Satara, a city located in the Satara District of Maharashtra is a part of the majestic Deccan trap. The seven-towered city is surrounded by lush greenery and an equally rich history. If you are planning on visiting this city and can’t decide which places to visit? Here is a list of the best places to visit near Satara within 100 km.
Best Places near Satara To Visit Within 100 km
Ajinkyatara Fort
Ajinkyatara Fort is one of the best historical places in Satara to visit. This citadel was built in the 16th Century and was formerly known as the Ajimtara named after Aurangzeb’s son Ajim.
However, it was later changed to Ajinkyatara, which means the impenetrable star. It is one of the best places to visit in Satara in winter.
This fort contains much of Satara’s history and is without question, one of the most historically significant places in Satara. It is the same place where the regal Queen Tarabai was held, prisoner.
The best time to visit this fort is winter as during the monsoon this fort is difficult to reach.
- Distance from Satara: 3.9 km
- How To Visit: Ajinkyatara is well connected by road. It takes 2 hours from Pune and 4 hours from Mumbai
- Nearest Bus Stand: Satara Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Satara Railway Station(7.7 km)
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport(123 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Mahabaleshwar Hill Station, Pratapgad Fort, Sajjangad Fort, Vasota Fort, Panchgani Hill Station, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
- Best Time To Visit: Winter
Sajjangad Fort
Sajjangad Fort is known for its spiritual nature. But to truly witness the transforming power of the edifice, one should try to visit the fort before the break of dawn, where one can get to witness the many rituals that accompany the sunrise.
The fort also acts as the final resting place of 18th-century Saint Ramdas, the spiritual guide of Shivaji. It is a popular place of pilgrimage for followers of Saint Ramdas.
The fort is kind enough to provide free-of-cost accommodation for its devotees who wish to stay overnight to see the early sunrise.
Trekking is a popular activity around the hills, the trails are well marked and monsoon is best suited for trekking as the sight of the hills’ greenery is unmatched.
Sajjangad Fort is one of the best places to visit near Satara in monsoon season, the green greenery which surrounds the place is a total delight for the eyes.
- Distance from Satara: 16.9 km
- How to Visit: Sajjangad fort is easily accessible through roadways. Visitors can drive to the destination in their private vehicle or take the public transport
- Nearest Bus Stand: Satara Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Satara Railway Station (18 km)
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport (136 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Sangam Mauli Temple, Lingamala Waterfall, Kaas Pathar, Kaas Lake, Thosegarh Waterfall
- Best Time To Visit: Monsoon & Winter (October to February)
Kaas Plateau
Kaas Plateau AKA the “Valley of Flowers” is a thing of pride for Maharashtra. The 1000 hectares of land come alive in September and October when it turns into a Wildflower Wonderland.
The beauty of the Kaas Plateau is something you cannot miss when visiting Satara. A UNESCO declared Biodiversity World Heritage Site not only attracts people from Pune or Mumbai but from all over the world, who flock to the tiny city of Satara to witness the 2-3 weeks of extensive bloom.
Just beside the valley of flowers, there is the Kaas Lake, a long stretch of water that only works to amplify the terrestrial beauty of the bloom.
A truly unmissable point in your visit to Satara. Permits are available at the site as well as online. Though there are parking lots, there is a significant distance to Kaas Plateau. It is one of the best places near Satara for nature lovers.
- Distance from Satara: 25.2 km
- How To Visit: Kaas Plateau is only accessible via road. Driving in a personal vehicle is the best plausible option, the next best thing would be to take a bus service or auto rickshaw as the parking lot is quite far from the location. By train, you have to take a train to Satara railway station from where you can avail of a bus from Satara Bus Stand to Bamnoli. By air, It is the fastest way to reach Kaas, on reaching the airport you can take the road route via NH4 to reach Kaas plateau.
