Mahabaleshwar is located in the Satara district and is a popular weekend gateway for the residence of Pune (120 km) and Mumbai (215 km). Located at a height of 1372 m above sea level, it is the largest hill station in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra state. There are several lookout points which offer spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys. There is an old Shiva temple in the forest, which is the source of five rivers, including the Krishna river which is the second longest river of peninsular India.

The altitude and the cool climate of Mahabaleshwar makes it a popular tourist destination. The majority of tourist flows happen during the monsoon and winter months. The unique landscape, featuring towering cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and meandering rivers, makes Mahabaleshwar a natural paradise. The main destinations are the "points", named after prominent British administrators who found these splendid locations with unbeatable views. The points are located at various edges of the plateau in different directions. Apart from some natural landscape, Mahabaleshwar is home to several ancient temples. Mahabaleshwar and the nearby Panchgani region are famous for strawberry cultivation and account for 85% of the country's production.

Map of Mahabaleshwar

• 'Own car: Tourist driving in Mahabaleshwar can continue the sightseeing in their own car. The roads are good and there are proper signage leading to the different spots.

• Conduct Tours: City tours in bus (37 seater semi-luxary bus) are arranged by the Govt. Tickets are booked one day in advance. Cost is around ₹80-85 per person. there are two tour, one is Pratapgad darshan in morning 9:15AM and Mahabaleshwar darshan in noon 2:15PM (4 hours covering 11 Points Arthur, Kate, Strawberry farm and finally ending with Sunset. The driver speaks only in Marathi with some Hindi. During off-season there is only one bus but during season three buses ply on this Darshan. Beware of monkeys.)

• Rental cars: Rental cars are the most common means of transport for exploring Mahabaleshwar. Hotels can arrange for the cars.

The different view points are a prime attraction of Mahabaleshwar. There are about 25 view points in and around Mahabaleshwar. Most of these points would give you the same view (of mountains/valley) from a slightly different angle. So it is advisable to visit a few of them. The following are a must:

• Boating. Visit lake Venna for a ride on paddle or rowing boat. You may ride boat on your own or, alternatively, you can hire one. It is a beautiful and scenic lake. The paddle boats are stopped during the monsoon season (June to September), so you have to do with the rowing boat. Rowing boat: self-rowing at ₹ 400 for half an hour, ₹ 800 for one hour for the boat that can take about 8 adults. If you need a rower to do the rowing for you, ₹200 for half an hour. Accepts only cash, no card or UPI payment.. (updated Oct 2024)
• Horse Riding. Horse rides are available in the Veena Lake region 
• Tapola. About 50 km from Mahabaleshwar. Tourists can enjoy boating. There are many scenic view points and strawberry farms on the way. 
• Trekking. There are many many trekking trails around the hills of Mahabaleshwar. Ask your hotel for the nearest trekking trail 
• Watch Sunrise and Sunsets. Go to Wilson Point or Kate's Point to watch beautiful sunrises, and to Bombay Point or Elphinstone Point to see glowing sunsets. 

The bazaar is in the centre of town and consists of a pedestrian-only street with shops selling everything from fancy locally-made walking sticks to snacks and the specialty of the region, roasted chickpea nuts. At the far end of the bazaar stands a Mahabaleshwar institution, Imperial Stores, owned and run by generations of the Irani family. Here you can get anything from videos to provisions to ice cream to beer.

There is a Municipal Car Park near the State Transport Bus Station. Parking is ₹100 for three hours (Oct 2024).

• Honey. There are a variety of local brands of honey available in the bazaar. 
• Leather Footwear. One can buy the famous Kolhapuri slippers, shoes and sandals in the bazaar. 
• Mapro Foods, Kushal Kunj, Chesson Road, Panchgani, ☏ +91 2167 - 308561, [email protected]. These products are made from natural friuts and herbs and are not available outside Maharashtra. 
• Fresh Strawberries: From October–November to April–May, the entire stretch of road between Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar is lined up with makeshift stalls selling fresh strawberries. Mulberries are also on sale. Prices vary according to variety and season, but are subject to heavy bargaining.

Strawberries, mulberries and carrots are the specialties of Mahabaleshwar. One should not forget to try the Corn grown locally available in both roasted and boiled form. Corn patties made from it is delicious. The food prepared with local vegetables has a unique taste and one should also try the small tomatoes which look like cherries! Don't forget to have the staple food of Maharashtra, the Vada Pav, which is deliciously prepared by the local vendor next to the Hanuman Temple in the main market.

