Alibaug also was known as Alibag is a coastal town in western India. It is located south of Mumbai in Raigad Maharashtra. The tourist destination is quite famous for its beaches and is a preferred weekend getaway destination from Mumbai. Read on to know about the most popular places to visit in Alibaug.
Some of the best places to visit in Alibaug are the Alibaug Beach, Nagaon Beach, Kolaba Fort, Varsoli Beach to name a few. The 17th century Kolaba Fort lies just offshore and has carvings of various animals and temples dedicated to the Hindu Gods.
Another structure known as the Korlai Fort was built by the Portuguese way back in 1521and includes a lighthouse. Another landmark fort called the island fort of Janjira has turrets, cannons and high rise walls. Mentioned below are many more of the tourist locations that every tourist must visit.
Best Places To Visit in Alibaug (Beaches)
Nagaon Beach
Just 9 km away from the Alibaug city center, this beach is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea. The beach offers its visitors the eternal beauty of nature with its subtle greenery of palm, suru and betel trees. The beach is highly reputed for being one of the cleanest beaches in the country.
Lying on the silky sand is an experience in itself, and the beach also hosts many water-based adventure activities that can be enjoyed at reasonable rates.
The destination has many local resorts and guest houses which offer a retreat to the tourists who come from far off places or for just a weekend getaway. The Beach shore runs across a stretch of 3 km and shares the waters of the Arabian Sea.
The sunsets are just picture-perfect, and most tourists start taking photos during this time of the day. Tourists in search of tranquillity must-visit Nagaon Beach.
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Mandwa Beach
The beach is located in the village of Manda, Maharashtra and is a favorite weekend getaway spot from Mumbai. The ferry services near Mandwa beach make this place highly accessible to and from Mumbai. The beach offers its tourists serenity and the fresh sea breeze that is mesmerizing.
Entirely a few Bollywood films have been shot in Mandwa making it a must visit for filmy buffs. The golden sandy beaches will make you want to lie in the sand all day long. Many food stalls sell mouth-watering seafood along the beach, and one can also take part in water-based activities if one chooses to have a beach holiday in this exciting destination.
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Varsoli Beach, Raigad
Since very few tourists visit Varsoli Beach, it remains less crowded throughout the year. The beach has many resorts and cottages near it and is only 3 km away from the central city. The beach serves as the naval base for the Indian Army and is famous for its various adventure sports.
The white sand and calm waters make the beach a place to relax and chill. Also, the hard stone and suru, palm and casuarinas trees make the beach a site for nature lovers. Tourists who choose to stay out here for a while can lodge at the Parnakuti cottage which is accessible and comfortable for stay purpose.
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Alibaug Beach
The beach is located along the coast of Arabian Sea and is one of the most popular beach destinations of Maharashtra. It offers breath-taking scenery with its unique black sand filling up the shore. The beach is known to provide tourists with a panoramic view of the Kolaba Fort from its shores.
Beneath the coarse black sand lies, the amber sand and the rocks further add to the landscape’s beauty. The remains of the Alibaug Fort can be seen from the shore and the best time of the day for shooting videos or clicking photos is during sunrise and sunset. The beach seems to shine in all its glory during these periods along the day. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Alibaug for beach lovers.
Alibaug Beach is a great place to unwind with the company of friends and family. The coastline of the beach runs 4km along the shores of the Arabian Sea and consists of a few fishing villages. Do visit the 400-year-old Ganpati temple if you plan to visit Alibaug Beach.
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Kihim Beach
The Kihim Beach has gained its popularity for a variety of reasons. The beach is located only 12km from Alibaug and 1120km from Mumbai. Its proximity to the city adds to its reputation. Moreover, the place boasts of picturesque natural beauty and breath-taking scenery. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Alibaug. The dense coconut trees and pollution-free green environment add to its attraction toward tourists.
The place is the perfect location for photographers and nature lovers to come and relax. The cleanliness of the beach, the variety of seashells and its beautiful white sand make it an even greater tourist attraction.
Popular Places To Visit in Alibaug (Forts & Temples)
Kolaba Fort
This fort is quite a unique tourist destination since it is situated amidst the sea and is surrounded by waters of the Arabian Sea all around the fort. The fort was built around 300 years ago and served as the chief naval stations during the reign of the Shivaji Maharaj.
The isolated fortress is a spectacular sight to see from the shore of the Alibaug Beach which is located at a distance of 2 km from the fort. The fort can be reached by foot during low tides, but a boat needs to be hired for visiting the fort during the high tides.
People who love quiet and unpopulated destinations will enjoy this scarcely populated spot. The inside of the fort has many historical artifacts and vestiges such as animal carvings and cannons. There are also a few old temple buildings and fresh water well within fort premises. Being one of the most prominent forts in Maharashtra makes visiting this fort a must.
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Khanderi Fort
The Khanderi Fort is located on an island 4km away from Alibaug Beach. The fort was built in 1678 by the Marathas. It has two popular attractions, the temple of Lord Vithal and the tomb of Daud Pir. These are significant tourist attractions. The 75 feet high lighthouse is another landmark of this location and never ceases to attract tourists.
Since the Bombay Port Trust administers the site, a tourist needs to take permission of the trust before heading towards the island. If you are on a visit to Alibaug, then you must visit the Khanderi Fort to have a complete and memorable tour experience.
Popular Religious Places To Visit in Alibaug
Kanakeshwar Devasthan Temple
The temple is popularly known as the Shiva temple. It is located at a distance of 13km from Alibaug on a hill station at an altitude of 900 feet. This temple is a place of visit for religious tourists, and around 5000 steps need to be climbed to reach the temple. The location of the temple offers a cool climate.
One can see the Nagobacha Tappa, midway across the steps while climbing up to the temple. The temple represented Hoysala style architecture and was built in 1764. The rich cultural, architectural and historical heritage of the temple makes it a significant place of visit for tourists.
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Someshwar Temple
The ancient temple was built during the 4th century by Satvahana rulers. It is a sight to see for lovers of old architecture and religious people alike. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it has a pond inside the temple premises.
The temple is situated in Akshi, 3km away from Alibaug.
The temple also has excellent ancient art which is well represented all over the temple and is of great historical significance. The climate is quite refreshing in this location, and the fresh sea breeze blows from Akshi Beach all the time. Religious people must visit this temple.
Most Beautiful Places To Visit in Alibaug For Nature Lovers
Kanakeshwar Forest
The Kanakeshwar Forest is a must-visit for lovers of nature and wildlife. The forest lies close to the Konkan drift and is famous for its climate and the vast number of wild species of snakes, birds, wild boars and so on. The forest is so dense with flora that there is complete darkness in the woods during daylight. The backwoods is infested with the deadliest snakes, wild pigs and panthers and the territory bear the dead silence. Tourists are only allowed to enter the forest at their own risk.
The backwoods are lush green and offer a fantastic view. It is also a decent place for climbing. Due to its hazardous potential, the site hardly ever gathers any human crowd and is one of the untouched areas of Alibaug.
Alibaug is a one of a kind destination that has forests, temples, beaches, and resorts. It has many sites to see and has great diversity. Due to these reasons, it has become a significant tourist attraction over the years. Best time to visit Alibaug is during the period of November-July. So, if you like cool climates and serene places, then Alibaug is the destination for you.
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