5 Best Places for Short Trips in India (2024)

In today’s hectic work schedules, it is difficult to find time for taking extended holidays. In such conditions, avid travelers have found a way out to indulge themselves – short trips or quick weekend getaways. After all, it would be a shame not to put a good weekend, especially long weekends, to good use and go on a short trip. There are many places in India that are perfect for such short trips over the weekend or holidays. From snow-capped mountains to golden sandy beaches, ancient monuments, caves, and forts, there are so many destinations in India that you can visit for a short trip that you will be left wondering where to go.

5 Best Places for Short Trips in India

Here are some of the best places for short trips in India.

1. Udaipur, Rajasthan

Known as the majestic city of lakes, Udaipur is the crown jewel of Rajasthan and a perfect destination for a short getaway. Surrounded by the magnificent Aravalli Hills, this royal city is the home of fabulous forts, palaces, and, as the name suggests, innumerable artificial lakes. Udaipur is the best destination for a short trip as you can chill and relax amidst a royal setting. Enjoy watching sunsets from the beautiful palaces and forts, venture onto the many lakes on a boat ride, and explore the opulent Vintage Car Museum and City Palace as you relish some delicious local Rajasthani food.

Some of the best places to visit in Udaipur are:

• Lake Pichola – This is the largest and oldest lake in Udaipur. It is surrounded by royal palaces, bathing ghats, and many temples, with marvelous hills covering all sides. Going on a boat ride at sunrise or sunset on Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful experiences to have.
• City Palace – This is one of the most stunning architectural marvels in Udaipur. Located on the banks of the mesmerizing Lake Pichola, this marvelous white palace is a heritage building, and it appears like a fairytale. The City palace captures the rich Rajasthani culture and art magnificently.
• Sajjangarh Palace – Also known as the Monsoon Palace, Sajjangarh Palace is situated at the Bandara Mountain. The palace is located 944 meters above sea level and overlooks the serene Lake Pichola.
• Vintage Car Museum – Sitting just a stone’s throw away from the City Palace, the Vintage Car Museum is an excellent place for all car lovers. You will find some of the most exquisite vintage cars here.

The Fateh Sagar Lake, Jaisamand Lake, Jagdish Temple, Eklingji Temple, and the Jag Mandir Palace are some of the other beautiful attractions of Udaipur.

The best time to visit Udaipur is from September to March.

2. Murudeshwar, Karnataka

If you are in the southern part of India, Murudeshwar is the best short trip. The city of Murudeshwar is famous for being home to the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world, standing tall at 123 feet. Murudeshwar is a stunning destination with the shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea surrounding the city on three sides. The majestic Western Ghats also make their presence felt. The town is a favorite weekend getaway and picnic spot for people from Karnataka and Kerala.

One of the biggest attractions here is the beach and adventure activities that take place around Netrani Island.

The Murudeshwar Temple and Fort are the main tourist spots, and the nearby Netrani Island is the best place to indulge in water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, and many others. You will be left captivated by the rustic charm and gorgeous beauty of the Murudeshwar Temple and fort. Make it a point to check out Statue Park, where the statue of Lord Shiva is located.

For beach lovers, there is Murudeshwar Beach, though, in peak tourism season, it does tend to get very crowded. For a less crowded experience, you can opt to visit Bhatkal Beach.

The best time to visit Murudeshwar is October to May.

3. Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand

Mukteshwar is a quaint little hill station located just 50 kilometers from Nainital in Uttarakhand. This hill town is an excellent spot for adventure sports and forgetting some of the most spectacular views of the majestic Himalayan Range. The city is named after the famous 350-year-old temple Mukteshwar Dham, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The local legend behind how the town got its name stems from the belief that Lord Shiva killed a demon here, giving him salvation or Mukti. Mukteshwar is also a popular destination for trekking as there are many lush green trails and narrow winding routes for hiking and trekking. Apart from trekking, paragliding, camping, rappelling, and rock climbing are also very popular activities.

Some of the major tourist attractions in Mukteshwar include the lush green coniferous forests, picturesque orchards, beautiful rolling meadows, and the pretty little cottages that are built-in colonial style. Places of interest include Chauli ki Jaali, Sitla, the Mukteshwar Temple, and some stunning views of the Nanda Devi mountain peak, which is the second-highest mountain peak in the country.

