Places to visit in Shimla and things to do

Shimla provides everything a person might want; snow-capped mountains, stunning lakes, a comfortable atmosphere, and seductive flora. The city is sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Hill Stations,” and the surroundings never cease to astound with their charming beauty. 

Everybody falls in love with Shimla because of its charm. Shimla is undoubtedly one of the most popular travel destinations in India due to the abundance of attractions and well-known locations there. 

 

How to reach Shimla?

 

By Air: The Shimla Airport, also known as the Jubbarhatti Airport, is one of the relatively few airports in any of the hill stations and is located around 25 kilometres from the main city. The landing is rather rough because the airstrip is perhaps one of the tiniest. 

It is advised to use Chandigarh or Delhi as connecting airports because this airport is not operational all year. People who arrive by plane in Chandigarh typically choose to reserve taxis for the 3–4 hour trip to Shimla. 

Regular buses are also available. Shimla can be reached in around 7-8 hours from the Delhi airport. The closest airport is Chandigarh Airport (IXC), 60 kilometres from Shimla.

 

By Train: The Kalka Railway Station, which is about 90 kilometres distant from Shimla, is the closest wide gauge railroad station. Shimla and Chandigarh Railway Station are both about 113 kilometres apart. Shimla is easily accessible from any of these railroad stations through local buses and taxis. There is a train station in Shimla. However, only narrow gauge trains from Kalka come here. The train ride from Kalka to here takes around 5 to 6 hours, but it is a wonderfully scenic journey with many tunnels and scenery that more than makes up for the extra travel time.

 

By Road: Buses are available to travel to Shimla, which is a popular tourist destination, from as far away as Delhi, Jaipur, Punjab, Haryana, and certain areas of Uttar Pradesh. When travelling from Delhi to Shimla, a stop at Chandigarh may or may not be necessary. Taxis are easily accessible from Chandigarh, Delhi, and other nearby locations to go to Shimla. Shimla is also extremely well connected to the rest of Himachal Pradesh via HRTC buses.

 

15 best places to visit in Shimla you must not miss

Here’s a list of tourist places in Shimla that you must visit on your trip.

Mall Road, Shimla

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The Mall Road must be included on your list of romantic attractions in Shimla. Other than that, this Shimla tourist place area is a hotspot in this hill town that draws tourists of all ages. 

You may drink up the atmosphere of Shimla in all its touristic pleasures at one of the many cafés, restaurants, showrooms, department stores, and shops offering souvenirs and rare handicrafts that are located here. 

You may shop here for a range of goods, including jewellery, literature, and elaborately carved wooden objects. The Kali Bari Temple, Town Hall, Gaiety Theatre, and Scandal Point are just a few of the nearby sights that you may visit at the same time.

 

Distance: In the heart of the city

Best Time to Visit: Visit during the evenings

Timings: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

How to reach?

The Mall Road’s prime position in the middle of Shimla has the extra benefit of being easily reachable from everywhere in the city. If you are staying near the city’s centre, you may easily stroll for a short while to get to Mall Road. However, bringing your car or renting a cab is a good idea if you are staying a bit beyond the city’s centre. You will need to park your car a few kilometres away because automobiles are not permitted on the main road.

There is a lift run by the Himachal Tourism Development Corporation to get to Mall Road from the main road down the hill.

It is situated 1.5 kilometres from the train station and 1 km from the bus stop. A common ticket costing Rs 8 must be purchased for the two-part lift. You must cross a wooden plank after exiting the first lift before finding a second lift that will take you up to Mall Road. The elevator is open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

 

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies

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Would you want to go to the historic site where the decision to separate India into Pakistan and East Pakistan was made in the days preceding the nation’s independence? You must then retrace your steps to Shimla’s Indian Institute of Advanced Study. 

The structure, which is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Shimla and Manali, was first constructed as a home for Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India, from 1884 to 1888.

It was regarded as the Viceregal Lodge at the time, and electricity was connected to the spectacular building as early as 1888, long before the rest of Shimla began to utilise electricity in any capacity.

Before being transformed into a facility for advanced study and research, the area was used as the president of India’s summer retreat following the country’s independence and was called Rashtrapati Niwas. Due to its grandiose Victorian-style design and grandeur, this tourist place in Shimla attracts a lot of attention.

