Best Places to Visit in Lonavala: Top Must-Visit Spots

Located in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats, Lonavala is an idyllic retreat that has captivated tourists for generations. 

No matter if you’re an adrenaline junkie, a history enthusiast or just someone seeking peace amid natural beauty, Lonavala promises unforgettable memories. 

In this guide, I’ll expose the soul of this hill station that goes beyond its famous chikki and fudge. Therefore, read this article thoroughly and make your own list of the places to visit in Lonavala based on the experiences you want, since this hill station offers lots.

Top 10 Must-Visit Places in Lonavala

1. Lonavala lake

Lonavala Lake is a must-see no matter who you are visiting Lonavala with, whether you are family, friends, or partners. That’s why we keep it at the top of our list of things to do in Lonavala.

Enjoy the beauty of lakes while listening to nature’s melodies of birds and the wind. You will be surprised to know that this beautiful structure is man-made and takes water from the Indrayani River, which was built in 1876. The main purpose of the lake was to preserve the Shirota and Valvan reservoir drainage basins. 

If you are interested in camping, trekking, and other adventures, many online packages are available that are dedicated to making your experience adventurous and fun. So, don’t forget to add this lake to your itinerary when planning a visit to Lonavala.  

Timing: open 24 hrs

Duration to explore: 5 to 6 hours

Entry fee: Free

Distance from Lonavala: 2.8 km

Things to do:

• Picnic with loved ones 
• Boating 
• Photography

2. Imagicaa

If you are an adventure freak, you cannot miss this amazing and India’s First International Standard themed amusement park called Imagicaa. The place is on the Mumbai-Pune highway but is closer to Lonavala. If you are visiting Lonavala with kids, then you don’t want to miss this adventure park since your kids will definitely enjoy it.

The park covers an area of 142 acres. In the park, there are many sections such as the Imagica theme park, a snow park, and a water park where you can have endless fun. 

The place also has innumerable food outlets with almost every international cuisine available.  The tickets are a bit expensive, but they are worth every penny.

Timing: 10:45 am–7:30 pm

Duration to explore: Full day

Entry fee: For adults, the amount is Rs 1,699, and for senior citizens, the amount is Rs 899.

Distance from Lonavala: 30 km (approximately)

Things to do:

• Various adventurous rides and swings
• Tastes a variety of international cuisines

3. Tung Fort

Tung Fort is our next recommendation on our list of the best places to visit in Lonavala. This fort, also known as Kathingad Fort, is one of Maharashtra’s oldest forts. The place was built around the 1600s, so if you like exploring historical places, this is a must-see for you.

During the trek to the top, you will realise the journey is not easy because of the elaborate and steep stairs and its conical shape. 

This majestic fort was built by the Shah dynasty. Later, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj bravely won the battle and captured this architectural wonder.

Timing: 7 am to 9 pm

Duration to explore: 3 to 4 hours

Entry fee: free

Distance from Lonavala: 24 km

Things to do:

• A trek to the summit of the fort
• Take a lot of pictures from the top.
• Interacting with locals to know more about the fort 

4. Duke Nose Trail

If you enjoy adventure trekking, you will love Duke Nose Trail, also called Nagphani, one of the hardest treks in Lonavala. You will be surprised to know that the place was named after Duke Wellington because the cliff resembles his nose! 

The trek is only recommended for expert trekkers or athletes since the trail is 12 km long. If you plan to take up this journey, do not forget to pack a few necessities like first aid kits, water bottles, snacks, a torch, and sanitiser. 

The route goes through dense forests and rivers with clear water. As difficult as the trek is, the view from the top of the cliff is worth it. Duke nose trail will be a blast, so make sure to bring your friends with you.

Timing: Open 24 hrs 

Duration to explore: Full day

Entry fee: free 

Distance from Lonavala: 7.8 km

Things to do:

• Trekking and hiking 
• Rock climbing, flying fox, and rappelling

5. Karla caves

Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or adventure, Karla Caves is the place for you.  Estimated to have been built somewhere between the 2nd and 5th centuries, Karla caves were built by Buddhist monks who were travelling in India to promote Buddhism. 

According to the inscriptions there, monks were not rich enough to build those majestic caves, so many merchants and local wealthy donors contributed.

