15 places to visit in Dehradun to make the most out of this magical city

We list the 15 top places to visit in Dehradun. Read on to know more about the popular tourist places and things to do in Dehradun.

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand. It’s a beautiful city filled with amazing scenic beauty and a tranquil pace of life. If you are a fan of literature, you would know about Dehradun from the countless short stories and novels of Ruskin Bond. Dehradun is just as beautiful as he describes it to be. From tall green mountains to thick forests filled with rich flora and fauna, if you want to have a nature retreat, this is your perfect destination. There are various attractions in Dehradun and places to visit. Here are the 15 must-visit Dehradun tourist places that will help you plan the best trip ever. Before you learn about the places to visit in Dehradun, let us know how you can get to and from Dehradun for your trip.

By train: When you are travelling to Dehradun, the easiest way to get to the city is by train. There is a wide range of train coverage to Dehradun from different parts of the country. Popular trains like Shatabdi and the Janshatabdi express go through Dehradun. The Dehradun railway station is also located very close to the city centre at a distance of only two km. You can easily get to the city from the railway station in less than 10 minutes with public transport.

By air: The closest airport to Dehradun is the Jolly Grant Airport. This airport is located around 20 km from the city centre of Dehradun. You can find regular domestic flights to Dehradun from various airlines connected to most of the major cities in India. You can find taxis and other public transport from outside the airport to reach Dehradun.

By road: If you are travelling to Dehradun by bus, there are plenty of options. You can find both government and private buses from cities like Delhi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. The frequency of buses to and from Dehradun is really good, with buses leaving from the Inter State Bus Terminal of Dehradun every 15-30 minutes.

 

15 tourist places in Dehradun you must visit on your next trip

The natural beauty of Dehradun is unparalleled, and the tranquil pace of life in this city is sure to help you unwind and enjoy your trip to the fullest. The extreme diversity of flora and fauna of Dehradun can rarely be matched by other hill stations in India, making Dehradun charming and unique in its way. So, when planning your next trip to Dehradun after reading the spectacular short stories of Ruskin Bond, be sure to check this guide and make the most of your trip.

 

Mindrolling Monastery

The Mindrolling Monastery has a history of over 300 years. It is one of the most important Buddhist landmarks in India and also houses the tallest stupa in Asia. It is an exquisite visual treat as the Monastery is an architectural landmark in its own right. If you want to pick perhaps the best place to visit in Dehradun, the Mindrolling Monastery is it. This landmark Monastery is located just seven km away from the city’s centre.

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Robber’s Cave

Known to be an abode of Lord Shiva, the Robber’s cave is an exceptional natural phenomenon that you can find in Dehradun. The speciality of these caves is that the river flows from the middle of the caves. The name Robber’s cave, however, came to be because these limestone caves were popular hiding spots for robbers. This is a unique location that falls among the best places to visit in Dehradun. The famous and infamous Robber’s Cave of Dehradun is located just seven km from the city’s centre.

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Sahastradhara

Located close to the Robber’s Cave, Sahastradhara is a beautiful series of small waterfalls in Dehradun. These waterfalls contain Sulphur, which is known to have therapeutic values. It is also a very visually attractive location that will take your breath away. It takes only a few hours to visit this spot, so you must put it on your list of Dehradun visiting places. The Sahastradhara waterfalls are located around 12 km from the city’s centre.

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Sahastradhara Ropeway

Following up with the beautiful waterfalls, you have a ropeway that you can visit to get an aerial view of the entire Doon Valley. The ropeway ride is over an hour long, so you will get plenty of time on-air to take in the scenic beauty. What’s better? Upon reaching the other end station, you have a beautiful park where you can engage in activities such as rock climbing. So, make sure you keep riding the Sahastradhara ropeway on your list of things to do in Dehradun. To get to this ropeway, you have to travel 12 km from the city’s centre, and you will be able to enjoy an aerial view of the entire city from this ropeway.

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Dehradun Zoo

Dehradun, previously known as the Malsi deer park, is a well-maintained zoological garden close to the city centre of Dehradun. This zoo features various endangered animals such as the Nilgai, two-horned deers, tigers, and peacocks. You can merrily spend a leisurely day with the animals of this zoo and even have a picnic on-premise. This beautiful zoo has many wonders you can see when you go there, so keep it on your list of places to visit in Dehradun. The Dehradun zoo is located just nine km away from the city centre of Dehradun.

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Ghanta Ghar

Located at the heart of Dehradun, this clock tower is an exceptional historical monument in the city. Even though it currently does not work, the click was said to have been strategically made so that even a person at the other end of the city could hear its bell. This is one of the most accessible landmarks for you to visit as it is located at the heart of the city. So be sure to see it when you are casually strolling for a lovely evening or morning walk. The Ghanta Ghar is an iconic landmark of Dehradun, located less than one km from the city’s centre.

