Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located at the edge of the Sahyadri Mountain Range. It’s one of the most visited destinations in Maharashtra that’s frequented by people all year round. The scenic hill station is well-known for viewpoints, temples, forts, hike and trek trails, and adventures that you can enjoy with your family and friends. Whether you want to get away from the cacophony of city life or need a spontaneous getaway plan, Mahabaleshwar will just tick all the right boxes.
The soothing hill station offers a wholesome package of sightseeing points and adventures that you can easily enjoy when on a mini vacation. And there’s much more to Mahabaleshwar, too. If you want to know all the things you can do and explore at this hill station, we have listed them down below. Keep reading to know about 8 fun things to do in Mahabaleshwar.
Go Boating At Venna Lake
Venna Lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar. It’s a manmade lake that was built in 1842 by Appasaheb Maharaj. It’s surrounded by tall green trees on all sides and has one of the most beautiful views you’ll ever see.
People from all over visit this location all year long and enjoy some fun activities around the lake. A few of the activities you can engage in and enjoy around the lake are horse riding, savoring some fresh berries, watching the sunset, and also going for a boat ride in the lake.
The boat ride is one of the major attractions of this location as you get to enjoy the view of the mountains and the lake. You can take a private shikhara or even a group boat ride tour across the lake. The gorgeous view of the hills, luscious green trees, cold lake water, and fresh air make the ride a soulful experience. You can also savor some street food at the several stalls lined up at the lake.
Timings – Open every day from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Cost – There is no entry fee to visit the lake but there are charges for boating at Venna lake. The charges are different for row boat and paddle boat and are based on an hourly basis.
Row Boat – The capacity of the boat is 7 people and the charges are INR 500/- for an hour.
Paddle Boat – The capacity of a paddle boat is 6 people and the charges for an hour are INR 440/-
Hike Or Trek Alongside The Jungle Roads Of Tapola
If you’re looking to spend some time amidst nature, you may want to go for a small hike or a trek to Tapola. Tapola is a small hamlet in Mahabaleshwar also known as the Mini Kashmir of Maharashtra. The green creepers and long trees add to the rustic vibe of the jungle road.
You can choose to go for a small hike with your family and friends early in the morning amidst the fresh air and greenery. In case your friends are more adventurous, a trek at the top of the hill would be fun too. The small trails across the hill will guide you to the hilltop for a gorgeous sunset view.
Tapola is surrounded by Shivsagar lake, where you can go camping with your friends and family. You can enjoy a barbecue at dawn along with the beautiful view of the sunset. Some other fun activities that you can enjoy at the lakeside are swimming, boating, kayaking, and water scooter riding.
Timings – The surroundings are open for all to visit at all times. But it’s recommended to not stay in the vicinity post-dawn as it’s not the safest place to spend the night.
Cost – There is no entry fee to visit Tapola.
Take A Trip To The Elephant’s Head Point And Arthur’s Seat
Mahabaleshwar being a hill station is home to the most well-known viewpoints like Kate’s Point, Helen’s Point, Wilson Point, Carnac Point, and more. Out of the many, the two most famous points are the Elephant’s Head Point and Arthur’s Seat. Visiting these points is a great way to enjoy the sunset view and experience the beauty of Mahabaleshwar.
At the Elephant’s Head Point, you’ll get to see the view of the elephant’s head at the tip of the hill. You can also visit the echo point that is located in the same area and hear a clear echo of your voice. Arthur’s Seat, on the other hand, is a point you must visit in the evening to get a glimpse of the beautiful sunset. It is said that Sir Arthur visited this point to take in the mesmerizing view of Mahabaleshwar.
Timings – There is no timing for Arthur’s Seat and you visit the spot anytime during the day. As for the Elephant’s Head Point, it’s open every day from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Cost – There is no entry fee required for either of these points.
Enjoy A Picnic At The Lingmala Falls
Mahabaleshwar is blessed with hills and greenery but you cannot miss out on the abundance of waterfalls. For all the nature lovers out there, Lingmala Falls is a must-visit destination as it’s located amongst verdant surroundings. You can hike up to the falls and enjoy a refreshing break away from the city.
Visiting the Lingmala Falls in Mahabaleshwar is a different experience as it’s a bit isolated from the main city area and other touristy places. It gives you the chance to spend some alone time at the location. You can take a dip in the falls and enjoy a small picnic with family as well. The sound of waterfalls and the cold breeze is just what you need for a rejuvenating time in Mahabaleshwar.
We recommend that you visit these falls during the monsoon to experience the falls in their full glory. You may also want to carry your own food as not many eateries or stalls are open in the neighboring areas.
Timings – Open every day from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Cost – Entry fee of INR 20/- per person.
