Things to Do in Mahabaleshwar

1. Enjoy Thrilling Rides at Velocity Entertainmentz: Thinking of what to do in Mahabaleshwar post office hours? Your best bet is this amusement park that offers super-exciting things to do long after sundown. Enjoy go-karting, zip-lining, and bull riding and round off the day with delicious snacks and strawberry desserts at the food court here.

2. See an Amazing Sunset at Venna Lake: One of the best things to do in Mahabaleshwar is to watch the sun cast its warm golden hues on the waters of this pristine lake and finally set behind the Sahyadris in the background.

3. Enjoy a Late Dinner: Mahabaleshwar is dotted with several great restaurants for a late-night meal. There are so many choices that you don’t have to think twice about what to do in Mahabaleshwar for food. You can enjoy Chinese, Tandoori, and seafood at places like Farmhouse Bistro, The Olive Garden, and Aangan.

4. Shop at the Local Market: Head over to Town Bazaar, one of the most vibrant markets here, to explore the vibrantly lit shops. You can pick up handicrafts, strawberry jams and jellies, leather items, etc.

5. Indulge in a Sundowner: Dotted with chic bars and pubs, Mahabaleshwar offers a fun pub-hopping experience. You can indulge in a huge variety of wines, freshly-brewed beers, and mixed spirits. These places also offer great live gigs, music, and dance floors to add more to your night out.  Some of the best places for a night out are Longitude 73, Plunge Bar, Angaare, etc.

6. Try Lakeside Camping at Tapola: Often referred to as ‘Mini Kashmir’ of Maharashtra, Tapola offers the perfect night-time camping experience. You can also enjoy a range of exciting activities like kayaking, swimming, bonfire, night cricket, barbecue, and music here.

1. Town Bazaar: One of the best places to shop in Mahabaleshwar, Town Bazar is the go-to place for the best handicrafts, Kolhapuri footwear, hand-knitted woollens, and souvenirs.

2. Mapro Gardens: One of the best Mahabaleshwer things to do is to visit the famous Mapro Garden. The place is all about strawberries- fresh fruit and for shopping delectable jams, jellies, marmalades, and so much more.

3. Imperial Stores: This charming store has been here since the time of the British and sells amazing local wines, condiments, cheese, and strawberry jams.

4. Wilson Chikki: You cannot leave Mahabaleshwar without visiting this iconic place that sells the best chikki in town. You can choose from a huge variety of this lovely snack along with traditional Maharashtrian savouries.

There are quite a lot of adventure activities to do in Mahabaleshwar. 

1. Boating: A boat ride in the colourful ‘Shikara’ of Venna Lake is one of the most popular things to do in Mahabaleshwar. 

2. Jungle trekking: Tapola, also known as Mini Kashmir is a great spot for jungle trekking. It is also accompanied by the pristine Shivsagar Lake.

3. Kayaking: One of the most popular adrenaline-pumping things to do in Mahabaleshwar is kayaking and other water adventure sports at Shivsagar Lake. One can also go for swimming and scooter ride at the lake. 

4. Trekking: Trekking to Pratapgarh Fort, Lingmala Falls, Wilson Point, Arthur’s Seat, and Elephant’s Head Point will leave you stunned. These places offer the most mesmerizing views of the Sahyadris. 

5. Horse riding: Horse riding at Table Land and Venna Lake is one of the most memorable things you can do in Mahabaleshwar.

6. Rock climbing and Ziplining: Mahabaleshwar serves as a great place for adrenaline junkies, in terms of rock climbing, zip-lining, flying fox, and similar adventures. For the best rock climbing and zip-lining experience, head over to Village Bhose in Panchgani.

Apart from being a traveler’s delight, Mahabaleshwar is also an idyllic destination for shopaholics who want to fetch some items at giveaway prices. Situated in the heart of the city, Town Bazaar greets you with a hustling crowd, tiny shops, and attractive handicrafts.

From leather goods to tribal jewelry, handmade clothes to footwear, one can find everything in this shopper’s paradise. Some of the other popular markets in Mahabaleshwar include Imperial Store and Mapro Garden. While Mapro Garden is a perfect place for foodies where they can get delicious fruit salads, strawberries, and ice-creams, Imperial Store welcomes its visitors with tempting wines and mouth-watering pizzas.

The best trekking places near Mahabaleshwar are-

1. Rajgarh Fort Trek: Set at an altitude of 4,182 feet and located at a distance of 40 km from Pune, Rajgarh Fort offers an amazing trekking experience. The best time to trek to this magnificent fort is during monsoon when the surrounding area is plush with emerald green hillside. You can also camp here for the night and explore nearby areas before returning to the base. 

