This is for all those women who are craving for a quick escape but don’t have days to spare. The perfect antidote is a one-day trip—close enough to feel safe and manageable, yet refreshing enough to feel like a real break. No matter what you seek, like culture, quiet, nature, or just great food, these eight one-day getaways from major Indian cities deliver the right mix of ease and excitement. Share your thoughts in the comments section if you want more cities to be added in the list.
From Delhi: Neemrana Fort for a royal pause
Barely two hours from Delhi, the 15th-century Neemrana Fort Palace stands over the Aravallis like a faultless site for that quick retreat to break that monotony. This retreat will provide the ideal ratio of comfort to history. You may wander ramparts, sip coffee overlooking the desert, shop handicrafts, or simply arrange a spa treatment. For those desiring a touch of adventure, the fort’s zipline offers a bird’s-eye perspective of the landscape, all inside a secure, controlled atmosphere.
From Mumbai: Alibaug for beaches without the chaos
Alibaug’s expansive, spotless beaches are accessible after a brief ferry trip across the port and a fast drive. It’s great for women travelling individually or in small groups, for those quiet, easy to travel, and sprinkled with cafés where one can spend hours reading or working. Many women opt for Kolaba Fort at low tide, beach walks in Varsoli, or slow lunches in boutique coastal villas that double as day-use accommodations.Read more: From Assam to Kerala: How Indian states got their names
From Bengaluru: Channapatna & Ramanagara for craft and cliffs
Less than 90 minutes away, Channapatna’s colourful wooden toymakers offer a beautifully photogenic and culturally rich break. Workshops welcome visitors, allowing one to watch artisans bringing those lacquered toys to life. Combine it with a stop at Ramanagara’s dramatic granite hills, popular with women’s trekking groups, for a short, well-marked sunrise trail. The routes are manageable and the views spectacular.
From Chennai: Pulicat Lake for flamingos and quiet backwaters
About 60 km north of Chennai lies Pulicat, India’s second-largest lagoon, where migratory flamingos arrive in winter. It’s a peaceful, naturally open space that feels refreshing after the city’s bustle. One can opt to hire a local boat for a gentle ride across the brackish waters, visit Dutch-era ruins, and stop at viewpoints where the lake meets the Bay of Bengal. The route is straightforward, with frequent stops and safe daytime crowds.Read more: 9 exciting road trips to take in India based on your birth date
From Kolkata: Chandannagar for riverside French charm
A former French colony along the Hooghly River, Chandannagar sits just an hour away yet feels worlds apart. The promenade is perfect for an unrushed solo walk, lined with relics of colonial architecture and quiet bookstores. Women often spend time at the Sacred Heart Church, the museum inside the old French governor’s residence, and cafés with river-view terraces that come alive during golden hour.
From Hyderabad: Bidar for fortress walls and red laterite landscapes
Around three hours north, Bidar offers an impressive mix of heritage and open landscapes. The massive Bidar Fort—one of the Deccan’s most striking—has broad pathways, sunlit courtyards, and viewpoints that overlook the plateau. Women travellers enjoy that most landmarks lie within a compact radius: Bahmani tombs, the Narasimha Jhira cave temple, and workshops making the famed Bidri metalware. It’s a manageable route for a self-guided day getaway.
From Pune: Mulshi for waterfalls, woods, and lake breezes
Mulshi’s meandering green roads, which are only 45 to 60 minutes from Pune, seem ideal for a tranquil road trip for women. The lake is broad and peaceful, excellent for relaxing breakfasts at beachfront cottages or short nature excursions over forested parts. With seasonal waterfalls that are easily accessible from the main road, the hills turn electric green during the monsoon, making it the perfect low-effort, high-reward getaway.
From Ahmedabad: Polo Forest for nature soaked in mythology
Around 150 km away, Polo Forest is a favourite among women looking for nature without venturing too far. The forest offers level trails, ancient Jain and Hindu temple ruins partly reclaimed by roots, and a quiet riverbank where many groups enjoy picnics. The area is open, scenic, and full of wildlife chatter—all without demanding a high-intensity trek.
