West of the Sahyadris and north of Mumbai, Dahanu is a mellow pocket of Maharashtra where time still keeps village pace. The town fronts a long, wind-brushed beach, while its hinterland shelters chikoo (sapota) orchards, Warli tribal hamlets, and little-known hill temples and caves.

Dahanu’s story braids Portuguese-era coastal forts, Zoroastrian Parsi migration, and the timeless art of the Warli people—whose chalk-on-ochre paintings of circles and triangles have inspired modern designers worldwide. Nearby Bordi and Gholvad are famed for their orchards and unhurried beaches, while Udvada (across the state line in Gujarat) is a pilgrimage town for the Irani–Parsi community.

Expect seafood thalis, Parsi classics like dhansak and patrani macchi, and beachside bhajiyas with cutting chai. Summers are hot, the monsoon (June–September) is lush but rainy, and winter (October–February) is ideal. Dress modestly in villages and religious areas, carry cash for rural stops, and plan tides for beach walks.

Dahanu

Why go: Peaceful Arabian Sea sunsets, long walks on Dahanu and Bordi beaches, orchard country, and authentic cultural encounters—without big-city bustle.

• Top sights: Dahanu Beach promenade, Dahanu Fort (Portuguese-era), Bordi–Gholvad orchards and beach, Bahrot Caves trek, Warli art workshops in nearby villages, Udvada heritage lane.
• Food to try: Pomfret fry, prawn koliwada, Parsi dhansak and salli boti, pani puri on the promenade, and chikoo ice cream, milkshakes, and halwa.
• Fun fact: Gholvad’s microclimate yields some of India’s best chikoos; Warli art here is among the subcontinent’s oldest living art traditions.

Where to stay: Look for beachside resorts in Bordi–Gholvad for a quieter stay, or near Dahanu Road for rail convenience. Browse stays on VRBO (Dahanu) and Hotels.com (Dahanu).

Getting there: Fly into Mumbai (BOM) or Surat (STV). Compare airfare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. From Mumbai, Dahanu Road station is ~2.5–3.5 hours by Western Railway trains; driving via NH48 takes ~3–4 hours depending on traffic. For intercity rail planning in India, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Settle In, and Seaside Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive via Mumbai or Surat and transfer to your hotel in Dahanu or Bordi–Gholvad. Drop bags, hydrate, and set up a local eSIM so maps and payments work even off Wi‑Fi. A handy option is the India Data eSIM (0.5GB daily to 20GB) for instant connectivity.

Evening: Stroll Dahanu Beach promenade for your first Arabian Sea sunset. Snack on bhajiyas and sweet–salty corn from beach carts. For dinner, drive a few minutes inland to Ahura Restaurant (on NH48) for Parsi staples like salli boti, dhansak, and caramel custard, or go seafood-forward with tawa pomfret and prawn curry.

Day 2: Dahanu Town, Fort, and Beach Day

Morning: Light breakfast near Dahanu Road station—vada pav or misal from a local stall—and masala chai. Visit Dahanu Fort, a small Portuguese-era coastal fort still used by local administration; the ramparts offer a sense of the old maritime watchline. Continue to the fish market to see the morning’s catch (pomfret, bombil, prawns).

Afternoon: Beach time. Walk the flat sands of Dahanu Beach; at low tide the strand feels endless. For lunch, try a homestyle veg thali at a local canteen or a fish thali (pomfret or surmai) at a casual coastal eatery near the promenade. Mid-afternoon, browse a roadside fruit stall for fresh chikoos.

Evening: Golden-hour photos under the casuarina trees. Dinner idea: Parsi Da Dhaba (Charoti, off NH48)—popular for patrani macchi, mutton cutlets, and raspberry soda—on the drive back to your hotel.

Day 3: Bordi & Gholvad – Orchards and Slow Beaches

Morning: Head 20–30 minutes north to Bordi Beach, quieter than Dahanu and great for sunrise walks. Sign up with your resort or a local farmer for an orchard visit (seasonal; typically Oct–Mar) to see chikoo groves and taste fresh fruit and jaggery-based sweets.