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Shikhar Falls

The Shikhar falls are one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Dehradun. However, not everyone gets to experience the beauty of these waterfalls because you are required to trek 1 km through rugged terrain to get to the falls. The trek makes seeing the waterfalls even better as you gain a sense of achievement in being able to see these magnificent falls after your difficult trek. If you are an adventure lover, this is one of the best places in Dehradun to visit. The Shikhar falls are incredibly beautiful, and they are located merely 12 km from the city centre of Dehradun.

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Tiger View Jungle Camp

Continuing the theme of adventurous attractions in Dehradun, how would you like to camp in the wild where tigers live? It’s not as dangerous as it sounds. However, this is an exceptionally fantastic experience where you can see tigers up close. You can even enjoy a safari in the jungle to spend time with tigers and disconnect from the outside world. For wildlife enthusiasts, this is the best place to visit in Dehradun. To see tigers in Dehradun, all you have to do is travel just ten km away from the city centre to this jungle camp and you might see these humongous cats in person.

 

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Kedarkantha

The peak of Kedarkantha is an easy trek you can embark on to give yourself one of the best adventurous experiences of your life. This ridge-shaped peak, located around 80 km from the city, is available for trekkers year-round and is snow-covered in the winters. This ridge shape peak, located around 80 km from the city,  is available for trekkers year-round and is even snow-covered in the winters. Trekking to this peak in the Tons river valley is a dream for many trekkers. 

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Tapkeshwar temple

The Tapkeshwar Temple is considered the holiest place in Dehradun and is one of the must-see places to visit near Dehradun. The popularity of these caves comes from two things. Firstly, this cave was once the home of Dronacharya, which is why it is also known as the Drona cave. Secondly, the river flows into the cave and naturally drips on top of the Shiv Ling inside the temple. The Tapkeshwar temple is located just five km away from the city centre of Dehradun.

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Lachhiwala

This popular tourist destination in Dehradun is a picnic spot, water park, and nature retreat all in one. This nature park has beautiful forests with a brook flowing through it. You can rent hotels or resorts in this park and stay in the lap of nature in complete peace and serenity. The best part is that Lachhiwala is located quite close to the city centre, so you can easily plan your trip here. This family-friendly picnic spot is located just 11 km away from the city centre of Dehradun.

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Khalanga War Memorial

One of the best historical monuments you can visit in Dehradun is the Khalanga war memorial. It was built by the British in honour of the Gurkhas even after the Indo-Nepalese war. This memorial is truly the only one of its kind in the world. So, be sure to visit this monument to learn more about its history and the Indo-Nepalese war. The Khalanga war memorial is located just four km from the city centre of Dehradun.

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Kalsi

Kalsi is a small village on the banks of River Yamuna around 30kms away from Dehradun. This beautiful village is one of the many offbeat places in Dehradun you can visit to see the unfiltered beauty of nature. One of the best things you can see in this village is a 3rd century BC Ashokan rock edict, which still exists. So, make sure you visit this place because there are many more surprises here, which you can find out when you visit. The hamlet of Kalsi is located just 29 km away from the city centre of Dehradun. You can easily have a day trip to and from Dehradun.

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Assan Barrage

This artificial lake close to Dehradun is a bird lover’s paradise. This artificial lake created by the barrage attracts thousands of species of birds every year. Surrounded by mountains, it is truly one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Dehradun. The natural beauty matched with the soothing sounds of birds chirping can help you unwind, relax, and enjoy your time in Dehradun. The Assan barrage is located just 37 km from the city centre of Dehradun.

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Rajaji National Park

If you want to experience the true extent of Himalayan wildlife up close, this is the place. With hundreds of unique, even endangered animals sheltered here, this park will leave you in awe when you visit it. The Asian Elephant, Himalayan Bear, Tigers, Leopard, King Cobra, wild boar, and barking deer are some animals you can see at this magnificent national park. This exceptional national park is 25 km away from the city centre of Dehradun. You can easily plan a day trip to this national park.

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Forest Research Institute in Dehradun

 

Nanaksar is one of the famous religious places in Dehradun.

 

Ram Rai Darbar (Darbar Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj) is a Sikh gurdwara in Dehradun.

 

FAQs

Does it snow in Dehradun?

Yes, during the winter months, from December to February, you can expect snowfall in Dehradun. In fact, the winter months are known as the Dehradun snowfall seasons specifically.

Dehradun is located in which state?

Dehradun is located in Uttarakhand. All the major tourist spots of Uttarakhand are easily accessible from Dehradun.

What is the best time to visit Dehradun?

The best time to visit Dehradun would be in the winter months ranging to the summer months. This means you can visit Dehradun in winter for the snowfall in the months of December to February. You can also visit Dehradun in the summer months of March to June for the cool weather of Dehradun.

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