- Nearest Bus Stand: Satara Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Satara Railway Station(30kms)
- Nearest Airport: Paltan Airport Satara(88kms)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Vajrai Waterfall, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Ajinkyatara fort, Vasota fort, Baramotichi Vihir, Thosegarh Waterfall
- Best Time To Visit: September-October
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Thosegarh Waterfall
If you are wondering when is the best time to visit any waterfall, the answer is always monsoons. Thosegarh waterfall is one of the places to visit near Satara in monsoon.
People from all over Maharashtra flock to see one of the highest waterfalls in India as this waterfall amidst the dark woody forest is a visual delight.
The peak tourist season starts right about when the monsoon clouds appear in the sky, in July, and the crowd tappers somewhere around November when Winter blues arrive.
There is a well-constructed picnic area where people can enjoy a picnic with family and friends.
- Distance from Satara: 26.9 km
- How to Visit: People visiting Thosegarh Waterfall can commute by public transport as well as private vehicles. There is a well-constructed parking lot 500 m away from the fall and buses and autos frequent the destination.
- Nearest Bus Stand: Satara Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Satara Railway Station(38 km)
- Nearest Airport: Lohegaon Airport(100 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Chalkewadi Windmill farms, Thosegarh lake, Kaas plateau, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Sajjangad fort
- Best Time To Visit: July to November
Chalkewadi Windmill Farms
The one on the list is truly unique, it’s neither a piece of history nor a wildflower wonderland, on the contrary, it is a man-made exhibition of the most accessible windmills.
Chalkewadi Windmill Farms provides the City with clean energy but the sight of the Windmill on the prairie alone is a thing of great visual delight as it is a sight one doesn’t encounter so often.
Windmills don’t feel inclusive to India as its rarely used as a source of stable energy due to their high production cost. But the existence of Chalkewadi Windmill Farms opens up the chance to take a close look at them.
One visiting Satara should take up that chance. It is one of the best places to visit near Satara for picnics.
- Distance from Satara: 32.4 km
- How To Visit: Chalkewadi windmill farms are only accessible in personal vehicle as bus service is absent on this route
- Nearest Bus Stand: Satara Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Satara Railway Station (29 km)
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport(100 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Kaas Pathar, Thosegarh Waterfall
- Best Time To Visit: Monsoon
Stargazing at Natskies Observatory
Natskies Observatory is a fantastic opportunity in Mahabaleshwar to go stargazing. The night sky is full of wonder with hidden stars and galaxies which are invisible to our eyes.
The observatory welcomes such space enthusiasts with open arms for those with such curiosities about our universe. Natskies Observatory holds regular activities to keep the enthusiasm for Space and Science rolling.
It is one of the best places to visit near Satara in December and January. This is because December to January is the best month to stargaze in India due to the longer nights in this part of the hemisphere.
The best thing would be to pre-book your time in Natskies Observatory for an unforgettable experience. On Monday and Tuesday, the visiting hours start from 9 am to 5 pm and from Wednesday to Friday from 11 am to 5 pm. On weekends the observatory remains closed.
- Distance from Satara: 52.7 km
- How To Visit: Buses are frequent to and from Natskies Observatory
- Nearest Railway Station: Pune Junction(6 km)
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport (120 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Mahabaleshwar
- Best Time To Visit: December to January
Mahabaleshwar Hill Station
Mahabaleshwar is a scenic hill station located in the Sahyadri hills of the Satara District. Named the Summer Capital during the Imperial rule, acting as a place to recuperate and still works as a perfect summer retreat for the people of Maharashtra today.
Situated at the height of 4439 feet above sea level, the journey to Mahabaleshwar will make you forget the summer heat, making you switch your cup of ice cream with a cup of hot coffee in no time.
Mahabaleshwar is one of the best places to visit near Satara in June as this is mostly monsoon season perfect for sightseeing.
- Distance from Satara: 56.9 km
- How To Visit: From the airport and railway station, one can take cabs and buses quite easily
- Nearest Bus Stand: Mahabaleshwar Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Wathar railway station (60 km)
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport (131 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Arthur’s Seat, Elephant’s Head Point, Venna Lake, Pratapgarh Fort, Laxmi Strawberry Farm.
