Mahabaleshwar - The Perfect Weekend Getaway from Mumbai. Don't Miss These Top-10 Places to Visit in Mahabaleshwar (2019)

One of the foremost and main reasons to visit Mahabaleshwar is solely for the view. You can’t expect to get a view like this anywhere else in Maharashtra and it is truly scenic.

When you reach the top of the hills on prominent points then you get to witness the vastness of the Sahyadri mountain range which is truly breathtaking. The beautiful natural landscapes look straight out of a painting or a movie but they are all true and you cannot find a better reason to visit Mahabaleshwar than this.

Another important reason to visit Mahabaleshwar is a pleasant climate out there. No matter what season it is, you will always find Mahabaleshwar quite pleasing and soothing. You will find some amazing places to visit in Mahabaleshwar only in the monsoon season.

However, it can be quite risky to visit Mahabaleshwar in the monsoon season as the roads become slippery. So, early winters would be the perfect season to visit this place.

Mahabaleshwar is perfect for people who are adventurous but do not want to go too far from Mumbai. They can enjoy a thrilling weekend in Mahabaleshwar which is just a few hours away from Mumbai.

You can enjoy a bunch of activities here like rock climbing, horseback riding, trekking, and a lot more. Going around on a jungle trail here is also quite fulfilling for your heart as you can witness the beauty of nature from a closer perspective.

Starting this list of the 10 best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar with the most popular place which is Wilson Point. Not only is it the most popular tourist spot but also the highest point in Mahabaleshwar too. It is located just 2 km away from Mahabaleshwar bus stand and situated at an altitude of 1,439 m.

People usually call it the sunrise point as the sunrise from here looks truly magical and very clear too. Wilson Point is a vast plateau having three towers located at three different spots.

This is the only point from where you can see both the sunrise and the sunset. You are going to need to follow a trail to hike up to this point which can be quite tiring. So, make sure that you carry all the necessary stuff with you. And do not forget to capture those precious moments of the sunrise and the sunset here as well.

Venna Lake is quite the highlight of visiting Mahabaleshwar. The scenic lake is located just 2 km from the main market of Mahabaleshwar and you can hire a taxi to reach there. The lake looks so stunning especially in winters that people from all across the country visit this place.

What adds to the beauty of the lake are the tall trees and the lush greenery surrounding the lake. You can visit the lake from 7 am to 7 pm and there is no entry fee for it. However, if you want to enjoy a session of boating in the lake then you will be charged Rs. 250 for half an hour. Venna Lake is a man-made lake but the natural beauty complements this place which truly stands out and creates a stunning tourist spot in Mahabaleshwar.

Arthur’s Seat is known as the Queen of all the Points or Suicide Point and named after Arthur Malet who lost his wife and daughter in the Savitri river. Located 1,470 m above the sea level, this is a very popular tourist point in Mahabaleshwar that people visit to click some amazing pictures.

Arthur’s Seat offers a panoramic view of the Savitri Valley on the left and the Brahma-Arayana Valley on the right. To be true, it is even better than visiting Wilson Point if you are not interested in watching the sunset or sunrise. This point is considered to be quite popular amongst adventurous people as you have to follow a trek for reaching here. Moreover, you can also visit a bunch of other points before finally reaching Arthur’s Seat. If you do not want to trek here then you can also take a cab to reach this beautiful place.

Also known as Needle’s Point, Elephant’s Head Point is located at the end of the Sahyadri mountain range. If you want to witness the true beauty of this place then the best time to visit Mahabaleshwar would be on a bright sunny day in winters. You can witness a spectacular and larger than life view of the Sahyadri range from here which looks quite breathtaking. Nature truly engulfs you in her lap and the feeling is surreal.

Moreover, during your visit to the Elephant’s Head Point, you can also visit Sydney Point, Parsi Point, Dhom Dam, Cheese Factory, etc. on your way here. This point is located 7 km away from the Mahabaleshwar bus station and you can take the local transport to reach the main gate. If you are interested in trekking then you can trek here from the main gate.

Located in Panchgani, Mapro Garden is one of the prime tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar. This beautiful garden remains open to visitors from 8 am to 8 pm every day. Mapro is an acronym for Mahabaleshwar Products which is quite popular for its fruit-based products. Interestingly, this place has no entry fee and with lush greenery all around, this is truly a must-visit in Mahabaleshwar. You can find a lot of interesting attractions inside the premises like a children’s play area, small nursery, restaurants, a chocolate factory and retail outlets selling Mapro products.

If you are in Mahabaleshwar for the weekend then you should totally visit Mapro Gardens. You can also witness the complete production process of jams and syrups being manufactured here. You can spend an entire day here without getting bored and it will be such a relaxing experience for you.

Mumbai/Bombay Point is quite popular for being the ultimate sunset point in Mahabaleshwar just like Wilson Point is popular for being the sunrise point. One of the 10 best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar, this point is located just 3 km away from the Mahabaleshwar bus stand.

