Satara takes its name from the seven forts that ring it, and the forts are still the reason to come. Raja Bhoj of the Shilahara dynasty is credited with the fort above the city in the 12th century. Shivaji took it in 1673, and after the death of Sambhaji the Maratha capital returned here in 1698. Shahu I was crowned at Satara in 1707 and ruled from the city. The British annexed it in 1848, the first state taken under the Doctrine of Lapse.
Today it is a quiet district town at about 740 metres, near the confluence of the Krishna and Venna rivers, popular as a weekend break from Pune. The easy anchors are Ajinkyatara, where a road reaches the summit, and Sajjangad, the pilgrimage fort that holds the samadhi of Samarth Ramdas. Further out are quieter forts such as Chandan, Vandan and Vardhangad, and in the monsoon the Kaas plateau and Thoseghar waterfalls draw crowds.
Plan Satara around the weather. From October to February the forts are comfortable and the views are clear; in August and September the hills turn green and Kaas flowers; April and May are hot enough to make any climb tiring. Older travellers do best with the vehicle-access forts and a driver, and should leave the trekking forts to the fit.
Before you plan
Satara at a glance
- Best months
- October to February for fortsOctober to February for forts; late August to September for the Kaas flowers. April and May are hot, and July is the wettest month.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days for Ajinkyatara, Sajjangad…2 days for Ajinkyatara, Sajjangad and one day trip; 3 days if you add a trekking fort
- Airport
- Pune International AirportPune International Airport (PNQ) is the nearest, about 110 km away, roughly 2.5-3 hours by road, traffic dependent
- Railway station
- SataraSatara (STR) on the Pune-Miraj line of Central Railway; the line runs about 15 km east of town, so check the transfer to your hotel
- Getting around
- A hired car with driver is the most…A hired car with driver is the most practical; autos and state buses serve Sajjangad and nearby villages, and cabs go up Ajinkyatara
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500-₹3,500 per person per…Roughly ₹1,500-₹3,500 per person per day excluding stay, for food, local transport and a driver share; varies with car hire
- Senior comfort
- Mixed: Ajinkyatara has road access…Mixed: Ajinkyatara has road access to the summit, Sajjangad needs about 230 steps, and the trek forts are not suitable
- Language
- Marathi locallyMarathi locally; Hindi widely understood; English is limited outside hotels
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Satara: January, February, October, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Satara itinerary
One good day
1 day in Satara
Drive up Ajinkyatara early to see the city from the walls and the three small temples. Move on to Sajjangad for the Ramdas samadhi and the staircase, then have lunch and rest in town. If it is the monsoon season and time allows, add Thoseghar waterfalls in the late afternoon.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Satara
Follow the one-day plan at an easy pace, ending with a quiet evening in town.
Day-by-day plan →
