If you want to travel along the Western coast of India, Ratnagiri is one of the most impressive cities you can explore. Ratnagiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea located in Maharashtra. This city has a lot of interesting natural and historical tourist spots that can be perfect offbeat retreats for you.
Whether it is relaxing on a beach or exploring the forests, there is no lack of activities or tourist spots in Ratnagiri. But, before we get into details of the amazing tourist places in Ratnagiri, let’s take a quick look at how you can get to and from this city.
How to reach Ratnagiri?
By Air: Ratnagiri has its own domestic airport that is located nearly 12 km away from the city centre. You can easily find cabs, buses, or other public transport from outside the airport to reach the city. The Ratnagiri airport is well-connected to Mumbai and Pune airports.
By Train: Ratnagiri is well-connected, and it has its own railway station as well. The Ratnagiri railway station is one of the most important stations in the Konkan Railway line, which ensures that it is well-connected to trains from Mumbai, Pune, and other important south Indian cities. The railway station is located roughly 7 km away from the city centre of Ratnagiri. You can easily find public transport such as cabs and buses from outside the station to reach the city.
By Road: To reach Ratnagiri by road, all you would have to do is reach Maharashtra. From any major city or town in Maharashtra, you will find both government and private buses that will take you to Ratnagiri. These buses are available in various luxury classes so you can travel in any comfort you please.
See also: Resorts in Nashik that you must visit for a great family time
10 amazing Ratnagiri tourist places that you must visit
Now that you know how to reach Ratnagiri, let’s explore the Ratnagiri tourist places.
Jaigad Fort
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Jaigad fort is one of the most popular tourist spots in Ratnagiri. This hilltop fort was once known as the victory fort in the 16th century. The location of this fort is incredible as it is situated close to the meeting spot of River Shastri and the Arabian Sea. This beautiful fort has an astonishing view from the top, and you can trek to the fort for a pleasant adventurous journey.
The fort is located roughly 36 km from the city centre of Ratnagiri. You can easily find public transport, such as buses, cabs, or even autos, to help you reach the base point from where you will need to trek to the fort.
Ganpatipule Beach
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Talking of popular Ratnagiri tourist places, the Ganpatipule beach is perhaps one of the most popular beaches in the region. The rocky Ganpatipule beach is famous for its lagoon. The silvery sands of this beach almost make you feel like you are visiting a foreign location. The clean waters and the opportunity to go for various adventure sports make this beach a lucrative tourist spot for adventure lovers.
You can go kayaking at the lagoon near the beach, which can be an excellent unique experience for you. The Ganpatipule beach is located around 18 km away from the city centre of Ratnagiri. You can easily find public transport such as buses, cabs, and auto to reach the beach from the city centre.
Thibaw Point
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The Thibaw point is a popular picnic destination at Ratnagiri. This point is located on top of a hill where the Thibaw palace is also located. The palace was built for the Burmese king, who was exiled from his country. You can visit the palace, organise a picnic nearby, and watch the incredible sunset over the Arabian sea.
And do you know the best part? The Thibaw point is located less than a kilometre away from the city centre of Ratnagiri, so you don’t even need to take public transport, you can easily walk there. However, if you want, you can obviously avail of public transport such as auto or cabs.
Swayambhu Ganpati Temple
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One of the most interesting temples among many at Ratnagiri, the Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, was founded over 400 years ago. The monolith of Ganesha inside the temple is self-manifested and built from nothing but white sand. The monolith was discovered more than 1500 years ago, where the temple was later built.
This temple is one of the most popular tourist places in Ratnagiri and is frequented by tourists from across the country. The temple is located 36 km from the city centre of Ratnagiri. You can easily find public transport to reach the temple, such as cabs or buses.
Pandre Samudra
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Pandre Samudra is a beautiful beach in Ratnagiri located just 2 km away from the city centre. You can easily take a stroll down to the beach at any time of the day. This beach is popular for the white sand and the clear waters of the Arabian sea. You can spend your evenings on the beach watching the sunset over the Arabian sea. It is truly one of the most ethereal and beautiful beaches you can visit in Ratnagiri. If you want, you can easily get public transport to reach the beach as well.
Jaigad Lighthouse
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The Jaigad lighthouse is one of the most iconic tourist spots in Ratnagiri. The Jaigad lighthouse is located atop a hill close to the Jaigad fort. This structure is a popular viewpoint as you can get a great view of the sea below you from the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is located 36 km away from the city centre of Ratnagiri. You can find easy public transportation to and from this tourist spot, such as buses and cabs. This lighthouse is a must-visit location in Ratnagiri, so make sure you take some time to visit this unique tourist spot.
Ratnadurg Fort
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The Ratnadurg fort is an important strategic fort in the Arabian sea. It is surrounded by the Arabian sea on three sides. The fort is humongous, spread over an area of over 120 acres. The fort is shaped like a horseshoe and has a width of 1000 metres and a length of 1300 metres.
This fort was one of the most important forts of the Maratha empire. However, it was later taken over by the Mughals. The fort is located just 4 km away from the city centre of Ratnagiri. You can easily reach the fort using public transport like buses or cabs. This fort is a great day tour for your visit to Ratnagiri.
Gateway of Ratnagiri
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The Gateway of Ratnagiri is a picturesque viewpoint close to the Mandavi beach in Ratnagiri. The gateway is followed by a long walkway that leads to the Ratnagiri jetty. This place looks almost like a movie set and is a beautiful place for you to spend your evenings.
Thanks to its location just 2 km from the city centre of Ratnagiri, you can easily walk down to the gateway and spend time there any time you want. However, the best time to visit the gateway is in the morning or evening in order to get the best views. You can find public transport to reach the gateway, or you can easily get there on foot.
Mandvi Beach
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The Mandavi beach is the most crowded and popular beach in Ratnagiri. The location of this beach is one of its best features as it has a great view of the Ratnadurg Fort in the west. You can see the Arabian sea in the south, and if you walk down the long shoreline, you will get to the Rajiwanda port.
This beach is clean, and the water is clear, which will make your experience of visiting this beach even better. The beach is located down the pathway following the gateway of Ratnagiri. The exact distance from the city centre would be 3 km. You can reach here by public transport or by foot as per your choice.
Anjarle Beach
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The Anjarle beach is a non-commercialised beach in Ratnagiri. It is secluded, and you can truly enjoy yourself on your own here without the crowds. The view of this beach is also incredible, with palm trees and clear blue seawater. This is one of the most scenic locations in Ratnagiri, and you should definitely visit this beach if you want a peaceful retreat.
However, you should know that Anjarle beach is located 98 km away from the city centre of Ratnagiri. You can get public transport like buses and cabs to reach Anjarle beach, but you should consider the distance and plan ahead if you are planning a day trip.
FAQs
What’s the best time to visit Ratnagiri?
The Ratnagiri hills and beaches are best enjoyed in the winter months from October to March. You can also visit at other times of the year if you want to see the different shades of Ratnagiri.
What’s famous in Ratnagiri?
Ratnagiri has incredible beaches, viewpoints atop hills, forts, and temples. However, apart from the tourist spots, Ratnagiri is also popular as the home of Alphonso mangoes in India. So, if you are a fruit lover, Ratnagiri should be on your must-visit list.
What’s the ideal trip length for visiting Ratnagiri?
Ideally, you should consider a trip for 3-4 days in order to explore the various tourist destinations of Ratnagiri. However, if you want a relaxed trip, you can visit the city for a trip of 6-7 days in order to live and experience the beauty of Ratnagiri for an extended period.
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