Forts in And Near Mumbai

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Mumbai is the Castella de Aguada, popularly known as Bandra Fort, which is located in Land's End in Bandra. Although it was originally named Forte de Bandora by its builders, the Portuguese word for castle is Castelo.

After settling in the region in 1534, the Portuguese constructed it in 1640 to use it as a lookout overlooking Mahim Bay, the island of Mahim, and the Arabian Sea. The word "Aguada" comes from a freshwater spring that was near the fort, which is where the castle got its name.

Up to seven cannons and other minor defense tools, like firearms, were stationed at the fort during the Portuguese occupation. Due to its strategic location, the fort was once used to monitor the northern maritime channel leading to Mumbai Harbor. When the Marathas started to pose a threat to the British in India in the early eighteenth century, the British demolished a sizable portion of Castella de Aguada.

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Byramji Jeejeebhoy Road, Bandstand Road
• Entry: No fee
• Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mumbai's distance from the Bus Stand: is 13.9 km away from Mumbai Central MSRTC.

A historically significant but often-overlooked tourist destination in Mumbai is the Worli Fort, which towers over the Worli fishing hamlet. The British constructed it atop a hilltop so that they could see maritime activity and keep an eye out for enemy ships.

People's attention has been drawn to it because of the Bandra-Worli Sealink construction. The number of tourists visiting this location has grown since then. Typically, a good number of foreign visitors, students, and history enthusiasts make their way up here. 

Despite withstanding harsh weather and government neglect over the years, the fort is nonetheless remarkably solid and beautiful. Following renovations in 2007, the Bombay Municipal Corporation and a few locals have been responsible for its upkeep.

Best time to visit.

The months of October through February are the ideal times to visit Worli Fort because of the lovely weather in Mumbai. Because of the relative lack of humidity during these months, visiting this place is hassle-free.

In addition, there won't be any clouds in the sky, allowing you to take in the splendor of the Arabian Sea. To see a breathtaking dawn, visit the fort early in the morning. Seeing the Arabian Sea's horizon change color in the evening is another fantastic experience.  

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra 400030; Worli village near Worli, Fort
• Entry: No fee
• Time: Open every day of the week from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

One of the best forts in Mumbai is the Sion Hillock Fort, which the British constructed between 1669 and 1677. Travelers are drawn to the fort by its stunning stone construction and thoughtfully placed little square windows.

Through the floor's large rooms, visitors can move around and take in the views of the surrounding countryside from the windows. The Clock Tower and the neglected Canon on the floor are the fort's main features.

• Location: Sion East, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400022; East, Rd No. 1, Air Force Quarters
• Best time to visit: Winter months from October to early March are the ideal times to visit.
• Hours of operation: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

The Sewri Fort in Mumbai, another British-built defense port, is situated atop a hill. It dates back to 1680. The watchtower function was the reason behind building the fort. There is a flight of stairs that leads to the fort's interior. 

There is an open area inside the fort that resembles a courtyard, and there are room constructions on the opposite side of the area that are thought to have served as storage rooms. Even though the fort is now abandoned, it nevertheless has a charming rustic quality that begs to be explored.

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400015; 31, Sewri Ford Road, MPT, Sewri
• Best time to Visit: Winter months from October to early March are the ideal times to visit.
• Hours: 24 * 7 

Built in the early 1400s, Fort Bassein is a magnificent display of strength and construction, located roughly 55 kilometers from Mumbai. The Gujarati Sultan Bahadur Shah was the first to build the fort, and it has had numerous master builders.

The Portuguese word "Bacaim" is where the fort gets its name. It was dominated by the Portuguese, Marathas, and British in the past. The Archaeological Survey of India is currently in charge of maintaining and guarding the fort, albeit not much has been done to save the important historical site.

There are still places with vegetation even if the fort is in ruins. Come here to marvel at the scale and medieval architecture of the fort, and then spend the morning touring the interior, since there is much to see.

