22 Places To Visit In Shimla, India’s Most Famous Hill Station

For people residing in the north India, Shimla is one of the most preferred holiday destinations as it is well connected via road and railways. While the drive to Shimla is perfect for a holiday with well maintained highways and ample opportunities to stop over, the ride via Toy-train offers an unforgettable experience with spectacular views as well! However you may reach the erstwhile ‘Summer capital of India’, you will feel short on time to explore the whole place.

We bring to you a list of places to visit in Shimla that you can explore and get the best of the beauty it has to offer.

1. Chadwick Falls

Around 7 kms away from Shimla, lies this beautiful spot of streams of water gushing down from a height of about 100 metres in the heart of Glen Forests. The picture perfect scenery would leave you awestruck at the bounty of nature. Chadwick fall forms an apt place for unwinding, be it through family picnics or simply sitting in the lap of nature, or trekking down to reach the bottom of the stream amidst all the greenery. The most preferred time to visit the Chadwick Fall is in the monsoon season when the stream is in its full glory! Although, as a word of caution, preferably explore the falls in groups and be back before sunset as leopards have been often spotted in the forest after dark.

2. The Ridge

The Ridge Road of Shimla is a large open space located in the center of the city and is the hub of all cultural activities that take place in it. The road runs along the Mall road starting from the Scandal Point and meets the Lakkar Bazaar in the end. Come here for unlimited photo ops and indulge in horse rides, street snacks overlooking breathtaking views of the valleys while soaking the ‘feel-good’ rays of the sun! The best time to be on the Ridge is during the months of April/ May when the famous Summer Festival takes place.

3. Christ Church

Situated at The Ridge, Christ Church is one of the most prominent landmarks of Shimla and it lit at night to illuminate it. Built in neo-Gothic style in 1857, it is one of the enduring legacies of the British Raj. If you are looking to spend some peaceful time in solitude, then this is the perfect place to be at. The Church has five stained glass windows representing the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience and Humility. The Church also houses a great collection of books and ancient scriptures, for those who might be interested.

4. Mall Road

The Mall Road is the main street in Shimla, and is home to various branded stores, restaurants, grocery stores and cafes. It is located at a level below the ridge and is a perfect place to meet, eat and shop for branded products, pottery and woolen items, jewelry and handicrafts. The places of interest in and around the mall include the Scandal Point, Gaeity Theater, Kali Bari Temple and Town Hall.

5. The Lower Bazar

If you want to try authentic ‘Shimla’ dishes like Uradh Dal-Rice and Shephard’s Pie, then do not hesitate to explore this relatively congested market. Apart from affordable hotels and restaurants, you will also find a vegetable market and local shops. Come here for a true experience of this city and know more about its culture and functioning, still managing to stay distant from commercialisation and urbanisation.

6. Jakhoo Temple

Jakhoo Temple is located at a height of 8,000 feet above sea level, on Jakhoo Hill which is the highest peak of Shimla. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman as legend has it that this is where Lord Hanuman stopped to rest while searching for the Sanjeevni Booti to revive Lakshman in the Indian epic Ramayan. The temple can be reached by a rope-way or on foot via a steep climb starting from the Ridge or by a horse/pony ride and taxis. The temple has a langar that you can gorge on apart from housing the world’s tallest statue (108 feet) of Lord Hanuman.

7. Hip Hip Hurray Amusement Park

A perfect place for kids and those with an adventurous streak, this park is the only park that is located at around a height of 8,500 feet above sea level. Indulge in various adventure activities provided by the park such as Commando Net, Flying Fox, Rock Climbing, Burma Bridge, Bumpy-Cars, Boating, Indoor golf and many others. If not, you can relax at restaurants and coffee shops and shop for various kinds of items. The park also offers telescopic views of the surrounding valleys and snow-clad Himalayas far away.

8. Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary

This well preserved mixed Himalayan forest is home to many endangered species like leopard, flying squirrel, barking deer, goral, pine marten and porcupine. The sanctuary is also considered a ‘bird-watcher’s delight’ as you can spot various kinds of birds here including the ‘koklass pheasant’. It also houses a man-made reservoir, situated in its centre, which provides drinking water to the entire Shimla town. Trek down to this sanctuary to feel close to nature and enjoy the sights of birds chirping amidst the rich flora.

9. Viceregal Lodge

Also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas, the Viceregal Lodge was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy of India. The lodge boasts of sprawling well-maintained lawns, a lush greenhouse and many articles and photographs dating back to the British rule in India. The lodge is located around 2 kms from Shimla on the summit of Observatory Hill and provides spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Come here and witness the splendid architecture of the Victorian era.

10. Kufri

Called the ‘winter sports capital’ it is the ‘go-to’ destination during the winter months for exciting winter activities like skiing and ice skating. Located around 2,622 metres above sea level and all covered in snow, this town is sheer beauty all around during winters. While people throng this place in summers for a good respite from the heat, many choose to visit in the colder months to enjoy the scenic beauty and snowfall. Kufri is about less than an hour away from Shimla and makes for a perfect day outing.

11. Chail

Located almost 2 hours from Shimla is this serene town that is known for its refreshing beauty and virgin forests. The most popular feature of Chail is the Chail Palace which was built as a summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala during the British rule in India. The town is home to the highest cricket ground in the world situated at an altitude of 2,250 metres. The place is also considered one of the best for trekking and hiking as it has good trekking points and camping sites.

