Experiencing the Coastal Charms of Alibaug, Maharashtra

Introduction

Alibaug is surrounded by sea on three sides and is known as Goa of Maharashtra. Fort Colaba built by Shivaji Maharaj is also situated here. Because of this fort the taluka of that time was also called Colaba.

Alibaug is a very beautiful and small town situated on the sea coast. It is located near the city of dreams Mumbai in Maharashtra. In terms of area, Alibaug falls in the Konkan region of Raigarh district. Away from the noise of crowded cities, couples come to Alibaug to rejuvenate their relationship.

Alibaug history

Alibaug is located in Raigarh district of Maharashtra, India.
It is the headquarters of Raigarh district and is south of Mumbai city.
Alibaug is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is located at a distance of approximately 96 km from Mumbai and 143 km from Pune.
Alibaug and its surrounding villages are the historical hinterland of the Bene Israeli Jews.
There is a synagogue in the “Israel Ali” (Israel Lane in Marathi literature) area of the town.
Bene Israel named Ali lived there at that time.
So the locals called it “Alichi Bagh” (“Ali’s garden” in Marathi) or simply “Alibaug”, and the name stuck.

Another important point of Alibaug is that: Alibaug has a magnetic observatory which was established in 1904. It serves as an important observatory that is now part of a global network run by the Indian Institute of Geosciences.

The observatory consists of two buildings; The first building houses a magnetometer that records changes in geomagnetic fields. The second building houses precision recording equipment, which gives data about geomagnetic storms caused by solar storms which is shared with other countries.

Getting to Alibaug

How To Reach Alibaug

A beautiful coastal town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Alibaug is located at a distance of about 96 km from Mumbai. When it comes to connectivity, Alibaug is well connected to other major Indian cities by air, road and rail.

How to Reach Alibhag By Flight

The nearest airport to Alibaug is Mumbai airport, located at a distance of approximately 140 km. Once you reach Mumbai airport, you can hire a private taxi or bus to go to Alibaug.

How to Reach Alibaug By Road

From Mumbai, there are around 35-40 state transport buses that run between Mumbai and Alibaug. Additionally, these buses connect Alibaug to Thane, Pune, Nashik, Borivali, Kolhapur, Miraj, Sholapur, Jalgaon, etc.

How To Reach Alibaug By Train

The nearest railway station to Alibaug is at Pen, a small town in Mumbai. Through Penn, Alibaug is connected to Panvel railway station and then to Mumbai and other cities on the Indian Railways network.

Exploring the Beauty of Alibaug

Murud Janjira Fort

Murud Janjira Fort is 54 km far from Alibaug and is spread over an area is 22 acres. The fort was originally a wooden structure and which was later renovated by Sidi Sirul Khan in the 17th century. If you are thinking of visiting the major tourist places of Alibaug, then you must visit Murud-Janjira Fort.You can reach this fort by taking a short ride. The best time to visit this place is between March to October. You can visit this fort from 7 am to 6 pm.

Alibaug beach

If you love walking in beaches, Alibaug beach is one of the best tourist places in Alibaug. The best thing about this beach is that you can see the beautiful view of Kolaba Fort from here. You can take a boat ride to see the fort closely. Here you can also enjoy many types of water sports activities like kayaking, jet ski, scuba diving.

You can see the 400 year old Ganesh temple . Also, what could be more romantic than a sunset view and yes, do enjoy coconut drink or vada pav here too.

Harihareshwar in Alibaug

Harihareshwar near Alibaug is a beautiful temple of Lord Harihareshwar. And This is one of the oldest temples of Raigarh. It was bulid in the 17th century. This temple full of beautiful architecture is one of the best places to visit near Alibaug. The average temperature here remains around 26 degrees Celsius. You can come here by road, rail or air. It is 171 km far from Pune and 195 km far from Mumbai.

Kolaba Fort Alibaug

Kolaba Fort is one of the most interesting places to visit in Alibaug. This fort is near to sea which is about 1 to 2 km from Alibaug. Colaba Fort is a 300-year-old fort and which was once the main naval station during the rule of Shivaji Maharaj.

