Although most of the travelers who heading south from Mumbai likely to skip southern Maharashtra. But there are much more to explore in southern Maharashtra as most of the places lies in the foothills of Western Ghats. The scenario changes from cool and wooded forests of hill stations like Matheran and Mahabaleshwar to little visited beaches and forts of Konkan Coasts. From Lonavala, one can get to experience the Buddhist rock cut art in the western Deccan, while Kolhapur is the last city before Karnataka to the south, or Goa to the southwest. Some of the important places in southern Maharashtra are are give below:

Matheran
The place is 108 km east of Mumbai and a little hill station in the southern Maharashtra. The place is beautifully cuddled on a narrow north south ridge, at an altitude of 800 m in the Western Ghats. The place is a popular retreat to beat the humidity of Mumbai in Summers. The town is enshrouded most of the time in mist, only transportation to reach Matheran is toy train otherwise every transportation leave upto Dasturi Naka, 2 km from the town.



The Konkan Coast: Murud –Janjira
The place is 165 km south of Mumbai, an ideal place for simply spend some laid back time, holds plenty of wood built houses, the gently shelving beach and calm atmosphere. The narrow strip between the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea is best for seasoned beach travelers who seeks beyond usual beach experiences.

Lonavala And Khandala
The posh hill resort is located 106 km southeast of Mumbai. Though there is no hills in the background still the place is favorite among people who desperately looks for some relief from the heat of Mumbai. The attraction of Lonavala is the beautiful environ, the magnificent Buddhist caves of Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa and some exciting trekking trails.

Pune
The second largest city of Maharashtra, lies close to the Western Ghats, have a pleasant climate and some very good academic institutions. A growing industrial town is slow and steady lifestyle. Pune is also renowned for Osho Meditation Center and number of parks and temple in and around the city. Pune epitomizes the the ‘New India’, finely intermingled the old and New India.

Mahabaleshwar
Sir John ‘Boy’ Malcolm founded the place in 1828. One of the highest place in the Western Ghats, the hill station is perched high at the elevation of 1372m. The place offers enough hiking trails with tracks through the woods to waterfalls and assorted viewpoints overlooking the peaks and plains.

Kolhapur
The place was once capital of an important Maratha state, its closeness to Goa, some exquisite temples and flavor of small town of India attracts foreign tourists every month. Though little neglected but a nice place to stay for a day before venturing further south.