Treat Your Senses At The Mapro Garden
Other than visiting the waterfalls, lakes, and other places in Mahabaleshwar, you can also take a tour of the Mapro Gardens. Mapro is a leading brand known all over India for producing delicious fruit products like syrups, sauces, jams, marmalades, jellies, and squashes. You can also pay a visit to the strawberry farms nearby. Many people choose to visit the Mapro gardens instead of visiting the strawberry farms as it’s one of the prime spots in Mahabaleshwar.
You can shop for all their products in this garden itself. They also have an ice cream stand in the garden where you can have some delicious and rich flavored ice cream. Keeping aside half a day to take a tour of the Mapro gardens and to shop for their products is more than enough. It’s also a famous picnic spot that most people visit at least once on their trip to Mahabaleshwar.
Timings – Every day from 8:00 am to 9:30 pm.
Cost – No entry fee.
Visit The Wax Museum
The wax museum in Mahabaleshwar is a must-visit place if you want to have a look at some of the best life-sized wax figures. It counts as one of the most interesting things to do in Mahabaleshwar. There are over 30 life-sized wax figures of famous people across the globe.
This museum attracts a lot of international tourist attention as these wax figures are made by visually impaired people. You can also buy some scented candles from the exhibition displayed at the museum.
Timings – 11:00 am to 8:30 pm.
Cost – Entry fee of INR 200/- per person.
Go For Bird Watching At Babington Point
Babington Point is situated 1,294 meters above sea level and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. This point has become a well-known destination in recent years among animal and nature lovers. If you’re looking for some time off to relax and breathe fresh air, Babington Point is a good place to visit.
A lot of bird watchers visit this place to have a look at some of the most wonderful birds that visit this point during migration season. The mild breeze and greenery all around are all you need to have a look at the birds and have a good time. We suggest you visit this place in the monsoon as most of the birds visit the area during this time. Additionally, the view from the point is the most stunning during the monsoon season.
Timings – Every day from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Cost – No entry fee required.
Seek Blessings At Mahabaleshwar Temple
The Mahabaleshwar temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year. The temple is also known as the Mahabali Temple and was built by the Marathas in the early 16th century. Even today it’s a remembrance of the majestic heritage of the Marathas. The temple is also known for its regal and phenomenal architectural structure.
People come here to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and spend some time in the vicinity of a holy and peaceful environment. There are some tales of the temple suggesting that Lord Shiva visited this location to rest overnight. The pilgrims visiting the temple wish for happiness, peace, and success. The aura of the temple is pure and serene which brings calm and peace to everyone visiting. You must visit the temple to experience the peaceful and pure aura and soak in the serenity of the place.
Timings – Every day from 5:00 am to 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Cost – No entry fee required.
Summing Up
This is a complete list of 8 fun things to do in Mahabaleshwar on your next trip. You should soak in the beauty of Mahabaleshwar to the fullest by ensuring to add some of these destinations and things to do in your travel itinerary. So don’t wait up, book your tickets, and plan a trip to Mahabaleshwar at the earliest!
FAQs
What Is Special in Mahabaleshwar?
Mahabaleshwar is one of the most visited hill stations in Maharashtra. The scenic view, waterfalls, forts, viewpoints, bird-watching points, and other natural wonders make this a special place to visit.
Which Is The Best Point In Mahabaleshwar?
It’s known to many that Mahabaleshwar has an abundance of points that you can visit. Some of the most famous points that you should not miss out on are Elephant’s Head point and Arthur’s Seat.
How Many Days Are Enough For Mahabaleshwar?
Mahabaleshwar is a destination that you can visit for a weekend getaway or even for an entire week-long vacation. If you really want to cover a few places on your itinerary, we advise you to stay for at least 4-5 days.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Mahabaleshwar?
Mahabaleshwar experiences pleasant weather all year long but the best time to visit the hill station is during winters and monsoon. The months of July to October have moderate rainfalls and are best for outdoor adventure activities. The winters, on the other hand, are pleasant for a nice weekend away from the city.
What Is The Off-Season In Mahabaleshwar?
The monsoon months of October and November are off-season in Mahableshwar. The summers that precede the rains and the winter that succeeds the rains see a lot of people flocking to the hill station.
How Many Days Are Enough For Mahabaleshwar?
If you want to see all the tourist spots in the area and relax sufficiently, you will have to stay in Mahabaleshwar for at least 3 days.
What Is The Best Route To Go To Mahabaleshwar?
NH4 is the only way to go to Mahabaleshwar. There are no trains for planes that go to the hill station. However, this route is in great condition, has enough rest stops on the way, and has a constant flow of buses going in and out of Mahabaleshwar.
