Honestly, you can to go to Mahabaleshwar any time. But just to caution you, rainfalls in Mahabaleshwar are heavy and sometimes points are closed for tourists due to heavy rain.

Best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is December to February during winter as it is famous as Gulabi Thand with fog.

Below seasons are also popular in given order:

During time between March to May, Mahabaleshwar remains cool when whole of Maharashtra is experiencing heat. Hence it is very popular with families due to summer holidays.

Time between October-November is also great as post monsoon when hills are still lush green.

Finally rainy season from June to September, it is also popular with nature lovers as you can enjoy misty mountains.

Speciality of Mahabaleshwar can be divided into 3 categories.

• Food:
  1. Strawberries : Mahabaleshwar is known as land of strawberries. Mahabaleshwar strawberry contributes to about 85 percent of the total strawberry production in the country.
  2. Strawberry with Cream/Strawberry with Ice-cream is most popular drink in Mahabaleshwar. (Famous at Bagicha Corner and Mapro)
  3. Farm fresh Mulberries, carrots and radish
  4. Masala Corn / Bhutta
  5. Corn Pattice (Famous at Bagicha Corner)
  6. Mapro Juices, syrups and crushes
  7. Chana (from Mama Chanawala in Mahabaleshwar Market)
  8. Honey
  9. Chikki (Not as good as Lonavala Chikki)
• Shopping:
  1. Wooden handicrafts / Sticks
  2. Cane items
  3. Leather footware
• Nature:
  1. Mahabaleshwar is one of few evergreen forests of india, which remains green throughout the whole year.
  2. Mahabaleshwar remains cool during summer when whole of Maharashtra is experiencing heat.
  3. Mahabaleshwar is famous for its points which provide breathtaking views.

Yes. It is very safe to travel to Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani for families, couples. As Mahabaleshwar is a hill station, most of the outdoor activities can be done during the day except visiting Mahabaleshwar Market and bars (night life). Also to mention that, Mahabaleshwar Market and bars are safe in the evening and night.

Take at least 3 days to visit Mahabaleshwar. This will ensure you cover most of the popular sights also knows as points. It will also ensure that your trip is not hectic. Some people even stay 4-5 days in Resorts to relax more.

If you are travelling from outside Maharashtra, you may want to increase trip by couple of days as at might take 12-15 hours to reach Mahabaleshwar.

To plan you trip to Mahabaleshwar you can read our pages:

• Places To Visit In Mahabaleshwar
• Itinerary for 3 Day Trip
• Itinerary for 2 Day Trip
• Itinerary for 1 Day Trip

Here, I am considering things you buy and take back with you after the trip.

• Mapro Juices, syrups and crushes
• Chana from Mama Chanawala
• Honey from Government owned Bee Keeping Centre
• Wooden handicrafts / Sticks
• Cane items
• Leather footware

The question of where to stay in Mahabaleshwar has 2 aspects to it. First is which area to stay and second is which hotel to stay.

Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani destination can be divided into four areas for choosing area to book the hotel. The areas are as below

• Mahabaleshwar
• Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani Road
• Mahabaleshwar Market
• Panchgani

Read more on our article Where To Stay In Mahabaleshwar.

Recently snowflake-like frozen dew drops were seen in the surrounding areas of Venna lake and other parts of Mahabaleshwar. Technically it was not a snowfall. Compared to the northern states, the temperature in Mahabaleshwar is too warm for snowfall. However, various locations across the hill station had worn a snowy look because of the frozen dew. Nevertheless, tourists enjoyed the scenary to the full.

If you do not have your own vehicle, you have below options for getting around:

• Mahabaleshwar Taxi: Taxis offer pre-defined 7 tours for local sightseeing and Custom Local Drops
• Mahabaleshwar Darshan Bus: Everyday Government operated Mahabaleshwar Darshan bus runs at 02:30 PM to 07:00 PM covering around 13 famous points
• Pratapgad Darshan Bus: Everyday Government operated Pratapgad Darshan bus runs at 09:30 AM to 01:30 PM.

