Solapur sits on the Deccan Plateau in south-western Maharashtra, close to the Karnataka border, about 245 km from Pune and 410 km from Mumbai. It is known across India for Solapuri chaddars and terry towels, for its mills and power looms, and for being the city of four freedom fighters hanged in 1931, which earned it the title City of Hutatmas. It is not a polished tourist town, and that is part of its appeal.
The city's heritage is easy to see in half a day. Bhuikot Fort, a Bahmani-era land fort with double walls and a trench, stands beside the Siddheshwar lake, and across the water is the temple of Siddharameshwar, the 12th-century saint who is Solapur's guardian deity. Each January, around Makar Sankranti, the Gadda Yatra fills the lakeside with pilgrims for about two weeks.
The real reason to stay a night or two is the surrounding country. Akkalkot, about 38 to 40 km to the south-east, is a pilgrimage town for followers of Swami Samarth, with the remains of a Bhosale princely-state fort and a small armoury museum. North of the city, Nannaj has a grassland sanctuary created for the great Indian bustard, one of India's rarest birds, which you should visit for the habitat rather than for a guaranteed sighting. Pandharpur and Tuljapur, both major pilgrimage towns, are also reachable by road.
Solapur is hot for much of the year, so plan around November to February. The city is a railway junction on the line between Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, and a small airport opened in 2024.
Before you plan
Solapur at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is dry and…November to February is dry and comfortable; March to May is very hot, and June to October is the monsoon.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days: one for the city2 days: one for the city, fort and lake, one for Akkalkot or Nannaj
- Airport
- Solapur AirportSolapur Airport (SSE), south of the city, opened in September 2024; check current flights. Pune (PNQ) is about 245 km away and Hyderabad about 305 km.
- Railway station
- SolapurSolapur (SUR), a major junction and the centre of the Solapur railway division; Hotgi and Kurduvadi are other junctions in the district.
- Getting around
- AutosAutos, taxis and city buses in the city; hire a car or take state buses for Akkalkot, Nannaj and other day trips.
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹4,000 per person…Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹4,000 per person per day excluding stay, depending on car hire and food; prices vary
- Senior comfort
- Fair: sights are mostly levelFair: sights are mostly level, but heat, dust and crowded temple lanes call for a slow pace and morning starts.
- Language
- Marathi mainlyMarathi mainly; Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Urdu are also widely spoken
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Solapur: January, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Solapur itinerary
One good day
1 day in Solapur
Start early at Bhuikot Fort, walking the outer wall and the two gateways before the heat builds. Cross to the Siddheshwar temple for darshan and a stroll round the lake, then rest through the afternoon. In the evening return to the lake edge for the light on the temple and fort walls.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Solapur
Spend the morning at Bhuikot Fort and the Siddheshwar temple, rest after lunch and take a gentle evening walk by the lake.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Solapur
See Bhuikot Fort and the Siddheshwar temple, then rest through the afternoon.
Day-by-day plan →