Almost all the hotels have their own restaurants. Hotel DreamLand, Hotel Panorama, and Hotel Shreyas have nice restaurants and good food, and all three are close to the State Bus stand. Many hotels, like Hotel Regal, Bharat Hotel and Hotel Rajesh, serve a buffet meal in a platter, also known as the 'Gujarati thali'. However, eating at the hotels you stay is excessively costly. It is advisable to take meals at other restaurants as an outsider. Hotel Panorama, which is just behind the Govt Bus Stand, offers good quality veg food at reasonable cost.

• Hotel Center Point. Located in main market. Though prices are on slightly higher end, provides food with good taste. 
• Hotel Templeview - Vegetarian restaurant at old Mahabaleshwar for excellent parathas Rajasthani favorites. Hotel Woodland is another good option.
• Mapro Garden. Mapro garden restaurant offers a decent menu. Most of the tourist vehicles stop here, on their way to Mahabaleshwar. This place has clean restrooms and large dining area. Refresh yourself here because rest of the Mahabaleshwar public points hardly have any restrooms, let alone clean ones. The self service counters are prompt in serving your orders. Pizza, soups, sandwich, ice creams are some of the good offerings. They also have a retail outlet for Mapro products offering a large variety of crush, jams and candies. 
• Strawberries. Buy the 'sweet charlie' variety of strawberries from the main Mahabaleshwar Market. Alternatively, you can also venture out into interior parts to handpick your berries from the strawberry farms. 
• Strawberry Cream: From fine dining restaurants to roadside stalls, it is sold throughout the region. The dessert consists of fresh cream combined with slices of strawberry. It is topped with a scoop of strawberry ice cream. Finally garnished with strawberry slices and a dash of strawberry syrup. There are other seasonal options where the strawberry is replaced with other seasonal fruits like mulberry and mango. The chocolate cream is available throughout the year. Price: ₹160 for a medium-sized strawberry cream.

• Beer. Generally restaurants here do not serve liquor, except beer, but a few places close to the State Bus Stand, like Hotel Shreyas have it on menu. You can buy all the liquor you want from Imperial Stores. 
• Milk Shakes. The most popular drink, available at most restaurants, is strawberry milk shake. You can add a blob of strawberry ice-cream for some added flavour 
• Strawberry and other local wines. Strawberry Wine is another sought-after souvenir of the region. A 750 ml bottle of Strawberry Wine costs about ₹600. Also available are mulberry, raspberry, chocolate, mango (alphanso), kiwi, peach, pineapple and plum wine. 

Never go to Old Mahabaleshwar for accommodation; it's better to stay near the bus stand. However, the Old City is better if you want to enjoy nature or the calm of the forest.

• Citrus Chambers Mahabaleshwar hotel (Two minutes distance from the Main market). Nice views 
• The Dina Hotel, Lake Road (Overlooking Lake), ☏ +91 2168 260246. A family-run heritage hotel with well-furnished rooms with en-suite bathrooms & TV. Enjoy views of the lake on the balcony as you sip your tea. Veg & non-veg dining. ₹2300. 
• Durwankur Cottage, Ganesh Housing Society, Off Mahabaleshwar Market, - 412 806, ☏ +91 9422038437. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Cottage, clean and comfortable. 500-1500. 
• Frederick Hotel. Quiet, with a wonderful valley view, spacious rooms, and good food. 
• Hotel Girivihar (Near market), ☏ +91 2168-260288. Check-in: 9AM, check-out: 8AM. Serves good Maharashtrian food. Clean and comfortable place to stay. Friendly staff. ₹2500. 
• 17.9268773.65921 Hotel Rajesh, [email protected]. Centrally located pure vegetarian hotel with 70 centrally air conditioned rooms and 20 non-air-conditioned rooms. Parking, pool with waterfall, gym, children's play park with mini train. 
• Hotel Templeview. Surrounded by the jungle, gives a true feeling of wilderness. Rooms are just about okay. Food is fine. Some parts of resort building are about 125 years old. The cottages have three large rooms and a large bathroom & dressing area with respect to the price paid. The food and service are good. 
• Ramsukh, Old Mahabaleshwar, 7 km away. Nice 3-star place. 

• Rockford Resort, Tapola Road, At-Chikali, Post-Taldeo, ☏ +91-7770011742. (updated Dec 2024)
• 17.93651173.6840812 Khushi River Side Resort & Spa, Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar Rd, Lingmala, Avakali, ☏ +91 96977 07575, khushiresort75(@)gmail.com. It has a scenic swimming pool, a spa, and rooms boasting river views. (updated Feb 2025)

• Nashik - An ancient holy city. About 210 km from Pune.
• Shirdi - A town in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. There are many buses connecting Pune to Shirdi (200 km, 5-hour ride). Shirdi was where the saint Sai Baba lived till his samadhi in 1918. Today, it is a pilgrimage center and millions of his devotees from all over the world come each year to pay their respects.