• Location: Vasai West, Police Colony, Killa Road, Vasai, Maharashtra

Close to the popular hill resort of Lonavala is Lohagad, one of Pune's most stunning tourist spots. Packed with scenic views and near Malavali, this location is a trekking enthusiast's favorite in Pune. Constructed during the 18th century, this site is well worth a visit to see the charm of old architecture concealed in a breathtaking environment.

At an astounding 3,400 feet above the ground, Lohagad Fort is perched atop a scenic hill around 50 kilometers from Pune. Built in the 18th century, this elegant fort provides a special fusion of old architecture and gorgeous surroundings.

Once you've reached the fort, you may marvel at the elaborate history of the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who utilized it to protect all of his riches. Another amazing aspect of this place that draws travelers year-round is how close Pune and Mumbai are to one another.

The ascent to the fort is not too strenuous and takes a few hours. Connected to the Visapur Fort, this impressive Maratha stronghold is one of the best hill forts in the vicinity. The best months to visit Lohagad Fort are June through February, when temperatures range from 15 to 22 degrees Celsius, making them comfortable and perfect for trekking.

Murud-Janjira Fort in Mumbai is one of the strongest and most beautiful sea forts in India. It is located near the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Murud village. Located about 55 miles from the well-known town of Alibag, in the Raigad district, lies the well-known medieval fort known as Murud-Janjira Fort.

With the Arabian Sea on all four sides, this strong fort has stood for centuries and is a monument to the brave Marathas who once lived in the region. Standing at almost fifty feet tall, the fort is regarded as a masterpiece of ancient architecture.

The Arabic word "Jazeera," which means "Island," is whence the name Murud-Janjira originates. To get to the fort, take a boat from the Rajapuri Jetty. The Marathas made many changes to the fort after the Sultans had originally constructed it. With its own natural lakes, offices, palaces, and religious centers, the fort was a fully functional living structure. A watchtower was built into the roof of the fort during times of strife. 

Situated close to Kolhapur City, the strategically constructed Panhala Fort is the biggest in the Deccan. It is one of the top spots to see in Kolhapur and connects Maharashtra to the Arabian Sea through Bijapur. History and geography buffs would be astonished by it.

The Indo-Islamic architecture is an addition to the Fort's display of diverse dynasty motifs, bastions, and other artifacts. From here you may get a 360-degree panorama from the hilltop and catch a peek at the Maratha empire's magnificent history. Therefore, include this building in your list of Kolhapur's must-see locations to make the trip even more amazing.

Crucial Details

• Address: Panhala Fort, 416201 Panhala, Maharashtra
• Ideal Period: June through February
• Hours of operation: 24 hours
• Entry: No fee

Located in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Western Ghats, Maharashtra's spectacular Raigad Fort is seen from there. One of the best ways to remember the past of the Marathas is to see the fort, which represents Maratha pride. Because of its advantageous location and significance as one of Pune's most notable monuments, the British dubbed it Gibraltar of the East.

Raigad Fort's principal draws include the Hirakani Buruj, Maha Darwaja, Takmak Tok, Jagdishwar Mandir, and the King's Durbar. Because of its trekking options, which include ascending 1737 steps and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area, the fort has grown to become a popular tourist destination. If you don't want to hike, there's a fantastic ropeway ride that will give you chills as you fly through the winds and take in the breathtaking aerial views of the surroundings. 

• Location: Raigad, Maharashtra, Raigad Fort
• Best Time to explore: November through March is the ideal time to explore Raigad Fort.
• Entry fee: A ticket for entry costs INR 10 / USD 0.15 for Indians and INR 100 / USD 1.54 for foreigners.
• Hours: Raigad Fort is open to visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Tarkarli is Sindhudurg Fort. "Fort built on the ocean floor" is how the name Sindhudurg Fort translates. Shivaji, the renowned Marathi ruler, spent three years building the fort.

A fort was constructed by thousands of Indian laborers and more than 100 Portuguese architects to protect the Maratha Empire from foreign invaders. One of the most important sites to see in Tarkarli is this historical site. The fort may be found at Malvan, Maharashtra.