Discover the best things to do in Shimla, from the toy train and Mall Road to Kufri snow, Chail and Tattapani rafting. Plan your Shimla trip now!
Shimla is more than a viewpoint on The Ridge. In two or three days you can ride a heritage train, walk through colonial buildings, play in the snow at Kufri, raft on the Sutlej and eat siddu at a roadside dhaba.
We have put together the 15 best things to do in Shimla, the ones our guests enjoy most, with where each one is, the best season for it and how much time to keep. For places, hotels and budgets, read our full Shimla tour guide.
All 15 activities in one table. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Activity | Where | Best time | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Walk The Ridge and Mall Road at sunset | Centre of Shimla | All year | 2–3 hours |
| 2. Ride the Kalka–Shimla toy train | Shimla railway station | March to June, October to December | 1–5 hours |
| 3. Climb to Jakhu Temple | 2 km above The Ridge | All year (morning is best) | 2 hours |
| 4. Tour the Viceregal Lodge | Observatory Hill, 4 km from The Ridge | All year | 1.5 hours |
| 5. Visit Christ Church | The Ridge | All year; December for Christmas | 30 minutes |
| 6. Shop at Lakkar Bazaar and Lower Bazaar | Near The Ridge | All year | 1–2 hours |
| 7. Snow play and horse rides at Kufri | 16 km from Shimla | December to February for snow | Half day |
| 8. Day trip to Chail | 45 km from Shimla | March to June, October to November | Full day |
| 9. Picnic and golf at Naldehra | 22 km from Shimla | April to June, September to November | Half day |
| 10. Hot springs and rafting at Tattapani | 50 km from Shimla | March to June, October | Full day |
| 11. Ice skating on an open-air rink | Ice Skating Rink, below The Ridge | December to February | 1–2 hours |
| 12. Forest walk at Glen and Summer Hill | 4–5 km from The Ridge | March to June, September to November | 2–3 hours |
| 13. Taste Himachali food | Lower Bazaar and local dhabas | All year | 1 hour per meal |
| 14. Walk through apple orchards | Kotgarh and Thanedar, 75–80 km | August to October | Full day |
| 15. Snow and views at Narkanda and Hatu Peak | 60 km from Shimla | December to February for snow; April to June for views | Full day |
The Ridge is Shimla's open square, with Christ Church at one end and views of the snow peaks on a clear day. Walk down Mall Road as the lights come on, stop at the old Scandal Point and try a hot coffee at Indian Coffee House, which has served guests since the 1950s. Vehicles are not allowed here, so it is a relaxed walk for all ages.
This narrow-gauge line, opened in 1903, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It climbs through more than 100 tunnels and over hundreds of bridges. If you are short on time, take the short ride from Shimla to Shoghi or Tara Devi and back. Book seats on the IRCTC website early in summer and around Christmas.
Jakhu Hill is the highest point in Shimla at about 2,455 m. The temple is known for its huge Hanuman statue, 108 ft tall, which you can see from across town. Walk up the steep path or take the ropeway. Keep sunglasses, phones and food out of sight, because the monkeys here are quick.
Built in 1888 for the British Viceroy, this grey stone building now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Guided tours show the wood-panelled halls and the rooms where the Simla Conference was held in 1945. The lawns are lovely for photos. The lodge is usually closed on Mondays.
Finished in 1857, Christ Church is one of the oldest churches in North India and the most photographed building in Shimla. Look at the stained-glass windows inside. At Christmas it is lit up and the evening service draws big crowds.
Lakkar Bazaar is the place for wooden toys, walking sticks and small souvenirs. Lower Bazaar, below Mall Road, is busier and cheaper, with Himachali caps, Kullu shawls, dry fruit and local pickles. Bargaining is normal in Lower Bazaar.
Kufri is higher and colder than Shimla, so it holds snow for longer. In winter you can try skiing, snow tubing and yak rides. In summer, ride a horse up to Mahasu Peak for a view of the Himalayas, or visit the Himalayan Nature Park. Our Kufri tour package covers it with a private cab.
Chail is a quiet town in deodar forests, once the summer home of the Maharaja of Patiala. See Chail Palace, now a heritage hotel, and the cricket ground at about 2,444 m, one of the highest in the world. It is a good escape from the crowds of Mall Road.
Naldehra has a wide meadow ringed by tall deodars and one of the oldest golf courses in India. Families come here for pony rides and picnics. It is calm on weekdays, and the drive passes through pretty apple orchards.
Tattapani, on the banks of the Sutlej river, is known for its natural hot springs. In spring and autumn, local operators run gentle river-rafting trips here that suit beginners. It is lower and warmer than Shimla, so carry light clothes.
Shimla's open-air rink has run since 1920 and is one of the few in South Asia that freezes naturally. Sessions only happen on cold, clear days, usually early in the morning and in the evening. Skates are available on rent.
For a break from the town, walk the quiet forest roads around Summer Hill or down to The Glen, a shaded valley with a small stream. Birds, pine smell and almost no traffic make it a favourite with couples and photographers.
Try siddu (steamed wheat bread with a nut filling), chha gosht (lamb in a yoghurt gravy), madra (chickpeas in yoghurt) and the festive Himachali dham, a full meal served on leaf plates. Small dhabas in Lower Bazaar serve the most homely food.
Kotgarh and Thanedar, beyond Narkanda, are where apple farming in Himachal began. In harvest season you can walk through orchards, buy fresh fruit at farm prices and watch the boxes being packed. Combine it with Narkanda in one day.
Narkanda gets more snow than Shimla and has gentle ski slopes in winter. Drive up to Hatu Peak, at about 3,400 m, for a wooden temple and wide Himalayan views. The road to the top can close after heavy snow.
The best time to visit Shimla for most of these activities is March to June. Come from late December to February if snow at Kufri and ice skating are on your list.
Toy train rides, Chail, Naldehra, Tattapani rafting and long walks on Mall Road.
Café hopping, museum visits, forest walks in light rain and apple orchards from August.
Clear views from Jakhu and Hatu Peak, photography and quiet day trips.
Snow at Kufri and Narkanda, ice skating and Christmas on The Ridge.
Want all of this without the planning? Our Shimla tour package covers the town sights, Kufri and a day trip, with hotels and a private cab.
Walk The Ridge and Mall Road, ride the Kalka–Shimla toy train, climb to Jakhu Temple, tour the Viceregal Lodge, play in the snow at Kufri and take a day trip to Chail or Narkanda.
From December to February you can enjoy snow at Kufri and Narkanda, skate on the open-air rink, see Christmas lights on The Ridge and attend the Winter Carnival.
A sunset walk on The Ridge, the toy train ride, a quiet day in Chail, the forest walk at Glen and a stay in a hotel with valley views are couple favourites.
Kids enjoy the toy train, pony rides at Naldehra and Kufri, the Himalayan Nature Park, snow tubing in winter and the open-air ice skating rink.
Plan 2 to 3 nights: one day for the town sights, one for Kufri and Naldehra and one for Chail or Narkanda. Add Manali for a 5 to 6 night trip.
Yes. You can try river rafting at Tattapani, skiing at Kufri and Narkanda, and short treks to Hatu Peak and Mahasu Peak. For more adventure, combine Shimla with Manali.
Tell us what you want to do and your dates. We plan the days, hotels and a private cab from Chandigarh, so you see more and drive less.