 

Distance: 3.4km from the city’s centre

Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday Closed

    9:00 am to 7:00 pm, May and June 

 

Ticket

• Rs 40 per person for Indian Citizens
• Rs 85 per person for Foreigners
• Rs 20 per person for Garden Visit
• Free entry for government school students in groups with their teachers

How to Reach: The distance makes it simple for both locals and visitors to get there using any local transit method. To get to your location for a reasonable fee, you can either choose to take an auto-rickshaw or a bus. Booking a cab is another available alternative.

The Ridge

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In terms of geography and tourism attractions, The Ridge may be said to be the centre of Shimla. This popular tourist destination in Shimla is a large, open boulevard that links Mall Road to the renowned Scandal Point and goes along it from east to west. 

Its beautiful vistas of the snow-capped high mountains that border this paradise-like location and rise against the blue sky are what make it such a well-liked vacation spot. 

The area is studded with venerable British businesses that entice tourists to indulge in binge eating and feel-good buying. The Ridge, lined with stores, bars, cafés, restaurants, and boutiques, acts as the community’s social centre and is one of the best Shimla places to visit.

Distance: 2km from Shimla Railway Station

Best Time to Visit: December- January and April-August

Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

How to Reach: Walk/Trek

Summer Hills

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Summer Hill, a charming village 5 kilometres from Shimla’s famed ridge, is among the greatest spots to explore in the city. The summit of this hill, which is covered with lush vegetation, provides beautiful views. The grandeur of Summer Hill, one of the seven hills that combine to make this retreat one of the top tourist places in Shimla, will surely leave you speechless.

Distance: 2.7km from Shimla 

Best Time to Visit: During Summer Season

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

How to Reach: The most affordable way to get from Summer Hill to Shimla is by taxi, which costs Rs 120 – Rs 160 and takes 5 min. There is a direct train departing from Summer Hill and arriving at Simla. Services depart twice daily and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 17 min.

 

Kalka-Shimla Train Ride

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Shimla tourism’s high point is the train trip between Kalka and Shimla, for good reason. The train trip from the Shivalik Range slopes at Kalka (Haryana) to Shimla gives breathtaking vistas of the surrounding hills and villages as it winds through the incredibly gorgeous and rugged terrain. 

Along the journey, it makes many stops at tourist attractions, including Solan, Dharampur, Summer Hill, Salogra, Taradevi, and Barog. 

You will go over at least 864 bridges, 919 riverbeds, and 102 tunnels during the voyage. Even while the train journey isn’t a “location” to visit in the area, skipping it will prevent you from seeing some of the visiting places near Shimla’s most beautiful vistas.

 

Best Time to Visit: During Summer Season

 

Timings: 5:10am, 5:20am,12:10am, train departs from Kalka

                4:25pm, 5:50pm,10:40am train departs from Shimla

 

Ticket price

• Rs 320 per person for Adults (Rail Motor Car)
• Rs 160 per person for Children (Rail Motor Car)
• Rs 510 per person for Adults (Shivalik Deluxe Express)
• Rs 255 per person for Children (Shivalik Deluxe Express)
• Rs 470 per person for Adults (Himalayan Queen)
• Rs 235 per person for Children (Himalayan Queen)

How to Reach: There are several methods to go to Kalka from Delhi and Chandigarh. The following are the top 3 means of transportation:

Train: From Delhi to Kalka, several trains are available. However, the Shatabdi Express, which departs early in the morning, is the most pleasant train. The journey, which covers a total distance of 269 kilometres, takes around 4 hours.

Jakhoo Hill

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This hill, which is 8,000 feet high and thought to be Shimla’s tallest peak, is a popular destination for tourists. This temple is a haven for all environment lovers and pilgrims that come to view the famous 108 feet tall Hanuman statue at the Jakhu temple. For those looking for excitement, it is just a short hike, making it one of the Shimla places to visit in February.

Distance: Stroll away from Shimla, 3.4km from Shimla Bus Stand 

Timings: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00pm to 6:00pm

How to Reach: It is rather simple to travel the 2 km long, gorgeous route to get to the Jakhoo Temple as it is only a short stroll from the city centre. To explore the Shivalik hills and steep slopes on the road route, one can also rent a taxi or a shared cab.

