A refreshing escape for Mumbaikars and Pune locals is the city of Nashik, which seamlessly blends adventure, history, spirituality, wine, and spectacular nature retreats all in one. And trust me—the journey itself is as delightful as the destination.
When you drive down from Pune to Nashik, the sight of endless windmills spinning gracefully along the horizon will instantly grab your attention. On the other hand, if you’re coming from Mumbai to Nashik, the road takes you through Igatpuri, a lush-green paradise nestled in the Sahyadris, famous for its misty hills and gushing waterfalls during monsoons.
Both routes are scenic and soul-refreshing, surrounded by rolling hills, wide stretches of greenery, and dotted with food stops every hour. Multiple cuisines and plenty of eateries along the way to keep your journey fueled.
Be mindful, though—if you’re travelling during the rainy season, you might hit a few rough road patches, but the dramatic monsoon landscapes more than make up for it. In every sense, it’s the kind of drive that helps you leave behind the city rush and dive into serenity.
And as you keep reading, I’ll walk you through the major attractions of Nashik and its close-by gems like Igatpuri—so you know exactly what not to miss on this trip.
Before you read further, here’s what you need to know
Pune to Nashik distance: ~210 km
Pune to Nashik time by car: Approximately 5 hours. With a couple of chai or food breaks, consider it around 6 hours.
Mumbai to Nashik distance: ~165 km
Mumbai to Nashik time by car: Around 3.5 to 4 hours. With one or two halts, it stretches close to 5 hours.
Best time of the day to travel: If you want to enjoy scenic drives, it’s best to leave early morning. The rising sun, empty roads, and cool breeze make the journey refreshing. Plus, you can reach Nashik by noon and spend the rest of the day exploring. Evening drives are also enjoyable, especially if you plan to stop at Igatpuri or the windmill fields on the way.
Best time of the year to travel: Nashik has a semi-arid climate but the surrounding Sahyadri hills keep it pleasant for most of the year. The monsoon months (June–September) are especially beautiful with waterfalls and lush greenery everywhere. Winter (October–February) is the best season if you want clear skies, cool evenings, and perfect weather for vineyard tours and temple visits. Summers (March–May) can get hot, but evening outings are still manageable.
Accommodations or hotels: Nashik offers everything from luxurious vineyard stays to pocket-friendly hotels near the city centre. If you want a memorable stay, book a resort inside or near a vineyard—it’s a unique experience you won’t find in many Indian cities. For those seeking spirituality, there are simple guesthouses close to temples and ghats. I had the chance to live in Devlali, a quaint hilly suburb on the outskirts of Nashik. What fascinated me was how many tourists from Mumbai and Pune prefer staying here, in charming cottages and outhouses. With its cooler climate, lush greenery that makes it feel like a national park, and easy access to restaurants, groceries, and other essentials, Devlali offers the perfect blend of serenity and convenience.
All of the mentioned accommodations are spaced out in different areas of the Nashik city and its surroundings. I listed each of these to give you the idea of the different kinds of stays and to select the one that fits your mood.
Luxury & Vineyard Stays
Here’s a list of luxurious accommodations that offer various indoor and outdoor activities like bonfires, events, live music, games, kids’ room, etc. and are yet not too heavy on the pocket.
- Sula Vineyards – Beyond by Sula– If you want to stay and experience the Vineyards
- Express Inn Nashik– Luxury city experience, on the main road.
- Grape County Eco Resorts– For a fantastic, fun and engaging stay with pool, restaurant and bar, kayaking, farms, flora and fauna within the property itself, this is a great stay option.
- Hotel Dhruv Palace – If you want to stay close to the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, unpack your stuff in this comfortable hotel.
Budget & City Comforts
Here’s the list of economical, decent, comfortable stays close to major city attractions.
Attractions and activities
Vineyards of Nashik (Wine Country of India)
Beyond Sula, Nashik is home to many stunning vineyards—each offering its own charm. Sula Vineyards is the most famous for its tastings and lively vibe, while Soma Vine Village is more boutique and serene, offering a tranquil experience with Grape Stomping activities. York Winery is another gem, overlooking the Gangapur Dam. These are all in the same vicinity close to each other, therefore, you can choose or even hop and stop at each. Even if you are a non-alcoholic, this is a serene tourist spot with good food.
Trivia: If there’s one event that has put Nashik on the global festival map, it’s SulaFest, hosted every year at the iconic Sula Vineyards. Often called India’s “Gourmet Music Festival,” it’s a three-day celebration of wine, music, food, and fun that attracts visitors from across the world. The festival is usually held in February, just before spring sets in. International bands perform under starlit skies. It was discontinued for a while but is back with a bigger bang now. Tickets are available in advance on apps like bookmyshow.
Tip: Book your vineyard tours in advance, especially on weekends. Try to time one of your tastings for sunset—the golden light over the vineyards is magical.
Trimbakeshwar Temple
It is one on the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, so even if you are not spiritual, you must visit it for its unique architecture, sacred kunds, positive vibes and the Godavari River’s origin point. It is usually crowded as believers keep vising for blessings and to show their courtesy for accomplished goals. There is a big marketplace surrounding the temple for spiritual items, idols and more. There are also lots of eateries adjacent to the temple to keep you refreshed.