Afternoon: Continue to Gholvad Beach for a picnic under the palms. Many resorts here serve hearty multicuisine lunches; if you’re staying at Treat Beach Resort Gholvad, try their in-house menu—ask for any chikoo specials (milkshake, ice cream, or payasam).

Evening: Return to Bordi for a coffee or nimbu soda from a beach kiosk. Dinner back near Dahanu or at your resort; for seafood lovers, look for tawa surmai, kolambi (prawn) fry, and solkadhi to cool things down.

Day 4: Warli Art and Bahrot Caves

Morning: Drive inland to a Warli village (ask locally about Ganjad/Ganjad–Jawhar belt; ~60–90 minutes depending on road conditions). Arrange a Warli painting workshop with a local artist—learn the meaning of circles, triangles, and spirals that depict village life, harvests, and celebrations.

Afternoon: Continue to the Bahrot Caves area (near Bordi; allow ~45–60 minutes for the final approach and hike). These hill caves are associated with Parsi history and offer views across orchard country toward the coast. Carry water, wear grippy shoes, and avoid in heavy rain.

Evening: Early dinner on NH48—return to Ahura for a different set of dishes (try kheema pav or mutton pulao), or choose a simple vegetarian thali at a highway dhaba. Wind down with kulfi or chikoo ice cream.

Day 5: Optional Bucket-List Day Trip – Taj Mahal from Mumbai (Long Day)

Make this your once-in-a-trip splurge: an early transfer from Dahanu to Mumbai (depart ~1:30–2:00 AM; ~3 hours by car) to connect with a same-day Taj Mahal & Agra flight tour. It’s a marathon day, but everything’s arranged: flights, transfers, guide, and monument tickets.

Recommended experience: 1-Day Trip to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both side Commercial Flights (pickup options include Mumbai). You’ll visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and a local market, then fly back in the evening; return to Dahanu late night or overnight in Mumbai if you prefer a gentler pace.

Note: If you’d rather keep it local, swap Day 5 for more coastal downtime or a Palghar–Kelwa Beach loop (check tides and road conditions).

Day 6: Silvassa (Dadra & Nagar Haveli) – Green Break and Gardens

Morning: Drive ~1.5–2 hours to Silvassa. Start at the Tribal Cultural Museum to understand regional crafts, masks, tools, and textiles. Stroll Hirwa Van Garden for landscaped lawns and cascades—pleasant in winter mornings.

Afternoon: Lunch at a reliable hotel restaurant in Silvassa (for example, the multicuisine dining room at Treat Resort Silvassa). Later, continue to Dudhni Lake for a lakeside walk or paddle boating when operational; otherwise sip chai by the water and enjoy the hills.

Evening: Return to Dahanu for a relaxed dinner. Consider a simple home-style meal at your stay, or one last seafood thali near the promenade.

Day 7: Udvada’s Parsi Heritage and Departure

Morning: Check out and drive ~45–60 minutes to Udvada, the spiritual heart of the Parsi community. Non-Parsis cannot enter the Iranshah Atash Behram, but the heritage lanes, low-slung bungalows, and old Irani cafés are atmospheric. Drop into a local bakery for mawa cake or brun-maska.

Afternoon: Feast on a traditional Parsi meal at the long-running Globe Hotel (Udvada) dining room—think dhansak with brown rice, salli boti, and lagan-nu custard—then continue to Mumbai (3–4 hours) or Surat (2–3 hours) for your onward flight. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; if you’re connecting by rail, see Trip.com Trains.

Practical Tips

• Best time: October–March for dry, breezy weather; monsoon (June–Sept) is green but wet—carry rain gear and expect choppy seas.
• Transport: Auto-rickshaws work for short hops; for Warli villages and Bahrot Caves, hire a local car/driver for the day.
• Etiquette: Ask before photographing people or private orchards; remove shoes at shrines; dress modestly in villages and around temples.
• Safety: Swim only where locals do and avoid strong currents; carry cash for small eateries and stalls; keep insect repellent for dusk.

Across seven days, Dahanu rewards unhurried travelers with wide beaches, orchard picnics, and living traditions. It’s a coastal retreat that pairs gentle nature with deep culture—easy to reach from Mumbai, and even easier to sink into once you arrive.