1
The Ridge
The Ridge is a big open ground at the top of Shimla. On a clear day you can see snow mountains far away. In the evening, families sit here and kids play. It feels like a fair. Big events like the Winter Carnival happen here.
Best Places to Visit in Shimla: 18 Must-See Spots
The top places in Shimla town and near it. See how far each place is, how much time you need and who will like it.
Start here
Best places in Shimla, in and around town
Shimla has a lot to see, and it is easy to feel lost when you plan. So our team has picked the best places to visit in Shimla, based on the trips we plan every week. We have put them in two simple groups: places inside Shimla town, which you can mostly see on foot, and places near Shimla, 12 to 60 km away, where you need a car for half a day or a full day.
With every place, you will see how far it is, how much time to keep and who will enjoy it most. For fun activities like ice skating and the toy train ride, see our list of things to do in Shimla.
Only one day? See The Ridge, Mall Road, Christ Church and Jakhu Temple. Go to the Viceregal Lodge after lunch. Two days? Add Kufri. Three days? Add Chail or Narkanda.
At a glance
All 18 places in one table
Distance is from The Ridge. On a phone, move the table left to see all of it.
| Place | Distance | Time to keep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Ridge | Town centre | 1 hour | Everyone, sunset views |
| 2. Mall Road and Scandal Point | Town centre | 1–2 hours | Walks, food, shopping |
| 3. Christ Church | On The Ridge | 30 minutes | Photos, history |
| 4. Jakhu Temple | About 2 km | 2 hours | Views, devotees |
| 5. Viceregal Lodge | About 4 km | 1.5 hours | History lovers |
| 6. Lakkar Bazaar | Next to The Ridge | 1 hour | Wooden gifts |
| 7. Himachal State Museum | About 2.5 km | 1 hour | Art and culture |
| 8. Annandale | About 4 km | 1 hour | Kids, army museum |
| 9. Summer Hill and The Glen | 4–5 km | 2–3 hours | Couples, nature walks |
| 10. Chadwick Falls | About 7 km | 2 hours | Monsoon trips |
| 11. Tara Devi Temple | About 11 km | 1.5 hours | Devotees, valley views |
| 12. Kufri | About 16 km | Half day | Snow, families |
| 13. Mashobra | About 12 km | Half day | Quiet stays, orchards |
| 14. Fagu | About 22 km | 2–3 hours | Peace, winter snow |
| 15. Naldehra | About 22 km | Half day | Picnics, golf |
| 16. Chail | About 45 km | Full day | Palace, forests |
| 17. Tattapani | About 50 km | Full day | Hot springs, rafting |
| 18. Narkanda and Hatu Peak | About 60 km | Full day | Snow, big views |
Group 1 · Inside Shimla
Best places in Shimla town
Shimla is built on a long hill. The Ridge and Mall Road are at the top. Most famous places are a short walk or a short taxi ride from there. Cars cannot go on The Ridge and Mall Road, so wear good walking shoes.
Tip: take the lift from Cart Road up to Mall Road. Then you do not have to climb.
2
Mall Road and Scandal Point
Mall Road is the main shopping street of Shimla. It has old British buildings, shops and cafes. Scandal Point is where Mall Road meets The Ridge. Look for the old Gaiety Theatre (1887) and the old post office. The road is most busy after 5 pm.
3
Christ Church
This yellow church with a tall clock tower is the most famous building in Shimla. It was built in 1857. It is one of the oldest churches in North India. Go inside to see the colourful glass windows. It looks very nice at night with the lights on.
4
Jakhu Temple
Jakhu Temple is on the highest hill in Shimla, at about 2,455 m. It has a very big orange Hanuman statue, 108 ft tall. You can see it from all over town. Walk up in about 40 minutes, or take the ropeway. Keep food, phones and glasses in your bag. The monkeys here grab things fast.
5
Viceregal Lodge
This big grey stone building was built in 1888. The British Viceroy lived here in summer. Today it is a study centre. A guide takes you inside to see the old wooden rooms. The green lawns are great for photos. It is usually closed on Mondays.
6
Lakkar Bazaar
"Lakkar" means wood. This small market sells wooden things like toys, walking sticks and key chains. It is a good place to buy cheap gifts for family and friends. Try a hot snack from the stalls here.
7
Himachal State Museum
This is a small, quiet museum in an old British house. You can see old paintings, coins, stone statues, jewellery and the old clothes of Himachal. It is a good place to go on a rainy day. It is closed on Mondays.
8
Annandale
Annandale is a flat green ground with tall trees all around. The British held horse races and fairs here. Today the army runs it. Its army museum shows old guns, uniforms and medals. Kids love the open space. Carry an ID card.
9
Summer Hill and The Glen
Summer Hill is a quiet, green part of Shimla with very few cars. From here, a forest path goes down to The Glen. It is a cool, green valley with a small stream. It is great for couples and for anyone who wants to get away from the Mall Road crowd.