However, a new ropeway that travels directly to the Jakhoo Temple in Shimla from The Ridge in 5 minutes is the quickest and most straightforward way to get there. Visitors to the temple have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to view the picturesque surroundings and British-era structures from above. 

 

Ticket price:

Adults pay around Rs 500 for the roundtrip, while children pay Rs 400. 

Tara Devi Temple

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Whether you identify as religious or not, you must visit the Tara Devi Temple while in Shimla. This temple, which is situated atop the Tara Parvat hill, is said to be roughly 250 years old. 

The ruling deity at this place is Goddess Tara, a Tibetan Buddhist goddess who is one of Goddess Durga’s nine sisters. The wooden deity that was placed in the shrine, by local belief, was imported from West Bengal. Although the temple has a peaceful atmosphere, visitors are attracted by this Shimla famous place’s exquisite architecture.

 

Distance: 14.2km from Shimla 

Timings: 7:00 am to 6:30 pm

How to Reach: 

By Air: The Jubbarhatti Airport, 22 kilometres from the location, is the closest airport to Tara Devi Temple. You may then try to find a taxi or cab from there.

 

By Train: Tara Devi Temple is most accessible by train from Shimla Railway Station. The 10-kilometre trip from Kalka Railway Station to Tara Devi Station in a toy train is another option for travellers from Chandigarh.

 

By Road: Shoghi, which is well-connected to other sections of the city by road, is another route to Tara Devi Temple. Both privately owned and publicly owned buses are readily accessible. The temple is also accessible when travelling on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway.

The Scandal Point

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One of the most well-liked tourist destinations in Shimla is this flat, expansive platform, commonly referred to as the Scandal Point. With all the captivating views of the valley and the snow-capped mountains that surround Shimla, it is a great delight for all mountain enthusiasts. A yearly event, the Shimla Summer Festival, is also hosted there. This location is also home to the renowned Tudor library. One of the most charming sites to see in Shimla in a day is the platform, which gives a magnificent view of the sun setting and rising.

Distance: In the heart of the city

Best Time to Visit: March-June

Timings: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

How to Reach: Take a stroll from mall road.

 

Chadwick Falls

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Chadwick Waterfall, which is located within the Glen Forests, is among the most beautiful sights of nature in Shimla. The waterfall descends over a wide canyon after diving from a height of 86 metres. 

This Shimla visiting place makes for an alluring appearance when surrounded by the deodar and pine trees’ carpet of foliage. 

The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, is the best time to go since Chadwick appears to have a life of its own and the water level rises. You can swim around if the thought of getting wet in the chilly water doesn’t terrify you.

Distance: 7 km from city centre

Best Time to Visit: June to September

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

How to Reach: The best route to Chadwick Fall is via road then; it’s just a short trek from there. To get to the beginning of Shimla Glen forest road, if you’re arriving straight from the train station, you can rent a private taxi or cab. To get to the waterfalls, you must go on foot from the point. Shimla Airport is 20 miles away, and Shimla Railway Station is barely 1 kilometre away.

The Shimla State Museum

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One of the most endearing attractions in Shimla is the Shimla State Museum, also called the Himachal State Museum and Library, which is situated on Mount Pleasant. This area is worth seeing because of the expansive grounds and stunning British architecture. 

The museum magnificently depicts the state’s illustrious past along with its rich traditions and culture. 

They have an amazing collection of various antiques, works of art, sculptures, handicrafts, and much more that they have been keeping for a long time. It is undoubtedly among the top attractions in Shimla.

 

Distance: 2.5 km west of the Scandal Point

Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Ticket price: Rs 10 for Indians and Rs 50 for foreigners

How to Reach: Stroll

Annandale 

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Are you interested in playing a game of cricket or polo in a beautiful setting? If so, you’ll like discovering Annandale. Since the period of the British emperors, Annandale, a flat area in the mountainous foothills of Shimla, has been used as a playground. 

Polo, cricket, and racing are just a few of the activities that are there today. Covered by oak and deodar trees, Annandale is within a steep valley in the western section of Shimla. 