- Best Time To Visit: June to July
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Lingamala Falls
The calmness that one feels in the presence of a waterfall is something that we humans on a meta-level cannot express so well as we can on a spiritual level, it is something we feel deeper within ourselves.
The numbing effect in the presence of a roaring cascade is truly an amazing feeling to be. Experience the tranquilizing effect of your visit to Lingamala Falls which falls on the way to Mahabaleshwar. It is one of the best places to visit near Satara.
- Distance from Satara: 61.0 km
- How To Visit: You can reach Lingmala Waterfall in a cab or a personal vehicle. To get to the waterfalls’ entrance, turn left and continue driving for another ten minutes.
- Nearest Bus Stand: Mahabaleshwar Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Wathara Railway Station(60 km)
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport(123 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Mahabaleshwar Temple, Elephant’s Head point, Pratapgarh Fort
- Best Time To Visit: July to December
Mayani Bird Sanctuary
Winters is the golden opportunity to see some of the rarest migratory birds that travel from far-off countries in Mayani Bird Sanctuary. Winters is also the perfect time to visit as flamingos are seen in large numbers at this Sanctuary.
If you are in Satara and that too in Winters, Mayani Bird Sanctuary will be a delight not just for Bird Watchers but for all alike. It is one of the best places near Satara to observe birds and other animals.
- Distance from Satara: 70.1 km
- How To Visit: Mayani Bird Sanctuary is well connected via roadways, Transport Buses are available readily
- Nearest Bus Stop: Shivamudra Travels
- Nearest Railway Station: Satara Railway Station (65 km)
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport (189 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Panhala, Kolhapur City, Pandharpur, Sajjangad fort
- Best Time To Visit: November to January
Pratapgad Fort
Pratapgad Fort comes at the very top of the list of attractions in Satara. It is a popular historical place in Satara to visit, known for its historical significance which is important to Marathan Legacy.
Elevated at a height of 3534 feet above sea level, Pratapad, a hill fort, makes for a perfect holiday destination to beat the summer heat. Because the view from atop this fort is unworldly.
Trekking is a popular activity that people choose to go for, savoring the scenic view on their way up. It is one of the best places to visit near Satara for trekking.
This mountain fort was the very place where the Battle of Pratapgad took place, where the Chhatrapati Shivaji in the 17th Century fought against the Bijapur Sultanate Afzal Khan and came victorious.
A bronze statue of Shivaji can be seen atop the hill fort, representing this historical win.
- Distance from Satara: 75.8 km
- How To Visit: Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation(MSRTC) run buses frequently around this destination
- Nearest Bus Stand: Mahabaleshwar Bus Stand
- Nearest Railway Station: Satara Railway Station(46kms)
- Nearest Airport: Karad Airport(125 km)
- Nearby Places To Visit: Mahabaleshwar, Dhom Dam, Mahad, Table Land, Kaas Lake
- Best Time To Visit: June
This concludes the list of Best Places to Visit in Satara. The list is carefully selected in keeping with the changing times and varied interests. If this article has helped you in planning your trip to Satara please do let us know in the Comment Box below. Happy Traveling!
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The Kaas Plateau, Thoseghar, and numerous other natural landmarks close to the city are what make Satara famous. The Kass Plateau has received the designation of UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS). The Kaas Pathar changes into a wildflower wonderland during the monsoon season.
The forts and temples at Satara, among other antiquities, are well-known. In addition, the Kaas Flower Plateau, a World Heritage Site, and beautiful waterfalls are additional well-known features.
The best hill station in Maharashtra is Mahableshwar. It is located on the Sahyadri spurs at a height of roughly 4500 feet. It was once the Old Bombay Presidency’s summertime capital.
Earlier visitors had to climb 750 steps from the base village of Parli to the fort but today, you can drive to the top and climb 185 steps to the entrance.
