Few Indian cities balance history and modern buzz like Pune. Once the seat of the Maratha Peshwas and now a university-and-tech hub, Pune layers 18th‑century forts, leafy bungalows, and café culture with a youthful energy. Its neighborhoods—Old City, Camp, Deccan, Koregaon Park, Baner—each tell a different chapter.

Expect grand gateways at Shaniwar Wada, the quiet grace of Aga Khan Palace, and panoramic views from Sinhagad Fort. Food is a storyline of its own: misal pav with a kick, buttery bun maska, wafer‑thin dosas, and desserts like mastani that blur the line between drink and ice cream. Monsoon (June–September) turns the Sahyadris emerald; winter (November–February) is crisp and ideal for walks.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples, carry small cash for local eateries and tolls, and start outdoor excursions early to avoid midday heat. Ride-hail and auto‑rickshaws are plentiful; traffic can be busy, so pad timing. Pune airport (PNQ) has frequent flights from Indian hubs; trains and expressways connect it smoothly to Mumbai.

Pune

Pune charms with contrasts: serene temples amid busy markets, heritage wadas beside third‑wave coffee, and fort treks at sunrise before brewery tastings by night. It’s an easy city to love in three days—and even easier to extend.

• Top sights: Shaniwar Wada, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pataleshwar Cave Temple, Aga Khan Palace, Sinhagad Fort.
• Great neighborhoods to wander: Old City (markets and temples), Camp & MG Road (colonial-era shops), Koregaon Park (cafés, boutiques, gardens), Baner & Aundh (modern dining).

Where to stay: Base yourself in Koregaon Park or Kalyani Nagar for leafy streets and dining, or near Deccan/FC Road for quick access to heritage sights. Browse options on VRBO Pune and Hotels.com Pune.

Getting in: Fly to PNQ via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Mumbai, the train to Pune takes ~2.5–3.5 hours (often $3–$10 in reserved classes)—search schedules on Trip.com Trains. By car via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, plan ~3–4 hours depending on traffic and ghats.

Day 1: Old City Gateways, Markets, and Maharashtrian Comforts

Morning: Travel day. Arrive and check in. If you’re early, stretch your legs in Koregaon Park’s Lane 5/6—tree‑lined streets with cafés and boutiques.

Afternoon: Dive straight into Pune’s historic core with a guided amble—perfect for first impressions and stories behind the stones. Consider the Pune: Old City Cultural Walking Tour with Local Snacks. You’ll see 7–8 highlights (often Shaniwar Wada, Tulshibaug market, and temples) and taste street favorites along the way.

Prefer a self-paced route? Start at Shaniwar Wada (allow ~60–90 minutes; entry ~₹25 for Indian nationals/~₹300 for foreign visitors), then walk to the ornate Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple (free; modest attire), ending amid brassware and textiles at Tulshibaug.

Evening: Eat like a local. For a classic veg thali, try Sukanta near Deccan for unlimited seasonal dishes served on gleaming plates. Or go spice-forward with Bedekar Misal (Old City), where crunchy farsan meets fiery tari—cool off with a glass of taak (spiced buttermilk). Dessert? Sujata Mastani for the namesake thick, ice‑creamy shake studded with nuts and fruit.

Optional nightcap: Explore Pune’s craft-beer scene. Effingut (Koregaon Park) rotates IPAs and hefeweizens; late‑evening vibe is lively but friendly. Ride-hails are easy post‑dinner; expect ₹150–₹300 across central neighborhoods.

Day 2: Sunrise at Sinhagad, Palace History, and Café-Hopping

Morning: Go early to beat the heat at Sinhagad Fort, a rugged Maratha stronghold with sweeping views of the Sahyadris. If you want a fuss‑free experience with transfers and a guide, book the Sinhagad Fort Trip (Guided Half Day Sightseeing Tour).

