There are so many beautiful historical sites in Pune that you are not short on sights to visit. Aside from the museums, galleries, parks and other tourist draw cards, Pune city itself is something to behold. A hub of education, it is blessed with colleges and the vibrancy of youth found in the many students. Pune is also home to several good markets where you can interact with the friendly local population and get a taste of typical Indian lifestyles.

Agha Khan Palace
You’ll find a memorial to Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mahatma, located here. She died in the palace where the British held Mahatma and herself during the 1942 Quit India Movement. The architecture of this palace is grand and imposing; graced with Italianate arches, opulent salons and suites, and expansive lawns.

Colleges
The ‘Oxford of India’ is home to so many colleges you can hardly count them all. Aside from the learning establishments, there are many research institutions. College campuses are vibrant and green, usually lush due to the perfect climate of Pune. Classes are mostly taught in Marathi or English, and you’ll find that students are eager to talk to foreign visitors. Pune is also the largest centre in India for Japanese language studies. If you have time, browse around some of these fantastic campuses to compare them to the ones back home.

Peths
Each of the localities, called peths, in Pune is an important part of the local culture. They are part of the old town of Pune and some were even named after days of the week: Somwar (Monday) Peth, Mangalwar (Tuesday) Peth, Budhwar Peth (Wednesday), and so on. Taking a stroll around these peths offers great insight to the traditional way of life here. Even though Pune is today quite modern with its many universities and industrial centres, the old town offers a glimpse into Pune’s past and is worth an afternoon of your time during your visit here.

Shaniwar Wada
Dating from 1736, when it was constructed by the Peshwas, this grand fortress right in the heart of Pune housed the old residence of the Peshwa family. The fortress is guarded by beautiful old brass studded gates that contrast with the palace. Beautiful lotus pools look like they did back when the Peshwa family was living here. At night, there is an impressive light and sound show.

Shinde Chhatri
A definite must-see, this is a memorial to Mahadji Shinde, a great warrior and commander-in-chief of the Maratha Army under the Peshwas. There is an impressive painted likeness of him here. If it’s raining on the day you visit, remember that opening an umbrella within the Chhatri is very insulting to the memory of the warrior.

Even if you’ve already visited all the palaces and forts, and taken in Pune’s interesting museums, it won’t be time to leave yet. Aside from the historical and cultural offerings, Pune has some great activities. Yoga should be at the top of your list as the facilities for yoga education are among the best in the world in Pune. There are also some great venues for mediation and tryng out alternative therapies. Additionally, Pune is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and even if you don’t want to venture out of the city limits, you will find the parks to be scenic and charming.

Enhance your spirituality. The Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune sees some quarter of a million visitors annually and is touted as one of the biggest spiritual growth centres on the planet. Here, you can take part in meditation and learn more about your inner self.

Enjoy the natural areas around Pune city. There are some truly beautiful natural wonders and a visit to Malshej Ghat is ideal for those who love waterfalls and birds. At the convergence of Pune, Thane and Ahmednagar districts, this area is often shrouded in mist that adds to the picturesque scenery of the cascading waterfalls. The animals found in the area are leopards, peacocks and tigers. Khireshwar area is famed for the Hemingo birds that arrive from Siberia between July and September.

Get a Vedantic education. The Vedanta Academy is located very near to Pune in the Malavali hills. This centre was established by Swami Parthasarathy, who is the top exponent of Vedanta. The Vedantic education here is free and the academy sees students from around the globe.

Have a picnic in beautiful gardens. Katraj Garden is the perfect place to take the whole family for a picnic. There is a little lake here with pedal boats for hire, and nearby is the snake park - home to 200 species of snakes, as well as other reptiles and birds. Don’t be too shocked by the resident King Cobra.

Take in a traditional show. Marathi Theatre is something not to be missed and an integral part of the Marathi culture. While in Pune, you should make every effort to see a cultural performance at one of the local theatres such as the Su-darshan Rangamanch run by Maharashtra Cultural Centre. Music, dance and drama performances are available.

Twist yourself into some healthy knots with yoga. The very famous Yoga Master BKS Iyengar established the Yoga Institute in Pune, and this is a key location where yoga masters from around the world converge to receive their final, highest tier of education on yoga. Iyengar’s books Light on Yoga and Light on Pranayama are now sold in 18 languages around the world and he is considered an authority on yoga. In fact, the Iyengar Yoga System (IYS) is recognised for school education in the UK, the USA and Canada, with some 6,000 IYS teachers around the globe. The master himself is still alive and approaching 90 years of age.

Visit a local market. There’s nothing quite like shopping at a local Indian market, and these are not just great for sampling the lifestyle of Pune but also for photo opportunities. Even though you aren’t likely to buy much fruit, the Mahatma Phule Mandai is still an impressive sight with its 500 stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Souvenir hunters are more likely to enjoy Deccan Gymkhana, where you can find just about anything for sale. This massive market offers items from clothes and sweets, to toys and handicrafts.