The places to visit in Shimla, split into what is in town and what is a day trip, with what each is, why go, time needed and a practical tip for each.
Quick summary
The best places to visit in Shimla fall into two groups: a compact colonial core you can cover on foot, and a ring of forest villages, hill retreats and hot springs that need a car or a day. This guide covers both, with what each place is, why it is worth your time, how long to give it and one practical tip. For the wider picture, including how to get there and when to go, see the Shimla travel hub.
Top picks at a glance
- If you only have one day: The Ridge and Christ Church, Mall Road and Jakhu Temple.
- For history: Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas), closed on Mondays.
- For the journey: the Kalka–Shimla Railway, at least one way.
- For quiet and forest: Mashobra and Naldehra, or Chail.
- For snow in winter: Kufri, with realistic expectations.
| Place | In town or day trip | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| The Ridge and Christ Church | In town | 1 hour, plus an evening visit |
| Mall Road | In town | 1–2 hours |
| Jakhu Temple | In town (about 2.5 km from the Ridge) | 2–3 hours with the walk |
| Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) | In town (western end) | 1.5–2 hours |
| Kalka–Shimla Railway | Starts or ends at Shimla station | About 5 hours one way |
| Kufri | Day trip, about 16 km | 2–4 hours |
| Mashobra and Naldehra | Day trip, about 12–22 km | Half a day, or stay |
| Chail | Day trip, about 44 km | Half to full day |
| Tattapani | Day trip, roughly 50 km | Full day |
In Shimla town
1. The Ridge and Christ Church
What it is: the open promenade on the crest of Shimla, with Christ Church at its centre. The church was consecrated in 1857 and is described as the second-oldest church in north India; its stained-glass windows depict virtues such as Faith, Hope and Charity. Scandal Point, where the Ridge meets the Mall, and the restored Gaiety Theatre of 1887 are a few minutes away.
Why go: this is the heart of colonial Shimla and the place the whole town comes to walk in the evening.
Time needed: about an hour, plus a second visit at sunset.
Tip: come early in the morning for an empty Ridge and clear views, and again around sunset, which is about 5.50 pm in mid-October and after 7 pm in June.
2. Mall Road
What it is: the pedestrian main street running west from Scandal Point, lined with colonial buildings, shops, hotels and cafés, including the Indian Coffee House. Lakkar Bazaar sits just beside the Ridge, and Middle and Lower Bazaar step down the slope below the Mall.
Why go: the architecture, the walk and the food in the bazaars around it. Sita Ram's chana bhatura in Lakkar Bazaar is the town's best-known breakfast.
Time needed: one to two hours.
Tip: private cars are kept off the core Mall area. Park at the Lift parking on the Cart Road and take the public Lift up rather than climbing with bags.
3. Jakhu Temple
What it is: a Hanuman temple on Jakhu hill, Shimla's highest point at about 2,455 m, with a 33-metre (108 ft) Hanuman statue unveiled in 2010.
Why go: the forest walk up and the view over the whole town and, on clear days, the snow ranges to the north.
Time needed: two to three hours. The walk from the Ridge is about 2.5 km and steep; most people take 45 minutes to an hour to climb. Taxis go most of the way, and a ropeway opened in 2017, but check whether it is operating when you visit.
Tip: the monkeys here snatch glasses, phones, hats and food. Zip everything into a bag, carry nothing in your hands and never feed them.
4. Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)
What it is: the viceroys' residence on Observatory Hill, completed in 1888 to designs by Henry Irwin, where Lord Wavell held the Simla Conference in 1945. It now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
Why go: it is the only place in Shimla where you can tour colonial interiors with a guide, and the lawns look out over the hills.
Time needed: one and a half to two hours.
Tip: open 9.30 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays and national holidays. Guided tours of about 30 minutes run from roughly 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. Entry is ₹100 for Indian adults, ₹50 for children aged 5–12 and seniors, and ₹500 for foreign nationals. Photography is not allowed inside.
5. Kalka–Shimla Railway
What it is: the narrow-gauge line opened in 1903 that climbs about 96 km from Kalka through 102 tunnels, including the 1,143-metre Barog tunnel. It is part of UNESCO's Mountain Railways of India World Heritage Site.
Why go: it is one of India's classic slow train journeys, through forest, viaducts and small hill stations.
Time needed: about five hours one way.
Tip: from Delhi, the Kalka Shatabdi (12011) reaches Kalka about 11.40 am and connects with the Himalayan Queen (52455), which leaves around 11.55 am and reaches Shimla about 5 pm. The connection is tight, so book both early and check timings on NTES. The morning Shivalik Deluxe (52451) and Him Darshan vistadome (52459) suit travellers who overnight in Kalka or Chandigarh.
Day trips from Shimla
6. Mashobra and Naldehra
What it is: two forest and orchard villages north of Shimla. Mashobra, about 12 km away, has Craignano Nature Park and the protected Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary nearby. Naldehra, about 22 km away, has a golf course on a forest meadow traditionally credited to Lord Curzon around 1905.
Why go: deodar forest, cooler and quieter evenings, and an easier base than the Mall if you are driving.
Time needed: half a day, or one or two nights.
Tip: visitors can play golf at Naldehra, but check green fees and booking with the club in advance.
7. Chail
What it is: a hill town about 44 km from Shimla, developed as a summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala. The Chail Palace is now an HPTDC heritage hotel, and the cricket ground at 2,444 m, established in 1893, is described as the highest in the world.
Why go: forest roads, palace grounds and a much calmer atmosphere than Shimla.
Time needed: half a day to a full day.
Tip: the cricket ground is used by Chail Military School, so check access at the gate. Drive back before dark on the narrow forest roads.
8. Kufri
What it is: a small hill stop about 16 km east of Shimla on NH5, known for snow in winter, horse rides up to Mahasu peak, the Himalayan Nature Park and an amusement park.
Why go: the most accessible chance of snow near Shimla in January and February, or a stop on the way to Chail or Narkanda.
Time needed: two to four hours.
Tip: horses on the Mahasu track are registered with the local authority. Ride only registered horses, agree the fare before mounting and skip the ride on ice or deep mud. Outside the snow season, it is crowded and commercial; go early on a weekday.
9. Tattapani
What it is: a village on the Sutlej roughly 50 km north of Shimla via Naldehra, where hot sulphur springs are now drawn into public baths and hotel tanks after the Kol Dam reservoir raised the river level.
Why go: a warm valley and a hot soak, especially welcome in winter.
Time needed: a full day from Shimla.
Tip: the descent from Naldehra is long, steep and full of hairpins. Drive it in daylight and in low gear, and leave it to experienced riders if you are on two wheels.
More places nearby
- Tara Devi temple: a hilltop temple overlooking Shimla, about 11 km out on the Kalka highway. The toy train stops at Taradevi station below it.
- Annandale: a large level ground below the town, with an army heritage museum; check opening hours locally.
- Chadwick Falls: a forest waterfall beyond Summer Hill that is worth the walk mainly from July to October, when there is water.
- Himachal State Museum: the state's museum of history and art, on the way towards the Viceregal Lodge; check timings before you go.
Planning tips
- Do the in-town places on foot and keep the car for day trips.
- Avoid Mondays for the Viceregal Lodge.
- From July to September, check landslide alerts before heading to Tattapani, Chail or down to Kalka.
- Snow is most likely in January and February, more often at Kufri than in town. See when to visit Shimla for month-by-month detail.
To fit these into a weekend, follow the 2-day Shimla itinerary, check costs in the Shimla trip cost guide, or build your own plan in the trip planner. Heading further up the mountains afterwards? Manali is the next big hill town to the north.