2. Tikona Fort Trek: One of the most popular things to do in Mahabaleshwar is trekking to the glorious Tikona Fort. Located at a height of 3500 feet above sea level, this short and edgy trek starts from the village of Tikona Peth and goes all the way to the top of the hill. The trek is full of unexplored jungle trails, brilliant skyscapes, lush green hillside, and adventurous route. 

3. Korigad Fort Trek: Perched at a distance of about 20 km from Lonavala near Amby Valley, Korigad Fort serves as a great place for trekking activity. In fact, Korigad Fort trek is one of the best things to do in Mahabaleshwar. The trek is quite an easy one and it only takes about an hour to reach the top. 

4. Rajmachi Trek: Rajmachi is one of the most historical monuments in Lonavala. It is also a great trekking route for travellers. It is located at a height of 2710 feet and offers stunning views of the Sahyadri Mountain range as well as the backwaters of Shirota Dam. You will come across some amazing waterfalls, meandering streams, and lush green flora as you trek your way to the fort. 

5. Korigad Fort Trek: Standing at an elevation of about 930 meters above sea level, Korigad fort is situated at a distance of 20 km from Lonavala. The architecture of this fort is splendorous in every sense of the word. It speaks of the glorious legacy of Shivaji. The trekking route is quite easy and offers mesmerizing views of the majestic Sahyadri range.

You can reach Mahabaleshwar in the following ways-

By Bus: Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) provides for regular bus services from nearby cities, such as Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Panchgani, and Kolhapur. 

By Train: Mahabaleshwar does not have a railway station. The closest railway station to Mahabaleshwar is Wathar. It is located at a distance of 60 km from Mahabaleshwar. There are several trains that run from Mumbai to Wathar. One can also book trains to Pune Railway Station and get a cab to Mahabaleshwar. 

By Air: The closest airport to Mahabaleshwar is in Pune, which is well-connected to all the major cities in India. The airport is located at a distance of 131 km from Mahabaleshwar.

The best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is from December to February.  However, Mahabaleshwar is worth visiting throughout the year.

Summer season (March –June): The temperature is moderately high at this time of the year.  It usually drifts between 5 degree Celsius and 35 degree Celsius.

Monsoon Season (July – September): The temperature usually drifts between 20 and 25 degree Celsius. The weather is cool and misty during monsoon. However, the roads become quite slippery due to heavy showers. Nonetheless, the emerald green of the hillside is quite refreshing to witness during the rains.

Winter Season (October – February): The best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is during winter. The temperature drops to an average of 10 to 24 degree Celsius. There is no snowfall in Mahabaleshwar.

If you are on a visit to this hill station of Maharashtra, you can’t afford to miss even one scenic spot. Normally, the entire town of Mahabaleshwar can be covered within 3 days. If you cover around 3-4 spots in a day, you will still be left with enough energy to get back to your hotel and enjoy an eventful evening with your family.

Normally, each spot includes 30 minutes of travel time and if you take another 1 hour for exploring the spot, you still have a lot of time in your hand to recharge yourself for the next day.

Mahabaleshwar is famous for its scenic beauty. The town is enveloped by the Sahyadri range on all sides. It is also popular for its numerous tourist attractions, such as Venna Lake, Parsi Point, Lodwick Point, Lingmala Falls, and Elephant’s Head Point. 

Mahabaleshwar also offers stunning views of sunrise and sunset. Connaught Peak is the best place to witness a sunrise. Sunsets are exceptionally good from The Bombay Point. Mahabaleshwar is also known for its strawberry farms. Mapro Garden is the best place to find abundant strawberry plantations. The Garden also hosts the annual Strawberry Festival that usually takes place in the month of May. The place is also quite famous for the divine Mahabaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The shopping streets of Mahabaleshwar have something for everyone. Though it is hugely popular for its handicraft items available at Town Bazaar, one can also please their taste buds by purchasing delicious strawberries from the well-known Mapro Garden.

If you are an art lover, don’t miss out on its streetside stores which sell tribal trinkets, toys, and handcrafted artifacts. Some other items which can be purchased from here include pickles, juice concentrates, Pappads, honey, syrups, and fruit crushes. With so much of variety in its reserve, shopping is an unmissable thing to do in Mahabaleshwar.

Mahabaleshwar is a nature’s blanket with its lush green landscapes, majestic hills, and dense forests. If you wish to quadruple the charm of your stay here, it is important to find a perfect accommodation.

The best accommodation in Mahabaleshwar can not only offer you lucrative packages but also spoil you with their luxurious amenities and enthralling indoor activities. Some of the well-known resorts in Mahabaleshwar which promise a hassle-free stay experience to the visitors include Valley View Resort, Gautam Resort, and Brightland Resort.

The town also has few villas which give you an experience of home away from home. The best villas which have gained immense popularity with their outstanding services include Villa stay and Isabella Bungalow.

The ideal duration for a holiday in Mahabaleshwar should be at least 3 days. You can also visit this hill town for a weekend if you live in Mumbai or a close-by area. 