The most beautiful and largest structure in the caves is the Main Chaitya. The structure is 40 m tall with a beautiful stupa set at the end of it. In the caves, you will find numerous carvings of people, elephants, and other creatures on the walls of the caves. 

Visitors to this site can gain a valuable insight into the early years of Indian civilisation. For anyone who loves history, Karla Caves should be on their list of must-see places in Lonavala.

Timing: 9 am to 6 pm

Duration to explore: 3 to 4 hours

Entry fee: Rs 25 per head

Distance from Lonavala: 11.2 km

Things to do:

• Explore and admire the architecture of caves 
• Engaging with people to learn about their history 

6. Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum 

If you’d like to see lifelike wax figures of famous personalities, then you should visit Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum in Lonavala.

This museum has life-like wax statues of people like  AR Rahman, Kapil Dev, Michael Jackson, Hitler, Gandhi, and many more. The lifelike statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the main attraction of the place. Founded by a wax artist in Maharashtra, this museum has almost 100 sculptures and statues of celebrities.

Timing: 9 am–9:30 pm

Duration to Explore: 1 to 2 hours

Entry fee: 200 

Distance from Lonavala: 1 km

Things to do:

• Enjoy and appreciate lifelike wax statues of some famous people in India 
• Enjoy horror house

7. Tikona fort

The Tikona fort is another must-see attraction in Lonavala for history and adventure lovers. As the fort is located at a height of 3500 feet, you must trek to reach them. If you want to test your leg strength, you should visit this fort. 

In this fort, there are many trekking organisers who can guide you for the best trekking experience. You must visit Trimbakeshwar Temple, 7 water tanks and Satvahan caves with a beautiful view of Pawna Lake. 

Timing:  5 am to 5 pm

Duration to explore: 3 to 4 hours

Entry fee: free ( Rs 20-50 for people in vehicles)

Distance from Lonavala: 28.2 km

Things to do:

• Trekking to the top of Tikona Fort 
• Enjoying spectacular sunsets at the top

8. Pawna Lake

Pawna Lake is the most popular tourist attraction in Lonavala and is visible from the summit of Tikona Fort. The lake was originally constructed as a reservoir under the project in 1973. You can try boating here.

If you want to have a truly memorable experience, stay near the lake. A wide variety of camps and luxury tents are available to suit your budget.

Time to explore:  Open 24 hours

Duration to explore: 5 to 6 hours

Entry fee: Free (Activities are Chargeable)

Distance from Lonavala: 23.9 km

Things to do:

• You can opt for any whole-day Camping packages online 
• Boating, fishing, and bird watching

9. Lion Point

Located on the Sahyadri Hills, Lion Point is the perfect place to spend hours gazing at deep valleys and beautiful mountains. 

Several adventure parks lie nearby, including Tiger’s Leap and Della, where you can spend time with your loved ones.

In addition, Lion Point offers a perfect view of enchanting waterfalls, green valleys, and beautiful mountain ranges, making it an ideal location for camping and picnicking with your loved ones. 

Timing: Open 24 hours

Duration to explore: 4 to 5 hours

Entry fee: Free

Distance from Lonavala: 4 km

Things to do:

• Trekking 
• Exploring places like Tiger’s Leap and Della Adventure Park 

10. Lohagad Fort

As we reach the end of our list of Lonavala’s best places to visit, we have the Lohagad Fort, which is situated at an elevation of 1000 meters above sea level. 

Initially used for residence by the Lohitamia Empire, the fort was eventually conquered by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Those who love history should not miss this architectural wonder in Lonavala.

Timing: 9 am–5 pm

Duration to explore: 2 to 3 hours

Entry fee: Rs 25 per head 

Distance from Lonavala: 15.2 km

Things to do:

• Exploring the fort and its architecture 
• Interacting with locals to know more about Maratha history 

Final Words

Lonavla is a place that is not only naturally beautiful but also historically and architecturally blessed. Set in the lap of the Sahyadri hills and surrounded by many gorgeous rivers, Lonavala is a place you will dream of visiting forever. 

Since the places I mentioned above have innumerable opportunities for trekking and hiking, do not forget to pack two pairs of good quality sports shoes, water bottles, first aid kits and snacks to make your journey more enjoyable and safe. 

I hope this guide has helped you better understand where to go in Lonavala. Contact SuperbWorldTrip.com for more information about Lonaval’s tourist attractions. You can also find great deals on vacation packages, hotels, and flights.