Weekend getaways from Mumbai

Twin hill stations off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, famous for chikki shops, monsoon waterfalls at Bhushi Dam and Tiger Point, and the 2,000-year-old Karla and Bhaja caves.

Best time: Year-round (lush June to September)

Mumbai's favourite beach escape, a short sail across the harbour: Kihim, Nagaon and Varsoli beaches, water sports, and the sea fort of Kolaba you can walk to at low tide. The RoRo car ferry runs year-round.

Best time: October to July

India's smallest hill station and fully vehicle-free: reach it by the Neral toy train, then wander red-earth trails between lookout points, Charlotte Lake and the bazaar on foot, horseback or hand-pulled rickshaw.

Best time: October to May

The strawberry capital of India: British-era viewpoints over the Sahyadris, boating on Venna Lake, Mapro Garden's strawberry cream, Panchgani's Table Land and the hill fort of Pratapgad.

Best time: October to June

The wine capital of India and an ancient holy city on the Godavari: taste at Sula and other vineyards, then wander Panchavati's riverside temples, Ram Kund and 2nd-century BCE Buddhist hilltop caves.

Best time: October to March

A monsoon-drenched hill town on the Mumbai-Agra highway with some of the Sahyadris' highest peaks, waterfall and fort treks, and quiet resorts for a slow weekend. At its greenest June to September.

Best time: June to September

Maharashtra's cultural capital: Shaniwar Wada and Aga Khan Palace, museums, misal and Irani cafes, and buzzing eat streets around Fergusson College Road and Koregaon Park. Shivneri buses leave every 15 minutes.

Best time: Year-round

White-sand Kashid beach plus the unconquered island fort of Murud-Janjira, reached by sailboat from Rajapuri jetty. Add the Phansad bird sanctuary for a quieter Konkan weekend than Alibaug.

Best time: October to March

A quiet lake district under Maharashtra's highest peaks: camping on Arthur Lake's shore, Randha Falls in spate during the rains, firefly season before the monsoon and clear stargazing skies in winter.

Best time: Year-round (falls June to September)

The closest green escape on the Ulhas river, an hour's local train away: riverside resorts and farmstays, ancient rock-cut cave temples, waterfall treks in the monsoon and easy fort hikes nearby.

Best time: June to February