Mahabaleshwar has many famous foods:
1. Strawberries : Mahabaleshwar is known as land of strawberries. Mahabaleshwar strawberry contributes to about 85 percent of the total strawberry production in the country.
2. Strawberry with Cream/Strawberry with Ice-cream is most popular drink in Mahabaleshwar. (Famous at Bagicha Corner and Mapro)
3. Farm fresh Mulberries, carrots and radish
4. Masala Corn / Bhutta
5. Corn Pattice (Famous at Bagicha Corner)
6. Mapro Juices, syrups and crushes
7. Chana (from Mama Chanawala in Mahabaleshwar Market)
8. Honey
9. Chikki (Not as good as Lonavala Chikki)

In addition many restaurants are popular:
1. Parsi Food: Grapevine Restaurant
2. Italian Food: Brightland (Olive Garden) Restaurant
3. Sandwiches: Mapro Garden

Top 11 Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani Facts

1. Mahabaleshwar is one of few evergreen forests of india, which remains green throughout the whole year.
2. Panchgani's plateau is the second longest in Asia after the Tibetan plateau. This volcanic plateau is popularly known as table land.
3. In 1828, Mahabaleshwar was established as sanatorium and health resort. Mahabaleshwar was originally named Malcolmpeth in the honour of Sir John Malcom, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency.
4. Mahabaleshwar served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.
5. Venna lake is man-made lake. It was constructed in the year 1942 by Chhatrapati Shri Appasaheb Maharaj (descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj).
6. Pratapgad fort is privately owned by descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Chhatrapati Udayan Raje Bhosale).
7. Panchganga Mandir in Old Mahabaleshwar is source of five rivers: Koyna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri and the Krishna River (second longest river in India).
8. Mahabaleshwar is famous for strawberries and honey. Strawberry with cream is the most popular drink.
9. The word Mahableshwar has been derived from Sanskrit word meaning 'God of Great Power' (Lord Shiva). Origination is also said to be from the word Mamleshwar which means 'God of Mavalas' who is Lord Shiva.
10. The first historical mention of Mahabaleshwar dates back to year 1215 when the King Singhan of Deogiri built a small temple and water tank at the source of the river Krishna Old Mahabaleshwar.
11. Panchganga temple in old Mahabaleshwar is claimed to be 4500 years old. However, I guess there is no historical evidence of this fact.

Most of the must-visit and popular tourist attractions are in Mahabaleshwar or closer to Mahabaleshwar than Panchgani. Hence, you should stay in Mahabaleshwar closer to tourist attractions.

I recommend Top 22 points in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. Just to clarify more, there are multiple points at some points so total number of points become 34.

To plan you trip to Mahabaleshwar you can read our pages:

• 22 Places To Visit In Mahabaleshwar
• Itinerary for 3 Day Trip
• Itinerary for 2 Day Trip
• Itinerary for 1 Day Trip

First go-through list of points which I recommend for your visit

• 22 Places To Visit In Mahabaleshwar
• Itinerary for 3 Day Trip
• Itinerary for 2 Day Trip
• Itinerary for 1 Day Trip

We can categorize the points into groups based on area they are located:

• Group 1: Arthur's Seat Point, Monkey Point, Elphinstone Point, Old Mahabaleshwar, Connaught Peak
• Group 2: Kate's Point, Venna Lake
• Group 3: Wilson Point
• Group 4: Pratapgad, Lodwick Point
• Group 5: Mahabaleshwar Market, Tallest Cactus, Bee Keeping Centre
• Group 6: Sunset Point
• Group 7: Lingmala Waterfall, Plato Point
• Group 8: Strawberry Farm, Mapro Garden, Velocity Entertainmentz
• Group 9: Parsi Point, Table Land, On Wheelz Park

Then, finalize the points to go and decide order of the visit.

