Kolhapur is known for its salubrious landscape made fertile by several rivers that flow through it and crops like sugarcane growing in abundance. The proximity of the Sahyadri mountain ranges and charming ghats like the Amba Ghat adds to the picturesque setting of the land. Kolhapur has a moderately tropical climate with hot summers, temperate monsoons and pleasant winters.

Kolhapur is a touristy city and has ample places to visit and a whole lot of things to do. So if you could choose the perfect season to visit the city, you could experience the charm of this landscape. The most ideal time to visit would be the winter months from October to February.

Summer grows from mild to hot since the month of March upto June, with April being the hottest month. With places waiting to be explored, tourists might find the humidity of these months rather putting off. The temperature averages about 24° C to 37° C.

If you do choose to visit Kolhapur in summer there are places that will help you escape the heat of the sun. The verdant, lush regions of the hills of Gaganbawada and Amboli ghat are enough to help you forget the travails of summer. Keep yourself refreshed with the special kokum soda and plenty of water. Participate in the Holi festival and the Rangpanchami or festival of colours that follows a week later.

Monsoon rains are moderate, but you might expect occasional heavy thundershowers and floods as well when the River Panchganga swells up with the rains. When there are heavy rains, there might be traffic snarls that will disrupt sightseeing plans. Monsoon is not a touristy time in Kolhapur. The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon brings rain during October as well.

But overall Kolhapur is a picturesque place in monsoon and if you are touring the city, you could visit the hill stations, the spectacular Amboli ghat, lakes like Rankala and rivers that lie scattered around the place. Keep an umbrella or a raincoat handy. Check out the boat rowing and wrestling competitions usually held after the rains.

Beyond the rains in October, winters are the best months to visit Kolhapur. The months of December and January are usually colder than the rest of the year, with foggy mornings and low temperatures going about 15° C - 25° C. Nights and early mornings are very cold, so you might need to pack in those thermals, sweaters, caps and gloves.

Winters are the right time to go trekking up the Rajmachi Hills or Panhala Fort or visit the picturesque Amboli Ghat or Olavan village for its wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls. Check out the winter Kolhapur Flower Show held in December or January and festivals like Mahalakshmi Kiranotsav, Rankala Mahotsav, Tripurari Pournima at the banks of the Panchganga River and Deepotsav at Panhala.