7 Days in Maharashtra: A Stylish Mumbai & Pune Itinerary for Food, Forts, and Coastal Flair
Maharashtra has always sat at the crossroads of trade, empire, and ideas—home to Maratha valor, Victorian Gothic grandeur, and Bollywood dreams. In Mumbai, historic dockyards and chic galleries share space with seaside promenades and vada pav stalls. Pune, once the heart of the Maratha Confederacy, now thrives as a university city with a refined palate and a spirited café culture.
This 7-day itinerary focuses on Mumbai and Pune—two cities that tell Maharashtra’s story through forts and food, temples and street art, colonial landmarks and contemporary design. Expect UNESCO sites like Elephanta Caves, the domed splendor of CSMT, and Pune’s evocative Shaniwar Wada. Along the way, you’ll taste Irani bakery classics, Maharashtrian thalis, and inventive modern Indian plates.
Practical notes: Mumbai’s best months are November–March; monsoons (June–September) can be dramatic but damp. Many museums close on Mondays; Elephanta boats wind down by late afternoon. In Pune, plan early starts for hill forts when it’s cooler. Use ride-hailing or Metro in Mumbai, autos and cabs in Pune, and book trains in advance for weekends.
Mumbai
Mumbai is India’s cinematic heartbeat and historic port—think Art Deco apartments, Gothic Revival landmarks, and the Arabian Sea framing it all. Mornings bring Irani café breakfasts, afternoons unfurl through museum-filled precincts, and evenings glow on Marine Drive as the “Queen’s Necklace” lights up.
Top sights cluster in South Mumbai: Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Palace (exteriors), the Kala Ghoda arts district, CSMT (UNESCO), and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS). Offshore, Elephanta Caves’ 7th-century rock-cut sculptures reveal epic temple craft.
- Where to stay: Base in Colaba/Fort for walking access to landmarks, or in Bandra for cafes and nightlife.
- Browse stays on VRBO Mumbai and Hotels.com Mumbai.
- Getting in: Fly into BOM (Mumbai). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Colaba is ~60–90 minutes by taxi/Uber, roughly ₹700–1200 depending on traffic and time.
Day 1: Arrive, Marine Drive Glow, and Colaba Eats
Morning: In transit. If you land early, drop bags and fuel up at Yazdani Bakery (butter bun and chai) or Kyani & Co. (akuri on toast, mawa cake) for a classic Irani café welcome.
Afternoon: Stroll past the Gateway of India and the Taj’s seafront façade, then wander the Kala Ghoda district—peek into galleries and the David Sassoon Library’s verandas. Coffee at Kala Ghoda Café or an affogato at Subko, where single-origin coffees meet craft bakes.
Evening: Sunset walk on Marine Drive toward Girgaon Chowpatty; try bhel and kulfi along the promenade. Dinner picks: Trishna (coastal seafood; try butter garlic crab), Khyber (North-West Frontier classics, candlelit arches), or Bademiya (late-night kebabs sizzling in Colaba).
Day 2: Heritage Core—CSMVS, CSMT, and Markets
Morning: Tour the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS): miniature paintings, Indus artifacts, and rotating art shows. Walk to Oval Maidan to admire Mumbai’s UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensemble lining the green.
Afternoon: Photograph CSMT’s exuberant façade (UNESCO railway HQ). Lunch at Britannia & Co. for the famous berry pulao and mutton dhansak, or at Swati Snacks (panki, sada dosa, panha). Continue to Crawford Market for spices and housewares; look for the stained-glass atrium.
Evening: Colaba Causeway shopping for textiles and trinkets. Cocktails at Harbour Bar (classic hotel lounge vibe) or rooftop views at Dome, then modern-Indian dinner at The Bombay Canteen (seasonal regional plates; book ahead).
Day 3: Elephanta Caves and Bandra’s Street Life
Morning: Boat to Elephanta Caves from the Gateway of India (first sailings ~9:00; last inbound boats late afternoon; boat ₹200–300 round trip). Explore the Shiva shrine’s magnificent Maheshmurti relief and colonnaded halls. Note: Closed Mondays; carry water and good shoes.
Afternoon: Return for a quick stop at Dhobi Ghat (the city’s open-air laundry, operating since 1890). Head to Bandra: wall art on Chapel Road, boutiques on Perry Cross Road, and cafes along Pali Hill. Snack at Elco for pani puri or sev puri you can watch assembled fresh.
Evening: Drive the Bandra–Worli Sea Link at dusk. For dinner, Pali Village Café (European-Indian bistro vibe), Bombay Salad Co. (light, fresh), or O Pedro near BKC (Goan-leaning plates, wood-fired poi). Rest up for tomorrow’s intercity jump.
