings.

08:00 to 16:114 places69 km by cab
  1. 1Sinhagad Fort
  2. 2Khadakwasla Dam
  3. Lunch
  4. 3Saras Baug
  5. 4Parvati Hill
  6. Back
  1. Leave central Pune
  2. 1

    Sinhagad Fort

    2 h 30 min here
    Sinhagad Fort
    Photo: SasmitV, CC BY 3.0

    A hill fort about 35 km south-west of Pune, 1,300 m up on the Sahyadri hills. In 1670 Tanaji Malusare, Shivaji's general, climbed its cliffs at night and took it back from the Mughals, and died in the fight. On top are the Kalyan and Pune gates, Tanaji's memorial, Rajaram's tomb, old water tanks and views over Khadakwasla lake.

    Hill fortsAbout 05:00 or 06:00 to 18:00. Cars drive up to the paid car park near the top. Weekends and holidays bring long jams on the ghat road (a 3 km queue one weekend in July 2026), and the Forest Department plans to cap weekend entry

    Tip: The ghat road ends at a car park near the Pune gate; from there it is about a 15 minute walk up. Stalls at the top sell pithla bhakri, kanda bhaji and curd. The fort road is very busy on weekend mornings.

  3. 2

    Khadakwasla Dam

    30 min here
    Khadakwasla Dam
    Photo: Advaitk at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The dam on the Mutha river that holds the lake Pune drinks from, built in 1879. The road runs along the top of the bank, with views over the water to the hills. Stalls sell roasted corn and bhutta, especially in the monsoon.

    Parks, lakes & the zooOpen air, in daylight. Free. Cars park along the road?

    Tip: Swimming in the lake is banned and dangerous. Stop at the roadside viewpoints; parking on the dam road is tight on weekends.

  4. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  5. 3

    Saras Baug

    45 min here
    Saras Baug
    Photo: Shankyrosh, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A park built round an old lake at the foot of Parvati. On the island is the Talyatla Ganpati, a small temple from the 1780s, the Peshwa Ganpati in the lake. The rest is lawns, paths and food stalls along the road outside.

    Parks, lakes & the zooThe garden is open about 06:00 or 09:30 to 21:00. Free

    Tip: The Ganpati is reached by a short causeway. The stalls outside sell bhel and pani puri in the evening.

  6. 4

    Parvati Hill

    1 h 15 min here
    Parvati Hill
    Photo: Siddhesh Nampurkar, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A hill in the middle of Pune with Peshwa-era temples on top: the Parvati temple from 1749, and temples to Vishnu, Kartikeya and Ganpati. You climb about 103 wide stone steps. The top has one of the best views of the city, and a small Peshwa museum.

    TemplesAbout 05:00 to 20:00 every day. Free. About 103 steps to the top; no cars up the hill

    Tip: The steps are broad but steep; allow 15 to 20 minutes up. The cab drops at the foot of the steps on the east side.

  7. Back at central Pune

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. Pune traffic is heavy, worst from about 09:00 to 11:00 and 17:30 to 20:30 on weekdays, so allow extra time. The old city lanes are narrow: the cab drops at the Shaniwar Wada car park, and Lal Mahal and Kasba Ganpati are on foot from there. The Sinhagad ghat road and the Mumbai expressway to Lonavala are slow on weekend and holiday mornings. In heavy monsoon rain the district can close forts, caves, dams and viewpoints at short notice. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for these 2 days

Call or message a local Pune operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.

2 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

We are still listing Pune operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
Shaniwar WadaAbout 08:00 to 18:30 every day. Indians about ₹5, foreigners about ₹125. The sound and light show is in the evening (Marathi about 19:15, English about 20:15), with its own ticket at the gateMorning, at the 08:00 opening, before the heat and the school groups.1 h
Lal MahalListings disagree: 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, or 09:30 to 18:00. Plan a morning visit before 13:00. Small fee or free?Morning, on the walk from Shaniwar Wada.30 min
Kasba GanpatiAbout 06:00 to 21:00 every day. FreeMorning, on the walk from Lal Mahal.20 min
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati05:00 to 22:30 every day, to 23:00 on Tuesdays. Free. Queues are longest on Tuesdays and Sankashti ChaturthiMorning on a weekday. Tuesdays and the Ganesh festival bring long queues.30 min
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum10:00 to 17:30 every day except 26 January, 15 August and Anant ChaturdashiLate morning, after the temples.1 h 30 min
Pataleshwar Cave TempleAbout 08:00 or 08:30 to 17:30 every day. FreeAny time; it is cool inside the cave even at midday.30 min
Aga Khan Palace09:00 to 17:30 every day, last tickets at 17:00. Indians about ₹25, foreigners ₹300, under 15 freeMorning or late afternoon, when the lawns are cooler.1 h 15 min
Osho Teerth ParkOpen twice a day: 06:00 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 18:00. FreeLate afternoon, when it opens again after the midday break.45 min
Sinhagad FortAbout 05:00 or 06:00 to 18:00. Cars drive up to the paid car park near the top. Weekends and holidays bring long jams on the ghat road (a 3 km queue one weekend in July 2026), and the Forest Department plans to cap weekend entryEarly morning, before the heat and the weekend traffic. Very misty and slippery in the monsoon.2 h 30 min
Khadakwasla DamOpen air, in daylight. Free. Cars park along the road?Late morning on the drive back from Sinhagad, or at sunset.30 min
Saras BaugThe garden is open about 06:00 or 09:30 to 21:00. FreeLate afternoon, when the park fills with families.45 min
Parvati HillAbout 05:00 to 20:00 every day. Free. About 103 steps to the top; no cars up the hillLate afternoon, for the sunset over the city.1 h 15 min

More or less time in Pune?

Questions people ask

Is 2 days enough for Pune?

Yes, for the city and Sinhagad. Add a third day for the Karla and Bhaja caves and Tiger Point near Lonavala.

Does it matter which day I do first?

No. Every stop on both days is open every day of the week. Put the Sinhagad day on a weekday if you can, because the ghat road jams on weekend and holiday mornings.

How long is the drive to Sinhagad?

About 33 km from central Pune. The map gives about an hour, but the last part is a narrow ghat road, so plan on 1 to 1.5 hours, and much longer on a weekend morning. Cabs drive up to the car park near the top; from there it is about a 15 minute walk.

What is there to eat on Sinhagad?

Stalls at the top sell pithla bhakri (gram flour curry with millet bread), kanda bhaji, curd in clay pots and lemon sherbet. Many people have a late breakfast there and lunch after Khadakwasla.