4 Unusual places near Mumbai for a fun trip with friends

Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, is one of the top tourist destinations in India. Each year, thousands of tourists visit this mega city. Though the city alone has tons of things to do and see, there few places in the neighbouring region that are equally worthy of a visit. You might be knowing about these cities, but never might have seen them from a tourist’s perspective. Take a look at these fantastic places. If coming from any other city, you can either reach by renting a taxi or look for Mumbai, Chennai or Delhi to Mumbai train fare.

As a tourist destination, Mumbai has several interesting activities to do and places to visit. And, for several travelers, it is also the most favourable layover city to explore the western/southwestern part of the country. Though you might have heard of places like Goa, Lonavala or Alibaug, there are few others showcasing breathtaking views and cultural sophistication. Mentioned below are some of these lesser-known cities that you can explore on a given weekend. If coming from any other city, you can either reach by renting a taxi or look for Mumbai, Chennai or Delhi to Mumbai train fare.

Nashik - Nashik is a modern city, with a deep-rooted history, and lies in close proximity to Mumbai. Famous for its historical temples and culture, the city also hosts the Kumbh Mela. The fair draws thousands of devotees, visitors and international tourists from all over the globe.  Apart from its religious side, a large urban population visits Nashik to explore its beautiful vineyards and to revel in the music festivals conducted at these spots. It has become one of the major weekend getaways from Mumbai.

Aurangabad - Named after the Mughal ruler, Aurangzeb, this city is one of the upcoming tourist places in the state. This sudden surge in popularity is because of the presence of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ajanta and Ellora Caves, located on the fringes of the city. Aurangabad is also famous for Bibi ka Maqbara, an identical replica of the Taj Mahal. The city is also known as the ‘city of gates’ and there are about 52 historical gates (all part of the various forts) dotted in various parts.

Surat - A port city in the state of Gujarat, it is also known as the second most populated city after Gandhinagar. Surat is also the 9th largest city in India but rarely has been looked upon from a tourist’s perspective. Surat is popular as a business centre of precious and semi-precious gemstones. Located on the banks of the river Tapi, Surat has remained off the maps for foreign tourists. In a bustling, a commercial city like Surat, experiencing the local culture would be a different thing to do. Exploring through the port activities and enjoying the local sounds and flavours is something you can always try. Even if you don’t, you can always get back with some high-quality textiles, which can be bought at cheaper rates. If you’re having facing difficulties in finding a train to Surat, Murud is the nearest railway station to Mumbai from where you can get one.