Mumbai – the City of Dreams – is not exactly what comes to one’s mind when we talk about vacations. The big bustling city is a great place to work and also reside in but it’s not exactly a vacay destination. But that does not mean that Mumbai does not offer vacation opportunities – in fact it is one of the best places from where you can head out for numerous weekend getaways.

If you are heading to Mumbai for some work, make sure you have checked out the hotels in Mumbai well in advance since there is always a rush of visitors in the city. If you are in town for a day or two, check out Four Seasons, Mumbai – one of the best places to stay in the city, both in terms of their hospitality as well as their world-class services.

The whole point of my blog, however, is to tell you why you should make sure you have a weekend in hand if you are heading to Mumbai. There are a host of destinations you can head to from Mumbai – ranging from forests and waterfalls to beaches and mountains. You can drive down to most of the places and it makes for the perfect break from everyday lives.

So, here’s a list of my picks for weekend getaways from Mumbai that you should start planning immediately!

Kamshet

Located at about 101 km from Mumbai, this is a place loved by paragliders for the gorgeous experience it offers across the gorges and cliffs of Western Ghats.

The place also offers pristine trekking trails besides the chance to indulge in a refreshing swim at the Uksan Lake.

Matheran

Whether you want to go picnicking, camping or just cut yourself from the city life for a couple of days – Matheran is one of the best weekend getaways from Mumbai.

Located only about a 100 km away, this is one of the best spots in the Western Ghats to head to if you want to soak in the goodness of Mother Nature. From the steep cliffs to dense, green forests, Matheran has a host of attractions such as the Echo Point, hiking in the Garbet Plateau, etc.

Tarkarli

Approximately 9 hours drive away, Tarkali is one of the best beach destinations along the Konkan Coast.

Still holding its own elusive charm amidst all the tourism, Tarkali is the place to head to if you want to spend a quiet couple days by a peaceful, golden beach – or even if you a little more rush and go surfing!

Amboli

Another lovely hill station in the Western Ghats, Amboli makes for a rejuvenating getaway from the hustle and bustle of life.

Situated at a distance of 540 km from Mumbai, the place makes for one of the ultimate visual treats. Don’t forget to check out the Nagatta Falls, Kawaleshet Valley, Madhavgarh Fort, etc.

So what are you waiting for?  Start planning your itinerary!