The river ghats at Ram Kund are the spiritual centre of Nashik, busy at all hours with pilgrims. From there, the temples of Panchavati — Kalaram, Sundar Narayan, and Kapaleshwar — are all within a short walk. The Pandavleni Caves, a group of 24 Buddhist rock-cut caves dating from the 2nd century BC, sit on a ridge south of the city and are worth the climb for the carvings and the views.
Day trips open up the best things near Nashik: Trimbakeshwar's Jyotirlinga temple and the source of the Godavari 28km west, Shirdi's Sai Baba complex 90km southeast, and the wineries around the Gangapur Dam just west of town.