Nagaon Beach Alibaug

Nagaon beach is full of adventurous water sports activities, then you must also visit this beautiful beach of Alibaug. Nagaon beach is about 3 km long and is an good place for tourists where they can have some activities like snorkelling and scuba diving. You can also see the beautiful sunset while strolling on this beach in the evening. It is located at a distance of about 9 km from Alibaug and about 114 km from Mumbai.

Khanderi Fort

Khanderi Fort is amazing charming tourist place to visit near Alibaug. This fort was built in 1678 by the Peshwa dynasty. The beauty of the fort is sea view from the fort is worth seeing. This fort reminds us of the brave Peshwas. This fort is located at a distance of 4 km from the beautiful beach called Thai Beach.

Local food Delights in Alibaug

This place is a heaven for Seafood lovers. Be sure to savour the local seafood delicacies like bombil fry, prawn curry, and fresh fish thali at one of the many seaside shacks. Don’t forget to try the famous Alibaug sweet, “Sanman,” a unique blend of ghee, jaggery, and milk.

Best Shopping Market Alibaug

Famous Raigiri Market Of Alibaug

Rayagadi Bazaar is the primary market of Alibaug which is located very close to the main beach and your shopping experience in Alibaug is incomplete if you do not visit this place. In this market, you not only get to witness the lifestyle of the local people living here, but you also get to buy exclusive items of the small Marathi coastal town. Not only is the market grand, but it sells Kolhapuri shoes and sandals, the most popular item in Maharashtra.

Bayside Curio Famous Store Of Alibaug

Bayside Curio Store is a shop located on Alibaug beach that sells all the items that you can take home as souvenirs while shopping in Alibaug. Some of those items are swimsuits, sarongs, capris, shorts, halter tops, crop tops, caps, sunglasses and many more.Although the store primarily focuses on keeping you safe from the sun, it also sells items that are perfect for resort and lounge wear. If you forgot to bring your bathing suit or swimsuit to Alibaug, you can buy it quite easily from this store.

Best Time to Visit

Summers are hot and humid with occasional sea breezes, while winters are cool and pleasant, with mild to warm days and cool nights. The period between June and September sees heavy rainfall with high tides around the coasts.This is an off-tourist season, so at this time, boat services and other beach activities are also halted. Therefore, the best time to visit Alibaug is between November and March, when the weather is perfect for visiting the beaches.

Staying Options in Alibaug

Alibag offers a range of accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxurious resorts. Some popular choices include Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, U Tropicana Beach Resort, and Hotel Ravikiran.

Conclusion :

A visit to Alibaug is akin to stepping into a coastal paradise, where the sea breeze carries with it a sense of tranquillity. The blend of historical richness, natural beauty, and delectable cuisine make it a destination that caters to all kinds of travelers. Whether you seek relaxation on the beach, adventure in the forests, or spiritual solace in temples, This place has something special for everyone. So, pack your bags, take a drive on this journey, and let the coastal charms of these beaches here leave an indelible mark on your heart and soul.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is Alibaug famous for?

Located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, It is well known for its beautiful strands and ancient castles. Among the colourful Alibaug sightseer places, Alibaug Beach, Kihim Beach, Akshi Beach, Mandwa Beach, Kashid Beach, Varsoli Beach, Nagaon Beach and Murud Beach are the popular Beaches here.

Which city is Alibaug in?

It is a megacity and an external council in the Raigad quarter of Maharashtra, India. It’s just 95 km away from Mumbai.

Is it the best time to visit Alibaug?

November to March is an ideal time to visit here & you enjoy these beaches as the rainfall is dry and cold. Thunderstorm season starts nearly in June and continues till September hence is an out-season. Also, the boat service between Mumbai and Alibaug isn’t functional during the stormy season.

How do I travel to Alibaug?Utmost Sightseers prefer to travel to Alibag from Mumbai via a boat from the Mandwa Jetty which takes about an hour to reach. From the Mandwa Jetty, It is another 30-minute drive down. The nearest road station to Alibaug is at Pen and Roha while the nearest highway are Pune and Mumbai.

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