This is Part 10 of Incredible India, our state-by-state travel series. Start from Part 1: Ladakh or read the previous part, Part 9: Gujarat.
Maharashtra is a state of contrasts: the fast-paced megacity of Mumbai, the 2,000-year-old rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora, mist-covered Western Ghats, vineyards in Nashik, and a long, unspoilt Konkan coastline dotted with sea forts.
Best time to visit
October to February is best for sightseeing and beaches. The monsoon (June-September) transforms the Western Ghats into a green paradise of waterfalls, making it the best time for Lonavala, Malshej Ghat and Bhandardara, though coastal seas are rough. Ganesh Chaturthi (August-September) is the state's biggest festival.
Top places to see
- Mumbai: the Gateway of India, Colaba, Marine Drive, the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensembles, Elephanta Caves, Bandra and street food.
- Ajanta and Ellora: Buddhist murals and the monolithic Kailasa temple near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). See our Ajanta and Ellora guide.
- Lonavala and Khandala: monsoon getaways near Mumbai and Pune, with forts like Lohagad.
- Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani: strawberry farms and viewpoints.
- Konkan coast: Alibaug, Murud-Janjira sea fort, Ganpatipule, Tarkarli and Sindhudurg fort.
- Pune: Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace and a lively café culture.
- Nashik: vineyards, wine tasting and the Trimbakeshwar temple.
- Shivaji's forts: Raigad, Pratapgad, Shivneri and the sea fort of Sindhudurg, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing of Maratha military landscapes.
Getting there and around
Mumbai is one of India's biggest international hubs; Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar also have airports. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Konkan Railway make travel easy. In Mumbai, use local trains outside rush hour, the metro and app cabs.
Sample itineraries
- Mumbai (3 days): south Mumbai heritage, Elephanta and Bandra.
- Caves (3 days): Ajanta, Ellora and Daulatabad Fort.
- Konkan road trip (5 days): Alibaug, Murud, Ganpatipule and Tarkarli.
Practical tips
- Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays.
- Check weather alerts before monsoon treks; some trails close in heavy rain.
What to eat
Vada pav, pav bhaji, misal, Malvani seafood and puran poli. Try our misal pav recipe.
Next in Incredible India: Karnataka.