The location is among the best in Shimla to visit in November and is renowned for its magnificent beauty. One of the top attractions in this area is the Annandale Army Heritage Museum, so be sure to visit this Shimla place while you’re here.

 

Distance: 5 km from the Ridge.

Best Time to Visit: Avoid monsoons.

Timings: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm  and 3:00 am to 5:00 pm

How to Reach: It is situated just 5 km from the Ridge and close to 2 km from Shimla Railway Station. Hence, you can either walk to the place or hire an auto or cab there.

Jonnie’s Wax Museum

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Popularly referred to as the Madame Tussauds Museum of Shimla, Johnnie’s Wax Museum is home to a variety of wax figures of well-known people, both genuine and made up. 

In addition to monuments of Michael Jackson and Mahatma Gandhi, you can also witness James Bond, Harry Potter, and even the Iron Man in this location. Among others, the museum features monuments of Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Steve Jobs. 

The best thing is that you may capture the occasion in a snapshot next to your favorite star, making it very special.

Distance: 1.8km from Shimla old bus stand

Best Time to Visit: Avoid monsoons

Ticket price: Rs 250 per person

Timings: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

How to Reach: Johnnie’s Wax Museum in Shimla is conveniently close to The Mall Road and is reachable from everywhere in the city.

By Train: Shimla Railway Station, approximately 2.2 km away, is the closest station to Johnnie’s Wax Museum. After arriving in Shimla, you can take an auto-rickshaw to tour the town’s streets.

By Road: If you’re arriving by bus, you may find a local form of transportation to take you to the city centre’s major thoroughfare. To get to the higher roads from there, you may either travel there on foot or use a lift run by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. 

Chail

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With the highest cricket ground in the world with a backdrop of towering deodar and pine trees, Chail offers a tranquil setting. The renowned Chail Palace, recognized for its magnificent architecture, is also located here. Since it is higher than Shimla, one may take in the vista of the glittering city lights while awed by the magnificently lighted night sky.

Distance: 15.2 km 

Best Time to Visit: Spring-Summer

How to Reach: The cheapest way to get from Shimla to Chail is by road, which costs Rs 400-600 and takes 1h 1m.

 

Kuthar Fort

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One of the top historical sites in Shimla is Kuthar Fort, which is situated in the Himalayan foothills amidst the breathtaking beauty of nature. The 52.8 square kilometer fort is encircled by mountains and pine woods. Beautiful gardens and pools may be found there. Come here for a stroll among nature and history.

Distance: 52 km 

Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Ticket price: Rs 5 and Rs 10 for Indian kids and adults, respectively. Rs 100 for foreigners

How to Reach: Since Kuthar Fort is just a short drive from Jubbarhatti Airport, it is simple to get there from the Queen of Hills using any local transportation. The Subathu and Arki route is the one most visitors take to get where they’re going. However, the most straightforward route to the palace is by the State Highway-16, which runs from Spatu to the Kuthar Fort via the Chandigarh-Shimla road. You may get to Kuthar after arriving in Subathu by turning right on State Highway 9 from the central plaza. Subathu is about 12 kilometres distant, while Kuthar is simply a 3-minute stroll.

Narkanda 

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This hamlet is 60 kilometers away from the lovely town of Shimla. Narkanda is located at an elevation of 8100 feet, and Fagu, a tiny hill station that stands between Shimla and Narkanda, offers a view of this town. This location serves as a layover and is perfect for people traveling to Spiti Valley.

Distance: 60 km 

Timings: 12:00 am to 12:00 pm

How to Reach: If you’re flying, you can select a private taxi from the list of top vehicle rental businesses in Shimla outside the Chandigarh Airport, Delhi Airport, or Shimla Airport to go to Narkanda as comfortably as possible. Take a bus or cab if you want.

FAQs

What is Shimla's most well-known feature?

The village is renowned for offering enjoyable hillside walks surrounded by pine and oak woodlands. The Mall, Ridge, and Toy Train are among well-known landmarks in this Himachal Pradesh capital city. The town features buildings in the colonial style, which give it a unique appearance.

What time of year is ideal for Shimla?

The finest months to visit Shimla are May through June and December through January, when the city is at its most romantic and beautiful.