How to Spend 2 Days in Pune

India’s quintessential college town, Pune is as celebrated for its laid-back atmosphere as it is for its tourist sites. With two days, you’ll have time to check out Pune’s top attractions and see how locals experience this hip city. Here’s how.

Day 1: Pune Highlights

Morning: Start your morning at the Osho International Meditation Resort, one of the city’s best-known (and most unusual) points of interest. Founded by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (the subject of Netflix’s Wild Wild Country series), the center offers programs in yoga and meditation. It’s best explored with a guide, who can give you insight on practices and beliefs.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, check out some of the city’s most important historic sites; you’ll get the most of your time by joining a guided tour, as there’s a lot to see in just a few hours. Don't miss the 19th-century Aga Khan Palace or the rock-carved Shiva temple at Pataleshwar Cave.

Night: When night falls, head over to the Koregaon Park area, an upscale neighborhood with plenty of lovely illuminated buildings. The area is safe, but you'll get the most of your experience by exploring as part of a night walking tour with a local guide who can tell you about the area and its architecture.

Day 2: Like a Local

Morning: Pune is famous for Savitribai Phule Pune University, one of the top universities in the country. Spend your second morning exploring the campus, celebrated for its beautiful, British-colonial buildings. Note that the campus is huge, so you’ll get around faster if you join a bicycle tour instead of exploring on foot.

Afternoon: By the end of your campus tour, you'll likely have worked up an appetite. Spend your afternoon exploring the city's street-food culture, sampling popular snacks and sweets. Joining a food-themed walking tour is ideal, as your guide will be able to show you what to sample and the best places to try it.

Night: In the evening, head back to Koregaon Park to check out the area’s many bars and clubs. Grab a quick dinner at the famous German Bakery before heading out for a night of bar-hopping. Joining a guided pub crawl led by a local is a good way to find the best spots to drink.