Pune
Pune blends Maratha-era heritage with leafy neighborhoods, universities, and a food scene that swings from misal pav to inventive Asian grills. It’s walkable in the old quarters and café-forward in Koregaon Park, with easy escapes to hill forts and strawberry country.
Highlights include Shaniwar Wada’s gateways and lawns, the richly adorned Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple, the Pataleshwar rock-cut cave, and markets buzzing with bakarwadi and bhakri. Evenings hum in Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar with craft beer and live music.
- Where to stay: Koregaon Park or Kalyani Nagar (dining/nightlife), Shivajinagar/FC Road (central, student energy).
- Search stays on VRBO Pune and Hotels.com Pune.
- Getting from Mumbai to Pune: Morning trains (Deccan Express, Pragati, Intercity) take ~3–3.5 hours; AC Chair Car is ~₹500–1000. Book via Trip.com Trains. By car via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway: ~3–4 hours, ₹3500–6000 for a private transfer depending on vehicle.
- Flying out: Pune (PNQ) has frequent afternoon/evening flights to major Indian hubs; compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
Day 4: Train to Pune, Old City Icons, and a Guided Walk
Morning: Depart Mumbai by early train; snack on packed theplas or grab chai and samosas onboard. Check in near Koregaon Park/Shivajinagar.
Afternoon: Explore Shaniwar Wada’s Delhi Gate and gardens, then visit the gilded Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple. Coffee at Barista Law College Road or a quick bite of misal at Bedekar Tea Stall.
Evening: Join this 2-hour storytelling stroll through Pune’s historic core—great for context and hidden alleys:
Walking Tour of Pune (2 Hours Guided Walk)
Day 5: Classic Pune by Car, Museums, and Rooftop Views
Morning: Start with bun maska and Irani chai at Vohuman Café or omelets at Café GoodLuck. Then cover key sights efficiently with this four-hour, air-conditioned circuit (ideal in warmer months):
Guided Highlights of Pune Car Tour with a local (4 Hrs Sightseeing in AC Car)
Afternoon: Visit Pataleshwar Cave Temple (8th-century basalt shrine) and browse Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum’s curated folk art—ivories, betel-nut crackers, and musical instruments. Snack run: Chitale Bandhu for bakarwadi and mango barfi to take home.
Evening: Rooftop dinner at Paasha (North Indian grills with city views) or Arthur’s Theme for European plates. Nightcap options: Effingut (house-brewed ales), Independence Brewing Co., or Toit—great craft taps in Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar.
Day 6: Sinhagad Fort and Countryside Flavors
Morning: Head early to beat sun and crowds. Choose a guided half-day up to the windswept ramparts with Sahyadri views:
Sinhagad Fort Trip (Guided Half Day Sightseeing Tour)
Afternoon: Refuel at the fort’s rustic stalls: pithla-bhakri, pitla with thecha (green chili relish), curd, and hot bhajiyas. Return to the city for a relaxed coffee at Third Wave or Terttulia.
Evening: Stroll Osho Teerth Park’s bamboo groves, then dinner at Sukanta (veg thali quite the spread) or Mainland China (if you’re craving Indo-Chinese comfort). Dessert at Kayani Bakery—Shrewsbury biscuits travel well.
Day 7: Pune Food Walk, Last-Minute Shopping, Departure
Morning: Savor Pune’s staples on a guided tasting of misal pav, vada pav, sabudana khichdi, and more along a beloved food street:
Food walking tour in Pune to stimulate your taste buds
Afternoon: Pick up gifts: Puneri pagdi souvenirs, spices, or jaggery-based sweets near Laxmi Road. Head to PNQ for your flight; price out fares on Trip.com Flights. Prefer a private ride? Pre-arrange a city–airport transfer service for predictable timing.
Evening: If you have time before departure, a quick espresso at Blue Tokai Koregaon Park or a light bite at German Bakery keeps things easy. Cheers to a week well-spent between sea breezes and hilltop winds.
Optional Enhancements and Notes
- Trains and flights: For intercity train schedules and fares in India, check Trip.com Trains. For domestic or onward flights, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
- Travel times and costs (estimates): Mumbai–Pune train ~3–3.5 hours (₹150–1000 by class). Private car ~3–4 hours (₹3500–6000). Elephanta boat round-trip ₹200–300; CSMVS entry varies by nationality (budget ₹100–700).
- Food safety: Eat where the line is; ask for bottled water; enjoy street food fresh off the griddle or fryer.
In one week, you’ll have traced Maharashtra’s arc—from sea-whipped promenades and carved cave temples to palace gateways and hilltop forts. Mumbai and Pune complement each other beautifully: one kinetic and ocean-facing, the other scholarly and spirited. Expect to return for the monsoon mists and another plate of misal pav.