Bombay Point is the oldest point in Mahabaleshwar which was discovered in 1836. You can easily sit back here and relax while watching the sunset and looking over the beautiful valley down below. We will recommend you to reach here in the afternoon so that you can enjoy a picnic with your family and can watch the sunset afterwards. The view here looks quite fascinating and enchanting and you won’t feel like leaving this place anytime soon. By the evening you can also enjoy chowpati here along with a horse-back riding session too.

Chinaman’s Waterfalls is named after a Chinese prison located in the vicinity. If you are visiting Mahabaleshwar, you can’t afford to miss Chinaman’s Falls. As the waterfalls from a height, the sight looks truly magnificent and magical. The height of this waterfall is its main attraction as it falls on various spots and then finally merges in a flow furthermore. Located amidst the Venna Valley, this beautiful waterfall is all about the true blessing of nature on us humans.

We would recommend you to enjoy some time at this waterfall before sundown as it can be quite risky to be hereafter sunset. The best time to witness the full glory of this waterfall is in the monsoon season when the water flows in its fullest spirit and looks milky white.

The Mahabaleshwar Temple was constructed in the 16th century by the Chand Rao More dynasty. It is dedicated to one of the most revered deities of Hindu religion - Lord Shiva. It is one of the 7 holy places for salvation for the Hindus and is a top pilgrimage destination for pilgrims from across the country. The Mahabaleshwar Temple is also known as "Dakshin Kashi" which implies that it is considered as sacred as the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi).

The Mahabaleshwar Temple is open every day from 5 am to 12 pm and then again from 4 pm to 9 pm. There is no entry fee and the temple is only 6 km away from the Mahabaleshwar town centre. If you are a religious traveller or a mythology lover then your visit to Mahabaleshwar will be incomplete without a visit to the Mahabaleshwar Temple.

Located 24 km away from Mahabaleshwar, Pratapgad Fort is known as the pride of the Maratha Empire. It was built in 1656 and is very popular for being the spot of the battle between Shivaji and Afzal Khan. The fact that the fort is built on top of a hill makes it even more intriguing and beautiful at the same time. So, whenever you are planning to visit the fort, you should keep a full day handy to visit the surrounding places and to click some marvellous pictures from here.

The fort is divided into upper and lower sections, with a Mahadev Temple on the upper portion and a Goddess Bhavani Temple in its lower portion. There are many chambers, ponds and long walkways here which add to the mysteries and intrigue of the fort. The view you get by overlooking from the fort is truly enchanting and you would not want to miss it for the world.

After Wilson Point, Connaught Peak is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar and hence we decided to put it into the list of the 10 best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar. It used to be known as Mount Olympia but got popular with its current name after the Duke of Connaught visited it. Located 1,400 m above sea level, this magnificent peak offers a stunning view of the Pratapgad Fort, Krishna Valley and the Venna Lake.

This peak comes as a great delight for trekkers as they can climb up to here to witness the sunrise and sunset. On the way to Connaught Peak, you can visit various places like Dhobi Waterfall, Falkland Point, Venna Lake, Krishnabhai Temple and many more. It is located 5 km from Mahabaleshwar bus stand and you can reach here by the local mode of transportation.

If you are not up to visiting too many places in Mahabaleshwar then we have something else for you. You can find a lot of interesting things to do in Mahabaleshwar which are not only adventurous but quite entertaining too. Mahabaleshwar is such a happening place that is perfect for a weekend getaway and you can definitely indulge in these activities out there.

Tapola is often called the mini Kashmir of Central India and a visit here would let you know why. If you want to enjoy jungle treks amidst beautiful natural trails then Tapola is the best place to be. It is one of the most loved places in Mahabaleshwar, extremely popular with adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. A day spent here would truly fill your heart with calm and peace.

There are so many other waterfalls located in Mahabaleshwar but visiting Lingmala Falls is a must. It is located just 6 km away from Mahabaleshwar, where people often love to take a dip. The waterfall is located amongst lush greenery and makes a picture perfect spot for nature enthusiasts. Make sure to be extra cautious here as the stones are quite slippery.

If you are not a fan of adventure activities then also we have something interesting for you to do in Mahabaleshwar. Apart from visiting the 10 best places in Mahabaleshwar mentioned above, you can also check out Babington Point. This place is popular for spotting lots of different species of birds. We will recommend you to visit this place in the monsoon as the chances of spotting birds are higher at this time.

The next interesting thing you can do in Mahabaleshwar is to go for rock climbing. You can enjoy rock climbing in Mahabaleshwar organised by Velocity Entertainmentz. Apart from this, you can also try your hands at zip-lining too. You can also enjoy lots of other activities with your friends and family out here which is truly a bliss for an adventure-loving soul.