12. Lakkar Bazaar

Towards one end of the Mall Road, lies the Lakkar Bazaar, which sells various items made from wood. From kitchen utensils to gifting and decorative products, you will everything carved out of wood. Affordably priced, the products are a good buy for not just utility purposes, but also as souvenirs.

13. Summer Hill

A part of the seven-hill cluster, this distant suburb of Shimla is located on a hill around 5 km from the Ridge Road. You can trek around to witness the lush greenery around along with spectacular views of the surrounding areas. Being here lends a perfect reason for an enjoyable and memorable holiday spent in the lap of nature soaking in the beauty that it has to offer. The serenity here is like nowhere else and makes for a splendid time with family/ friends or in solitude.

14. Annandale

Also known as the ‘playground of the city’, Annandale houses various things to see like a golf club, a Cactus Museum, Indian Army Museum, a cafe along with breathtaking views all around. The playground, in the shape of a huge circle, hosts various kinds of parades, army activities, sports and festivals such as Dussehra. Annandale is located around 5 kms from the Ridge of Shimla, at an altitude of 622 feet above sea level. Apart from being a spectacular ground to absorb the beauty of nature all around, Annandale also serves as a heliport of Shimla.

15. The Shimla State Musuem

Erstwhile residence of government officials during the British rule, this old Victorian mansion was converted into a museum in 1974 to preserve the ancient, historic and archaeological evidences of the Colonial era. The museum is located atop the hill Inveram and houses a splendid collection of historic coins, paintains, sculptures, handicrafts, photographs and library containing ancient books and manuscripts. The museum consists of galleries such as the Pre-historic Gallery, Wood-Carving Gallery, Archaeology Gallery, Wall Painting Gallery and Numismatic Gallery.

16. Mashobra

A ‘quieter Shimla’, Mashobra lies just 45 minutes away (around 12 kms) from its relatively crowded counterpart. If you want to experience nature in its true tranquil avatar, then head to Mashobra. With its dense verdancy, clear streams, beautiful apple orchards and a wide array of activities to choose from, Mashobra is an ideal place to unwind. While you can visit this quaint little town in a day’s time, it is recommended to make a halt for a night to enjoy this place to the hilt, especially if you the adventure-seeking sorts. While here, you can choose from various adventure activities like paragliding, trekking, rafting, rappeling/rock climbing, quad biking, skiing (in winters) or simply camping.

17. Tattapani

Tattapani is a village that is popular for its hot water springs, spread over an area of one square km. The water from the springs is believed to have curative powers providing relief to conditions like joint pain, fatigue, skin diseases, poor blood circulation, stress and many other such ailments. It is located around 45 kms from Shimla at an altitude of 2,230 feet on the banks of river Satluj. While here, you can indulge in white water rafting, trekking, camping, mountain biking/cycling or a bonfire alongside the river.

18. Himalayan Bird Park

The Himalayan Bird Park is situated right opposite the Viceregal’s Lodge in Shimla. The park sports a humble collection of exotic birds including the former state bird of Himachal Pradesh, Monal Pheasant. The park is located at a height of around 2000 metres and is home to a variety of birds like peafowls, pheasants and many other migratory birds. The most preferred time to indulge in effective bird watching is during the summers.

19. Naldehra

Naldera is a quiant village in the Shimla district inhabited by a very small population. Situated around 22 kms from Shimla, it is a one hour drive from there and can be covered in a day’s outing. It is a different world here, far away from the crowded nearby towns, enveloped in plush greenery and serenity. The air is the as fresh as it can get and the tranquility is as good as you can get!

20. Johnnie’s Wax Museum

Situated at the Mall Road and just walking distance away from the other local attractions like the Lakkad Bazaar, this museum is perfect for sightseeing within Shimla. It houses wax statues of various celebrities like Narendra Modi, Salman Khan, Messi, Johny Depp, Harry Potter, Messi and many more. The entry ticket is priced at 250/- and the museum has a souvenir shop as well.

21. Narkanda

This beautiful town is located around 65 kms from Shimla and is surrounded by the Shivalik Range of the Himalayas. The picturesque town is situated at an altitude of 2,708 metres on the Hindustan-Tibet Road and becomes a skiing resort in winters. Naldera’s beauty and freshness owes its existence to its large temperate forest mostly consisting of Conifer, Oak, Maple, Populous, Aesculus, Corylus and Holly species. While here, you can visit the Hatu Peak which is just 8 kms from Narkanda and lies at a height of 11,155 feet.

22. Tara Devi Temple

As per a legend, goddess Tara Devi appeared in a ruling Raja’s vision that she should be worshipped along with Lord Hanuman, post which he made a temple and installed a wooden idol of goddess Tara Devi to be worshipped. The temple is located atop a hill, overlooking the lush valley and grand Himalayas and offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. The temple is located around 11 kms from the Shimla bus stand.

Actually, there is no dearth of scenic beauty and serenity in the city of Shimla. Not just that, it also serves as a perfect holiday destination for families as there is something for everyone, elder and kids alike! We have, however, listed 15 of those places that you should try to include in your next trip to Shimla to make the most of it. For all your cravings like adventure, solitude, tranquility, entertainment, shopping, food and much more, Shimla has proven to be and still continues to be a true ‘gratifier’!

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