Akola is a city in the Berar part of Vidarbha, Maharashtra, on the Morna River, and is nicknamed the Cotton City. It is a road and rail junction and an educational centre, not a conventional tourist town. The appeal is modest and local: a handful of Mughal-era forts, an old Shiva temple and uncrowded wildlife areas within a day's drive.
The old city holds Akola Fort, also called Asadgad, whose gates and inscriptions date to its rebuilding in 1697, and the Raj Rajeshwar temple beside it, said to be the oldest Mahadev temple in the city. Outside town are Balapur Fort, a well-kept Mughal fort between two rivers, and Narnala, a large hill-fort complex inside Melghat Tiger Reserve.
For nature, Katepurna Wildlife Sanctuary, about 30 km from Akola, protects dry forest around a reservoir and the shy four-horned antelope. Karanja Sohol Blackbuck Sanctuary, across the district line in Washim, protects grassland and winter waterfowl.
Akola works best as a base for a short heritage and wildlife trip. Summers are very hot, so plan for the cooler months, and use a hired car for the forts and sanctuaries, since public transport thins quickly.
Before you plan
Akola at a glance
- Best months
- November to FebruaryNovember to February; October and March are workable; April and May are extremely hot, and the monsoon runs June to September
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days: one for the old city and Balapur2 days: one for the old city and Balapur, one for a sanctuary or Narnala
- Airport
- Akola AirportAkola Airport (AKD) has no public commercial flights; Nagpur (NAG) is the usual airport, about 290 km away
- Railway station
- Akola JunctionAkola Junction (AK) on the Mumbai-Nagpur route, Central Railway, Bhusawal division
- Getting around
- Autos in the cityAutos in the city; a hired car with a driver is practical for Balapur, Narnala and the sanctuaries
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,200 to ₹3,000 per person…Roughly ₹1,200 to ₹3,000 per person per day excluding stay; more with car hire for day trips
- Senior comfort
- Reasonable for the city sightsReasonable for the city sights; Narnala is demanding and the sanctuaries have minimal facilities
- Language
- Marathi most commonMarathi most common, with Urdu and Hindi widely spoken; some English in hotels
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Akola: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Akola itinerary
One good day
1 day in Akola
Visit Akola Fort and the Raj Rajeshwar temple in the morning, then drive to Balapur Fort after lunch for the walls, gateways and Bala Devi temple. Return before dusk.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Akola
Do Akola Fort and Raj Rajeshwar in the morning and Balapur Fort in the afternoon.
Day-by-day plan →
