Top 10+ Best Places To Visit In Lonavala For 2021
- May 9th, 2019
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- Post by: ShortBreakCo
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- Comments: 0
Surrounded by the lush green hills and picturesque natural beauty, Lonavala is one of the most preferred weekend getaways for people of Mumbai and Pune.
As it’s well-connected by road and rail, it’s getting popular with time. Lonavala looks awe-inspiring during monsoons when the white clouds float on the hilltops making the place look all the more surreal. Located in the heart of Sahyadri hills, its an ideal place to take a break from the monotonous life.
From gushing waterfalls to the pristine raw natural beauty of the hills, from forts to temples, Lonavala is a great place for a holiday. You also have the option of choosing accommodation from the best homestays in Lonavala.
Lonavala is also famous for its chocolate fudge and peanut brittle (chikki). You can also explore the beauty of Lonavala on your own, as you take a trip down the city to know about its ancient architecture and heritage.
Are you planning a trip here? Then you must know about these best places to visit in Lonavala.
Lonavala Sightseeing – 12 Best Places To Visit
- #1: Bushi Dam
- #2: Ryewood Park
- #3: Lions Point
- #4: Bhaja Caves
- #5: Shri Narayani Dham Temple
- #6: Karla Caves
- #7: Celebrity Wax Museum
- #8: Rajmachi Fort
- #9: Pawna Lake
- #10: Koregad Fort
- #11: Della Adventure Park
- #12: City Shopping
#1. Bushi Dam:
The dam is situated on Indrayani River and is a great attraction during the monsoon season, which is the best time to visit Lonavala. During monsoon, the water overflows from the dam making the place look beautiful. It’s the best Lonavala picnic spot, great for a one-day picnic with your family.
Tourists from Mumbai throng the place in large numbers during public holidays or weekends. It’s a perfect place for nature lovers or if you want to have some fun with your loved ones. Swimming is strictly prohibited in the area but you can enjoy under the waterfall.
How to Reach:
From Lonavala, it takes just a few minutes to reach this place. If you are travelling from Mumbai, it is 87 km away. It’ll take about 2 hours to reach the place by road. You can also book a private cab to reach the place. There is no entry fee. The place is open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
#2. Ryewood Park:
The park is famous for its natural lush greenery. It’s perfect to take a break from the hustle-bustle of city life. The place was once a botanical garden but now it’s converted into a park for tourists. It has well-maintained landscapes and is home to different old species of trees.
It also has separate children’s park, thus making it one of the best Lonavala tourist places. It is a perfect spot for nature lovers, and for a quick romantic getaway.
How to Reach:
The Park is just half-km away from the main Lonavala market. You can also hire a private vehicle from your hotel to reach the place. The Park is open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
#3. Lions Point:
Lonavala is famous for its many peaks and points and the Lions Point is the most sought-after Lonavala tourist point. People drive up here to catch the sight of a spectacular and panoramic view of the place. The place is even more mesmerizing during the rainy season when you can see the white clouds floating at the mountain peaks. The sight is surreal and fascinating.
The sunrise and sunsets from this place are beautiful as well. It’s a thrilling place for all the adventure seekers and photographers.
How to Reach:
Lion’s Point is just 12 km away from Lonavala railway station. You can drive up to the hill to catch a glimpse of the majestic mountain and valley view. The trip can be covered in half a day, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Lonavala in one day. The place is open from 6 a.m to 6 p.m.
#4. Bhaja Caves:
If you are a history and art lover, then you must visit this place near Lonavala. There is a combination of 22 rock-cut caves that make this place all the more fascinating. The place is surrounded by landscapes and scenic locations that add to the beauty of the caves.
The caves were built in the 2nd century and are one of the best places to see in Lonavala. The intricate detailing on the caves is a treat to the eyes.
How to Reach:
Bhaja Caves are located near the famous Karla caves. The place is just 15 km away from the main Lonavala market, so you can hire a cab or travel in your private car. If you are travelling from Mumbai, then it’s around 95 km. There is an entry fee of ₹5 for Indian tourists and ₹100 for foreign tourists. The place is open from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.
#5. Shri Narayani Dham Temple:
A religious place that is located in Dhankawadi area of Lonavala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Narayani and is one of the best places to visit near Lonavala. It was built in 2002 with pure white marble. The fountain lined up in the center around three structures makes this place look magical.
The place is flocked by many tourists for Darshan and Aarti. It is also home to Gaushala and lodging facility with five bedrooms. If you wish to seek some divine intervention, then you must visit this temple.
How to Reach:
From Lonavala railway station, the temple is just 2.5 km away. You can reach the place in 11 minutes by road. If you are travelling from Mumbai, it’s about 83 km away and it’ll take about 2 hours to reach the place. The temple is open from 6.30 a.m to 1 p.m and 4 p.m to 10 p.m.
