Lying on the outskirts of the city, Panhala Fort is one of the biggest in the Deccan region. Overlooking the verdant hills of the Sahyadri range, it is perched at a height of 977 m and bordered by 7-km-long fortifications. The entire stretch is peppered with watchtowers, bastions and ramparts. The fort was constructed by Raja Bhoja in the 12th century in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.

The best time to visit the fort is during the monsoon months when the fog hangs over the area, lending it a mysterious and exciting feel. Tourists can get an interesting view of the pass connecting Maharashtra with its coastal areas from the fort. The place also has a historic significance as it was from here that Shivaji laid a siege for four months, and is believed to be the only place where he spent more than 500 days.