Maharashtra has been a crossroads of empires, merchants, and ideas—from ancient Buddhist cave monasteries to Maratha strongholds and Raj-era boulevards. In one week, you can taste the variety that defines the state: cosmopolitan Mumbai by the Arabian Sea and cultured Pune at the edge of the Sahyadris.

Expect a lively mix of Gothic Revival architecture, Irani cafés, and night-time neon in Mumbai, then dive into Pune’s old-walled lanes, thali houses, leafy Koregaon Park, and nearby hill stations. Add a Western Ghats road trip, and you’ll see terraced valleys, misty viewpoints, and cave shrines carved straight from the basalt.

Practical notes: June–September is monsoon season (lush views, occasional downpours); October–March is dry and pleasant. Dress modestly for temples and dargahs; carry cash plus a local SIM or eSIM. For long hops and rail tickets, compare on Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, and Trip.com trains.

Mumbai

Mumbai is India’s film-and-finance capital—Victorian-era façades in Fort, street art in Bandra, and sunsets along the curve of Marine Drive. The city’s culinary scene ranges from century-old Irani cafés and seafood institutions to tasting-menu temples.

Top neighborhoods to stay: Colaba/Fort (heritage sights and harbor), Bandra (boutiques and bars), and BKC (business district with cutting-edge dining). For lodging, compare:

• VRBO Mumbai stays
• Hotels.com Mumbai

Getting here: Fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport; search fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From the airport, use ride-hailing (Uber/Ola) or a prepaid taxi. Within the city, black-and-yellow cabs, metro, and first-class local trains work well.

Day 1: Arrive and ease into South Mumbai

Afternoon: Land in Mumbai and check in. Stretch your legs with a stroll around the art-filled Kala Ghoda district. Pop into Kala Ghoda Cafe for a cold coffee and their excellent pesto grilled sandwich, or nip into Subko (Colaba) for small-batch Indian-origin coffee and a cardamom cruffin.

Evening: Walk to the Gateway of India for golden-hour harbor views; if you like bustling markets, browse Colaba Causeway for indie crafts and books. Dinner ideas: Trishna (legendary Mangalorean seafood—order butter garlic crab and neer dosa), The Table (global plates, smart cocktails), or a late-night kebab roll at Bademiya just behind the Taj. Nightcap options: Aer (Rooftop at Worli with skyline views) or Woodside Inn (Colaba) for craft beers and classic burgers.

Day 2: Heritage precincts and Elephanta Caves

Morning: Breakfast at Kyani & Co. (Irani bun maska, akuri eggs, and Irani chai) near Marine Lines. Take a heritage walk past Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (UNESCO Gothic), Flora Fountain, Oval Maidan, and the Rajabai Clock Tower. Step into the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya for a primer on Western India’s art and history.

Afternoon: Board the ferry from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves (about 1 hour; note the caves are closed on Mondays). Explore rock-cut cave temples and the monumental three-faced Shiva relief. Expect steps and some sun; carry water and a hat.

Evening: Return via Marine Drive for sunset, then snack on bhel puri and pav bhaji at Girgaum Chowpatty. Dinner at Swati Snacks (Gujarati classics: panki, farsan, seasonal specials) or head to The Bombay Canteen (BKC) for inventive regional Indian plates. For a view-forward drink, Dome at InterContinental Marine Drive is a classic.

Day 3: Bandra to Worli—street art, churches, and sea breezes

Morning: Coffee at Subko (Bandra) and a wander through Ranwar Village’s lanes, then up to Mount Mary Basilica for sweeping sea views. Peek at Bandra’s vibrant murals along Chapel Road and Pali Village.

Afternoon: Lunch at Candies (Bandra institution—Goan sausage rolls, salads, cheesecake) or Pali Village Cafe (Euro-Indian bistro vibe). Drive across the Bandra–Worli Sea Link to Haji Ali Dargah (check tide timings; the causeway floods at high tide). Detour to Dhobi Ghat overlook to glimpse the city’s open-air laundry.

Evening: Head to Juhu Beach for a sunset stroll and kulfi. Celebrate your last Mumbai night with seafood at Gajalee (Bombil fry and crab) or book Masque (tasting menu spotlighting Indian produce) for something special.

Pune

Welcome to Maharashtra’s cultural capital—home to the Peshwas, leafy universities, and a food scene that swings from buttery bun-maska cafés to thali feasts and new-wave breweries. Pune’s old city lanes overflow with textiles, copperware, and temple bells; beyond the ring roads, the Sahyadris rise into fortress-topped ridges.

Best areas to stay: Koregaon Park (garden cafés, nightlife), Shivajinagar/Deccan (central and walkable), and Camp (markets and heritage). Compare stays here:

• VRBO Pune stays
• Hotels.com Pune

Getting from Mumbai to Pune: Take a morning train (approx. 3–3.5 hours; Deccan Queen, Pragati, or Vande Bharat) from CSMT/Dadar—book via Trip.com trains. AC Chair Car tickets often run about US$6–15. By car via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway it’s 3–4 hours depending on traffic.

