Ganpatipule, Alibaug, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Dapoli, Mumbai, Murud, Thane, Harnai, Mahad, Dombivli, Kelshi, Roha, Amboli, and many more places.
There are several places to visit on the Konkan Coast owing to the long coastline along the beautiful blue azure waters of the Arabian Sea. While Tarkali is famous for its golden sand beaches, Harihar Eshwar is known for its temple and rocky Harihar Eshwar Beach. The famous Ganpatipule, is well known for the Ganapati temple on the shore and also its beautiful beach.
Another tourist place in Konkan that is well known is Alibaug. The beautiful Alibag beach is popular amongst tourists. Alibaug also has a few other beaches out of which Varsoli and Nagaon Beach are well known. The Kolaba/Aligarh Fort also attracts tourists. Another must-visit place on the Konkan Coast is Ratnagiri, famous for the Thiba Palace and also Ratnadurg Fort.
Tourists also love visiting Chiplun where the star attraction is Sawatsada Waterfall. Other popular places to visit on the Konkan coast are Dapoli, Murud, Kashid etc. Most of these places are also known for the water sports they offer to tourists.
MUST VISITING PLACES
1. Ganpatipule
The beauty of the clear blue water of the Arabian Sea further adds to the beauty of this place. During your visit to Ganpatipule, you must visit two exotic sea beaches here i.e. Ganpatipule Beach and Aare Ware Beach. You will also find a Swayambhu Ganpati temple that has been here for centuries. In addition, you should visit the Jaigad Fort and a lighthouse built in the British era here.
2. Alibaug
Also known as Alibag, Alibaug unravels the opportunity for you to experience some of the most coveted forts on the West Coast. If you are looking for the best places to visit in Konkan, you should try the Alibaug Fort and the Magen Avot Synagogue. Both the Siddheswat Mandir and Kanakeshwar Mandir here attract thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. You could go for a walk on some of the virgin beaches here including Kashid Beach, Korlai Beach, Nagaon Beach, Akshi Beach, and so on. Apart from the delectable seafood cuisine, you can enjoy water sports as well.
3. Ratnagiri
Having the Sahyadri Range on its other side, this town remains loaded with the best of nature’s bounties. Having its location on the shore, the places like the beaches, ports and lighthouses altogether add to the beauty of this town. Ratnagiri is dotted with numerous such locations which are picture perfect and ought to be the perfect spots where people can relish the best of nature.
4. Sindhudurg
Sindhudurg is made up of exotic beaches and royal forts. In ancient times, from the Sindhudurg fort to Vijaydurg fort, Sindhudurg’s importance lay significantly in the numerous sea forts and sky-high edifices. Also, the astonishing Mangeli waterfall, Napapne waterfall, Shivapur waterfall, etc. are the epitome of the place’s natural beauty.
5. Dapoli
Located approximately 215 km away from Mumbai, Dapoli is known as Mini-Mahabaleshwar as well. Ruled by Britishers once, this place is a melting pot of different cultures. Adorned with pristine beaches, Dapoli has forests too. In addition, you can visit ancient temples such as Keshavraj and Vyaghreshwar Temple as well. What you shouldn’t miss here is Dolphin sightings and forest trekking.
6. Murud
Murud is known for being home to tranquil sea beaches and historical monuments as well. You must visit the Murud Janjira Fort during your trip to Murud. This fort is located on a small islet close to the town. Other places that you should visit are the Palace of Nawab, Khokri Gumbaj old tombs, and Dutta Mandir. You can also go for adventure sports here.
7. Harnai
The most famous Beach in the area is the Harnai Karde beach and also the place is just a stone’s throw away from other wonderful beaches such as the Murud, Ladghar, Kelshi and Anjarle beaches. Parshuram Bhumi and Suvarnadurg are also close by and offer that a wonderful trekking experience.
8. Mahad
This is one of the most ancient places to visit in the Konkan coast as it houses ancient Buddhist Gumpas and Maratha forts alike, as this historical town was once the capital of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji. Close to the Savitri River, this place is adjacent to the hills housing the ancient Gandhar Pale Buddhist Caves. Raigad, Pratap gad, Lingana, Birwadi, and Warandha Forts are all around and will remind anyone of the past glory of Shivaji’s empire.
9. Kelshi
Kelshi is a hidden gem that is still unspoiled and untouched by the crowd. So, if you want to have peace and tranquility along with beauty then you must visit Kelshi. It is a small village known for its beaches. Apart from that, you will also find an abundance of flora and fauna in Kelshi. It is one of the top places to see in Konkan, that you must visit during your holiday.
10. Roha
Roha has been emerging as a popular tourist destination. The small village is located between Kalasgiri hills and Kundalika river and is famous as a haunted place. The village is known for offering activities like river rafting and more. So, keep this in your list of top places to see in Konkan.
11. Amboli
Seated in the Sahyadri Range, surrounded by lush green hills, this town is an eco-hotspot due to the abundance and variety of flora and fauna. There are supposed to be around 108 Shiva temples, and they are still being discovered in recent years. The rainfall is very heavy, yet it makes the place appear even more beautiful as nature around is drenched and rejuvenated in the showers.
12. Chiplun
Chiplun is famous as being the abode of Parshuram so you can imagine how sacred it is. It is home to several temples and its true beauty comes out during the rainy season. So, make sure you visit it during the rainfall. Apart from temples, it is home to a museum where you can learn about its history.
13. Shrivardhan
Situated on a peninsula, this place is not only famous for its pristine coastline but also has great historical importance, since the time of the Peshwas. The most coveted places to visit here are Kandivali beach and the Dive Agar Beach where you can enjoy sunsets, have long walks and experience the wonderful Konkani cuisine.
The Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple is still standing here which was the place of worship for the great Peshwa rulers. The Kusum Devi Temple and the temples of Somjai, Bhairavnath and Jivaneshwara are popular tourist places. There are a large number of resorts providing all modern luxuries at a meager pocket pinch.
14. Dombivli
Known best for its central railway station, Dombivli is very close to Kalyan, Thane and Mumbai and very well connected with the three. The Ganpati temple and Reti Bandar are popular local attractions. The MIDC ground is a popular haunt and from there many travel to Shilphata to watch the Dutta Mandir and the Khidkaleshwar Mandir. Kelkar Road is the most coveted place for shoppers and there are amazing multiplexes at Madhuban and Gopi Cine Hall.
15. Kalyan
Kalyan is the 9th largest city in Maharashtra and is known for the ancient walls surrounding it. In the Mughal era, Kalyan was fortified by walls and these walls are still present. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Konkan for history enthusiasts, Kalyan attracts a lot of visitors every year. Durgadi Fort is the best tourist attraction that you can visit in this city. Visit this fort around the Navratri festival and attend the grand celebrations to make your vacation memorable.
16. Malvan
Malvan is a picture-perfect town with beautiful beaches and a majestic fort. Beaches, mangoes, and locally created delicacies are all popular in this town. Malvani Khaja, Malvani Ladoos, Konkani, Aambawadi, and Fanaspoli are all delectable sweet foods that all foodies must try. One of Malvan’s best-known tourist attractions is Sindhudurg Fort, which Hirojee Indalkar built in 1664. You may rest and relax at famous beaches like Arse Mahal, Chivla, and Tondavli.
