Discover Pune: Parks, Culture and History

Pune can be explored from several perspectives: parks and sweeping views sit alongside collections, rock-cut architecture and places that commemorate the city’s history. When planning, consider which of these aspects interests you most. This will help you focus your search for a holiday rental on the places and experiences that will shape your trip.

Parks, River and Views

Vetal Hill (Vetal Tekdi) is one of Pune’s highest points and offers expansive views of the surroundings and the cityscape. This makes a pleasing contrast with the city’s collections and historic sites: here, the focus is on the landscape. If you would like to experience Pune from its heights, make the view a focus of your plans.

Bund Garden is a picnic spot on the Mula River. It combines a green setting with a riverside location. Migratory birds are observed there in winter. This seasonal activity differs from a visit focused mainly on the view from Vetal Hill or the exhibitions in a museum.

Boat rides are available at Peshve Park. The park also has the “Phulrani” miniature railway, which is especially appealing to children. Before visiting, check locally whether the boat rides and train are currently operating. Peshve Park is next to Sarasbaug, so you can keep both names in mind when exploring Pune’s parks.

Museums, Rock-Cut Architecture and Places of Remembrance

The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum displays sculptures, paintings, textiles, musical instruments and musical horns from Maharashtra’s artistic and cultural traditions. Its collection also includes objects that reflect everyday life in India in a bygone era. The different types of objects offer several ways to explore the collection: you may be interested in art and design, or focus on what everyday objects reveal about past ways of life.

The Pataleshwar Cave Temple offers a different architectural perspective. The rock-cut temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and is an example of rock-cut architecture. At Lal Mahal, historical remembrance and visual representation come together: the reconstructed building serves as a memorial and displays large oil paintings depicting defining moments in Shivaji Maharaj’s life. It is known as Shivaji Maharaj’s childhood residence.

Shaniwar Wada is another of Pune’s historic sites. Bajirao I had the 13-storey Peshwa palace built in 1736. Along with Lal Mahal and the museum, it offers a different focus for a trip than the parks and viewpoints: rather than riverside settings and city views, history, architecture and remembrance may better suit your interests. Bustling markets are another part of Pune’s cityscape.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

The places mentioned appeal to different interests. Those who enjoy the outdoors can explore Bund Garden’s riverside setting, the views from Vetal Hill and the attractions at Peshve Park. Those more interested in culture and history will find a range of themes and architectural styles at the museum, Pataleshwar Cave Temple, Lal Mahal and Shaniwar Wada. This is a useful guide to choosing a holiday rental location that suits the places you would like to visit.

Discover more destinations: Daund, Dive, Bhimashankar, Dahivali, Khanota, Kalamb, Karandoli, Jadhavwadi.

Back to the main travel overview: Pune.