Day 4: Transfer to Pune and an old-city heritage walk

Morning: Depart Mumbai on an early train to Pune (aim for 7–9 a.m. departures to beat traffic). Grab a chai and samosa onboard or at the station before you roll through the rocky Western Ghats.

Afternoon: Check in and lunch at Vaishali (Fergusson College Rd; crisp ghee dosas, filter coffee) or Shabree (excellent Maharashtrian thali with puran poli). In late afternoon, join a curated heritage walk to orient yourself and decode the Peshwa-era core.

Recommended tour: Why Pune? : A Heritage Walk through Old Pune

Evening: Browse Laxmi Road and Tulsi Baug for fabrics and brassware. Dinner at Malaka Spice (Koregaon Park; SE Asian flavors, great satay and nasi goreng) or Shabree for a thali feast. Dessert at Sujata Mastani (thick milk-and-ice-cream “mastani”; try mango or kesar). For a pint: Effingut (Koregaon Park) or Great State Aleworks Taproom (Baner) pour reliable craft brews.

Day 5: Lonavala and Khandala—Western Ghats day trip

Make a full-day run into the hills for waterfalls (during monsoon), lush valleys, and cave shrines. Your driver will thread the ghats between scenic viewpoints and classic dhabas.

Recommended day trip: Pune to Lonavala Monsoon Drive in Private Vehicle

Highlights can include Karla Caves (ancient Buddhist chaitya hall), Lion’s Point and Tiger Point outlooks, and a stop at Bhushi Dam in rainy months. For roadside eats, Sunny Da Dhaba or The Kinara Village Dhaba serve tandoori staples; in town, Rama Krishna is a time-tested vegetarian spot. Expect 2–2.5 hours each way by road depending on stops.

Day 6: Sinhagad Fort trek, museums, and a Pune food walk

Morning: Head out to the cliff-top ramparts of Sinhagad, a storied Maratha fort with sweeping Sahyadri views. It’s a short but sometimes steep walk from the parking area; reward yourself with piping-hot kanda bhajis and curd at the summit stalls.

Recommended tour: Sinhagad Fort Trip (Guided Half Day Sightseeing Tour)

Afternoon: Back in town, explore Aga Khan Palace (where Gandhi was interned; serene gardens) and the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum (a personal trove of Indian decorative arts and daily-life objects). Coffee and a croissant at Le Plaisir or a quick bite at Good Luck Cafe (Irani classics) are excellent pit stops.

Evening: Cap the day with a guided food ramble through Pune’s tastiest lanes—think misal pav, vada pav, and the city’s signature mastani.

Recommended tour: Food walking tour in Pune to stimulate your taste buds

Post-walk drinks: Elephant & Co. (Kalyani Nagar) for cocktails or Great State Aleworks for a hoppy nightcap.

Day 7: Pune’s gentle morning and departure

Morning: Early breakfast at Vohuman Cafe (butter-loaded bun maska, cheese omelet) or German Bakery (Koregaon Park; coffee and almond croissants). If time allows, stop at the Pataleshwar Cave Temple or climb Parvati Hill for a compact city panorama.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping around FC Road and Deccan, then head to Pune Airport for your flight (check Trip.com and Kiwi.com) or return to Mumbai by train (3–3.5 hours; book on Trip.com trains). Aim to reach the station/airport 1.5–2 hours before departure.

Optional/Alternate Pune experiences (if you have extra time)

• Old City immersion: Immersive walking tour in Pune for cultural immersion with guide

  

• Snack safari: Pune Food & Snack Tasting Walking Tour

  

Local dining cheat sheet (save these):

• Mumbai breakfast: Kyani & Co. (Irani bakery staples); Subko (Colaba/Bandra) for specialty coffee.
• Mumbai lunch/dinner: Trishna (Mangalorean seafood), Swati Snacks (Gujarati), The Bombay Canteen (modern Indian), Gajalee (coastal seafood), Masque (tasting menu).
• Pune breakfast: Vohuman Cafe (eggs, bun maska), Le Plaisir (bistro bakes), Vaishali (South Indian).
• Pune lunch/dinner: Shabree or Sukanta (thali), Malaka Spice (SE Asian), Effingut or Great State (breweries), Sujata Mastani (dessert).

Getting around and practical tips: In both cities, Uber/Ola are reliable; autos work for short hops in Pune. Carry small change for temples and snacks. Elephanta Caves are closed Mondays; Haji Ali’s causeway is tidal. Monsoon roads can be slick—pack a light rain jacket and quick-dry shoes.

One-Click Bookmarks: Flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com • Trains: Trip.com trains • Hotels: Mumbai, Pune • Vacation Rentals: Mumbai, Pune.

Summary: In seven days, this Maharashtra itinerary pairs Mumbai’s coastal heritage and street food with Pune’s living history and hill-country escapes. You’ll wander UNESCO sites, share thalis and kebabs, trek to a Maratha fort, and sip craft ales under rain-washed gulmohars. It’s a week that tastes like the sea, the ghats, and the spice of the Deccan.