DIY notes: It’s a 45–90‑minute hike depending on route, or you can drive up (small toll/parking charges apply). Refuel at the top with rustic pitla‑bhakri, kanda bhaji, and matka taak at the shacks; the view makes everything taste better.

Afternoon: Return to town for history with heart at Aga Khan Palace (allow ~60–90 minutes; museum rooms on Gandhi’s life; entry generally ~₹25/₹300). Then wander Koregaon Park: leafy lanes, indie boutiques, and cafés. Lunch ideas: German Bakery (old‑school Pune icon; try the almond croissant or chicken puffs), The Flour Works (Kalyani Nagar; quiche, salads, fresh bakes), or Shizusan (Asian plates; dim sum and ramen) if you’re craving pan‑Asian.

Evening: Go progressive with dinner and drinks. Start at Malaka Spice (Bali‑to‑Bangkok flavors; order the raw papaya salad and tiger prawns), then cocktails at Cobbler & Crew (Kalyani Nagar; seasonally inspired Indian botanicals) or Elephant & Co. (Kalyani Nagar; lively courtyard). If you prefer quiet, stroll Osho Teerth Park before dusk for shady paths and birdsong.

Monsoon alternative (June–Sept): If lush ghats call you, trade the afternoon for waterfalls and mist on a scenic drive: Pune to Lonavala Monsoon Drive in Private Vehicle—expect green valleys, cloud-kissed viewpoints, and vada pav pit-stops.

Day 3: Temples, Crafts, and a Taste‑Trail Sendoff

Morning: Start with an iconic breakfast. Options: Vohuman Café (near Bund Garden; legendary cheese omelette, bun maska, and Irani chai), Vaishali (FC Road; butter paper dosa and filter coffee), or Café Goodluck (Deccan; mutton keema with pav if you like savory starts). Early risers can swing by Kayani Bakery for famous Shrewsbury biscuits—go before lines build.

Late Morning to Lunch: Celebrate Pune’s flavors on a guided graze: the Pune Food & Snack Tasting Walking Tour layers misal, sabudana khichdi, bhakarwadi, and kulfi with neighborhood backstories. It’s a delicious primer before you depart.

Would you rather see “everything” by car? Opt for a curated city overview like the Guided Highlights of Pune Car Tour with a local (4 Hrs) or the more expansive Full Day Private City tour of Pune to weave in Pataleshwar Caves, Kelkar Museum’s 20,000 artifacts, and market time.

Afternoon (Departure): Grab a quick lunch before the airport or station—try Marz‑O‑Rin (Camp; chicken roll, cold coffee), or Wadeshwar (FC Road; idli‑vada and neer dosa). For gifts, browse Laxmi Road for textiles and Chitale Bandhu for bhakarwadi and mithai (packed neatly for travel).

Logistics Cheat Sheet

• Airport (PNQ) to Koregaon Park/Kalyani Nagar: 20–35 minutes by cab (₹250–₹450).
• Old City transfers: Auto‑rickshaws are efficient for short hops (₹30–₹150); carry small change.
• Train to Mumbai (CST/Dadar): 2.5–3.5 hours; Shatabdi, Intercity, and Pragati are common choices—compare on Trip.com Trains.
• Flights nationwide: Frequent to Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad—search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com (typical fares $40–$110 one‑way on mainstream routes).

Where to Sleep Tonight

• Koregaon Park/Kalyani Nagar: Leafy lanes, cafés, quick airport run—browse VRBO Pune and Hotels.com Pune.
• Deccan/FC Road: Central for heritage and food crawls; lively streets and classic eateries.
• Baner/Aundh: Modern stays with new‑wave restaurants; good if you’ll visit IT parks or the northwest.

In three compact days, you’ve sampled Pune’s essence: fortress sunrises, temple bells, market chatter, and plates that speak Marathi, Parsi, South Indian, and cosmopolitan. It’s a city that rewards curiosity—and tempts you back for monsoon valleys, longer museum hours, and one more mastani.