Trivia: There’s a parking space before the temple premises, it is best to park there and walk. People who forget to carry umbrellas can purchase poly-ponchos readily available.
Tip: Mondays and Shivratri see huge crowds, so plan accordingly. There are VIP passes and general entry tickets for which you will witness queues. Early mornings are a better time to visit.
MTDC Boat Club – Gangapur Lake
Just a few kilometers from Nashik city lies the serene Gangapur Lake, developed by MTDC into a lively boating and leisure hub. With the Sahyadri hills in the backdrop, this lake is a favorite for families, couples, and groups looking to spend a relaxed evening by the water. Activities here include speed boating, motor boating, kayaking, and water scooters, making it a fun spot for both thrill-seekers and leisure travelers. The calm waters at sunset create a magical setting, with reflections of the hills and boats gliding across. The boat takes you to the middle of the lake and halts for a few minutes, for you to soak in the tranquillity. There are other activities like horse riding etc. also right outside the lake.
Trivia: The MTDC Boat Club has basic facilities like parking, kids play area and eateries, making it a comfortable stop for half a day. If you’re traveling with kids, this is one of the most engaging attractions in Nashik.
Tip: First thing to do after you reach the lake is to take a token for the boat ride as they call you in turns. The best time to visit is late afternoon—enjoy boating and then stay back for the sunset views over the lake.
The Insider- Besides the MTDC Gangapur Lake there are several spectacular lakes, for which we also call Nashik as the Lake city. Like the boat club they do not have facilities and are mostly in quiet outskirts, hardly 1 hour from the city center. These are amazing camping sites offering awesome sunset and sunrise views, swims, barbeque, bonfire and fun. All camping articles are available in the city, tents, skewers etc. Take a glimpse of my experiences below at Vaitarna and Bhawai Kha lakes:
Flower Park & Butterfly Garden
A relatively new addition to Nashik’s attractions, the Flower Park and Butterfly Garden is a vibrant escape, especially for families and photography lovers. With neatly landscaped flower beds, seasonal blossoms, and a section dedicated to butterflies, it’s a refreshing pause from temples and vineyards. This is a stop for you only if you are visiting Nashik in the blossom season, which is between November and February.
Trivia: Do not forget your cameras to get good clicks for your DP here.
Tip: Carry a hat or cap for daytime visits—though shaded, it can get sunny. Early mornings are best for spotting butterflies.
Igatpuri
Nestled in the Sahyadris, Igatpuri is a lush hill station that often serves as a refreshing pit stop for those driving from Mumbai to Nashik. Known for its misty valleys, gushing waterfalls, and the world-famous Vipassana International Academy– a meditation centre, it’s the perfect detour to soak in peace and natural beauty. Not to be confused with Goa’s Dudhsagar, Igatpuri has its own namesake waterfalls also called Ashoka Waterfalls, that cascade down white and foamy—hence the name. They’re especially powerful in the monsoon and are the highlight of Igatpuri. The place itself has beautiful and exotic resorts, in which you can choose to stay for a night.
Trivia: Steep steps lead you to the Doodhsagar falls or dhabdhaba and you might need an extra pair of clothes as the gushing water storms out constantly.
Tip: There is limited network in Igatpuri, therefore, it is essential to keep your maps set before you enter Igatpuri. During rainfalls you might not find localites raoming around to guide you. Also, pre-book your stays here in the resorts or the Vipassana centre, whichever you choose.
The Windmill Fields (on Pune–Nashik Route)
While driving from Pune to Nashik, one of the most unexpected yet mesmerizing sights is the stretch of towering windmills. Standing tall against rolling hills, they make the landscape look surreal, almost like a movie backdrop. It is definitely a photography stop, and need a few steps of climb uphill.
I visited in August with friends, just as light drizzles kissed the hills. We carried a flask of hot tea and some snacks, and found shelter under a broken windmill tower. Huddled together, sipping tea against the misty backdrop, I realized that such little moments are exactly why I love these short trips.
Trivia: These are Suzlon windmills (for those who invested in them😉.) From the hills you can see the Delhi-Mumbai expressway
Tip: There a few tea and pakora(snacks) stops near the windmills if you want to stop by.
Panchvati & Ramkund
The place is for the Indian mythology enthusiasts. Known for its Ramayana connection, Panchvati is where Lord Rama is believed to have stayed during his exile. Ramkund, the sacred bathing ghat on the Godavari River, attracts thousands of devotees daily.
Trivia: It gets crowded in festive months (July-August or on occassions like Shivratri), but mornings are relatively calm.
Tip: Keep aside at least an hour to walk around Panchvati lanes—there are several small temples and ghats that tell mythological tales.
Some more known places and activities in Nashik.
- Devlali – The Hill Cantonment: Head to Cadet Hill to witness the valor of our Indian soldiers. Perched on a hilltop with a real aircraft on display and beautifully maintained parks all around, it offers not just a slice of history but also a refreshing experience with cool winds and a deep sense of pride in being part of incredible India.
- Coin Museum: Unique to Nashik, the Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies houses an impressive collection of coins, artifacts, and ancient currency. The museum is compact and can be covered in under an hour. Combine it with a vineyard tour for a culture-meets-leisure kind of day.
- Trekking in Nashik: Lesser known to people there are amazing treks in Nashik on which vloggers have created interesting videos, you can check for some adventure.
Long Drive Short Trip 