On the first day, you can visit scenic places, such as Venna Lake, Arthur’s Seat, Pratapgarh Fort, and Mahabaleshwar Temple. Spend your evening looking at the mesmerizing mountain views.Witness the sunrise on the second day and go for a trek to Lingmala Falls to soak in the beauty of nature.

There are many activities to do in Mahabaleshwar. On the third day, you can indulge in boating, zip-lining, bird watching, rock climbing, and horse riding, before leaving this quaint hill town.

Yes, Mahabaleshwar is worth visiting. You will find nature in abundance here. This quaint hill town offers extraordinary views of the majestic Sahyadri Mountain range. There are numerous places to visit in this town, such as Venna Lake, Mapro Garden, Rajpuri Caves, Arthur’s Seat, and Tapola. There are also a lot of activities to do in Mahabaleshwar, such as horse riding, bird watching, trekking, and rock climbing.

Mahabaleshwar is situated at a distance of 263.5 Km from Mumbai. This distance can be easily covered within 5 hours. There are several modes of transport available in Mumbai through which you can reach Mahabaleshwar.

One of the best ways to enjoy your journey is by hiring a taxi or by self-driving. If you don’t want to spend heavily on transportation, you can also book the train tickets from Dadar railway station. A plethora of people also opt for the bus journey to reach the scenic town of Mahabaleshwar.

The best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar in one day are Venna Lake, Mapro Garden, Tapola, Connaught Peak, Lodwick Point, Lingmala Falls, Rajpuri Caves, Pratapgarh Fort, Babington Point, and Mahabaleshwar Temple. You can choose your favourite spots to visit, depending on what kind of experience you want to have in Mahabaleshwar. For instance, if you are spiritual, or simply love art, architecture, or history, then Lord Mahabaleshwar Temple should be on your list, and so on.

Restaurants that serve the best food in Mahabaleshwar are-

1. The Grapevine: One of the main things to do in Mahabaleshwar is to relish in the delectable Indian, Continental and Thai cuisine at this popular restaurant.

2. Elsie’s Dairy and Bakery: If you love cakes and other bakery products, then do not miss to visit this bakery-cum-café, which was established in 1849. 

3. Bagicha Corner: Located in the Mapro Garden, this restaurant serves the best milkshakes in Mahabaleshwar. The shakes here are served in a variety of flavours, such as strawberry, Oreo, and mango.

4. Mad Smokehouse: One of the most popular restaurants in Mahabaleshwar, this one is known for its Mediterranean and seafood. The ambience of the place is one-of-a-kind

The government-run buses are the best mode of public transport to commute in and around Mahabaleshwar. These buses travel to all the main attractions in the town. There are two routes that these buses follow, namely, the Pratapgarh Darshan and the Mahabaleshwar Darshan. They are safe and the tickets are affordable. You can also hire a cab to travel around the town.

Some of the most comfortable homestays in Mahabaleshwar are-

Mount Villa: A fabulous homestay located close to the magnificent Lingmala Falls, Mount Villa boasts of a big garden area, big and spacious rooms with a view and attached bathrooms, and a kitchen. 

Eden Villa: This property is located quite close to many popular tourist attractions, such as Mapro Garden, Lingmala Falls, Mahabaleshwar Temple, and Venna Lake. The homestay is affordable and offers all the basic amenities, such as Wi-Fi, private parking, running water, and 24-hour room service. 

GK Homestay: A beautiful property located 5 km away from Elephant’s Head Point and 6 km from Venna Lake, G K Homestay offers stunning views of the Sahyadri Mountain ranges. The wooden property also provides for services like free Wi-Fi, parking, room service, 24-hour running water, and on-request taxi.

One of the best things to do in Mahabaleshwar during night is to hit some vibrant and pulsating pubs, like The Electrique Mist and The Tarang Bar. You can even enjoy a strawberry milkshake at Mapro Garden or enjoy the sunset at Wilson Point or Venna Lake. A stroll through the popular Town Bazaar is one of the unique things in Mahabaleshwar to try during night. Velocity Entertainmentz is also a great option to hang out at night with your group. It offers interesting activities, such as go-karting, bull riding, drop tower, and strawberry parlour.

Yes, trekking is absolutely safe in Mahabaleshwar. It is always a good idea to plan your trek before heading out in the wilderness. Trekking is one of the most popular things in Mahabaleshwar to do by the visitors. It is also the best way to catch some mesmerizing views and soak in the glory of nature. Mahabaleshwar offers some of the best treks in Maharashtra, such as Rajgarh Fort, Tapola, Pratapgarh Fort, and Connaught Peak trek. 

Even though trekking in Mahabaleshwar is quite adventurous and safe, it is recommended to always carry quality equipment and prescribed as well as basic medicines with you. Also, be aware of your surroundings during the trek.