Karnala Fort, Panvel

One of the best places to visit in Panvel for a day of thrill, action, and nonstop fun for the entire family, Shivganga Waterpark and Resort has something for everybody. Enjoy rides like Swing Chair, Breakdance, Sun Moon, Wavepool, Tube slide, etc. Cool off as you rain dance at the waterpark or take a relaxing dip in the huge swimming pool here. There is a beautiful garden here popular for its grass sculptures and colourful flowering beds. The Shiv Temple inside the waterpark is quite popular and visited by people from all over Maharashtra. The resort has luxurious rooms to let you spend time away from the chaos of the city as you enjoy your time here. Essential information:Location: Shiv Mandir, Somatne, Panvel, Mumbai.Best Time: Can be visited any time of the year. Timings: Every day 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.Price: Rs. 1003/- per person.

This temple occupies an important place in Hindu worship and has been revered by people since decades. People visit from all over Maharashtra to ask for blessings and thanksgiving. The stone-built temple has beautiful architecture and peacefully serene environs seeped in prayers and soothing bell tinkles. It is just a stone’s throw away from the Khandeshwar Lake and is surrounded by luxuriant greenery. This temple is one of the best places to visit in Panvel on a weekend to spend a day with the family away from the busy city life. Essential information:Location: Khandeshwar Lake Road, New Panvel East, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Best Time: Can be visited anytime of the year. Timings: Every day 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.Price: There is no entry fee.

This 12th-century monument, also known as the Funnel Fort due to its intriguing shape, is located inside the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The two-level fort is historically important and has passed hands between Gujarat forces, Portuguese, Shivaji Maharaj, and the British. Being surrounded by lush hills and dense foliage, the place is a very popular trekking location and also one of the best places to visit in Panvel.You can sight birds like Racket-tailed Drongo, Magpie Robin, and Malabar Whistling Thrush, Cattle Egret, etc. as you trek right inside the forest. Once you reach the summit at around 1500 ft above the sea level, don’t miss to see the 125 feet high watchtower, albeit in ruins now. There are beautiful Persian, Marathi, and Mughal era inscriptions on the walls and gates of the fort. There is also an ancient Bhavani Temple at the bottom of the fort, which should not be missed. Essential information:Location: The fort is located inside Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Karnala Village, Raigad District, Maharashtra.Best Time: October- April.Timings: Every day 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.Price: Entry fee per adult: Rs. 30, Camera charges: Rs. 100.

If you are a nature lover, this bird sanctuary will be the best Panvel tourist place for you for its admirable assortment of exotic plants and over 200 species of native & migratory birds. You can choose from interesting trails like Hariyal and Mortaka nature trails to sight birds like Malabar Lark, Small Sunbird, Nilgiri Woodpigeon, Slaty Legged Crake, etc. Over 30 varieties of migratory birds like Bluethroat, Ashy Minivet, and Red-breasted Flycatcher visit the sanctuary each year. Don’t miss to see the colourful butterflies as you walk amidst the beautiful wilderness. If you visit during the monsoons, you can see many small ravines bubbling over with water accentuating the beauty of the sanctuary much more. The sanctuary also houses the ancient 12th-century Karnala Fort, which is a must-visit.Essential information:Location: Karnala Village, Raigad District, Maharashtra.Best time: July- August, and October- February. Timings: Every day 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.Price: Entry fee per person: Rs. 35, Camera charges: Rs. 100

Located next to Prabalgad Fort, Kalavantin Durg was used as a watchtower during the 18th century to protect the fort from attacks. Located at around 2000 ft. above sea level, it is a popular trekking location and amongst the most intriguing places to visit in Panvel.The trek to the fortress is considered to be amongst one of the most dangerous in the country. This is beacuse the steep gradient, almost at an angle of 90-degrees, has no guardrails to hold onto while trekking up, and rocky terrain, it is often referred to as one of the most dangerous fortresses in the country. Once you reach the summit after the ‘Climb to Heaven’, as the trek is called you will be treated to breath-taking views of surrounding Sahyadri mountain ranges enveloped in misty greenery and cool crisp air. However, make sure to trek only with experienced people and avoid trekking during rains, which make the steps slippery. Essential information:Location: Prabalmachi, Raigad District, Maharashtra. Best Time: October-May.Timings: 5:00 am to 3:00 pm.Price: Trek cost per person: Rs. 820.

What seems to be an unassuming place from the outside, is actually an iconic 18th-century worship place for the Jewish community in the area. One of the few places in the country credited for keeping the Jewish traditions alive, it is one of the best places to visit in Panvel. Stepping inside the synagogue is like taking a step back in time. The halls are adorned with antique hanging oil lamps, long wooden benches, high ceilings, marble slabs, and Mangalore tiles. This is one of the few places where the rabbi reads out the holy Torah in Hebrew, the native language of the Jews. People also like to visit an old cemetery with walking distance with tombstones dating back to the early 18th century. Essential information:Location: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mominpada, Old Panvel, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Best Time: Can be visited any time of the year.Timings: Open every day. Price: No entry fee.