Blending together the sun, sea and history is this popular town of Alibag. Come to this lazy hamlet, which brings to you clear blue sea along the golden beaches where you can relish the cool sea breeze in the peaceful ambiance of palm trees.
This idyllic town on the western coast of India is bordered by the Arabian Sea in the Konkan region. This picturesque coastal town is an ideal holiday destination for those looking to spend some quality time in the serenity of nature. Well known for its vast stretches of beaches, impressive sea forts and the scrumptious fish delicacies, Alibag has something to offer for every kind of tourist.
Alibag is a perfect destination for a short break from the bustling cities of Mumbai and Pune. Positioned off the southern tip of Mumbai and separated by a narrow strip of Arabian Sea, Alibag is a fabulous place that is not only popular in this region but also across the country. With perfectly set black sand beaches with few rocky stretches, Alibag has its own romantic appeal to it. This town has multitude things to offer from the marvelous forts, churches, and temples to the plenty of water-sports available at the shoreline. The beach has its own charm that makes it a must visit for every beach enthusiast that will hypnotize you with its charisma and tranquility.
Just like most of the coastal towns, Alibag bears tropical climate, thus except for the few summer months rest all months of the year are conducive to travel.
Summer: The summer season commences in the month of March and lasts till June. Although the temperatures are warm, it may make the visit to the forts and other tourist spots difficult due to heat, but many people come during this time to enjoy the sea. The maximum temperature during this season is usually recorded around 36.
Monsoon: The rainfall season is from the months of June to September. The landscape turns lush green during this period, making it very favorable for tourists to visit. However, the sea can be pretty rough and unsafe during this time and is advisable not to venture out for a swim in the sea.
Winter: The month of November sees the beginning of winter in Alibag and continues till the end of February. This place can get very cold during the nights with temperatures below 15. It is the best time to explore this town as the weather is promising and does not tire you out quickly.
(Transport availability for traveling)
Alibag is easily accessible from the major cities of Mumbai and Pune. There are roadways connecting this town to various other towns in the state.
Air
The closest airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport of Mumbai that is well connected to other cities of the country and all major airlines providing their services. The airport is at a distance of 108km from Alibag. From the airport, you can either take a bus or taxi towards Alibag.
Roads
The road journey from Mumbai to Alibag takes about 3 hours travelling via Mumbai-Goa highway through the Pen junction. State transport buses, as well as private buses, ply on this route thus making it easy to reach here. Alternatively, you can travel with your own vehicle making it more convenient.
Railways
Pen is the nearest railway station from Alibag, which is at a distance of 28 km. This station lies on the Konkan Railway and trains travelling from Mumbai would halt here. You can then take auto rickshaws or taxis to Alibag to continue your journey. Railway journey is too enchating on this route.
Sea
Travelling by sea is another way of reaching Alibag. There are ferry boats leaving from Mumbai’s Gateway of India to Mandava jetty. From here there are buses taking you to Alibag, which is a half an hour ride. The ferries usually operate only during daytime. Hence, you can avail the services from 6 am to 6 pm only.
Take blessings from Lord Shiva at the Kanakeshwar temple, which is at about 12km from Alibag. The temple is located on a hill, which is 1200 feet high, and one must climb 700-750 steps to reach it. The special attraction of this temple is the sweet water tank called Pushkarni that is enclosed in a traditional black stone structure. Ask someone around for Devachi Pyari, Nagobacha Tappa, Gaymukh and Vyaghreshwar, which are the famous spots around the temple. Another of the most visited holy places is the Birla temple located in the village of Salav on the Alibag- Roha route. The beautiful structure is built of white marble, and its striking dome can be seen from long distances.
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Providing a serene home away from home is Alibag, which shields you from the maddening pace of city life, adding life and freshness to your stay. Get some fresh air at the Alibag beach and rejuvenate yourself by walking barefooted on the sands without any thoughts in your head. Hydrate yourself with some refreshing coconut water and enjoy some delicious vada pav at the beach. There are several beaches around Alibag such as Kihim, Varsoli, Awas, Saswane, Nagaon, and Akshi beaches, which you can go by exploring.
Alibag has become a famous destination, and many corporate sectors have their conferences here. With that, plenty of good resorts and hotels have opened up in this region. Some of the really good resorts are Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Paradise Villas & Resort and Elysium Resort.
With holiday seekers flocking this town on weekends, there are ample of accommodation options available to the tourists such as Maple Ivy, Outpost, Ruturaj Inn, and Hotel Ravikiran.
You can shop in the small lanes and streets of Alibag that will offer local handmade articles such bags and garments, antique jewellery and furniture. Bargain to get a good price for what you like.
With a strong history dating back to the 17th century, this town, Alibag has several forts in its vicinity. Alibag was developed by the naval chief Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre of King Shivaji’s Kingdom. 2 km away from Alibag is the Kolaba fort that is famous for its architectural brilliance. The fort is in the midst of the sea that was built by the Great Maratha Emperor Shivaji to fight the mighty Siddis of Janjira and the British of Mumbai. The Khanderi fort is another fort, which is almost 3 centuries old that was built under the Peshwas but was lost over to the British in later years.
Being so close to the sea, the seafood in Alibag is really delicious that you would ever taste. You can enjoy from the daily catch of crabs, Pomfret, prawns and sometimes, Bombay duck. However, most restaurants will also serve you the usual cuisines from North and South of India.
When at the beach the adventure definitely involves water sports. You can get drenched in the sea water while having fun with the water sports activities that are available at most of the beaches.
Tourism is the pillar of the economy of this town. There are few chemical and oil industries as well with industrial sites developing in and around of Alibag.