10
Chadwick Falls
This waterfall is near Summer Hill. You reach it by a short walk through the forest. Go from July to September, after the rains, when it has the most water. In other months there is very little water, so you can skip it.
11
Tara Devi Temple
This old temple of Tara Devi is on a hilltop near the Chandigarh road. The road up goes through a thick forest. From the top you can see the whole valley. Many people stop here on the way to Shimla. It is very busy during Navratri.
Group 2 · Near Shimla
Best places to visit near Shimla
Some of the most beautiful places are outside the town. They are in different directions, so you cannot see all of them in one day. Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda are on one road. Naldehra and Tattapani are on another road. Chail is on a third road.
See one road each day. Then you spend more time at the places and less time in the car.
12
Kufri
Kufri is higher and colder than Shimla, so it gets more snow. In winter you can play in the snow and try skiing. At any time of year you can ride a horse or yak up to Mahasu Peak and see animals at the Himalayan Nature Park. See our Kufri tour package for a planned trip.
13
Mashobra
Mashobra is a small, quiet place with apple farms and pine trees. Walk in the Craignano nature park and see the apple farms. Many couples like to stay here, away from the busy town.
14
Fagu
Fagu is a small village just after Kufri. It has potato and apple fields and wide views of the hills. It has fewer people than Kufri and gets snow in winter. Stop here for tea and photos.
15
Naldehra
Naldehra is a big green field with tall trees all around. It has one of the oldest golf courses in India. Families come here for horse rides and picnics. Weekdays are quiet. Weekends are busy.
16
Chail
The King of Patiala lived in Chail in summer. See Chail Palace, which is now a hotel. See the cricket ground at about 2,444 m. It is one of the highest cricket grounds in the world. Chail has quiet roads and thick forests, far from the crowds.
17
Tattapani
Tattapani is on the bank of the Sutlej river. It is famous for its natural hot water springs. From March to June and in October, you can try easy river rafting here. It is warmer than Shimla, so carry light clothes.
18
Narkanda and Hatu Peak
Narkanda gets the most snow of all the places on this list. In winter you can learn skiing here. From Narkanda, drive about 8 km up to Hatu Peak, at about 3,400 m. It has a small wooden temple and big views of snow mountains. The road to the top can close after heavy snow.
Put it together
How to see these places in 1, 2 or 3 days
Easy plans. Each day stays on one road, so you drive less and see more.
Day 1 · Shimla town
- Morning: Jakhu Temple
- The Ridge and Christ Church
- Lunch on Mall Road
- Afternoon: Viceregal Lodge or State Museum
- Evening: Mall Road and Lakkar Bazaar
Day 2 · East side
- Kufri: snow or horse ride, Nature Park
- Tea stop at Fagu
- Go on to Narkanda and Hatu Peak if you start early
- Back to Shimla by evening
Day 3 · Pick one
- South: Chail Palace and cricket ground
- Or north: Naldehra meadow, then Tattapani hot springs
- Or a slow day: Mashobra, Summer Hill and The Glen
Have 5 or 6 days? Go to Manali after Shimla. Our 5 Nights 6 Days Shimla Manali Tour covers the best of both. Not sure which town is right for you? Read which is better, Shimla or Manali.
Good to know
Tips before you visit these places
- March to June is the best time to see these places. For snow at Kufri and Narkanda, come from late December to February. See the full best time to visit Shimla guide.
- The State Museum and the Viceregal Lodge are closed on Mondays. See Shimla town on another day.
- Local taxis have fixed rates for trips like Kufri or Chail. Fix the places with the driver before you start.
- After heavy snow, the roads to Narkanda and Hatu Peak can close for a day or two. Keep a second plan ready.
- For May, June, Christmas and New Year, book hotels 4 to 6 weeks early.
FAQs
Places to visit in Shimla: common questions
What are the best places to visit in Shimla for the first time?
On a first trip, see The Ridge, Mall Road, Christ Church, Jakhu Temple and the Viceregal Lodge in town. Then keep one day for Kufri and one day for Chail or Narkanda.
How many days are enough to see the best places in Shimla?
Two days cover the town and Kufri. Three days let you add Chail, Naldehra or Narkanda without rushing.
Which place near Shimla has snow?
Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda get more snow than Shimla town. The best chance is from late December to February. Narkanda and Hatu Peak usually hold snow the longest.
Which places in Shimla can I see on foot?
The Ridge, Mall Road, Scandal Point, Christ Church, Lakkar Bazaar and Jakhu Temple are all close to each other and easy to see on foot. Cars are not allowed on Mall Road and The Ridge.
Which places in Shimla are good for families with kids?
Kids enjoy The Ridge, the toy train, the Himalayan Nature Park and horse rides at Kufri, and the open meadow at Naldehra.
Which places in Shimla are closed on Mondays?
The Himachal State Museum is closed on Mondays, and the Viceregal Lodge is also usually closed on Mondays. Plan your town visit for another day if you want to see them.
Want us to plan these places for you?
Tell us your dates and how many days you have. We will pick the best places in Shimla for you. We also book the hotels and a private cab from Chandigarh or Delhi.