#6. Karla Caves:
Karla caves is another Lonavala sightseeing spot that is quite famous with the tourist. Carved amidst the rocky hills, it’s amongst the oldest Buddhist shrines in India. The place was carved 2000 years ago, so you’ll get an ancient feel to this place. If you are a history lover, then you’ll enjoy visiting this cave.
How to Reach:
Once you reach Lonavala, you can drive your way to these caves that are just 10 km away. From Mumbai, it can take about 2 hours to reach the place. The entry fee is₹ 200 for tourists. The place is open from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
#7. Celebrity Wax Museum:
Celebrity wax museum in Lonavala is located at the prime location, at the entrance of Mumbai-Pune expressway. It houses wax replicas of noted personalities from all walks of life.
The museum is home to wax statutes of prominent personalities like Swami Vivekananda, B R Ambedkar, M S Subbulakshmi, Mahatma Gandhi, Kapil Dev, Narendra Modi, Charlie Chaplin, and Shivaji Maharaj. So, add this to your list of things to do in Lonavala on your visit. And, for accommodation, take a look at these best resorts in Lonavala.
How to Reach:
You can take a cab or travel in your private vehicle to reach this place. Its just 3 minutes drive from the main Lonavala market. Its 82 km away from Mumbai and it takes about two hours to reach the place. There is an entry fee of ₹100 for adults and ₹75 for children. The place is open from 9 a.m to 9 p.m.
#8. Rajmachi Fort:
Another famous Lonavala spots, this fort is located at the height of 3000 ft above sea level so the view from the place is unbelievable. Deep valleys and green trees surround the place; it’s an ideal spot for nature lovers. The fort is surrounded by two fortresses namely Manaranjan and Shrivardhan.
How to Reach:
It is just 15 km away from Lonavala so you can drive to the place or book a cab. It’s also accessible from Mumbai-Pune expressway. The place can be ideally visited from 9 a.m to 6 p.m and is a popular weekend getaway from Mumbai.
#9. Pawna Lake:
Pawna lake near the Pawna dam is famous for its natural beauty. It is one of the must visit places in India if you are travelling to Mumbai. As it’s located on the outskirts of Lonavala, it’s one of the popular places near Lonavala. The scenic locales and serene surroundings make this place an ideal picnic spot. If you want to spend quiet time amidst nature, this is the best place to be.
For adventure lovers, it also has the facility of motor-boating. On the boat, you can enjoy the amazing view of forts Ikona, Tung and Lohagad.
How to Reach:
The place is 33 km away from Lonavala and it’ll take about 49 minutes to reach the place. From Mumbai, this lake is 117 km away and it’ll take more than 2 hours to reach by road. There is an entry fee of ₹50 per person. The place is open till 6.30 p.m.
#10. Koregad Fort:
This fort is located at a distance of 20 km from Lonavala. It is surrounded by lush greenery and is perfect if you wish to seek some serenity. Maratha warrior Shivaji Maharaj built the fort in 1657. The architecture of the fort is remarkable and the view from the point is splendid.
You can also visit the two quaint lakes located near the fort. The sunrise and sunset from the place look divine. Most tourists also opt for trekking and camping activities near the fort.
How to Reach:
The place is 24 km away from the main Lonavala city. You can take a private cab or drive your car to reach the place. It’ll take about 45 minutes to reach the fort. The place is open from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
#11. Della Adventure Park:
Della Adventure Park near Lonavala is amongst the best sightseeing spots. It’s the first Park with 50+ extreme adventure activities for getting that thrill & adrenaline rush. From zorbing, bungee jumping to rappelling, the place is like a treat for adventure lovers.
You can have an amazing time with your group of friends at Della Adventure Park. It is also an excellent choice for team outing as it offers a broad range of activities for team building. The adventure activities are so fantastic; they’ll keep you on your toes.
How to Reach:
From Lonavala, it takes about 10 minutes to reach this place as its just 5.4 km away. If you are travelling from Mumbai, it’ll take about two hours to reach the place. The entry fee starts from ₹1,500, but meals are not included. The place is open from 11 a.m to 9 p.m.
#12. City Shopping:
You can’t escape the city shopping, which is one of the other things to do in Lonavala. You’ll get a delectable variety of chocolate and strawberry fudge. You’ll also get a great variety of brittle that’s Chikki. The peanut and dry fruit brittle is famous in Lonavala. You can also shop for jams, jellies and rose syrups.
How to Reach:
It is not far from the main local city, there are many shops in the vicinity when you explore the place. The market is open the whole day so you can shop at your convenience.
Are you ready to go?
Lonavala is an amazing hill station if you need to go on a short weekend break. From top tourist spots to forts, from hills to wonderful landscapes, it’s a great place to holiday with your friends and family.
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