You can roam in the market or enjoy night life in Mahabaleshwar. There are many bars in Mahabaleshwar:
1. The Electrique Mist (Kates Point Road)
2. Tarang Bar (Surya Retreat)
3. Plunge Bar (Le Meridien Resort)
4. Longitude 73 (Le Meridien Resort)
5. Unlock - (Evershine Resort)
6. Over the Edge Bar (Brightland Resort)
7. The Grapevine Restaurant and Wine Bar (Market)
9. Meghdoot Restaurant and Bar (Market)

As Mahabaleshwar is a hill station, the climate here is cold.

Best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is December to February during winter as it is famous as Gulabi Thand with fog.

During time between March to May, Mahabaleshwar remains cool when whole of Maharashtra is experiencing heat.

Time between October-November is also great as post monsoon when hills are still lush green.

Finally rainy season from June to September, it is also popular with nature lovers as you can enjoy misty mountains. But just to caution you, rainfalls in Mahabaleshwar are heavy and sometimes points are closed for tourists due to heavy rain.

Mahabaleshwar Temple is built in 1215 AD as per historical records. This temple is built in Hemadpanti style. The temple was constructed in the 13th century by Yadava Dynasty king.

Mahabaleshwar is definitely an excellent choice for honeymoon. In fact it is very popular destination for honeymooners.

As Mahabaleshwar is a hill station, the climate here is cold. It is famous as Gulabi Thand with honeymooners.
There are lake, mountains, waterfalls and more than 20 points to visit with your spouse.

Winter and summer both are great times for honeymoon.

December to April is the strawberry season in Mahabaleshwar. Out of which, January to March is the time when tourist can definitely see the strawberries in strawberry farms on Mahabaleshwar Panchgani road.

There are many good restaurants in Mababaleshwar for all ranges:

• High Range Restaurants:
  1. Brightland Resort Restaurants
  2. Evershine Resort Restaurants
  3. Saj Restaurants (Veg)
• Mid Range Restaurants:
  1. Mapro Garden
  2. Grapevine Restaurant
  3. Hotel Rajesh
  4. Hotel Panorama
• Low Range Restaurants:
  1. Hotel Aman
  2. Hotel Rajmahal

Read more about Top Mahabaleshwar Restaurants.

Consider below steps to plan your Mahabaleshwar trip:
1. Choose time to go : Check above question - best time to visit Mahabaleshwar.
2. Decide duration: We suggest take at least 3 days. Check above question - How many days are enough for Mahabaleshwar?
3. Travel budget?: Biggest cost for the trip is hotel stay.
4. Book flights/bus/train tickets: Choose your mode of transport and book tickets if required.
5. Book hotels, where to stay, book: Check our researched and shortlisted listing of Best Hotels In Mahabaleshwar.
6. Find out about destination: Know more about Mahabaleshwar with our articles Speciality Of Mahabaleshwar, Top 11 Mahabaleshwar Facts, Top Bollywood Spots.
7. Things to Do, Itenarary: Read more about Things to do and Itineraries: Places To Visit In Mahabaleshwar, Itinerary for 3 Day Trip, Itinerary for 2 Day Trip, Itinerary for 1 Day Trip. Check above question - How can I plan Mahabaleshwar sightseeing?
8. Places to Shopping, Eat & Drink: Mahabaleshwar market is the only place for shopping. Read more about must-eats in Mahabaleshwar with our article on Mahabaleshwar Food.
9. Getting around: If you do not have your own vehicle, read our following 3 aricles to decide mode of transport: Mahabaleshwar Darshan Bus, Pratapgad Darshan Bus, Mahabaleshwar Taxi Tours.
10. Phone & Internet access: If you are coming from outside of Maharashtra, you may need to activate roaming. As internet may not work at all places in Mahabaleshwar, you may want to check online info in hotel or Market where network will be strong.
11. Acessing your money: ATMs are available near Mahabaleshwar Market, Panchgani Shivaji Chowk and on Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani road at Mapro, Velocity park.
12. Medicines: Pack some medicines especially if you have kids with you.