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Whether you want to eat delicious food, find pious places of worship, shop for the best Things or just spend some time with your friends and family in some historic places – Pune is a city that has got it all! While there are so many exciting experiences that you can enjoy in Pune, Things2do brings you a list of Punes most iconic places which is a great place to start. If you are a Punekar you will surely relate!
1Shaniwar Wada
Did you know that the construction of this masterpiece started on Saturday hence named as Shaniwar Wada. If you ever wonder, what gives a royal feeling to Punekars, it is not having a huge bank balance or property, but knowing that Pune has Shaniwar wada in the core of the city. Shaniwar wada it’s not just a Wada, it is a symbol of Pride for Punekars. A 286-year-old magnificent and stately mansion of Peshwas. Now this place has become the most visited place in Pune to spend some time with loved ones and to enjoy the entire view of wada. Also it is a symbol of the iconic love story of Bajirao Peshwa and Mastani. The wada itself has a Mastani Mahal built in the premises of Shaniwar Wada.
Address – Shaniwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411030
2Shree Kala Snacks Centre also known as Aaba Misalwale
This is one of the oldest misal places in Pune and truly a hidden gem !
This place is famous for their authentic misal and authentic Maharashtrian breakfast menu, this is the only place in Pune to serve huge breakfast thali/misal thali. Every Sunday morning is called misal morning in Pune as we always say Raviwar = Misalwar. For Punekars, misal is an emotion. In Pune you’ll get all types of misal, zanzanit tikhat to medium spicy for all types of people because Misal is the true love of Punekars. The misal at Shree Kala Snacks Centre is one of the best Misal in Pune.
Address: Gangotri Apartment, Porwal Metallica, Rasta Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411011
3Sinhagad Fort
Everyone, especially Punekars who have visited the great Sinhagd Fort will surely have fond memories of it! Located around 49 km southwest of the city, this fort was formerly known as Kondana. It was renamed after Tanaji Malusare, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s trusted and brave general who fought the great battle of Sinhagad to win the fort. This fort in Pune is of great significance to Maratha history and sentiments of people. As they say ‘Gad ala pan Sinha gela’ in Marathi (we won the fort but lost the lion). The history and significance along with the beautiful views after a trek to Singhagad, makes it such an iconic place in Pune!
Address: Sinhagad Ghat Rd, Thoptewadi, Maharashtra 411025
4Khadakwasla
Khadakwasla is every Punekars most favourite picnic spot, away from city chaos we also call it ‘Pune’s Chaupati’. If you want to watch a peaceful sunset then this beautiful dam has got you covered. Khadakwasla, is not a natural lake, but was actually created to provide water during the severe droughts during the 19th century in East Pune that paralysed crop growth. This man-made lake was created and named after a captain in the then British Army, him, Lake Fife. It was renamed Khadakwasla Lake shortly after Independence. Despite all the history, this beautiful lake in Pune is the most famous spot for Punekars to spend an evening with their loved ones.
Address – Khadakvasla Lake, Sinhgad Rd, Maharashtra.
5George Restaurant, Camp
George restaurant is a legendary place serving legendary food since 1936, it’s been 86 years since this restaurant started and Punekars have shown the same love from day 1 to today! George was started in 1936 and you might find it hard to believe but the recipe for their biryani has remained unchanged – and the taste is consistently delicious. If you live in Pune or are visiting the city and haven’t been to this place then you are missing out on one of the most Iconic experiences in Pune and a place that’s a legend in itself.
Address – General Thimayya Road, East St, Camp, Pune, Maharashtra 411001
6Vaishali Restaurant
Located on the vibrant Fergusson college road Vaishali is an iconic Udupi restaurant started in 1951 by Jagannath Shetty. Jagannath Shetty used to work with his uncle at Madras cafe now known as “Roopali”, he worked hard to ensure its success and later started his own restaurant named as “Madras Health Home” which initially has capacity of only 20 people. Its popularity amongst the college crowd in Pune grew and eventually transformed into today’s iconic Vaishali. Be it morning or late afternoon you’ll always have to wait about 15-20 mins to get a table at this legendary restaurant in Pune and this proves how much Punekars love Vaishali!
Address – Shivajinagar Fergusson College Road, Pune – 411 004
7Vishrambaug Wada
The home of Bajirao Peshwa ll, Vishrambaug Wada is still the most magnificent wada of Pune. This magnificent three storied building is also known as the Teen Chowki Wada. Legend has it that Peshwa Bajirao II wanted a house in a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of Shukrawar Wada. So, he decided to build a home at Sadashiv Peth and thus Vishrambaug Wada was born in 1807. The wada was built by architects Mansaram Laxman and Daji Suthar and it took them almost six years to complete the construction. Peshwa style architecture is reflected in this beautiful wada. The beautiful wada now has municipal corporation offices like postal offices and a wonderful museum dedicated to Maratha artefacts housed inside it.
Address- RB Kumthekar Rd, Perugate, Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411030
8Vohuman Cafe
An Irani cafe in Pune established in 1978 by Hormuz Irani fondly called as Bawa ji or Vohuman uncle is insanely famous for their cheese omelette. Initially Vohuman started as a tea shop and today it’s extremely popular among all the Punekars for breakfast. In fact, Hormuz Irani was the one to make eggs popular in Pune with their cheese omelette recipe which they served with their This palace was named Vohuman, which means ‘good thoughts’ in Persian Language, on Bawaji’s Father-in-laws suggestion and we couldn’t have thought of a better name for noe of Pune’s favourite Irani cafe! wa ji or Vohuman uncle, on his father-in -law’s suggestion! Besides that legendary cheese omelette, you’ve got to try the chai-bun-maska combo at Vohuman!
Address – Millenium Star, Dhole Patil Rd, near Ruby Hall, Sangamvadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411001
9Dagdusheth Ganpati
In Pune, everything auspicious starts from Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati and it will remain so for every Punekar forever. The temple was established by Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai, who used to be a very famous sweets trader of that era. In 1893 when Dagdusheth Halwai and his wife Laxmibai lost their son to plague their Guru Shri Madhaavnath asked them to establish a Ganesha idol and hence Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati in Pune came into existence. Lokmanya tilak himself was present while the murti was installed later he started Ganesh Utsav to unite people and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati played an important role in it. Even today 1000s of people visit Dagdusheth temple daily to take blessings from lord Ganesha.
Address – Ganpati Bhavan, 250, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rd, Mehunpura, Budhwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411002
10Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Pataleshwar cave temple is also known as Bhamburde Pandav cave temple, rock cut architecture from 8th and 9th century is seen in this temple. It was a monumental monolithic excavation with a notable circular Nandi mandapam and a large pillared mandapam. It is a temple of three rock-cut cave sanctums, likely dedicated to Brahma-Shiva-Vishnu originally. Today the caves are a tourist attraction for people who visit the city and also for Punekars for whom it is a go to place on JM road.
Address – Kushabhau Jejurikar Rd, Revenue Colony, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411005
Pune is a city where you can find so many iconic places to visit and always explore fun Things2do. From the best coffee shops in Pune to some of the best places to shop, eat or revisit a piece of history – follow Things2doinPune to keep enjoying a bunch of hyperlocal experiences in the city!
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