Mukteshwar is the perfect short trip to relax amidst nature as you listen to the chirping of a variety of birds.

4. Bishnupur, West Bengal

Bishnupur is a quaint little town in West Bengal known for its beautiful terracotta temples. The city is ideal for a short weekend trip and is very popular amongst tourists, mainly due to the rich history and culture of the town. Music, art, handicraft, rich heritage, and stunning architecture are the foundations of this beautiful little town.

For those who have a love for classical music, this is the place to visit. Indulge in the classical music and rich paintings of the town as you shop for the famous Baluchari saree. Bishnupur is a temple town. The many terracotta temples here are known for their magnificent grandeur and for being the guardians of the rich history of this region. You will be left amazed to see the architectural marvel of these temples.

Some of the top attractions to visit in Bishnupur include:

• Lalji Temple
• Jorebangla Temple
• Madam Mohan Temple
• Shyam Rai Temple
• Radha Shyam Temple
• Gate of Old Fort
• Jyorambati
• Jhilimili
• Susunia Hill
• Biharinath Hill
• Rasmancha
• Mukutmonipur

To begin with, the first place you should check out should be the very famous Jorbangla Temple, and then move on to see the impressive Gate of Old Fort located very close to the temple. For those on a spiritual journey, a visit to the Shyam Rai Temple can prove to be a heady experience.

5. Mahabaleshwar in Maharasthra

Mahabaleshwar is the land of fresh strawberries, lush greenery, mystical hills, and a breathtaking landscape that will prove to be one of the best short trips in India. Located 263 kilometers from Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats. It is located in the Satara District of Maharashtra.

This hilly town is known for its beautiful rivers, majestic peaks, and cascading waterfalls. It is one of the most popular weekend getaways in the Pune-Mumbai region.

Mahabaleshwar is also a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus as it is the point of origin for the Krishna River. Today, the town is known for its many ancient temples, manicured strawberry plantations, dense green forests, cascading waterfalls, majestic hills, and many boarding schools. Many people prefer to stop over in Mahabaleshwar to visit the fabulous Pratapgad Fort, located just an hour away.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar include:

• Elephant’s Head Point – This is one of the most stunning viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar. The Elephant’s Head Point is famous for giving some breathtaking views of the surrounding Sahyadri Mountain Range. The place is also known as Needle’s Point. It is best to come here during sunrise and sunset.
• Chinaman’s Falls – The Chinaman’s Falls are a must-visit when you are in Mahabaleshwar. This magnificent cascading waterfall derives its name from the nearby Chinese prison.
• Dhobi Waterfall – The Dhobi Falls is actually a group of waterfalls that connect Elphinston and Lodwick points and also join the Petit Road with the Old Mahabaleshwar Road. This destination is a must-see for checking out the incredible natural beauty. It is a surreal experience to be surrounded by so much greenery and rocks. The Dhobi Falls cascades down the Koyna River and appears to be a gorgeous spectacle that emerges from within the mist and rainbow. Dhobi Falls is a very popular picnic spot.
• Wilson Point – Located at the height of 1439 meters, this is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar. Popularly known as the Sunrise Point, this famous attraction in Mahabaleshwar is ideal for viewing the magnificent sunrise as it comes up from behind the mountainous landscape, bathing everything in golden hues.

Apart from these beautiful towns, there are many other magnificent destinations in India that are perfect for a short getaway. These include:

• Gokarna in Karnataka – the land of blue seas, palm-fringed beaches, and golden sands
• Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh – the land of the Buddhist stupas
• Dhanachuli in Uttarakhand – a lush green village in the lap of nature
• Auli in Uttarakhand – the skiing hotspot of India
• Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh – the paragliding capital amidst Tibetan monasteries
• Ooty in Tamil Nadu – a popular hill station that is known as the Queen of the Nilgiris
• Coonoor in Tamil Nadu – the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris
• Aurangabad in Maharashtra – the land of the exotic Ajanta and Ellora Caves

So plan your short getaway at the earliest to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy in the lap of nature.